Skip to main content

Update 3.  

Trimming the brass window assembly to fit an 18" semi-scale K-Line aluminum shell.  The first thing I noticed was the brass casting is taller than required and it has a significant forward curve on its front side at the roof line.

thumbnail_IMG_8764



At this point, I carefully sanded and filed down the front curve of that 30+ year old brass window assembly.  In photo below it shows the roof line curve of these old lost wax brass castings now match the curvature of the K-Line roof line perfectly.  👍

thumbnail_IMG_8767

Stay tuned for the next step…

Attachments

Images (2)
  • Brass window set on shell
  • Brass window matches roofline
Last edited by T.Albers

Update 4.

I needed to make this new ACF dome structure proportional to my semi-scale aluminum shell while at the same time filling up the 6.5” opening.   I couldn’t put the brass windows all the way to the front or rear openings because then the new dome structure would be way too long for the 18” shell.   

thumbnail_IMG_8771



Small patches had to be created to fill in the extra roof space.  To fill in the opening I liberated a few aluminum roof sections from a 15” K-Line donor car that had the same roof curvature.  The plan is to place a smaller roof patch in front of the forward brass window assembly.  This will move it slightly forward when compared to the Budd dome to better match the Union Pacific plans.  I will put a normal size patch at the rear brass window assembly.  This will keep the rear at the same location as the original Budd dome so it will look proportionally correct.  So far everything is coming together.

thumbnail_IMG_8976

Stay tuned for the next step…

Attachments

Images (2)
  • 6.5" opening on shell
  • roof patches
Last edited by T.Albers

Update Nov 27th

The flat center roof section with side windows was difficult.  I called a large train store that specialized in O-Scale brass to purchase the center roof section with 12 matching windows.  The store said “That center roof section with windows is a single sheet of brass that’s included with the brass model kit.  It’s not sold separately”.  Umm… that puts a major setback on my plan.

Scrambling for a plan B.  I drove to a local hobby store and purchased a 0.06” thick brass sheet for the center roof materiel and flat brass strips for dome sides and window frames.  When I got home I worked on removing the extra knob off the top of the brass casting and then after hours of carefully studying all the parts.   I realized I was in over my head and gave up.

thumbnail_IMG_8945





There was no way I could figure out how to create 12 identical windows out of brass, with zero experience in this type material and my limited hand tools.  And even if I could make perfect window openings how was I ever going to get the exact curvature of the domes outer window frames.  After several failed attempts I gave up on making a homemade center dome section and contacted a professional with a CNC machine.



He calculated the window openings with a micrometer, identified the window corner radius and then created a CAD drawing on his PC.  Then, he secured a sheet of 0.06” thick aluminum in the CNC machine, calculate the RPM needed based on the type of aluminum being cut and the size of the end mill (router cutting bit) being used.  After inputting the data the automated CNC machine came to life and went to work cutting in 12 identical windows out the flat stock.  As you can see below a complete center window section was created that’s the same exact thickness as the brass window assembly.  The CNC machine even included the 0.01” thick frames around the windows.

thumbnail_IMG_8962



Next we had to find a way to bend and form the sides of this new aluminum window assembly to match the brass window castings.  For this, the CNC shop measured the internal radius of the brass casting.

thumbnail_IMG_8960



He inputted the new data into the CNC machine and it went to work creating a solid aluminum mold that I could form the aluminum window sheet over. Send me an email if you want the contact information for this CNC shop.

thumbnail_IMG_8966



Next, we centered the new 0.06” thick window section onto the mold and started forming it around and into the correct curved shape that would match the exact radius of the brass window castings.

thumbnail_IMG_8968

Stay tuned for the next step…

Attachments

Images (5)
  • Brass items from hobby store
  • middle ACF dome window section
  • Brass casting inner radius
  • Aluminum form for ACF window section
  • Windows over bent over form
Last edited by T.Albers

Update, Nov 28th

After yesterdays project update I believe I have made it through the most difficult part of this ACF dome structure build.  Before everything gets painted I wanted you to see what the raw parts looked like in unfinished form.   Below are the aluminum front & back roof extensions, front & rear brass window assemblies and new center aluminum window section next to the plastic Budd dome.

thumbnail_IMG_8973



Next, secure all the pieces together with CA glue.  Then sand, prime, repeat until smooth.  Here’s the latest photo of the new ACF dome assembly while waiting for the gray Tamiya primer to dry.

thumbnail_IMG_8984

The above photo makes it easier to see the differences between the Budd and ACF style domes.  a.  No horizontal crossbars through the windows.  b.  Large center roof section. c. Tall side window for better viewing.



Stay tuned for the next step…

Attachments

Images (2)
  • ACF dome parts
  • ACF dome in gray primer
@Pingman posted:

The difference between the two styles of domes is striking.

@T.Albers, can you post a photo of your fabricated ACF dome and one from the LIONEL model in the same or similar angle of view?  I ask because I'd like to see how alike they are,

You got it @Pingman .   I'm just finishing the windows and hoping to post a progress update this afternoon.   

After that I will take a good photo to use as a comparison between the two domes.

Update 7, Nov 29th

According to the Union Pacific historical photos the tint color used on the dome windows has seems to have changed over the years.  I have found different online photos of same exact dome car where the tint appears to be light green, light blue, clear or smoke color.  I wanted my City of Los Angeles observation dome car to match the original 1955 photos, so I picked a light aqua green/soft teal color.

Note:  If you are trying to match the present-day look of Union Pacific’s excursion cars.  You can see in my October 2019 photo below the dome windows currently have a dark smoke tint.

IMG_5066



Searching this O-Gauge forum I have found several different methods to tint dome windows but ultimately I needed four things at this point in the project.  1. Needed to create brand new windows.  2. Needed these windows need to be able bend and curve.  3.  Needed these windows to have light aqua green or soft teal color.  4.  Needed a color transparent enough to allow my guests to look inside and see the detailed passengers.

Finding the exact 1955 Union Pacific tint color was a challenge.  Some tints colors were too bright blue, others were too neon green.  Some tint colors were disqualified because they were too dark and others were eliminated because they had a mirror/reflective finish.   After a week of searching I decided on Solar non-reflective green color tint strips 8” x 6ft with D,I,Y kit from eBay. The reasons were, this tint was thick enough to be used as the window material and had a color was gradient. That meant I could choose the exact level of tint used on the dome windows.  Since I wanted my guests to still look inside and see the passengers I picked the lightly tinted section between 1” and 2” on the ruler.

thumbnail_IMG_8988



With an airbrush I applied Tru-Color's Harbor Mist Gray #TCP-025 paint to the new dome structure. Then, painted the silver trim around the 12 window frames with a small paint brush.  Next, I sprayed with a flat Krylon clear coat.

Once dry, I trimmed the tinted windows to the correct sizes and installed them using canopy glue.  

thumbnail_IMG_8993

I think this newly built dome structure and its window color are pretty darn close to matching this photo of the real Union Pacific 9004 observation car. http://rrpicturearchives.net/s...ture.aspx?id=4622976





Stay tuned for the next step…

Attachments

Images (3)
  • UP Domes Oct 2019
  • Tint
  • Dome with tint
Last edited by T.Albers
@Pingman posted:

The difference between the two styles of domes is striking.

@T.Albers, can you post a photo of your fabricated ACF dome and one from the LIONEL model in the same or similar angle of view?  I ask because I'd like to see how alike they are,

Good Afternoon @Pingman, here's the side by side photo you requested.

Hancock52 provided the top photo of the correct style ACF dome used on his 21" Lionel Union Pacific observation car.  Below his photo is a similar angle of the newly built dome for my 18" observation car.

Dome window comparision



Thanks,

Attachments

Images (1)
  • Dome window comparision
@T.Albers posted:

Good Afternoon @Pingman, here's the side by side photo you requested.

Hancock52 provided the top photo of the correct style ACF dome used on his 21" Lionel Union Pacific observation car.  Below his photo is a similar angle of the newly built dome for my 18" observation car.

Dome window comparision

Thanks,

Superb work, and yes, I think what you’ve produced is closer to the prototype than the Lionel version - which is saying a lot!

P.S. This is a very good illustration of something I realized a few years back, which is that working with hand tools you cannot duplicate the precision of machine made parts. I don’t have any metalworking skills, which is often a frustration, but in any case I really doubt that I could replicate the compound curves of a component like a dome.

Last edited by Hancock52
@Pingman posted:

@T.Albers, in an earlier post you mentioned trying to purchase the center section from a large hobby store.  Were they willing to sell you an entire dome assembly?  Or only a brass dome car kit?

Funny you should mention that @Pingman.   I was surprised to find that hobby store only had in stock "ACF Dome Ends" part number OSA813 for $10.00 each.  They don’t carry the brass center dome sheet that matches these parts.  They said that center dome section is only available with the brass car kit.   I don't know who they are planning on selling all their packages of OSA813 ACF Dome Ends too if they don't have the center dome sections to make a full dome structure.  I didn't push the hobby store over the phone to see if he could get his manufacture to make just the brass center section by special order.   

thumbnail_IMG_9091



For what its worth, their brass ACF Dome Ends are made to fit O-scale passenger cars that are 2.5" wide.

thumbnail_IMG_9093

Attachments

Images (2)
  • ACF dome ends OSA813
  • OSA813 side view
Last edited by T.Albers

Update 8, Dec 1st

With all the modifications seen so far, it should be no surprise that my older K-Line dome interior would not fit into this newly built ACF dome structure.  It’s not a terrible loss because my old interior didn’t have a depressed center walkway and it could only fit 5 rows of bench seats when there should have been 6.

To make the new interiors floor I flipped over the dome assembly, got the important measurements and started building.  I began with a basswood floor that was 1/32” thick x 2” wide x 5.325” long.  To create the effect of a lowered walkway I installed two strips of 1/8” x ¾” basswood on either side to raise the floor under the bench seats.

In the photo below the angled lines drawn on the raised floor section represent where the bench seats will be attached.  Union Pacific was famous for turning their 7000 series (dome coach) and 9000 series (dome-observation-lounge) bench seats outward 10 degrees so passengers had better views out the large windows.

thumbnail_IMG_8998



Once the main stairway with chrome handrails, front and back walls were installed I took the easy route and re-used my passengers and burgundy colored bench seats from my old dome’s interior.  Two additional K-Line bench seats part# K4400-009-02 were purchased from Brasseur Electric Trains at .50 cents each and trimmed to fit this application.  The new ACF style interior now allows for 12 bench seats, a ½” wide depressed center walkway and has more headroom inside for the passengers.

thumbnail_IMG_9001



Stay tuned for the next step…

Attachments

Images (2)
  • basswood floor for bench seats
  • ACF dome interior with 12 bench seats
Last edited by T.Albers

Update 9, Dec 4th

Finally, here’s the finished views of the new ACF style dome installed on my 18” K-Line observation dome lounge car.  The new ACF dome structure blends in well with the factory's Harbor Mist Gray roof paint and overall I’m pleased how it turned out.

While I had this car apart I took time to install the correct sized diaphragm with striker plate up front (part# 48-225) and two fresh air vents (part# 48-231) from ScaleCityDesign.  On the roof I added wire & cable duct covers that were made out of brass ½” flat strips to match the original Union Pacific plans.  The gray colored trucks that came with this car were changed out with K-Line trucks that were bright aluminum in color.  Now the truck's color accurately matches the mid-1955 through 1971 Union Pacific paint scheme.

thumbnail_IMG_9013





After everything was put together I took these final photos and noticed a fun bonus.  That was the gradient tint used on dome windows gives viewers the impression the windows are polarized.  I’ll just tell my guests it was planned that way.   :-)

thumbnail_IMG_9015



Thank you for following this project.

Attachments

Images (2)
  • ACF dome top view
  • ACF dome side view
Last edited by T.Albers

@T.Albers, phenonenal project:  repositioning the dome to achieve prototype proportion requiring donor shell for plugs; CNC'g dome roof and sides; glazing; etc.

If you have one, could you do take a photo of an unmodified car with your new one showing the relocation of the dome in comparison to the unmodified car?

Again, fantastic project.

Great work!

It would be fantastic if somebody would design/sell a 3D print of correct plastic dome inserts for the various K-Line 21" dome cars for those of us with less skill.  The K-Line 21" aluminum dome cars are terrific scale-sized cars but the weak point is usually the plastic dome insert.  It would be great to be able to correct that deficiency.

I agree!  Very nice work.  The K-Line cars are gorgeous, but their domes suck.

My domes are made from the original kit - the metal is closer to .020.  That makes them easier to bend.

The original was photo-etched brass.  I am sure the master still exists, but photo etching has become difficult and expensive, due to hazardous materials.  No wonder they don’t want to rob a kit for you.

@Jtrain posted:

Great work!

It would be fantastic if somebody would design/sell a 3D print of correct plastic dome inserts for the various K-Line 21" dome cars for those of us with less skill.  The K-Line 21" aluminum dome cars are terrific scale-sized cars but the weak point is usually the plastic dome insert.  It would be great to be able to correct that deficiency.

Thank you @Jtrain 👍.

I agree with you on a replacement 3D printed ACF dome structure.  There has to be an O-gauge enthusiast out there with a 3D printer that can make  replacement ACF domes for all those K-Line, Williams, Weaver, Phoenix Railways and Lionel passenger cars that came with incorrect dome structures.  This seems like the perfect project for a 3D printer.

Last edited by T.Albers
@bob2 posted:

I agree!  Very nice work.  The K-Line cars are gorgeous, but their domes suck.

My domes are made from the original kit - the metal is closer to .020.  That makes them easier to bend.

The original was photo-etched brass.  I am sure the master still exists, but photo etching has become difficult and expensive, due to hazardous materials.  No wonder they don’t want to rob a kit for you.

Thank you @bob2 👍

I was reading an older post and saw were you built a full Kemtron ACF dome structure for your K-Line passenger car.  You did a great job!  Do you remember the length of your brass roof from Kemtron?  I would guess its a full 6.5" roof and matches a 21" car great.  But that 6.5" roof might be too long for a semi scale 18" car like mine.

Also, these ACF dome ends offered by Des Plaines Hobbies are identical to the original Kemtron part.  It looks like Des Plaines Hobbies still offers Kemtron parts, just relabeled as O Scale America.

thumbnail_IMG_9093

Thanks,

Attachments

Images (2)
  • Kemtron dome kit
  • OSA813 AFC Dome End
Last edited by T.Albers
@Pingman posted:

@T.Albers, phenonenal project:  repositioning the dome to achieve prototype proportion requiring donor shell for plugs; CNC'g dome roof and sides; glazing; etc.

If you have one, could you do take a photo of an unmodified car with your new one showing the relocation of the dome in comparison to the unmodified car?

Again, fantastic project.

Sorry for the delay @Pingman, here's the answer to your question.

In this overhead comparison the unmodified Budd dome is in the bottom of the photo.  The front of both cars are facing to the right side of the photo.  Also, I included the distances from the domes edge to the shells opening on the ACF dome to make it easier for anyone that wants build there own ACF dome structure.

thumbnail_IMG_91132 dome locations



Hope this helps with your project!

Thanks

Attachments

Images (1)
  • ACF and Budd dome locations on K-Line cars

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×