C&S Bettendorf SUF Car Plans and Clarifications

[Erock482]

I'm currently working on generating some 3D Printed C&S Steel Underframe models for both Sn3 and HOn3.

Currently I'm working through the steel underframes, intending to make a "Universal" underbody that the then differing car bodies will ride on top of.

Documentation and drawings are a bit sparse. I have a good collection of the Type I/II cars from Poole but not a ton by the way of the steel under framed cars. Which leads me to some questions.

1. Does anyone know of a good source for drawings for these cars? (Box, Gon, Reefer, Stock). My main interest is the various castings/detail parts. I believe the drawings I have of the type II cars will carry some generic dimensional detail across (Excluding the sill height variances between wood framed and steel framed cars)

2. Does anyone know of a good source for the Truck Frames?

3. I see some conflicting documentation regarding the truck frame dimensions, it seems that most Folio's and the one drawing of the steel underframe itself I have been able to find on this page show a truck axle dimension of 4'-6". However other sources seem to think the dimension should be 4'-8" (IE what PBL has in there kits), Did the dimension change at some point? Or is it a mix?

Thank you,
Eric H

[drgwcs]

Harry Brunk had plans of all Phases of C&S cars in his book Up Clear Creek on the Narrow Gauge. These were reprints of articles in the Gazette.  There were also some drawings by Robert Stears in the Gazette too. https://gazetteindex.online/index.php?&npp=40&idx=D&srchstr=c%26s

[Chris Walker]

Narrow Gauge Pictorial Vol on Colorado & Southern rolling stock has Bettendorf truck drawings, and Grandt Line catalogs/kitset instructions had drawings.

[Erock482]

Great resource!

Digging through it, it looks like most of the steel framed cars have escaped the pages of the gazette so far. I'll have to track down a copy of Brunk's book.

[Al Pomeroy]

I have researched and modeled in 1:20.32 the two versions of this under frame. the refrigerators were different than the stock/boxcar.

contact me back channel an i will see about converting to different scales.

[Al Pomeroy]

I also worked with Bob Hartford to develop these trucks, currently available with Ozark miniatures

center distance is 4'-6"



Al P.

[Erock482]

That is a very kind offer Al, I've sent you an email via the forum.

4'-6" is helpful, I find it intersting that 4'-8" has popped up in some of the models that have been produced. I wonder what drove that.

[Lee Gustafson]

This is speculation the PBL dimension may be compensation for Sn3 flange dimensions. HOn3 flanges are even larger proportional to the prototype. As a result they measure 4’8”.  On3 dimensions may be closer to scale as On3 flanges (Grandt Line) are proto 48. As a consequence HOn3 and Sn3 have 4’8” to accommodate larger than scale flanges where as On3 May have 4’6” due to a more prototype flange dimension. This is pure speculation. I encourage others to share information and thoughts.

Lee Gustafson

[Erock482]

Lee,

This may be the case, especially with kits designed several years ago.

I've been doing HOn3 D&RGW prototype's, and have not had an issue where I have had to tweak scaling on trucks to clear flanges (Atleast when designing for Current production Kadee 718 wheelsets) even in 3'-7" Wheelbase truck frames. Scaled up to Sn3 they also have not exhibited clearance issues with Modern wheelsets (PBL/PSC)

I can see the possibility going back before the advent of the RP25 standard for wheel profile with chunky flanges that driving the clearance needed out far enough to shift things about.