The old Bachmann Vulcan trucks scale out to around 3’ 8", so they’re really short.
Later,
K
Warren - I realize the trucks are different, but most of the difference is scale. The trucks under the old Bachmann 1:22 hoppers are the correct Vulcan truck, just not in the right scale (not quite right in 1:22 either). As Kevin points out the wheelbase would be very short (nearly a scale foot). Thanks Kevin 
JR
OK folks. The acrylic for the basic box is all ordered. Im still waiting to hear from a place that can cut the peak piece, but they should get back to me today.
I’m looking forward to getting started on this project. I’ve been working in the train room redoing things so that I have a better work area than I had before…something worthy of building quality models.
I just got word that the acrylic parts should be sent out to me on monday or tuesday. I should have them in-hand by the end of next week.
Bruce,
On the kit boxcar concering the rivet detail, would you want to put the rivets in say 1mm plastic and then cover the car body like you did with your box cab??
The reason I am asking is I have a neat and quick way of doing rivets in sheet styreen. I built a box about 2’ x 1’ x5’’ high with a plexi glass top on it. It also has a 13 watt electric light inside. To make rivets you use a die [ holes driled in a strip of brass]. you draw a line on the back of the plastic where you want the rivets, set the plastic on top of the die on top of the box and push in the rivets. If you think this might help I can post some picks of the rivet box
chuck
Chuck,
I’d be interested to see a pic of the rivet box. Sounds like a nifty idea. I don’t think I’d like to cover this in sheets, but there might be some other uses!
Bruce
Ok I’ll get Gerry to post some picks, shes the wiz with the puter
chuck
Bob McCown said:Did you get someone to cut the peak piece. I would be able to fly cut that on me mill. Too late?
OK folks. The acrylic for the basic box is all ordered. Im still waiting to hear from a place that can cut the peak piece, but they should get back to me today.
For those interested, Ridge Road Station has the Aristocraft 29101 in stock - at $10.72 a pair. The wheels are plastic, so I’ll be replacing them with Sierra Valley steel 24".
Pretty quick delivery…I already got my 6 pair…
Nice find, Bruce. I’ll have to order me up some, too…
Well, you will notice I didn’t publicize that info UNTIL I got mine! 
Bruce Chandler said:A plan so cunning you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel!
Well, you will notice I didn't publicize that info UNTIL I got mine! ;)
I…uh…had to make sure they REALLY had them…yeah…that’s the story
The majority of the acrylic arrived today via FedEx. This is what 60 cars worth looks like
The blue is just the protector sheet. The acrylic is clear. Once the peak pieces show up, I’ll start packaging up what people have ordered.
Now you have me all excited…
Over the weekend, I went shopping online. While Bob gave out some part numbers, I wanted to know how many packs I needed to make six cars.
Here’s my ESTIMATES:
90520 1/2" I Beam - (4@15") - three strips per car, so figure a pack per car, though if you got 3 packs, you’d have enough for 4 cars. The I beam goes down the middle for the length of the car, which is about 20". But, you’ll need two of them to get the right look. You’ll end up using 3 out of the 4 strips for each car.
90537 5/16" channel - (4@24") - 2 strips per car. These go along the outside of the frame, inside the walls.
90594 3/16" zee (5@15") - This was a bit more estimation. You need 8 diagonal per car, about 5" each. That’s 2 2/3 strips - if you cut accurately, and I’m right about the 5" length! You also need 16 vertical pieces at about 4.3" each…which is 5 1/3 strip. So, 8 strips per car. If you were to order 2 packs, you’d have 2 strips left over for any errors.
mid516-56 .156" angle (3@13") - This is to be used for the corner angles which are about 4.3" high. You can get 3 pieces out of 1 strip, but you need 4. Figure 1 1/3 strip per car.
pls90770 .100" square rod (10@10"). I decided to use these for the roof carlines that covered the steel roof. You could use wood if you like. I THINK that there are 10 carlines on a side and each one is about 2.5" long. So, figure 4 per strip, and you need 20 total. You can get two cars out of one pack. Now, I’m not sure what you need at each end, so maybe it’s good to have extra. You could also use this stuff for the roof walk supports.
pls90798 5/32"x3/16" (5@10") I decided to use this for the roofwalk supports; it’s pretty close to the 3"x4" on a drawing I have. Each is about an inch long and you need 14 of them. You’ll also need a couple strips for the “path” support to the ladder.
You’ll need some 2"x6" along the top of each size. I have a bunch of .100" x .250" that I will use. You can glue a few of these together to make the brake platform, or you can get something closer to a 2x12. I did not see anything in this size at Hobbylinc.
You’ll also need some 2x6’s for the roofwalk. Being inconsistent, I use some 1/16 x 5/16 basswood, instead of the plastic above. I age it with Weather-It. I get this at my local hobby shop, and did not see it at Hobbylinc.
Ozark has a D&RGW brake wheel w/ pawl sold in packs of 2. I have some steel wire I use for the brake rod.
I’m using some .040" brass wire for my grab irons. I also have some brass strip to make the stirrup steps. I use some small escutheon pins to hold them in place.
OK. I’ve probably left something out, but that was sort of my shopping list.
Any other ideas?
List looks good to me. When I do the test build, Ill make sure of the parts.
Is the Midwest angle square inside as well? The Plastruct isnt, and it wont work for outside corners…
I sure hope so!
I’ve got some .080 angle and it looks square on the inside. The web site claims “Made by an extrusion process, not injection molded. This allows the shapes of the structural items to have more prototypical cross- sections for a more scale presentation.” I’m sure that there will be some other parts needed. I have lots of different sizes in my workshop already.