Re: C&S RPO 11: Linn Moedinger’s Shapeways Print in Sn3 and Hon3

Posted by Keith Hayes on Sep 30, 2018; 2:52pm
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/C-S-RPO-11-Linn-Moedinger-s-Shapeways-Print-in-Sn3-and-Hon3-tp12427p12442.html

Though the backstory is usually Jim's thing, here is what Hayes Hendrick's excellent website has to say about 10-11-12:

These are originally Colorado Central cars built by the Union Pacific in 1880. They originally had end platforms with the roofs extending over the platforms. The three cars always had sequential numbers, and 11 was originally CC #4, then UP #1324, then UPD&G 1324 and 29 before transition to C&S 111 and finally just 11.

The cars were modified to the current configuration in 1912 to conform to the recently adopted US Post Office standards. Hayes believes the end door at the mail compartment end was removed at this time. Car 10 was the first to go in 1929, and both 11 and 12 lasted until 1939, with 12 being conveyed to the scrapper, Platt Rogers, Inc., when the line was dismantled.

Hayes indicates Maxwell has a plan for these cars (an earlier incarnation), plan C-108. Ed Gebhart published a plan in the July-August 1989 of the Gazette. Hayes includes the C&S folio for these cars (a noted void in the files section of this blog!) The text is cut off, but I infer that the baggage section was actually 24'-3" on 11. The mail sorting area is against the interior bulkhead of the car--Hayes suggests this is unusual, but it is similar to the SG RPO at the Colorado Railroad Museum.

The Sn3 model:

I cleaned the model last night and the detail on the part is quite fine. There is some odd rendering going on on the end door, which I initially thought was related to the Bestene bath, but it seems to be in the part. I will chalk this up to a printing thing, as I have experienced a similar issue on another part. The roof wall joint is thin at one point--I suspect this is due to Linn modelling the roof as a separate part and putting the roof and carbody together digitally. All the details are rendered quite nicely and very sharply.

I like this car probably because of its UP heritage. It has a very deep letter board and a rather steep clerestory curve and carlines (meaning the cross section of the car). These contrast with the more delicate profiles of St. Charles/ ACF, Pullman and Jackson and Sharp roofs that we are familiar with as used by the D&RGW. The original doors and windows all have arched tops--the end door is almost a half circle, and the jambs have a nice radiused profile. Line captured each of these quite nicely. By comparison the 1912 RPO modifications are less poetic, which is an interesting contrast. The C&S head end cars feature giant brake wheels on the ends, and that is cool too. (Jim has an idea for me on how to model these). Overall, the car hints of its early heritage and the design standards favored by the UP in that era.

When I first reached out to Linn regarding scaling up this model, he expressed concern about the cost. In fact, I had shared this same concern in January when Linn first shared his models with this group. The cost of the car came in less than I expected (it is the largest part I have ever ordered), between $100 and $200. At one point, I considered asking Linn to print the windows and doors, but then I thought it would be good to have the roof--lets face it that is what holds most of us back from modelling passenger equipment. If the whole car is modelled, why not just order the whole thing. I have a number of PBL passenger cars, and these are something like $450, so by the time I put the floor and wheels under this, I will still be spending less than the brass equivalent. (Linn, while we are asking, can you do one of the shorty baggage cars too?)

Long time readers will recall that I started a project installing Soundtraxx Soundcar units in my waycar fleet. I figure every freight train needs a caboose, and being at the end of the train, one will better be able to hear the sounds of the brakes and wheel squeals. I had contemplated adding a Soundcar to my recent Overland car purchase, but elected not to at the last minute. RPO-Baggage 11 has fewer windows, and will easily cover all the parts. Also there is room for a couple nice large speakers, so I am planning to add a Soundcar to this build.