I have been thinking about this for quite some time and I will be the first to admit I do not know anything about what it takes to do a 3D print, but do you think that there would be a market for Frisco cars among us? To me the biggest hang up with Frisco heavyweight cars is the roof and would it be best to just make those in a 3D print or go all out and make the sides as well to go on a Branchline frame? There are manufactures for brass car sides that might be willing to do it if there was a roof to match. I just wanted to see what people thought on this topic and see if it is worth pursuing. Thanks, Steve
Steve, I am interested in some variations on early gondolas. I have found a person that will print up a prototype at relatively low cost if a drawing is available. It seems that quality is up there for details and could support a car model. I had these beehive brick kilns printed for the Weir City Brickyard, and they turned out pretty good. There is a flaw in the doors on the half-kiln version (against backdrop, and I will model with door open), but it looks like it was resolved for the full-structure print. -Bob T.
The roofs are the main sticking point for most Frisco Passenger equipment. Standard 3D printing would not hold up under close scrutiny for appearance; resin-based 3D printing would come closer to being fine enough.
Without a doubt the key to building any kind of fleet of passenger cars for the Frisco is figuring out how to get a turtle back roof. There are a number of plain non air conditioned clerestory type roofs but the majority are round. Early on I tried using NERS's air conditioner duct work kits, gluing them on and then sanding them smooth. They were a reasonable stand in, but they didn't give that rounded appearance I was looking for. I finally broke down and cast a master and poured a several out of resin. It was a somewhat complex mold that yielded many scrap pieces, but I've manages to cast enough to round out my fleet. The car pictured is an almost complete kitbash of sorts. The core is a Branchline coach kit, the sides were etched in brass by one of our members and the roofs are some that I cast. It's got some imperfections, but it makes a unique car none the less. Brad
I think you are both correct Brad and Keith, it's the roof. I will do some digging around and see if there is someone out there who might be able to create something that would work. Nice car Brad. Steve
I contacted Bethlehem Car Works http://bethlehemcarworks.com/ and they would like to know what we would like to see first. I am open to most things, but I think coaches would be the first thing that people would want. I want to know what you think. They also said "we need drawings and photos. Please send photos and drawings as a scan." Do things like that exist and where? Steve
