Fw: (erielack) Re: Caboose Models

["Bill K." <pontiac_@_dreamscape.com>]

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill K." <pontiac_@_dreamscape.com>
To:
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2001 8:07 PM
Subject: Re: (erielack) Re: Caboose Models


> For a kit like this you could use pre-cut lengths or even cut-to-length
> styrene rod and ladder stock, or possibly a metal ladder stock (cut some
> rungs out and curve the top to match diagram) or a pre-made caboose ladder
> of some sort - just a matter of looking for something that's "close
enough"
> I would think, unless it's a really weird ladder shouldnt be too hard.
>
> Other handrails (curved side grabs) could be supplied via including Tichy
or
> other manufacturer's parts - bought in bulk at cost to reduce the
> expense(?).
>
> WSL has a couple of covered hopper kits in the line, seems like you run
into
> a similar situation with all the end braces, but I can't remember if they
> give you a resin end piece or styrene components.  I do know that they
were
> thinking about doing a B&O wagon top caboose (It turns out that the
covered
> hopper and caboose share very similar main bodies; the caboose was
probably
> adapted from the plan for the hopper) so unless that has stopped them I'd
> think there's some way to do it.
>
> Bill K.




> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <RAILDATA_@_aol.com>
> To: <pontiac_@_dreamscape.com>; <erielack@internexus.net>
> Sent: Monday, May 21, 2001 10:33 AM
> Subject: Re: (erielack) Re: Caboose Models
>
>
> > The problem with resin casting a caboose (and why none of the resin
mefgrs
> do
> > cabooses) is that no one has come up with a low cost way of doing the
> > handrails and ladders. These are usually unique to each caboose.
> >
> > The problem if further complicated because most kit buyers can't or
won't
> > solder. So even if pre formed railings were included the kit buy can't
> > assemble them. (Remember those old Quality Craft caboose kits that had
> green
> > plastic caoted wire and you were told to cement them together with
Amroid
> or
> > Duco??)
> >
> > I am sure that if the resin mfgrs could solve this problem we would have
> all
> > sorts of cabooses. Processes like lost wax are possible but too
expensive.
> >
> > In injection moulding the problem is that the die costs are so high that
> the
> > car ahs to be one that can be lettered authentically for several roads.
> >
> > I do engineering design work for several injection moulding
manufacturers
> and
> > the caboose problem is one they would all love to solve!
> >
> > Chuck Yungkurth
> >
>
>

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