rowehillmaster

.... I have come to the conclusion that we are seeing two different standards of VAC pipe stowage on the old photos, stowed pointing down, and hooked up - both are parked on a receptacle (dolly) thus making it appear bigger - I have finished the model this morning with it parked pointing down -:

.... other end done -:

.... I had arrived at that conclusion as to tuck the wheels up properly is not practical on a scaled model as the sides would have to be overly thin, a kit of parts for either or was my idea - along with the legs retracted and folded or deployed.

... a little help please - : what type of vacuum connector is this ? ..... it is bigger than any I recognise ? thanks Andy

... here they are in white primer -:

...... I have made some test 3D prints, shown in my other thread (PSL Roadrailer project - detail CAD for resin cast or 3D print) and can manage the detail I think to get an acceptable result, but what do folks actually want ? - I could do a remake of the exact kit, with a little more detail / accuracy would that be of use ? - I will still make a full CAD model but that will then need dumbing down and altering to make into a kit, that can be assembled and have some strength - what improvements would people like to see - multiple model scales / gauges will be easy as will enabling a proper bushed rail axle - what style / modifications does the coupler need ? Andy

..... first try to see how the detail level printed ? .... will look better when painted matt of course

.... and now I have been playing !

... a bit more detail added -:

.... this picture is very helpful for me, I am starting to now understand how the pivot worked, just need to see where the airmotor sat now, as it had to be fixed relative to the entire pivoting carriage with the rail wheels and road wheels on independent BF Goodrich 'torsilastic' suspension units.

..... here is one of the ones that came to the UK in 1958 - significantly different construction obvious even in this screenshot from the COHS archive shop.

No - it is still a flat roof but with rounded corners, only about 4-6 inches radius, not like any other photos I have seen - how I see it the two 1955 prototypes were shipped to England in 1958, these had side ladders and roof walkways according to the text, and the vertical corners look like they are rounded too - it says in the text in 1959 the Railvan body itself was redesigned with integral side posts and stronger, lighter steel structural members, in 1959 three of the redesigned Railvans were built - that ties in with the pictures and dates - there are identical strengtheners on both the US and UK versions.

- I have received some material from a very nice man (Thomas W. Dixon Jr.Chief Historian at the C&O Historical Society http://cohs.org/) and it includes a photo showing an American Roadrailer being craned onto a cargo ship, with one already loaded, captioned "In March 1958, C&O shipped their prototype Railvans to England in the hope of getting them into international service" - they are not the square topped vans we see in most of the US pictures, they have a rounded top crown, like a period commercial trailer might have, there are also side ladders - else where in the text these two are mentioned as having been presented to the press in 1955.

... my latest US reference material states in the caption to a photo a photo of a C&O Railvan " this unit appears to be an early model as it does not have the side doors" - more likely they had one of those to test ?

..... a bit more progress this morning -: ..... this is about the level of detail I will go for.

I have received new reference material today from e-bay France ! - a copy of the July 1990 US Model Railroader ! .... my quest goes on - I now need the December 1976 C&O Historical Newsletter ! Edit : - got one off e-bay in the US !

Here is the latest on my 1960s Pressed Steel Limited Roadrailer -: - I will post updates here, and requests for comment as I produce the model. I am still looking for more details of the underframe mechanism and coupler operation.

.... I have made a start -: I will start a new thread once I have done a bit more so you can advise on getting it looking right

.... and you can still buy them - 10.00x15 Low platform Trailer Tyre 14ply DS6335 Maximum Weight Capacity 5,050 lbs. per tire @ 100 psi. US $239.95 !

..... but actually, (and I should of done it before posting the above ) ..... now I have my copy of MRJ 147 and I have studied the diagram drawing which has a pivot dimension from the rear to use as a base scale dimension, I have scaled off an enlarged photo and make the rim 15" across the bead seat of the rim, so I can see it is a 15" wheel. Andy

I had them for 8.25 x 16, a common trailer tyre of the time and as used on bedford and scammell trailers - which the hubs look like in both incarnations ? (would be interested if you had the actual tyre sizes ?) Andy

.... found this tonight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPbTgv_wv6g

I have found and ordered a copy of MRJ 147

.... upon further investigation they are not the same, the convex are six stud, the concave are eight stud, so different wheels and hubs - the 6 stud wheels have an external sprung bead side lock ring (like an old Bedford) and the eight stud have an internal spung bead retention ring (like an old Scammell) - both are seen on the prototypes - not sure about the production version - I do not have any closeup production pictures where it is clear which is fitted, yet.

I have been studying the information I have, and I am seeing two types of road wheels - concave hubs and convex hubs, am I right in saying the prototypes have the sign board, and the production ones have the red lettering direct on the wagon side ? - I think the convex ones are earlier, like the C&O version has, although there are pictures of the prototypes with the convex hubs ?