Talking T Gauge

Chris333 · Joined: 25 Sep 2008 Posts: 74

Just curious if anyone has scale drawings for a RDC 1,2,3, or 4?

It seems like the logical thing to do with T gauge.

If I can get drawings I might try a etched body in T gauge. No promises yet, but it would be fun to try. If I get it to work I may buy a T set.

http://www.trainsarefun.com/lirr/lirr_rdc.htm

http://usloki.tripod.com/images/rdc1/rdc1np1.gif

trainspotter-usa · Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 315 Location: Minnesota

I don't posess any drawings nor do I know anyone who has.
But I think you might find a few takers on the list for a model RDC of any sort.

Ian
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http://more-t-please.blogspot.com/

DanMacK · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:14 am Post subject:

I don't have scale drawings, but I do have dimensioned drawings. I found some excellent diagrams at http://www.cpsig.ca you have to register (it's free), but you get access to their documents library. there's a "Passenger Folio" folder which has RDC 1,2,3 drawings. There's a drawing for the shorter RDC4 at http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/buddRDC4.jpg
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Dan MacKellar

Chris333 · Joined: 25 Sep 2008 Posts: 74

Thanks. I see the RDC4 is a bit longer than the T gauge cars and you say it is the shorter one.

In order to check I drew up a T gauge car, man they are small!! A RDC4 would be about 3/16" longer.

Chris333 · Joined: 25 Sep 2008 Posts: 74

I found these:
http://www.pell.portland.or.us/~efbrazil/rdc1_draw.html
http://www.tsfr.org/~efbrazil/rdc2_draw.html

From a T gauge car the RDCs would be 1/2" longer with a 3/8" longer wheelbase.

So much for just overlaying a stock car.

DanMacK · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:06 pm Post subject:

Yeah... I was thinking the same thing. I know Robret Ray just rescaled the cars to fit the Eishindo chassis, but a full scale RDC would be interesting to see. Possibly just slice the chassis after the motor and epoxy a piece of styrene or acrylic in?

After seeing what you've done in Z I have the utmost faith you can do an RDC in T Very Happy

And if you do, I'd be interested in carbodies, and I know I wouldn't be the only one.
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Dan MacKellar

Chris333 · Joined: 25 Sep 2008 Posts: 74

Here is a doodle. Top 3 are Tgauge RDC's, at the bottom is a standard T-gauge car.

I know a car has been shortened already, has anyone gave it a stretch yet? It doesn't seem impossible, but if someone goes first that makes it easier Laughing

Chris333 · Joined: 25 Sep 2008 Posts: 74

More...

Top is a scale drawing.
2nd is shortened 6' (1 window)
3rd is shorted 12' (2 windows)
4th same as 3rd with stock truck centers.
5th is stock car outline

I like the second version because a full length car may not look right on sharp curves, but if I will cut it up anyway why no go all the way?

Any input.

David K Smith · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:38 am Post subject:

Chris, consider scaling things at 1:480. There is some talk of doing NA stuff at that ratio instead of 1:450. That might bring the length down closer to the Eishindo units.
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—David

http://www.t-gauge.net/
http://1-450.blogspot.com/

DanMacK · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 12:42 pm Post subject:

I was wondering if slicing the frame and lengthening it with styrene and/or brass strip would work. Epoxy should bond to the frames and the brass would give a rigidity to it. I'm thinking this for both RDC's and passenger coaches.

The difference bewteen 1:450 and 1:480 would be about 4mm - almost negligible IMO.

The doodles I've done are in 1:450, gives just that little bit more space for things.

Both 1:450 and 1:480 have merits, I think it's all up to the individual modeler as to how they implement it.

Long cars on the 132.5 curves may look a bit off, but 120 would definitely look that way. I'm planning to have slightly larger curves on my layout to compensate ((handlaying anyone?)
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Dan MacKellar

Skibbe · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 11

Yes, 1:480 should help the width issue as well, as you mentioned via email that you were slightly wide. Can you compare those end profiles I sent to the sanded down clear body dimensions? When I was looking at the Superliners, 1:480 seemed to hit the width just right.
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Mike Skibbe

Chris333 · Joined: 25 Sep 2008 Posts: 74

The T-gauge body was .250" wide after sanded smooth, add .005" brass to each side and get a final width of .260" wide.

I real RDC scaled to 1:450 is .2622222222" wide. I can live with a difference of .002" Wink

So to keep things simple I will leave it at 1:450.

At 1:480 the car should be .24583" wide. The t-gauge body would need to be another .01417" narrower. That can't be done because the gearbox gets in the way.

DanMacK · Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 1:15 pm Post subject:

Can't wait to see your progress Chris.
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Dan MacKellar

Chris333 · Joined: 25 Sep 2008 Posts: 74

These are so small it really is a pain to get the curve up and over the roof to look right.

A test with a blast of silver.

The lines are drawn so thin (.0025") that the whole etching process has to be perfect to work. The details are a bit crude, but at this micro size its about as good as I can get. I am still waiting for my T set in the mail, but the whole idea should work.

trainspotter-usa · Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 315 Location: Minnesota

Looks pretty darned good to me.
You clearly have access to facilities and techniques I can only dream of...
Ian
_________________
I CAN see how cool this stuff is!!!
http://more-t-please.blogspot.com/