Post by cab4 on Aug 1, 2011 10:46:28 GMT -5
Yet another Commuter project, are my Port Authority Transportation Company (PATCO) rapid transit cars. These operate on what is known as the "Lindenwold High Speed Line", which runs between Southern New Jersey and Center City Philadelphia. The 11 mile line was one of the most successful modern Rapid Transit lines in the country.
These kits are by IHP, and are examples of the original 1968 Married pair cars. These are still in service, and are currently going through their second round of rebuilding.
The main issues on this model will be the interior, the lighting, and the destination signs.
These cars have big windows, and tinted window glazing won't hide the insides. While the seats are properly placed, mounting lugs take up a large area, and look unrealistic. Meanwhile, the mid-car vestibules are not accurately represented. I'm going to attempt a REALLY good interior, with signs and accurate colors where possible. I don't think it would be incredibly difficult to represent the inside of such a car. The only major issue will be installing a power drive, like the Stanton from NWSL.
Lighting will also be a problem, As the head lights and tail lights are all right in the "faces" of the engine. Whats more, they are "cast out" instead of being dimples, making it difficult to get a good straight hole in. Lighting is my greatest weakness, and so i'm apprehensive about playing with this, but eventually i will have to, the lights on the PATCO being very distinctive. I'm also considering mounting an Ngineering "Catenary spark" simulator on the trucks, but that's a maybe.
I would like to develop a method of being able to change the destination signs so that i can have any "train" i want. Otherwise, the cars are stuck either going one way or the other. Originally i thought about using magnets, though this is looking less realistic. The only exception i can think is if i mount a magnet flush in the shell, and then cut magnetic paper to fit. Its going to be tough
Here are the kits out of the box, loosely fit together
These cars do naturally sit high above the rails
I've begun drilling holes for grab irons and chains. I've also begun fabricating the "step", which would be on the right side of the car (left side facing the model). Its really simple, just a metal bracket with a solid metal step.
That's it for now, i have so many other projects, but I thought these might be interesting (then again, this is a diesel board. I have plenty of diesel projects to, but I'll get to them whenever).
These kits are by IHP, and are examples of the original 1968 Married pair cars. These are still in service, and are currently going through their second round of rebuilding.
The main issues on this model will be the interior, the lighting, and the destination signs.
These cars have big windows, and tinted window glazing won't hide the insides. While the seats are properly placed, mounting lugs take up a large area, and look unrealistic. Meanwhile, the mid-car vestibules are not accurately represented. I'm going to attempt a REALLY good interior, with signs and accurate colors where possible. I don't think it would be incredibly difficult to represent the inside of such a car. The only major issue will be installing a power drive, like the Stanton from NWSL.
Lighting will also be a problem, As the head lights and tail lights are all right in the "faces" of the engine. Whats more, they are "cast out" instead of being dimples, making it difficult to get a good straight hole in. Lighting is my greatest weakness, and so i'm apprehensive about playing with this, but eventually i will have to, the lights on the PATCO being very distinctive. I'm also considering mounting an Ngineering "Catenary spark" simulator on the trucks, but that's a maybe.
I would like to develop a method of being able to change the destination signs so that i can have any "train" i want. Otherwise, the cars are stuck either going one way or the other. Originally i thought about using magnets, though this is looking less realistic. The only exception i can think is if i mount a magnet flush in the shell, and then cut magnetic paper to fit. Its going to be tough
Here are the kits out of the box, loosely fit together
These cars do naturally sit high above the rails
I've begun drilling holes for grab irons and chains. I've also begun fabricating the "step", which would be on the right side of the car (left side facing the model). Its really simple, just a metal bracket with a solid metal step.
That's it for now, i have so many other projects, but I thought these might be interesting (then again, this is a diesel board. I have plenty of diesel projects to, but I'll get to them whenever).
