Large Scale Central

New passenger cars

Modeling Rolling stock
#1

A while back I posted this picture of a passenger car that I had built from Garden Railways Plan #55. Because this car is substantially larger than the other Big Hauler cars that I have it showed me a need for a complete train made from these cars.

So, I began by making the trucks for three more cars. These are built from G/R plan #53. Here are some pics of the construction. This is all the rough components to make one truck

Here are the sideframes for all six trucks (three pair). They are held together with double sided tape and drilled. Then kept as a matched set from here on.

A completed truck ready for paint. In the plans they call for gluing the truck completely together. I use screws in one side to that the wheels can be taken in and out and the bushings lubed.

A completed truck with wheels, ready to go.

If there is interest I will post construction of the cars as I go.

#2

First off, your passenger car looks great!

Second, the trucks look good too, and it’s very helpful to see the construction. What did you use for bearings?

#3

Ron - that car looks really spiffy - and a whole lot cheaper than the Hartford models, I’d bet. I looked long and hard at plan 55 a while back and decided that without access to either a jigsaw or bandsaw [typical of over here] I’d pass on the task of construction.

Your fine-looking effort has changed my mind a bit - since I can get a local water-jet/laser cutter to do the job for me now - in return only for money.

I’m looking forward to seeing more of the process.

Best

tac
www.ovgrs.org

#4

Your work is quite nice. I’d enjoy seeing the rest of the car construction as I’ve got something similar on the agenda for later.

#5

Love seeing the builds of others, as so much can be learned from others methods.

Nice car and trucks

#6

Great looking car. Nice work on building the trucks. later RJD

#7

Fantastic job. The trucks are amazing. Yes please post pics of the car construction.
Dave

#8

The trucks look great Ron. Are you laser cutting them, or using a less techy method to cut them out ?

#9

Ron,
Wonderful looking car.
I’d sure like to see the construction.
Ralph

#10

Nice work.

#11

Thank-you all for the comments. I have now started the cars and will post pics as I go along.

Ray, for bearings, in the side frames I pressed in 5/32 ID x 1/4 long brass tubing, then soaked the area around them with thin CA. I then put 1/8 ID x 1/4 long brass tube inside the larger tube. A drop of white grease on the axle ends and in they go. Roll very easily, and the grease lasts a long time. Also allows replacement of the inner tube as wear dictates.

Terry and Jon, all the parts are cut either on a table saw or an old Dremel scroll saw. Nothing as high tech as lasers or water-jet.

Terry, other than the time, they are very inexpensive.

#12

Ron - I’ve used the plans to build twelve cars, all with great success. ANYTHING is less expensive that those lovely Hartford passenger cars…it’s just that I don’t have a table saw or a scroll saw, but I DO have a pal who owns a small engineering company… :slight_smile:

Besp

tac
www.ovgrs.org

#13

That is really nice work. In your “spare” time are you going to build interiors and passengers?

#14

Very nice. Luv those hand cut trucks!

(http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/d/de/Icon_thumbsup.gif)

-Brian

#15

Terry, I too would love to have a fleet of the Hartford cars or even the new AMS cars but alas both are well out of my budget.

Doug, yes all the cars will have interiors. As for passengers, we’ll see how the figure making goes.

Ron

#16

Thank-you all for the kind comments, you have motivated me to continue. OK, here we go with the cars. There will be three in all, combine, coach and observation. They are all based on GR plan #55. I will make changes as I go according to the car being done at the time and as my experience dictates. These are not based on any particular prototype and are only meant to be a good representation. I am always open to constructive criticism but keep in mind that I am not replicating anything in particular. The first photo shows all the basic components for the underbody and subfloor.

(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab29/trainman57/Passenger%20car%20build/DSCN1823.jpg)

Lots of weight to hold everything flat while the glue dries.

(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab29/trainman57/Passenger%20car%20build/DSCN1825.jpg)

Installing the needle beams for the trussrods

(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab29/trainman57/Passenger%20car%20build/DSCN1826.jpg)

Undercarriage with queen posts and truss rods installed. Queen posts made from a small cotter pin and a short piece of tubing.

(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab29/trainman57/Passenger%20car%20build/DSCN1828.jpg)

The undercarriage with truck bolsters, end beams and brake rigging. I know the brake rigging is not complete and probably not correct but as I said before it is meant to be a representation only.

(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab29/trainman57/Passenger%20car%20build/DSCN1830.jpg)

Excuse me now as I have two more of these to finish and then on to the sides. As an aside, if anyone has, or knows where I could get a floor plan for an observation car , circa 1900, I would appreciate that information. Preferably free. Enjoy, Ron

#17

Ron - I’m going to file your posts to help me when I make my own set - seeing as how the AMS cars are not going to be sold here any more [seems I missed out on the five that came to the UK…]

tac
www.ovgrs.org

#18

Ron, that is really nice work.

I’ve used fish hooks to make the queen posts. Just cut off the hook and there you are. Just a thought as I have more fish hooks than cotter pins.

Can you give a close up of the brake gear? What did you use to approximate the gear?

#19

Hey Ron,

Great looking passenger car and thread. It inspired me to go find my copy of the #55 plan set and start planning my construction. I will deviate a little from the way the plans describe as I will be cutting out as many parts as I can on my CNC Router. The sides and end pieces will be one piece with the scribed wood cut into them on the machine.

I’m looking forward to following your thread and your progress.

Chuck

#20

Cut a set for me, Chuck!