Atlas 2-Rail to P:48 --- Conversion

Wow Bill, your grab irons really make a difference! Very nice job on closing the holes! I have the same model factory painted with the original grab irons on and it looks really a bit clumsy in comparison. Love these Protocraft bolster plates! And I really like the way you mount your brake rods. Learned something! 

A question to your very impressive underframe – the lever crossing the control valve – does it operate the retaining valve?

Thanks! Sarah

@Sarah posted:

Wow Bill, your grab irons really make a difference! Very nice job on closing the holes! I have the same model factory painted with the original grab irons on and it looks really a bit clumsy in comparison. Love these Protocraft bolster plates! And I really like the way you mount your brake rods. Learned something! 

A question to your very impressive underframe – the lever crossing the control valve – does it operate the retaining valve?

Thanks! Sarah

Sarah....yes I believe that the lever does operate the control valve (on the prototype) ....to be honest I have seen it a number of times in photos and have added it to a couple of my builds.....  The brake appliances, control valve, tank, levers etc are from Shapeways.  If you look closely at the control valve it actually has a cast in provision for the lever.....the control valve is also pre-drilled for the five lines that are needed.....you just need to carefully clean them out with a drill bit.....no pressure required just some cleaning.  I will post a close up in my update....... 

Regards

Bill

@AZBill posted:

Progress on the under-carriage ...... 

Regards

Bill

Here are a couple of photos showing some progress on the undercarriage of the Atlas boxcar...

The first two photos show the attachment screws.  They are set in the center sill and attach the frame to the wood deck.  Once they are in place a short piece of channel stock is used to cover them.  A bit of black paint will be used to paint them rendering the attachment screw heads invisible from the bottom (photo 2).

Photo 3 shows the wood sub-deck (Tamiya Wood Deck Tan) and the main under-frame.  I use Duplicolor Sandable Automotive primer on my frames.  It sprays very fine and has a controllable spray nozzle (wide or narrow pattern).  It will fill small scratches if needed.  One can will last a long time!!!!  The best thing about it for priming the frame is that you can dust the frame with several light coats of matt black.  They will not cover completely.  The result is a subtle bit of the red primer showing through here and there.  It looks like very light rust against the matt black.

Photo 4 shows a close-up of the control valve and related piping.  The t-fitting is made by soldering two short lengths of .032 brass tube together.  The one brass line visible is the relief valve line.  I usually add this piece last.  It is comprised of three sections: one for the line into the control valve, one for the line through the bolster and the final length from the bolster all the way up to the valve.  If you look closely you can see the two small tabs that hold the relief lever on the top of the control valve.  The control valve and other elements of the brake system are 3D printed parts.

Hope you enjoy!

Regards

Bill

Made some near final changes and added detail for the body of the Atlas car:

Photo 1:  Added a Precision Scale Co. brake wheel, ratchet gear and guide at the top of the car.  Left the original relief valve and step in place.

Photo 2:  The brake rod is attached at the top and through a hand-made eye-bolt and terminates in the base casting.  The rod can be pulled up so the chain and brake rod lever can be inserted at final assembly.  

Photo 3: The brake rod and chain assembly.

Photo 4:  The brake ratchet gear and brake wheel.  Precision Scale again......

Photo 5:  The relief valve line runs down the car end and bends under the car -- it will be painted and the completed frame will mount over it.  It will line up with the main line to the triple valve.

Photo 6: The sides and doors have placards mounted.....  they are actually S-Scale items.  The full size O-Scale items I have looked over-sized.

Photo 7: Added some splits (per the prototype) to the original roof walk.  Still needs some rivets.

Body primer is next......   More later....

Regards

Bill

It has been a few months but I finally finished my Atlas Box Car conversion to P:48.  I got sidetracked with a Red Caboose GP-9 and had to wait for a couple of parts for the Atlas car.... I am sure you know how that goes!  Any way, with the exception of some paint touch up and two small covers for the undercarriage this one is complete.

In the photo set below - a couple of things to note:

The weights for the car are Buda type tape weights from Napa auto.

The decals are from Protocraft.

The screw heads visible on the undercarriage will be covered with two small lengths of channel painted black.

Overall, the detail on this shell is really pretty nice.  One or two areas are a bit heavy but they are not immediately noticeable.

Hope you enjoy!!!

Regards

Bill

Wow!  Excellent detail throughout! The doors and brake staff  are really outstanding. And the proto 48 wheels are the "frosting on the cake".  This is TRUE 'O' scale craftsmanship, 2020 style.  -Salty Rails-

Thanks!!!  Maybe  bit of weathering is in order as well....