Post by harborbelt70 on Mar 9, 2024 12:19:41 GMT
These first side shots illustrate signs o’ the times, in two respects. First, after coming across an online article (linked in a previous thread) from a Swiss train shop about the UP 2066 Power Car project I am - unwisely - undertaking, I had a look through the shop owner’s online archives. I was reminded that this guy, Werner the “Trainmaster” actually deals primarily in models of US prototypes, and his Swiss business is called the “US Railroad Shop”. My look disclosed all kinds of models, mostly brass and 2-rail stuff but there were these two remarkable (to me) listings:
The upper side view is self-explanatory except that I think I have never before seen a caboose/combine - actually called a “Waycar” – exactly like the one shown, especially under the Burlington name. The lower image totally mystified me at first glance as I was certain I had never seen an Amtrak dinette and coach that appear to have huge humps on the roofs – until it finally dawned on me that they are actually part of the Atlas internal packaging!
Doh! Yet more evidence that I am past my sell-by date.
Second, Trainmaster Werner’s business has been going for over 45 years but there’s a note on his website that he’ll be vacating his long-term Zurich bricks and mortar establishment in the next year or two because the rental/establishment costs of it can’t be covered by the business revenue, so he is going over to exclusively internet sales. I/we have seen any number of businesses fall prey to rising rents because of runaway global price inflation although commercial landlords seem to be more grasping than ever (if that’s possible).
I remember that something like this happened years ago to the fine US company SMR Trains that specialized in Civil War era engines and rolling stock. Sad losses to the hobby, both, even or maybe especially if it really amounts to forced retirement.
Anyway, as slight evidence that I am not entirely past it I am spending some of my free time poring over blueprints and diagrams and even attempting to scale from photos for the current project. I won’t be able to determine actual measurements until I get the plastic car sides and related parts another member of OGF put me on to, which are on their way, but I have done something similar before, based on this extract from the SP Historical Society book on dome, parlour and observation cars:
The lower photo is a side view of the SP ¾ dome car interior in its stock form, which was really well-built but not as eye-popping/realistic as I wanted, nor as good as I thought GGD’s workmanship on the exterior deserved. I omitted to take a similar photo of the finished and fully populated interior assembly including the bar enclosure from the identical side-on perspective, but this is close:
Another side view from a plan is this one of the mail car on the frame of which UP 2066 is based, which is what I am using for overall dimensions:
No one should or will hold their breath while the pending project proceeds but as it will probably be one of a kind watch this space - later in the year.
The upper side view is self-explanatory except that I think I have never before seen a caboose/combine - actually called a “Waycar” – exactly like the one shown, especially under the Burlington name. The lower image totally mystified me at first glance as I was certain I had never seen an Amtrak dinette and coach that appear to have huge humps on the roofs – until it finally dawned on me that they are actually part of the Atlas internal packaging!
Doh! Yet more evidence that I am past my sell-by date.
Second, Trainmaster Werner’s business has been going for over 45 years but there’s a note on his website that he’ll be vacating his long-term Zurich bricks and mortar establishment in the next year or two because the rental/establishment costs of it can’t be covered by the business revenue, so he is going over to exclusively internet sales. I/we have seen any number of businesses fall prey to rising rents because of runaway global price inflation although commercial landlords seem to be more grasping than ever (if that’s possible).
I remember that something like this happened years ago to the fine US company SMR Trains that specialized in Civil War era engines and rolling stock. Sad losses to the hobby, both, even or maybe especially if it really amounts to forced retirement.
Anyway, as slight evidence that I am not entirely past it I am spending some of my free time poring over blueprints and diagrams and even attempting to scale from photos for the current project. I won’t be able to determine actual measurements until I get the plastic car sides and related parts another member of OGF put me on to, which are on their way, but I have done something similar before, based on this extract from the SP Historical Society book on dome, parlour and observation cars:
The lower photo is a side view of the SP ¾ dome car interior in its stock form, which was really well-built but not as eye-popping/realistic as I wanted, nor as good as I thought GGD’s workmanship on the exterior deserved. I omitted to take a similar photo of the finished and fully populated interior assembly including the bar enclosure from the identical side-on perspective, but this is close:
Another side view from a plan is this one of the mail car on the frame of which UP 2066 is based, which is what I am using for overall dimensions:
No one should or will hold their breath while the pending project proceeds but as it will probably be one of a kind watch this space - later in the year.
