If you aren't on the Resin Freight Car list, Andy's reference to me may not make a lot of sense. I few days ago, I posted an alternative to the roof truss assembly required for the Westerfield kits before the "one piece body" kits became available for at least some of the cars. My solution involved a flat piece of styrene which fit inside the "box" of a box car. Styrene trusses (the same shape as the kit ones) are glued to the flat piece of styrene to recreate the roof truss assembly.



But that post resulted in a new approach...making a roof truss assembly using 3D CAD and rapid prototyping. Here is a screen grab of that solution:



Roof Truss.JPG



It is sized to have the roof overhang the sides and ends. After gluing the roof to the truss, the whole thing is dropped into place, the sides and ends evened up, the a bead of CA at the seam holds everything in place.



I've uploaded this file to Shapeways and the part would cost $3.73 plus shipping. The next step will be to see if it works as hoped but that won't happen until the first of August when the part is shipped.



Jack Burgess



I've posted a new new photo in my album "Andy S freight cars" in the photo section of the Yahoo STMFC pages. It's an adaptation of an idea borrowed from Bill Darnaby, and it's a simpler approach than the roof structure recently shown by Jack Burgess. Jack is a better craftsman than I am, but this is a reliable roof support structure that I can produce quickly and easily. I also find it easier to install than the typical kit parts. [snip]

I was going attach that photo but forgot before hitting Send...it should be
attached this time and also on the Yahoo STMFC page.

If you aren't on the Resin Freight Car list, Andy's reference to me may not
make a lot of sense. I few days ago, I posted an alternative to the roof
truss assembly required for the Westerfield kits before the "one piece body"
kits became available for at least some of the cars. My solution involved a
flat piece of styrene which fit inside the "box" of a box car. Styrene
trusses (the same shape as the kit ones) are glued to the flat piece of
styrene to recreate the roof truss assembly.

But that post resulted in a new approach...making a roof truss assembly
using 3D CAD and rapid prototyping. It is sized to have the roof overhang
the sides and ends. After gluing the roof to the truss, the whole thing is
dropped into place, the sides and ends evened up, the a bead of CA at the
seam holds everything in place.

I've uploaded this file to Shapeways and the part would cost $3.73 plus
shipping. The next step will be to see if it works as hoped but that won't
happen until the first of August when the part is shipped.

Jack Burgess


Andy wrote:
I've posted a new photo in my album "Andy S freight cars" in the photo
section of the Yahoo STMFC pages. It's an adaptation of an idea borrowed
from Bill Darnaby, and it's a simpler approach than the roof structure
recently shown by Jack Burgess. Jack is a better craftsman than I am, but
this is a reliable roof support structure that I can produce quickly and
easily. I also find it easier to install than the typical kit parts. [snip]