SUPERLINER

Brilliant, JP.

I'll be watching. 

Overland Models made both Superliner I and IIs about 20 years ago in brass.  They had no interiors.  Diners and lounge cars can be found with some patience but coaches and sleepers are few and far between.

well now that settles the interior problem.

B Harris

i have a 3D laser printer, if you want to email me your .stl or .obj files i would be happy to test print the components. I could mail the models back to you and/or post here.

JPV,

Which 3-d program are you using and how easy was it to learn. I have a possible need for one of these programs and would like to hear input from those that are currently using one.

Thanks to all for your comments! it's nice and make me happy!

I didn't know that Overland made these cars; but without interiors for a brand like that! it's like a living room without a sofa! no?

Thanks Alan for your proposal; 

---> COASTERP: I use SKETCHUP Make (free version); really easy to use, believe me. Just some basic knowledge of the software, that's all; you can find on the web many videos for beginners and you will see that it's not hard at all.

See you this evening for more pictures and the specification.

jpv

JPV, I'm sure you can see from the excitement around this post, that there is a market for accurate interiors, as well as the cars themelves...  Definitely interested in seeing how your project progresses and ultimately if any products become available.  Really like the level of detail I see thus far in your renders.  

Thanks Mike!

Some more pictures:

The chassis and how are fitted the two partitions (in and outside)

14 pieces make the chassis; they are from different size of spacing; her is the longest:

and now the same printed in 3D by the guy I told you about earlier:

Here is the adjustment of some pieces in the middle of the car; all fit together well!  phew!!!

Last one, the first piece I made yesterday: it's the rest room partitions (lower level)

See you later for the specification; files must be too  large..

jpv

Hello all,

Here are the specification for the superliner and two updatings. Hope these Word files can be opened!

As I have said, it's in french, sorry! but I think some people here can translate for those who don't know my language.

jpv

Little work of the day: the other side of the rest room (not yet glued; I have to paint first) with a little squaring mistake on the top right side of the door!!! I just notice it!!!

Too late!!!

jpv

I was forced to redo the restroom partitions because they were too thin (0,5 mm) and they have to support the floor of the upper level; now they are 1 mm thick.

I also began the first floor sideboard placed at the top of the stairs; not yet finished!

See you soon

jpv

Wow, amazing work.

I spent a lot of time in Superliners in September when my wife and I (and some friends) crossed the country from NYC to Seattle, via the Capitol Limited and the Empire Builder.  The Roomettes were nice but a little tight quarters at night when not actually sleeping...

I'm looking forward to seeing your scale rendition of the sleeper areas.

That's nice work JPV.

In 1998 I had an 8900 mile Amtrak trip around the USA, mostly on Superliner trains. Traveled coach all the way on an economy ticket. I usually had an empty seat next to me at night and it gave more space to try to sleep. The big cars ride well. The coach seats are spacious and comfortable. Unfortunately some of the coach seats don't line up well with the windows, if you want a view.

I spent a lot of time in the lounge-observation cars too. A superliner coach has five rest rooms on the lower level and I never had a wait to use one. Top speed for those trains seems to be 79mph, limited by track and signalling standards.

A string of scale Superliner cars would need a rather large layout to run on!

My photo at Dry Canyon trestle near Hotlum siding on the north slope of Mt Shasta in 2003.

Thanks for your comments!

Sorry, P51, it will be a coach car! perhaps later.....

jpv

Your work is inspiring!!!!!!   I need to transition and learn the skillset to continue on with the North Coast Limited I started and the pics of your printed parts leads me to believe that even this is possible.

jpv69 posted:

Sorry, P51, it will be a coach car! perhaps later.....

Maybe I missed that in an earlier post.

Great work so far, regardless!

Good stuff.  My family has taken several trips on Amtrak.  The most recent ones alas were Viewliners not Superliners.

Thanks to all; your photos are very useful for me too; I'm too far away to be nearby a superliner!!!

Next week I will send to my "3D guy" some .stl files for parts to make; I will show you as soon as he will return them to me. During that time, I will finish the partitions of the lower level.

jpv

Hello,

The blue colour was not satisfactory for me; so I looked again at the photos and saw that the colour was not like the real one. More the details I've made were too big! so I re-do once more all the partitions! now it's the last!

Two side views:

To be continued...

jpv in France

Watching and waiting . . .

Man, so much good work that'll never be seen once the car is done...

Amazing is the first thing that comes to my simple mind. Please continue to post your progress

Thanks all for your kind comments!

P51---> You are right, but if I put the seats in as planned, why not the partitions even they are not visible (perhaps a little bit when lights will be on)?

Here are other pieces for my "3D guy" to print:

the stairs:

and the lower part of the chassis (8 pieces)

See you soon

jpv

Wow, all that interior detailing! Can you build the car so the roof and upper level lift out to display the interior?

Yes, it's planned; look at the specifications (additif n°1 page 1) I posted some days ago; all is explained with 3D views.

And thanks for your reply.

jpv

Here are the low parts of the car for each side (300 mm long), between the trucks; strips are 1 x 0,5 mm with a space of 1 mm between each. The cutting is made for the doors.

See you soon

jpv

Workers came on a sunny sunday to lay the non-slip surface and the wall to wall carpet on the lower level!

Sorry for the blurred photos!!! I do my best but I'm not a genius for this!

See you soon

jpv

Yesterday and today's work:

The floor of the upper level, the bottom parts of the body I have re-done because the first ones were not as I thought and the ventilation grids:

A little closer

The grid is made with triangular strips (1mm) glued in the good direction (toward bottom!) to look like the real one:

I also received today the bottom parts for the chassis (3D printed); here are two parts among others:

And how will be fitted these parts to the bottom of the body (not yet glued!!)

That's all for today!

Tomorrow, beginning of the body with many many windows to cut!!!

jpv in France

Still watching, JP. 

Simply marvelous sir profound 

Many thanks to you!

One window, four round corners! not easy!!!! it will take a lot of my time, sure.....

Great work! It should be interesting to see how you obtain that aluminum finish on these cars.

Thank you, PRR,

To this day, I don't know exactly how to do this, to say the truth! I will go next week in a graphic arts shop close to my house where people is very competent and which has many and many  kinds of spray paints; as they have internet I will ask them to go on a superliner site and they can see with photos and compare with what they have. Hope to find what I wish! 

jpv

Check out Alclad II metalizer paints and finishes.  They have lots of different metal finishes from chrome to stainless to aluminum, plus window tints.  It's a multi-step process where the primer or base coat color can subtly affect the finish coat color.

AK Interactive has a similar system as well.  You can find plenty of youtube video tutorials for both as well as videos comparing results for both products.  Both products are very common with military models but obviously can be used for anything needing a realistic metal finish.

OGR member AntonioFP45 has a thread discussing the use of Alclad II.  I originally saw his posts on the old Atlas forum (in HO) and after that on the Atlas Rescue Forum.  You may find additional information on the process if you search those other forums.

I hope this gives you some ideas.  Who knows, perhaps you local supplier will recommend one or the other.  

Jim

Jim,

It's a very important information you gave to me and I thank you; there is a retailer here in France I know in Strasbourg; I will give him a call tomorrow.

jpv

I have had many difficulties with the first side of the car I've done yesterday (round corners not round, bad straight lines, etc... ): directly to the trashcan!!!

Here is the second one I made today; it's better! I also reduce the size of the strips to 0,5 x 0,5 mm; it's the most little I found.

This time the round corners are round!

jpv in France

Still watching. 

I know, Max, I know, but I hope you will be patient because I work slowly! 

First external face completed; the windows is another step, later.

The two remaining holes on the left side will be filled in with a 3D piece.

Sorry for the quality of the photos! 

Patience is a must for rail modellers, JP.   

The photos are fine.  We can see where you're going. 

Thanks, Max! 

'Keep on cutting windows.....

jp

Hopefully you are mass producing these and a lot of Amtrak  fans are going to be broke....

Your work rivals BRASS$!!!

The roomettes are horrible on the superliners. The bedrooms are the only way to go on superliners.

Thanks, ATERRY11! mass producing! if I were young, ...too late now for me! 

I agree, EDDIE G, from here, on the photos, I think that roomettes don't give a lot of space; for one person perhaps? The bedrooms are wider and have a better fitting out.

jpv69

today's work: the first intenal face is done with the frame glued on (bottom of the photo):

The two holes in length are for inserts of the upper level floor (same two on the other side not on the shot).

The external face will be glued on the frame to look like that:

It will remain to fitt the window blocks...

See you soon

jpv

Does somebody know the meaning of the numbers on the little board (to the left on the photo): car number, train number, time, anything else?

Thanks also to you who press the "like button"!

jpv69

Keep on cutting windows on the last face....

Next week, I will give to my "3D guy" .stl files for the seats to make for me a prototype. Perhaps it will interest some of you, as said at the beginning of this topic.

As soon I receive it, I will show you 

The seat is made of several parts for easy painting; when I created it, I had thought to put on real cloth! perhaps stupid but I liked the idea... so do something good  !!!

jpv

The cloth idea sounds exquisite!

jpv69 posted:

Does somebody know the meaning of the numbers on the little board (to the left on the photo): car number, train number, time, anything else?

Some discussion here:

http://discuss.amtraktrains.co...g-car-numbering-101/

Posted 28 April 2009 - 01:09 PM

jpv69 posted:

Does somebody know the meaning of the numbers on the little board (to the left on the photo): car number, train number, time, anything else?

Thanks also to you who press the "like button"!

jpv69

Train and car number.

Yes, Max, I think so! certainly not very easy to do; interesting but meticulous! I have to find a very thin cloth!

Thanks for the information  to ACE and RDUNNIII, it's really nice  !

Cutting windows is finished!!!!!!!!!! 

jpv

Just lack some 0,5 x 0,5 mm strips to finish the last face!

I just noticed that I made a mistake on a face (the third one on the photo): I cut the strips above the second window of the lower level instead of the first one near the door.... !!!

jpv

Hello,

Assembly test of the floor into the inside face and on the lower level interior; at first sight, all is good! 

Hope you like

jpv 69

I do - er - did.  

Thanks, Max,

The second internal face is done and also the "carpet"  laying on the upper level.

Crikey!  How long are these beasts?

530 mm, sir.

85-1/2 feet over the coupler faces

Some 3D pieces delivered today:

The two ends of the car, stairs, upper level partitions and four little pieces for the assembly with the roof; they will be glued inside of the end faces. I have these pieces made because the curve of the roof and the partitions is very special and to have exactly the same shape for each would have been not easy!

Now, it's time to work!

jpv

Beautiful!

Dan Weinhold

The more I see the more I reference recent trips on the Texas Eagle. 

Thanks for your comments!

Mike---> as I'm too far away to appreciate, and for my information, how is the comfort on a superliner (silence, seats,...)? 

I finished today the design of the truck in 3D. Now I have to make its components easy to do in 3D printing; it's the most difficult! but take heart!!! 

Always done with SKETCHUP Make (free version)

jpv69

So wonderful 

keep up the good work 

jpv69 posted:

Thanks for your comments!

Mike---> as I'm too far away to appreciate, and for my information, how is the comfort on a superliner (silence, seats,...)? 

I finished today the design of the truck in 3D. Now I have to make its components easy to do in 3D printing; it's the most difficult! but take heart!!! 

Always done with SKETCHUP Make (free version)

jpv69

The ride and comfort on a superliner is one of the better experiences you'll have in the US.  Certainly not on par with most European trains, but if comparing Superlines vs Amfleet vs Horizon for short/medium distances the Superliner will win out, as the seating offers greater leg room, folding leg supports (can sleep in the coach seating) vs just a foot rest in Amfleet or Horizon cars.  Long distance depending on which accommodations you pick, some say certain options can be cramped, etc... but realistically that is the only choice in many cases when traveling by rail.

Mike DeBerg posted:

 

The ride and comfort on a superliner is one of the better experiences you'll have in the US.  Certainly not on par with most European trains, but if comparing Superlines vs Amfleet vs Horizon for short/medium distances the Superliner will win out, as the seating offers greater leg room, folding leg supports (can sleep in the coach seating) vs just a foot rest in Amfleet or Horizon cars. 

Correct regarding Amfleet 1 cars. Amfleet 2 have leg rests + footrests, and a substantially greater seat pitch. I've done enough 9 to 17-hour trips in them to know

---PCJ

Interesting, thanks for the heads up. 

I wonder if that is system wide for the Amfleet II cars?  All of the Amfleet II's I've ridden in the Midwest corridor haven't had the leg rests.  

Many thanks for your comments and informations!

Today, painting the internal parts and the stairs, but...the spray is empty...!!! not enough to finish!!!! 

Only thing to do tomorrow: go to the shop!

The truck looks good in the picture, JP.  Will you be using aftermarket wheels?

Also, you might want to consider fitting pick up wipers for the interior lighting?

Cheers

This is a wonderful thread....am really enjoying the build!!

Alan

Max ----> for the wheels: probably from NWSL, for interior lightning, no pick up wipers, batteries put in the spaces over the trucks each side of the car.

hope it's enough legible!

Alan----> many thanks to you! it's far from over!!

Now, it's time to go to bed (here! )

jpv (being sleepy!)

Nifty. 

OGR Ad Man posted:

This is a wonderful thread....am really enjoying the build!!

Alan

well spoken Al.

Thanks to you, Bob and Max,

Max, for the wheels, I will also look at AMZ (Albert Munz in Germany) who makes very accurate wheels and axles; it avoids me the shipping costs from the USA....!

jpv

You can now attain the upper level, but, be careful, there is no floor yet! 

jpv

Here are the two end platforms over the trucks with the batteries for lights inside the car (LED strips not yet arrived) and their bases, not glued on the platforms, just layed down between two strips of styrene (1,5 x 2 mm); it's easier if I have to remove them.

Two holes in front for kadee couplers and one hole for trucks rotation axles. I have to do holes for the on/off switches when I will get them.

The two end partitions for the upper level are not painted; it's just self adhesive paper coloured with SKETCHUP textures.The blue color is not exactly the same for the one at the bottom; the ink cartridge is empty! obviously!!!

jpv 

OGR Ad Man posted:

This is a wonderful thread....am really enjoying the build!!

Alan

Me too 

Thanks, Eric! it's very kind.

jpv

------> P51,

I refer to your post of the last 30th of june; here is how I imagine the bedroom areas in the 2nd car(it's not yet complete; lacks the upper bed):

But it's not for tomorrow.....later...later! 

jpv

jpv69 posted:

------> P51,

I refer to your post of the last 30th of june; here is how I imagine the bedroom areas in the 2nd car(it's not yet complete; lacks the upper bed):

But it's not for tomorrow.....later...later! 

jpv

 

Maybe the design changed over the years, but the roomettes I rode in last year lacked that center white pillar (which I have no idea what it is from your graphics). Maybe the earlier ones had a different look to them? If you want, I think I might have taken some photos of the roomettes if you'd need any later on.

p51 posted:

jpv69 posted:

------> P51,

I refer to your post of the last 30th of june; here is how I imagine the bedroom areas in the 2nd car(it's not yet complete; lacks the upper bed):

But it's not for tomorrow.....later...later! 

jpv

 

Maybe the design changed over the years, but the roomettes I rode in last year lacked that center white pillar (which I have no idea what it is from your graphics). Maybe the earlier ones had a different look to them? If you want, I think I might have taken some photos of the roomettes if you'd need any later on.

That's because what you are looking at are bedrooms, not roomettes.  Bedrooms have a combination toilet/shower which is what you see.

Ah, I never saw anything that looked like this on my trip...

RDUNNIII is right; these are bedrooms, not roomettes; the drawing is not yet made; I will show you when it will be done.

jpv

Today my "3D guy" brought me the prototype for the seats; it looks fine:

It remains to paint and glue the pieces together!

If you are interested for filling empty cars, it's perhaps the solution......

I have fitted the on/off switches on the end paltforms but also reinforced them because they are above the trucks and they will support the weight of the car!

I will connect the wires tomorrow.

jpv

Today, electricity!

The lower level first; only one strip of LED (22 cm long); it's enough; connected to the battery and switch with 2,5 mm banana pins:

And now some other shots to see the result (sorry for the first one: I had not seen the soldering iron! I'm a bad photographer as I already said )

Tomorrow, I will connect the second platform for the upper level and glue the floor to the partitions of the lower level; but the roof is not yet made; like that, all will be ready when it will be done.

jpv

That lighting is so nice!!

Dan Weinhold

Thanks, Dan!

Now, all is glued, all is connected; the pins on the first level floor are waiting for roof lighting.

Always the soldering iron!!! he likes to be on the photos!!! 

I cut the back of the battery supports; so I can glue them on the end platforms and I also can remove the battery easily:

See you soon!

jpv in France

Hello,

Today's information: I have got the price from my "3D guy" for the seats: a complete set for a coach car is 20€ (shipping not included). I think it's a good price; you can contact me if interested; I will give you his mail and phone. It's not an advertising.

-----> P51: here are the roomettes; is it what you saw on your trip?

JPV

jpv69 posted:

-----> P51: here are the roomettes; is it what you saw on your trip?

JPV

YEP, just missing the upper bunk folded up, just above the windows. But yeah, that's it.

I have to admit, if I modeled the modern era and standard gauge, I'd do what you're doing (though probably not as well) to build a model of the superliner we rode on the Empire Builder almost exactly one year ago now...

I wanted to ask about the posters in the car here:

Have Superliners ever carried posters from the past like these? I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm saying I wanted to know if they ever used these because all I ever saw was posters for modern other Amtrak trains, like these:

Great modeling, I am seriously impressed with your work on this car. Such a shame that so much of the detail will never be seen from the outside...

Many thanks for your comments, Sir! and for the invisible details inside I let my imagination work.

I never fitted in a superliner so I don't know if all the posters are modern or ancient! but I found this photo on the net:

I hope this drawing remember you your trip!

jpv in France

The proto seat is done; I'm waiting for the 36 remaining.......

It was a long time from my last post; the reason is that I had a big default squaring when I made the assembly; I had to unglue most of the pieces end re-glue them after and it was perilous to do! now all is right and I'm more easy! 

The second car will not be built in the same way, sure! the modifications are already written and drawn!

jpv

It looks comfy, JP.

I found working with styrene, that it can slide out of place even hours after the initial joint is made.  Any slight tension - even gravity, can cause it to move.  I try to wait 24 hours before un-clamping.

Spectacular 

thank you Erik! it's very kind!

Yes, Max, it is! I have tried it! 

Something certainly moves while gluing...and I din't notice! next time I will be more attentive!

jp

I received yesterday all the seats in separate parts but placed together for four seats; great moment !

Today, beginning of painting while the sun shines on my terrace!

Next step: assembly; I am busy for several days....

See you soon!

jpv in France

This afternoon (here!), beginning of assembly: here is an exploded view of a complete piece of two seats:

There is a left and a right seat; they are fitted on the foot with the two little strips (in green) which trip over the edges of the horizontal and vertical parts of the foot; so the seats are well lined up on the foot; the photos below show the assembly of these parts:

at last some assembled seats without the armrests and back (painted but drying!):

jpv

WOW!

Thanks, Ron!

Now, some more photos; the lower level is waiting for passengers!

That's all for today!

jpv in France

Fantastic job!

Just awesome !

Many thanks, Ron and for the those who click on the "like heart" 

Now it's time for the upper level!

jpv

Sorry, Bobby, 'forgot you! ; many thanks to you

jpv

Seats factory flyover...Lack the backs of the seats for those in construction; my "3D guy" re-print them; they were wrong.

jpv69

Beginning the fitting out of the upper level. The other seats are ready but I don't yet received the back parts.... and I need them to install the armrests!! so, I'm waiting.....

jpv

Really interesting to see the progression of this car come to life. I assuming you are leaving the outer sides and car ends off until you paint them. I can't see how one would otherwise accomplish the outside painting of the cars with all this interior detail.

All of this is for ONE car.  Wow.  A lot of work.  Looks great though!

PRRHSC----> Thanks. The outer side on the photo is just put with wedges to have the seats at the right place inside the car following this drawing:

Sides, ends and the roof will be painted separately.

Paul----> Thanks; yes it's a lot of work but it's interesting, even funny to do! a lot of patience too!

jpv in France

Nice to see the build coming together. Might have missed it, have you thought what the paint will be?

Thanks, BOBBYD; I made my first attempt for painting two days ago; cleaning of a piece of styrène then first coat of primer and paint (TAMIYA TS17 - gloss aluminium spray) -I have no air brush; the result: not too bad but not like I thought...I will try again; perhaps I have to add gloss dulcoat after....Tomorrow is another day!

jpv

Hi JP

I use Tamiya out of the can.  The dull coat can makes the silver change to a flat grey.

Try a piece of scrap first.  If you want to retain the metallic look, don't use the matt finish spray.

Cheers

Hi Max,

That was a piece of scrap. I didn't want to ruin a whole side!

And I will follow your advice for dull coat. 

jp

jpv69 posted:

Now, some more photos; the lower level is waiting for passengers!

I am uniquely impressed with your work. If you put passengers in these seats, they'll have to be the best figures you can find as this car deserves them.

I've said it here already, but it's a shame that all this detail will not be easily seen when it is all completed. Before you place both sides on the car permanently, you need to get some good "cut out view" photos of this car when the interior is complete.

Amazing modeling!

Both sides and the roof will be a single and removable piece (you can look at the specifications I posted at the beginning of this thread). So I have a permanent access to the inside of the car.

For the second one (sleeping car); the way to build it will be different, but always with access to inside; I will talk about it later...

jpv

Hi all,

I have noticed recently that a rivet strip was laid along the face; luckily, the paint was not yet done! so I decided to put these rivets like the real photo shows; they are from Micromark as raised decals. The most difficult was to line up them!

Now, I can paint!

After that, I re-do the different markings for the car with OPEN OFFICE software. I don't yet know if I print the decorative blue and red strips on paper (the easiest way) or on decal paper (one more time more difficulties to line up and the least default will be seen on such a lenght). These files are PDF; hope you can read them.

jpv

You really are going to a lot of trouble, JP.  It will be well worth it.

Those PDF's look excellent.

Are you planning more cars, enough to make a train?

Thanks, Max; sure, it's not easy to do but I like this work!

Make a train! no! a second car, yes, a sleeping car.

First I have to finish this one and there is yet work to do!! but I'm having fun with! 

jp

Hello all,

Yon can now reserve the seat you prefer and have a good trip! 

Sorry, the last one is a little blurred!

jpv in France

Fantastic 

Many thanks, Eric (and Max for the like button!).

Now, I'm waiting for the wheels and bearings I ordered to NWSL.

Painting is difficult now; the weather is too cold on my terrace and inside an apartment, it's not easy! perhaps next week; the weather forecast say that temperatures would increase.....

jp

3D pieces arrive today!

the roof parts:

Once assembly is done (not glued yet): these pieces will be covered by 2 sheeets of styrene 0,25 mm thick.

Parts for the ends of the car:

The way I will fit the roof and the ends:

And now, the "coffee machine" (I don't know exactly the word for this piece!) on the upper level:

This piece will not be painted; several colors on a little surface area! no! so, I will put on a decorated sheet of self adhesive paper, fitted to the size of the piece:

A little blurred.....

Now, it's time to work!!!

See you soon

jpv in France

jpv, you rock!!! Right now I had a thought, when you are finished with this project, it would be no problem for you to build a fullsize version. 

Dan

You're right, Dan, the only problem is to push the walls of my condo! 

jpv

The different frames of the roof are now glued together:

On the other side, I placed and glue the ceiling the leds ribbons will be fitted on:

The luggage racks will be fitted each side of the ceiling.

And the "coffee-machine" decorated with printed paper:

That's all for today!

jpv in France

Nice 

Thank you, Eric!

Some more work to come....!!!! 

jpv

Begenning of the ends!

I had to glue a styrene sheet of 0,25 mm on the 3D piece because the surface is a little striped due to the printer and after several attempts, the result with paints is not perfect, even after sanding.

At the top left of the photo, in black, the external part of the diaphragm (photo is bad framed, sorry!)

Grabs come from TICHY TG; I have ordered some PSC parts from P&D Hobby Shop (air hoses, MU heads..)

My "3Dguy" has forgotten this part: the structure of the diaphragm! and I can't go further!

Hope they arrive tomorrow!

JPV in France

I'm just starting out with 3D, JP.  I've got a guy making some servo brackets for me.

Toe in the water. 

Oh that's nice 

Hope the water is warmer than the weather we have here, Max!

Eric, many thanks! glad you like!

jp

It's coming good, JP.  25º - 30º

Soon be summer time - 40º 

Happy Australian! 

The two pieces I'm waiting for arrived yesterday: the framework for the diaphragms:

Now, they are glued on the faces:

It lacks the diaphragm itself; but I don't know exactly how it's done and I have no photo close to this part. Is it made of  rubber or other and what is its shape (like the new Amtrack luggage cars or viewliner?)? If someone has any information, it would be very nice; thanks in advance!

The only photo I have is this one and my question is for the black piece:

I suppose it's this one?

jpv in France

Hi JP.  Looking good.

I don't know if this will help, but I've made HO diaphragms by folding black paper into a concertina (like pleats in a skirt).

Cheers

Thanks, Max!

I think this diaphragm has no pleats and after looking more at some photos I have found I'm quite sure of. The last photo I posted seems to be the right one. Diaphragms with pleats is an old method and don't suit to these recent cars. In any case, mine will be like that.

I have seen this method of pleats in reality in a factory which made curtains for the french railways: the cloth is folded between rods of metal and heated with steam to keep the pleat (without going into details!).

jp

I received the wheels and the brass bearings from NWSL a few days ago.

The final dimensions of the trucks are now updated, taking the width of the wheels into account; here are some .stl files I will send tomorrow to my "3D guy":

the side frame:

the bolster

the journal box

and the inside reinforcment piece (I don't know exactly the name...) to be fixed with bolts on the internal face of the side frames.

Here is the whole truck; you can find in the pieces shown above:

Other pieces to come...

See you soon

jpv in France

Woo Hoo!  We're at the business end. 

Thanks Max!

Still some work to do!!!!

jp

I have waited, waited and, at last, I have taken advantage of a spell of milder weather to go on my terrace and paint the different faces of the car:

The color highlights the rivets line:

I think it's not too bad for a first time!

The paint I've chosen is TAMIYA # TS-30 "silver leaf".

Now, let it dry!!!

Decals will comme after.

Merry Chrismas to you all, fellows!

Joyeux Noël 

jpv in France

Strips on the faces; not on decal but thin self adhesive paper.

Decals for pictograms only.

Now, it's time to prepare the Chrismas Eve dinner!

Merry Chrismas once more!

jpv

jpv, lookin' great!!

Dan

Thanks, Don!

And thanks to you, fellows, who click on the "like reply"!

jpv in France

Dang! 

Just amazing 

Thanks, Eric!

jpv

Close up on the car number; the zoom highlights also the defaults (look at the decal rivets strip)!!!!......

font for the number: "Lao UI"; size 12

jpv

Looking awesome!

Can you notice the rivets with the naked eye, JP?

Many thanks, Mike!

Max, the zoom has a good view and is a pitiless spy! but it doesn't bother me!!! 

jp

That's good.