Re: [EXT] Rapido X31A boxcars, questions.
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Gatwood, Elden J SAD
So, this is what the u/f looked like with the 2 new “Z” stringers.
Although not visible from outside, there were these 10 X31A converted for coiled steel shipment. The earliest dedicated coiled steel car on the PRR.
Elden Gatwood
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Gatwood, Elden J SAD
Dan, All interested;
To add to what Bruce supplied:
>>>>I wanted to build variations of the cars with both transverse and longitudinal brake air tanks in both single and double door versions. Are the cross ties always in the same location across the X31 classes? Is it simply rearranging brake components for the different variations?
First: The attached should help. First, you need at least seven guys to do the construction😊
Second photo: Triple valve location on relocated/longitudinal reservoir cars. Note Z bar stringers;
Third: Compare to Rapido car transverse reservoir;
Four: 1951 rebuild diagram without replacement of single stringers or end diagonals; longitudinal reservoir;
Five: Mounting for brake cylinder. Note the lever diagram! Nice detail!
Six: Center sill for locations/spacing.
BTW: IF YOU BUY LOTS OF THESE EARLY X31A’s, Rapido would most certainly consider doing the later cars
Lastly;
Rapido knows the following, but if you want to do the later X31A’s now, and other X31’s, the following should help. Note the shift from transverse to longitudinal:
If you really bug me, I can try to find my interior, no flooring shots….
Elden Gatwood
From: Bruce F. Smith <smithbf@...>
Dan,
The Bowser X31B/C roof is the best one out there. Of course, it’s also the only one, really! I was happy to use those cars for my fleet.
As for the position of the running board, the Rapido car is probably more accurate.
We have nothing to do with the mechanicals of the car… so take it up Rapido 😉
Regards, Bruce
From: Dan Smith <espeefan@...>
Hello Bruce and Elden,
The new Rapido X3A boxcars have been arriving and my 6 kits and 1 built up arrived a couple of weeks ago.
I wanted to see if I can ask a few questions about the new kits and you're the ones that I know of that are the most knowledgeable about PRR.
Are there any differences in side sheathing patterns between the various classes, X31, X31A, X31B ? All single door patterns the same ? Double door patterns the same ?
It looks like the Bowser X31 flush roof can be put on the Rapido body. How is the Bowser flush roof? Are the running board lateral insets in the right location? Over all, the dimensions are the same and I have already swapped a Bowser roof onto a DD kit. Looks pretty good and will need just a bit of sanding and blending at the joint on the ends to be done. I notice a small difference in the location of the running board laterals here. The Rapido laterals are slightly outboard of thr Bowser roof insets. Bowser running board fits well, of coarse .I actually like the look of the Bowser running boards better than the Rapido ones.
Some observations; Some ladders in the kits have broken rungs inside the package. Maybe not a problem as I'm thinking of making up Yarmouth ladders with soldered .008 rungs. Are Kadee bracket grabs correct for the X31's? With the narrower end ladders of the X31B's, is there any change in location of the brake step?
Doing some basic set up when starting on the under frame, it was riding to high, by about .020. That's when I noticed that the trucks have an oddball mount. What were they thinking of? Or am I missing something. A lot of work to lower the car for the correct ride height. The truck swing limiter is useless, the coupler pockets stop the swing before the limit is reached! Goofy. Checked all my other Rapido cars and they all have a more conventional truck mounting. Way different on the X31As. Buying these trucks separately to put under other cars would be a chore.
Also looks like the Bowser X31F roof could be swapped. Basically all 40' versions could be built with the new Rapido car and appropriate Bowser parts. Correct?
Regards, Dan
Dan Smith
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