Mar/Apr 2021Foley Car Shops sells On30 3D printed kits for a 12-foot Four Wheel Gondola, $22.00 each or 3 for $60.00, plus $8.00 shipping; an 11-foot Four Wheel Hopper for $22.00 each, or 3 for $60.00, plus $8.00 shipping; and a 14-foot Four Wheel Work Car/Caboose for $28.00 each.
Each of the cars includes metal wheelsets and Kadee® couplers with boxes and mounting screws, less adhesives, paints and decals, and instructions to guide any builder not familiar with 3D printed models. While these models are freelanced, each captures a narrow gauge homebuilt look and feel.
The Gondola has nine 3D printed parts, plus the wheels and couplers. The underframe with decking is a single print into which the wheelsets snap in place. The couplers mount to this print as well. I gave my model an overall spray of gray primer, then flat tan for the unfinished “wood” areas, followed by red oxide. The exposed “wood” area was given a wash of thinned raw umber oil paint. The exterior and underframe was given a wash of Payne’s gray before the entire model was dry brushed with a light tan.
The Hopper is only marginally more complex with ten 3D printed parts. It was also quickly assembled using gel ACC, and was finished like the gondola.
The 14-foot Work Car/Caboose has 25 printed parts plus a short length of wire. The underframe and decking were two separate parts that needed to be properly aligned. The roof inserts into stringers on the top of the body, and can be left removable so the interior can be detailed. The window and door inserts are separate prints so they can be pre-painted a contrasting color to that of the body. I assembled the underframe and house, primed and spray painted them with red flat lacquer. Then I sprayed the deck tan, and primed the roof with a coat of dark gray. The railings, grab irons, brake wheel and ladders were pre-painted white, and then painted, before adding them to the model. Holes for the grab irons were easily opened with a bit and pin vice. The only addition made to this car was the clear glazing over the windows.
Each of these models was easily assembled and finished. The gondola and hopper were one-night models. The caboose was assembled over a couple of evenings. The cars as built are exceptionally freewheeling, and track flawlessly without any additional weight or modification. All of the cars capture the backwoods look and feel that is so endearing in narrow gauge. A string of gondolas or hoppers trailed by a bobber caboose would complement any On30 layout.
-George Riley.
Bar Mills
P.O. Box 309
Bar Mills, ME 04004
207/ 929-3400
Cigar Corner, similar to the Queen City Coal Company, the subject of my column in the November/December 2020 Gazette, contains six separately packaged models, each with its own instructions and parts guide. There are also more instructions on assembly and finishing provided. The components include laser-cut basswood, mdf, resin, metal and cardstock parts with separate cast metal and resin details, “glass” and signs. In addition to the figures, buyers can order a special package of Woodland Scenics details at a discounted price when ordering this kit.
Art sent me a pre-production component of this kit some months back so I could assemble it and make the deadline for this issue. I built the Tom Bessey Auto Repair and Samson Auto Wrecking/Barron Von Clonts Sour Mash Whiskey fronts. Unlike the rest of the diorama, this part features two adjacent background bas-relief structures with a pop-out office for the auto wreckers, and separate small auto repair/coal dealer business in front. Included are a chain-link fence and weathered sidewalk sections. I added the extra Woodland Scenics junked automobiles and details to create a sceniced mini-diorama.
Construction is typical of the remainder of the kit with laser-engraved concrete block, brick and windows/doors plus full elevations and pictorial instructions. I had no problem assembling my kit, and enjoyed adding some additional details. I added interior graphics and lights, as well as additional roof vents and stacks. I changed a provided torn wall sign for Admiral Television as too new for my 1948-ish time frame, to one for MJB coffee, and included scenery following Art’s instructions. I also added an additional wrecked truck body to the weed-grown lot. I used the provided chain link fence (later leveled), and added a side-yard Insta-board fence, also made by Bar Mills. Finally, I added some figures unloading mash whiskey barrels from a truck in the alley.
After about a week of effort, I had a nicely detailed scene for a future urban or industrial setting. I look forward to reviewing the Downtown Garage, and I am sure the entire Cigar Corner would be an impressive mini-scene for any layout. I really enjoyed this kit and thank Art for the opportunity.
-Charlie Getz.
Simon Dawson, www.rue-d-etropal.com. I have always wanted an O scale Simplex gasoline locomotive. So when I read Jon Haworth’s article on his 3D, 7mm scale, 20 h.p. bow-framed model in the December 2020 issue of Narrow Lines (the journal of the 7mm Narrow Gauge Association) I perked up. This article tells how Jon detailed his 3D superstructure, added a mechanism and driver, and painted it. He also provided contact information for the locomotive, mechanism, and driver.
For those of you not familiar with Simplex locomotives, over 700 of them were built for the British military during World War I. Some were armored and called “Tin Turtles,” and many were sold surplus after the war and used in agriculture and industry.
I visited the web site listed above and ordered a 3D superstructure. While a French site, the prices were in U.S. Dollars. I put my order in the basket (it cost all of $19.98), and PayPal did the rest. But my receipt came from Shapeways in the U.S. They added postage and the cost was $32.00. Still a deal. About 10 days later, my Simplex showed up on my porch. I had previously Googled “Simplex Tractor Shapeways,” and found an enormous number of models including Simplexes, but not one in O scale.
Next, I contacted Mark Clark of LocosNStuff for a mechanism at www.loconstuff.com, and ordered one, and Dart Castings at dartcastings.co.uk, for a driver.
This my first 3D model and I am really impressed with it, and the other models available online. It is smooth, has no texture, and needs no sanding down. I am looking forward to getting it all together, and painted and weathered.
-Bob Brown.
Berkshire Valley Models
438 Morgan Woods Dr.
Fenton, MO 63025
314/401-4005
www.berkshirevalleymodels.com has a new kit of an O scale 1934 Ford truck with a wood tank for $27.95. The Ford is the same kit used in other Berkshire truck kits and consists of white metal castings that have to be ACC’d together. Be sure the parts fit, and use the ACC sparingly. I also found the Zip Kicker useful on some of the smaller parts. Written instructions with an exploded view of the truck are included, along with several photos of a completed truck. The wood tank has three laser-cut discs held together with laser-cut strips. Then a scribed wrapper is glued around the discs. I had no trouble doing this. The kit includes some thread for tank hoops, but I decided to use paper strips. I found them easier. There is also a cast metal filler lid for the tank, and a little faucet for the rear of the tank. No lettering is provided. This is yet another of Berkshire Valley’s excellent line of O scale wagon and truck kits. I look forward to more. Bob Brown.
Broad Top Mountain Models, a Division of Nate’s Light Iron Hobbies, 722 Lions Park Dr., McConnellsburg, PA 17233, 610/406-1761 has announced an HO scale laser-cut kit for the East Broad Top’s Rockhill, PA, Machine Shop. The prototype consisted of a locomotive shop, boiler shop, and machine shop. The kit will sell for $240.00 shipped insured by USPS Priority Mail. PA residents add 6 percent sales tax. The kit has a laser-cut floor, interior framing, roof rafters, walls, battens, doors and windows, sub-roof, and corrugated metal roofing. The kit can be assembled as a free standing building, or you can add the upcoming Boiler House and Car Shop.
-Bob Brown.
Locos N Stuff
12 Adelaide Rd.
Gillingham, Kent ME7 4NS
United Kingdom
borsig1958@gmail.com
locosnstuff.com. I mentioned this source in my Simplex review on page 17. Mark Clark makes a large selection of power trucks, resin and etched brass locomotive and car kits, and has numerous locomotive chassis available. He also sells couplers, controllers, and other interesting items. There are no U.S. models other than a World War I Baldwin. However, it would be worth your time to visit his site.
I ordered an On30 power truck from Mark to power my Simplex. It was designed to fit into my 3D Simplex. However, there is a slight modification needed to the Simplex superstructure to get it to fit. My mechanism cost £50.00, including shipping, and it only took 13 days to arrive.
The power truck’s frame is 3D printed and holds a small can motor with a worm and gear drive to each axle. There are pickup wires going to all four wheels. The power truck is only 1¾-inches-long, and the motor barely sticks up above the frame, making it ideal for all sorts of section cars, and little rail cars needing a small power source.
My power truck ran smoothly with no noise right out of the sturdy box it was shipped in. It does start quickly and needs some slowing down. I think when I put the Simplex superstructure on with its hood filled with lead, plus a lead driver, I will tame it.
Now, it’s on to mating the power truck to the 3D Simplex superstructure, and I will finally have my long sought after O scale Simplex.
Bob Brown.
Berkshire Valley Models
438 Morgan Woods Dr.
Fenton, MO 63025
314/401-4005
The water tank is composed of two wood discs held apart by seven laser-cut supports. It is essential these supports are vertical, so use a square. Once dry, an inner wrapper is glued around the discs, again make sure you start with a vertical wrapper — use a square. Then when dry, you wrap an outer wrapper around the inner wrapper, don’t forget to use the square. My outer wrapper fit perfectly, with no gap. You can use the provided thread for wire hoops or use flat bands. I decided to use flat bands. They are provided for you in a one piece, laser-cut, set of paper bands properly spaced. Actually, you get two sets of paper bands which seemed ominous to me. I wiped my outer layer before attaching it with Floquil Zinc Chromate Red, and also wiped the paper bands. When dry, and again using a square, I glued one end of the bands to the outer wrapper, let it dry, and then wrapped the bands around the tank with spots of glue. It was like gluing spider webs, and I see why two sets of bands were provided, but I had no trouble. The tank is detailed with band fasteners, a roof hatch, and spout and pully system. There is also a ladder that has an assembly jig. Be careful nipping the jig out if its fret. I lost one side of my jig, but retrieved it, glued it back in place, and had no trouble assembling my ladder. The water level numbers are printed on paper. You just have to trim the strip and glue it into the cast metal U channel and attach it to the tank. There is even a cast metal level indicator. I like my tank and will use it to replace an old tank on my layout. It was fun to assemble and has that run-down backwoods look we all enjoy.
-Bob Brown.
Inter-Action Hobbies
P.O. Box 1021
Chase, BC, VOE 1MO
Canada
888/850-1742
www.interactionhobbies.com has announced the C.R. Lamb, a new 94-foot-long sternwheeler kit. It will be available in N scale for $79.95, HO scale for $149.95, and O scale for $365.00. The kits are laser cut and detailed. You can see a tutorial on assembling an N scale sternwheeler on Inter-Action’s web site. Bob Brown.