SL-SF GSC drop center flat #3900 3D print multiple scales

Discussion in 'Flatcars' started by gjslsffan, Jun 20, 2019.

  1. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    I have been looking for drawings of the General Steel Casting (GSC), I may have stumbled upon it at an ATSF historical site. Attached is also a PDF file, it is a bit clearer to look at.
    This is a start anyway. Maybe if we can get enough info we can get somebody to 3D print one in brass.

    SLSF 3900-2.jpg

    From our Archives
    Drop deck 3900.jpg

    Drop deck 3900-1.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jun 20, 2019
  2. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Well, I have exiting news everyone!
    I was able to help a fellow with this 6 axle depressed center flat car. He also has made it available in many different scales. The prototype was built in 1953 not sure how long it was in service.
    I am gonna try a metal car (at my request, I have been advised against this BTW) just cause I like them to be heavy while running MT. I am ordering a metal car, it says they can be a bit rough and need finishing. I may regret it but gonna go for it anyway. I have sent him a question as to the parts included. The trucks and the separate jacking pads on the side where the brake pipe is attached will be included with the trucks (seperate item). While doing some research, I found that many, many RR's bought these kits from GSC. He has the car listed in plastic for under 50 bucks. Details will need to be added.

    https://www.shapeways.com/product/J...ter-flatcar?optionId=110643934&li=marketplace

    From our archives
    Drop deck 3900.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2019
  3. Thanks Tom. Let us know what it’s like in person.
     
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  4. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    He asked me to wait a few days before ordering, shapeways is a complicated process and he is working his way thru it. There is a polished version that I think I will go with.
     
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  5. geep07

    geep07 Member

    Tom, The drawing diagram for this type of car shows that the wheel diameter is 30".
    You have that wheel size in your inventory? Might have to order those from Reboxx. You can probably put on 33", this might cause the car body to rub on the wheel and then adjusting height with bolster washers and doing this and other things to make it track worthy.
    I have a similar car that I purchased at a swap meet. Made by Roco I believe, it had a wheel missing.No big deal I thought till I got it on the work bench and calibrated the wheel diameter. I replaced all the wheels with 33" Kadee's. It worked okay and the larger diameter wheels did not affect the looks of the car, but it was too light. By adding a transformer load on it made it track worthy.
    if I recall my memory, I looked up wheel replacement from Reboxx, the axle length was a tad wide and may cause problems with the existing truck side frames.
    This was a fun project!!!

    John
     
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  6. geep07

    geep07 Member

  7. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    Attached is the Frisco diagram of its 3900-class car. The dates and notes on the diagram seem to imply that it may have been delivered to the Frisco during December 1952, and then assembled by the West Shops. It's purchase was funded by Frisco-issued bonds, which covered the purchase of five 1500 HP B-units, 500 tons, 500, open-top hoppers, and 150 all steel wood racks (from GSC?).


    I remember a conversation with my father, who claimed that the member roads of the AAR (I think) had to maintain a minimum quantity of speciality cars.

    scan0013.jpg
     
  8. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Thanks John,
    NWSL has/had 30" whls. I did manage to get a couple boxes, good luck finding anything Reboxx, its like they went out of bidness.
    I have that Botchman car too, but this car is miles ahead of that one. Don't even know what the BMN car was based on. Plus with the correct trucks available this should be a quality car. I am taking a risk on the polished metal print, we will see.
    Also there are a few transformers on shapeways to load it with.
     
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2019
  9. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    If the metal print does not work out. I will send it back and get a high quality plastic print. And load the transformer w steel shot to make it heavy enough. I just like to run these cars MT with no placement restrictions.
     
  10. geep07

    geep07 Member

    Tom,
    Wow, I did not know Reboxx really slimmed their product line. I had bought 30" wheels from them for my IHC passenger cars awhile back.
    Really anticipating when you complete this car. Another fine model for the Frisco fans to enjoy.
     
  11. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Yea I visited the site in April and asked if they were still in business, have not heard anything back. The site still works just cant get anything out of it.

    I'm sure 33" wheels will work just fine. I just hope people will buy this car, it covers a pretty broad era, and is a very unique, interesting car.

    The 130000 LT WT and LD LMT of 256000, which left a 126000 lb or 63 ton pay load.
    Modern 4 axle cars are often 280000 LD LMT. It was waaay over built, typical of GSC cars. Decaling should be easy enough nothing special. May need to add Tichy stem winder brakes and staffs, and the brake pipe.
     
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2019
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  12. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Got an email from Shapeways a couple days ago, and they want to thicken the steps to a 1mm minimum. They are not going to print the car as is in metal. so, I requested a refund and ordered in smoothest fine detail plastic. This has been quite the learning experience.

    Another question. Have any of you tried tungsten putty for adding weight to a car?
     
  13. I have not Tom. But I have a large amount of lead foil if that would be of any help. LMK
     
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  14. Sirfoldalot

    Sirfoldalot Frisco.org Supporter Frisco.org Supporter

    My heart almost skipped a beat when I looked at the 1/48 version!
    Looks like it's right down TOM's alley though!
    I am keeping an eye out for this one, TOM
     
  15. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Thanks Steve.
    We are still having some growing pains Sherrel, but making progress I think. Shapeways doesnt like the steps so thin, I told them I didnt want step thicknesses that look sewer pipes.
     
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  16. LMK if you want foil Tom. I have a coffee can full and it is heavy for sure. It’s easy to hide or easy to use as tarps etc rolled or in use and still add weight.
    Good luck on this. I am interested for sure.
     
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  17. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    I have tungsten powder that can be glued like ballast. It's used by golf pro shops to add weight to customized clubs.
     
  18. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Well looks like I wont be needing any weights, not for a while anyway. I just got a refund from Shapeways. They wont print the car because their engineers think the steps are too thin. And I cant get ahold of the guy that did the drawing to modify the drawing to make Shapeways happy. They wont modify his drawing, so looks like we might be dead in the water here for a bit. Man I wish I had the talent to draw it myself.
    I will keep you posted.
     
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  19. Funny a project has to die when leaving the stirrups off and adding some A-lines would be easier and look better anyway. Maybe something will work out Tom. Keep us posted.
     
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  20. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    True that Steve,
    I told Shapeways over and over again that we had found metal steps in case these broke off easily or didn't print right. I told them again and again I would not hold them responsible for the steps in any way. We just wanted to give it a try, they really have no clue as to what we were trying to do, they don't know the difference between a scale model RR car and the star-ship Enterprise. Still nothing, like talking to the old brick wall, they did print the trucks, and are on the way LOL.
    They have not handled this very well IMHO.
    I have appealed via there not satisfied with service venue, I expect nothing to change.
     

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