The Modelers Thread

[healey36]

Not a bad suggestion, actually; the problem is the sun never seems to be out anymore. I know, I know, April showers and all that, but this has been some serious dreary weather the past 2-3 weeks.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Starting in on the 2nd gondola...

[robert.]

This is a photo of dale Stonner and his Curtiss 3 cylinder. You'll see a black and white photo of a Curtiss 3 cylinder. That photo was probably 85 percent of the info dale had about a Curtiss 3 cylinder. He had a Curtiss twin cylinder lent to him for some measurements. They rest was on him. Dale is a retired GM. tool and die maker. After a year and a half of 8-10 hour days. He has himself a beautiful recreation of a 1908? Curtiss. Not only is he a great machinist. He was able to stand next to that bike for 3 days and answer the same questions over and over. He answered each question with great explanation of how he did something . People walked away really knowing how it was done. I went to his shop awhile back. it had to be the most organized place i ever visited. spotless clean. Everything in the right place. He made a few miniature radial engines that run. 9 cylinder radials about 6 inches in diameter.

[gregj410]

Wow, Greg. The details are very impressive.

Thank you! It found this to be one of the faster and more pleasurable kits that I’ve built.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Continuing on the 2nd gon...

[healey36]

Looking sharp. This would look good with a nice set of arch-bar trucks underneath...

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Looking sharp. This would look good with a nice set of arch-bar trucks underneath...

Thanks! Yup; 90+% of my cars ride on arch-bar trucks.....but I'm putting a few over Fox trucks just for fun!

[healey36]

I know they (arch-bar trucks) were banned from interchange at some point, but I can't recall when that happened. My sense is that it was sometime in the 1930s, but the mandated replacement got delayed due to the economic difficulties the companies (and everyone else) were experiencing. I have always liked the look of them.

[rogruth]

Arch bars could still be used on company owned equipment on home rails at least into the 1950s.
I remember seeing them on trains.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I know they (arch-bar trucks) were banned from interchange at some point, but I can't recall when that happened. My sense is that it was sometime in the 1930s, but the mandated replacement got delayed due to the economic difficulties the companies (and everyone else) were experiencing. I have always liked the look of them.

Since 99% of my modeling interest and model building resides prior to 1920, arch-bar trucks are the standard.

[healey36]

Lovely bike, Robert, a testament to the skills of a machinist. I figure in about another 10-20 years there will be precious few of them left. Machinists and pipefitters...

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Started in on the underbody bits....on both cars!

[Rufus T. Firefly]

More on Gon #2....

[healey36]

Are the foot rungs fashioned from wire, staples, or are they something commercially available?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Are the foot rungs fashioned from wire, staples, or are they something commercially available?

Grabs iron and stirrup steps are all commercial; brass grabs are PSC, others are Wiseman, stirrup steps are either USH, AN, or Auel. Probably will be using some unlabeled bags or brass steps in the future or ones from Scale City.

Not fond of my own grabs; steps are better and I have the brass stock to make those in the shop.