Interesting too in the photo is how the cars in the foreground are spotted, apparently so the doors would line up to facilitate loading. Charles Weston
--- On Sat, 11/3/12, Pieter Roos <[email protected]> wrote: From: Pieter Roos <[email protected]> Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: Running boards To: [email protected] Date: Saturday, November 3, 2012, 11:07 PM The problem I have with most etched running boards could be described as the aspect ratio. Apex running boards are fabricated of steel strips set on edge, so the sides of the running board are wider than the top edges. Most etched boards have this reversed, the they are clearly a flat sheet with openings cut in it. I have several plastic cast parts once sold by Weaver as O scale covered hopper running boards. Cut narrower, they look very good (these were written up several times in the 1980's or 1990's, I doubt they are still available. If you want to see the variety in running boards, look closely at this Jack Delano photo from 1943. There is a lot more variation in wood running boards than model railroader's generally duplicate. http://www.shorpy.com/node/704?size=_original#caption Pieter E. Roos --- On Fri, 11/2/12, cnr3304 <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi All, > > As far as I know, the steel mesh running boards are 1" in > thickness, that means 0.016" in S scale terms. It also > means that since we are so used to seeing thick plastic that > they look too thin. > > In order to get the artwork etched properly and still retain > the mesh, it is better to etch it in 0.008" material as two > sides to a sandwich and fold them together to form > 0.016". This is what is being done for the CNR 8 hatch > steel reefer kit M.L.W. Services is about to put out. > The running boards may be available separately if they are > acceptable enough for peoples' other uses. > > I can post photos soon if you like. > > I am not certain of the prototype thickness of wood running > boards but I use S scale 2" x 6" wood for mine. What I > can tell you though is that the lateral end running boards > (platforms) on the PRS kits is wrong. The supports are > on the outside of the planks. The planks should hang > over the supports. This was duplicated in HO and O > scale as well. PRS, Intermountain were aware of this > but it was too costly to get the die maker to correct the > problem. I replace those on every PRS kit I > build. I am getting pretty fair at mixng up paint to > get a close enough match to the original PRS colours. A > little weathering and I don't notice the difference. > > > cheers, > > > Andy Malette
