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Re: daylight?

Dave Parker
 

I'm with Brian.  The MCB/ARA standard for all "outside framed" cars was square-edge tongue-and-groove, 1-1/4" to 1-3/4" thick. Gaps between the board edges?  Sure.  Gaps that a determined cat could crawl through?  Not so much.
--
Dave Parker
Swall Meadows, CA
Re: [Non-DoD Source] [RealSTMFC] Rapido X31a PRR boxcar - roof question

Eric Hansmann
 

I found some Model Master clear flat acrylic (4636) through Amazon but it looks like the price has increased.

https://www.amazon.com/4636-Flat-Clear-Acrylic-FM02015/dp/B001VDI24G/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=model+master+clear+flat+acrylic+4636&qid=1635358475&qsid=137-3743554-4350533&sr=8-1&sres=B001VDI24G%2CB00023JE7K%2CB00397STRW%2CB08Y98JVHZ%2CB00ISAGE5O%2CB0006MZOK8%2CB01HDJ7BR0%2CB0006O529Y%2CB000ZVO3YS%2CB0006O55ZK%2CB073FSW6HK%2CB005WH4C2S%2CB0006O523U%2CB002KJDXHQ%2CB08Z1J75DR%2CB08Q87N6ZR%2CB003ZA1ITE%2CB08H2KPTR8%2CB08JHD271B%2CB009FF6DN4&srpt=PAINT



Eric Hansmann
Murfreesboro, TN


On 10/27/2021 11:10 AM Nelson Moyer <npmoyer@...> wrote:


While searching hobby shop web sites looking for Model Master Flat Clear, I read a note on one site that Rustoleum intends to divest itself of all hobby paints, and MM is just the latest casualty, following Floquil and Poly Scale. Scalecoat is struggling to keep up with direst orders, while many hobby shops aren’t stocking Scalecoat any longer. Tru Color seems to be doing well, and I think it may be the only organic solvent based hobby paint on the market before long.


Nelson Moyer
Re: [Non-DoD Source] [RealSTMFC] Rapido X31a PRR boxcar - roof question

Gatwood, Elden J SAD
 

My pleasure.  From what I was told, they unloaded by opening a door and shoveling out what didn’t fall out.  Real high tech!

 

Elden Gatwood

 

 

From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> On Behalf Of Jim and Barbara van Gaasbeek
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 5:27 PM
To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io
Subject: Re: [Non-DoD Source] [RealSTMFC] Rapido X31a PRR boxcar - roof question

 

Thanks for that information.  How were the coal tar chips unloaded from the car?

 

 

Jim van Gaasbeek

Irvine, CA

 

 
Re: daylight?

brianleppert@att.net
 

Those cracks are as authentic as the load.  The photo was touched-up.

Brian Leppert
Carson City, NV
Re: daylight?

gary laakso
 

And the extra weight from wheels depositing gunk on the underframes added plenty of weight.

 

Gary Laakso

Northwest of Mike Brock

 

From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> On Behalf Of Eric Hansmann
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2021 10:13 AM
To: main@realstmfc.groups.io
Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] daylight?

 

Wood shrinks as it dries out. This is why wood-sheathed cars were weighed more frequently than all steel cars. 

 

Gon also were beat up in service. 

 

 

Eric Hansmann

Murfreesboro, TN


On Oct 27, 2021, at 12:06 PM, Bill Keene via groups.io <bill41@...> wrote:

They grow ‘em big in Kansas!

 

Interesting about the car side boards. Perhaps non-seasoned lumber still with a high moisture content was used. 

 

Cheers,

Bill Keene

Irvine, CA

 



On Oct 27, 2021, at 9:22 AM, ed_mines via groups.io <ed_mines@...> wrote:

 

Is it uncommon to be able to see daylight between adjacent boards of wood sided gondolas as shown in the photo below? I've only seen it once before.
Was unfinished lumber used for these gondola sides & roofwalks?

<daylight.jpg>

 
Re: Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?

Dave Bayless
 

It means EASY, Slow, Almost going to make a JOINT, given just before a stop.
Dave SilverStreak Bayless

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE device

------ Original message------
From: Claus Schlund \(HGM\)
Date: Wed, Oct 27, 2021 5:50 AM
To: STMFC;
Cc:
Subject:[RealSTMFC] Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?

Hi List Members,
 
The set of images linked below show a trainman on top of a boxcar giving hand signals to the locomotive crew. The title sez 'Switchman giving the "go ahead" signal on an Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad train'. Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?
 
https://www.loc.gov/item/2017842573/
 
https://www.loc.gov/item/2017842576/
 
https://www.loc.gov/item/2017842539/
 
Thanks in advance
 
Claus Schlund
Re: Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?

Randy Hees
 

Railroad hand signals are not consistent across all railroads or regions.  GCOR, one of the common nationwide rule books only lists three: arm moved vertically (go away from me), arm moved in a circle (come to me), and arms moved horizantally (stop)...   These are the only ones which would work in the dark with a lantern.   Then states that any signal which is understood by all members of the crew are ok... 

Randy Hees
Re: Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?

Todd Sullivan
 

Or,
I sure hope I don't fall off this icy roof!  (balance, balance, balance)

Todd Sullivan
Re: daylight?

Eric Hansmann
 

Wood shrinks as it dries out. This is why wood-sheathed cars were weighed more frequently than all steel cars. 

Gon also were beat up in service. 


Eric Hansmann
Murfreesboro, TN

On Oct 27, 2021, at 12:06 PM, Bill Keene via groups.io <bill41@...> wrote:

They grow ‘em big in Kansas!

Interesting about the car side boards. Perhaps non-seasoned lumber still with a high moisture content was used. 

Cheers,
Bill Keene
Irvine, CA


On Oct 27, 2021, at 9:22 AM, ed_mines via groups.io <ed_mines@...> wrote:

Is it uncommon to be able to see daylight between adjacent boards of wood sided gondolas as shown in the photo below? I've only seen it once before.
Was unfinished lumber used for these gondola sides & roofwalks?

<daylight.jpg>
Re: [Non-DoD Source] [RealSTMFC] Rapido X31a PRR boxcar - roof question

Nelson Moyer
 

While searching hobby shop web sites looking for Model Master Flat Clear, I read a note on one site that Rustoleum intends to divest itself of all hobby paints, and MM is just the latest casualty, following Floquil and Poly Scale. Scalecoat is struggling to keep up with direst orders, while many hobby shops aren’t stocking Scalecoat any longer. Tru Color seems to be doing well, and I think it may be the only organic solvent based hobby paint on the market before long.

 

Nelson Moyer
Re: [Non-DoD Source] [RealSTMFC] Rapido X31a PRR boxcar - roof question

Todd Sullivan
 

Hi Eric,

Thanks for your note and the links to your blogs with examples of your techniques.  I will experiment with your techniques on that PRR X31, once I finish painting it (the roof and one side were all I got done).  I am saddened, too, by Testor's decimation of good modeling paint brands.  Krylon is available only in rattle cans, AFAIK.  I used it once decades ago for some project, and found it was OK but not superior, do I no longer use it.  The strong odor was one turn-off.

I've been focused on building a group of Proto87 Stores' Fast'n'Easy turnouts at a major junction on my layout.  They look great and can be made to operate well, but they take a while to build.  I have also been installing DCC sound decoders in some diesel switchers.  None has been easy (10 pounds in a 5 pound bag), so I'm a bit discouraged.  I think the solution is to remove the entire electronics package inside the body shell and rebuild the electronics with the decoder, keep alive and speaker.  The 'DCC ready' claims were probably made when all that people were doing was installing plain DCC decoders.

Well, thanks again for some interesting ideas.  When I finish the model, I  will post the result somewhere (Plastic Freight Cars list, probably).

Todd.

On Wednesday, October 27, 2021, 10:36:59 AM CDT, Eric Hansmann <eric@...> wrote:


Todd,

 

I tint my post-decal flat coat with the car color to reduce the lettering whiteness. I add a couple drop of the car color in the paint cup with Model Master clear flat acryl. Stir well and you can see the hazy flat turn into the hazy car color. This is now my first weathering step. Here are a few hoppers that have had the lettering faded.

http://designbuildop.hansmanns.org/2021/07/03/weathering-progress/

 

In many cases, the tinted flat coat is a more subtle change. There are before and after photos in this blog post.

http://designbuildop.hansmanns.org/2017/04/21/southern-pacific-a-50-5-automobile-box-car/

 

Sadly, in April 2020 parent company Testors announced the Model Master paint line will be discontinued. If there are specific MM colors or products you like to use, stock up while you can.

 

I have a bottle of Vallejo Matt Varnish on hand to try soon. Others have used Krylon products for the flat coat, but I think those are only available in rattle cans.

 

 

Eric Hansmann

Murfreesboro, TN

 

 

 

From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> On Behalf Of Todd Sullivan via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 3:12 PM
To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io
Subject: Re: [Non-DoD Source] [RealSTMFC] Rapido X31a PRR boxcar - roof question

 

Eldon,

I thought your weathering of the X31 in coal tar chip service was right on.  Somewhere, I found a photo of adingle door car tht had weathered right down to bare rusted metal, with that bluish purple tone on much of the surface.  I started an undecorated Bowser model and painted one side in PollyScale, no lettering.  Wasn't sure how I would do the lettering later - maybe heavily sanded decals.  Anyway, thanks for the cameo on how these cars were used. thanks for

Todd Sullivan

Re: daylight?

Bill Keene
 

They grow ‘em big in Kansas!

Interesting about the car side boards. Perhaps non-seasoned lumber still with a high moisture content was used. 

Cheers,
Bill Keene
Irvine, CA


On Oct 27, 2021, at 9:22 AM, ed_mines via groups.io <ed_mines@...> wrote:

Is it uncommon to be able to see daylight between adjacent boards of wood sided gondolas as shown in the photo below? I've only seen it once before.
Was unfinished lumber used for these gondola sides & roofwalks?

<daylight.jpg>
daylight?

ed_mines
 

Is it uncommon to be able to see daylight between adjacent boards of wood sided gondolas as shown in the photo below? I've only seen it once before.
Was unfinished lumber used for these gondola sides & roofwalks?
Re: Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?

David Wiggs
 

I caught a fish this big!
Re: [Non-DoD Source] [RealSTMFC] Rapido X31a PRR boxcar - roof question

Eric Hansmann
 

Todd,

 

I tint my post-decal flat coat with the car color to reduce the lettering whiteness. I add a couple drop of the car color in the paint cup with Model Master clear flat acryl. Stir well and you can see the hazy flat turn into the hazy car color. This is now my first weathering step. Here are a few hoppers that have had the lettering faded.

http://designbuildop.hansmanns.org/2021/07/03/weathering-progress/

 

In many cases, the tinted flat coat is a more subtle change. There are before and after photos in this blog post.

http://designbuildop.hansmanns.org/2017/04/21/southern-pacific-a-50-5-automobile-box-car/

 

Sadly, in April 2020 parent company Testors announced the Model Master paint line will be discontinued. If there are specific MM colors or products you like to use, stock up while you can.

 

I have a bottle of Vallejo Matt Varnish on hand to try soon. Others have used Krylon products for the flat coat, but I think those are only available in rattle cans.

 

 

Eric Hansmann

Murfreesboro, TN

 

 

 

From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> On Behalf Of Todd Sullivan via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 3:12 PM
To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io
Subject: Re: [Non-DoD Source] [RealSTMFC] Rapido X31a PRR boxcar - roof question

 

Eldon,

I thought your weathering of the X31 in coal tar chip service was right on.  Somewhere, I found a photo of adingle door car tht had weathered right down to bare rusted metal, with that bluish purple tone on much of the surface.  I started an undecorated Bowser model and painted one side in PollyScale, no lettering.  Wasn't sure how I would do the lettering later - maybe heavily sanded decals.  Anyway, thanks for the cameo on how these cars were used. thanks for

Todd Sullivan

Re: Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?

Gary Roe
 

Claus,

When I worked for a railroad back in the 70's, riding on the top of cars was not done, of course.  However, some of the older fellows used a signal similar to the one shown; but it has to be animated to be shown properly.  They would stretch their arms out like that to indicate that the cut was nearing where they wanted to stop.  The Engineer would start slowing down.  Then, as the cut got within a car length or so, the Switchman would rock his body side to side, bending at the waist, arms still outstretched.  The Engineer would start applying the brakes.  Just before the cut reached where they wanted it to stop, the Switchman would drop both arms in the traditional "stop" signal.  Hope you can get the idea from my description.

gary roe
quincy, illinois



On Wednesday, October 27, 2021, 07:50:39 AM CDT, Claus Schlund \(HGM\) <claus@...> wrote:


Hi List Members,
 
The set of images linked below show a trainman on top of a boxcar giving hand signals to the locomotive crew. The title sez 'Switchman giving the "go ahead" signal on an Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad train'. Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?
 
 
 
 
Thanks in advance
 
Claus Schlund
Re: Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?

Edward
 
Edited

I've seen that gesture used on the ground to show how close cars were coming to be coupled.
The brakeman with arms extended would bring both outstetched hands toward each other as the cars were moving to show the relative gap closure, until he grasped both hands to indicate the coulping was achieved. 
Helpful when pushing cars together that were a few car lengths away from the locomotive.

The brakeman could also use that gesture in reverse (hands together then arms spread out), to signal the engneer to pull away as the coupler pin has been lifted. 

I'm not sure why this appears on top of a box car unlss there is another meaning.
It's not the best place to stand and signal a "go ahead".   

Ed Bommer
Re: Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?

Charles Morrill
 

Assuming that the switchman is facing away from the loco: the signal is "easy goes it" "slow down" "one car length to stop".

Charlie

From: "Claus Schlund &#92;(HGM&#92;)" <claus@...>
To: "main" <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io>
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2021 7:50:23 AM
Subject: [RealSTMFC] Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?

Hi List Members,
 
The set of images linked below show a trainman on top of a boxcar giving hand signals to the locomotive crew. The title sez 'Switchman giving the "go ahead" signal on an Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad train'. Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?
 
 
 
 
Thanks in advance
 
Claus Schlund
Re: Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?

radiodial868
 

That must be a staged photo or a lot of artistic license. Even when men were men, you wouldn't stand on top of an icy running board of a car being switched like that. Couldn't see anything from that standpoint anyway.
BTW, this is one of the best explanations of all the signals I've come across, including some that don't show up in the Rues book of the RRs I follow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBJc1ljBmZk
--
-------------------
RJ Dial
Mendocino, CA
Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?

Claus Schlund &#92;(HGM&#92;)
 

Hi List Members,
 
The set of images linked below show a trainman on top of a boxcar giving hand signals to the locomotive crew. The title sez 'Switchman giving the "go ahead" signal on an Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad train'. Can someone comment on what the exact meaning of the shown hand signal is?
 
 
 
 
Thanks in advance
 
Claus Schlund
4721 - 4740 of 192665