EBT M-1?

Roy Stevens on the Nn3 list has been busy creating Nn3 items in his Shapeways shop. Unfortunately many of his creations are un-printable due to resolution issues for these small items, but I have gotten copies of the things I have been able to.

One of those things that I have often wished for was the East Broad Top's M-1 gas electric motor car.

Looks like I'm getting my wish!

It is printing now, when it gets here I'll do a build post.

Pinky swear!

Projects

Today in the mail I got these:

I've already made one of these, so I'll use them to make one of these.

That's the only drawback of modeling the East Broad Top in Nn3, you have to make your own passenger cars, but then again that's where the fun is.

Dreams Coming True?

I am of the firm opinion that one of the best things to happen to model railroading is 3D printing. Using 3D printing we have access to make a lot of things at a reasonable cost, and one of the things I have always wanted was a model of the East Broad Top's gas-electric railcar M-1 in Nn3. So far as I know there is only one hand-built example in existence, and I don't have the confidence in my abilities to make another one.

With the advent of 3D printing the only thing that needs to be done is create a CAD model to fit over a prime mover. Searails has recently introduced a power truck that would be perfect for the project that is now sold through RLW, and I have been working at getting the information to the 3D modeler that created the EBT 2 and 3 bay hoppers that I built earlier. Now that he has it, he is hard at work in the creative process.

Maybe soon I'll have my very own M-1 roaming my narrow gauge rails. I suppose I'd better get started on getting them done. Towards that end my Clover House wide tie strips have arrived, so when I get the chance (between Mustang activities and finally completing my associates degree) I'll get the turnouts fixed and maybe try to mount one. I have an idea that I can mount the turnout on a piece of basswood for stability and then use a Caboose ground throw to actuate it, but I'll have to make a spring arrangement to keep from over-extending the throwbar and breaking the points loose from it. The trick will be getting a thin enough basswood piece to blend in with the cork roadbed and yet have it strong enough to hold everything in place. I might end up using birch instead, I'll have to see what is available. The second challenge will be getting everything fastened down securely and permanently enough to work full time, I have a feeling I would be better served to fasten the PC ties down rather than rely solely on the Pliobonded wood ties.

After the trackwork has been completed I'll get some foam and finally get serious about learning how to do scenery. It should be fun!

PC Board Ties

Since I am in the long process of disassembling the N scale layout to make room for the new (it's going rather slowly) I've decided to work a bit on my 3x7 Nn3 layout a bit.  It consists of a double loop with crossovers, one siding to the bottom of a coal chute for locomotive refueling and a siding on the opposite side of the inner loop to bring coal into the top of the refueling station.

To complete the layout I need three each left and right Nn3 turnouts, and as you may recall I opted to get the FastTracks fixture and jigs to build them. The turnout building went well, all of them have been tested to make sure the electrical isolation is good and the wheels actually roll through them.  When it came time to try to mount them to the layout is when things got slightly sideways.

I attempted to drill through the throwbars only to find the 1/32" PC board ties don't drill well. I ended up drilling one in half and then I called it quits. I have ordered PC board tie materials for throwbars that is 1/32" thick but 1/10" wide that should be a lot easier to drill holes in for the throwbar actuators. I am going to attempt to use Caboose Hobbies power routing ground throws since the frogs have to be powered.

When the PC board ties arrive I will be changing the throwbars on all of the turnouts. Maybe then I'll get something going on the little layout.