some more 3/4" F-unit progress

[WJH]

John, perhaps this is out of line asking, but I was wondering if you had drawings of the nose section of an F unit? The proportions and curves are what makes an F unit look good, or like crap. You nailed the dimensions and proportions on your F units.

[JohnHudak]

RB, The drawings for the F were done in solidworks.... We started with a 2 dimension print from Model Railroader magazine, scanned it and basically "traced" around it with solidworks... Making it a 3D program from a 2D one.. My friend Andy did all the CAD work for me, as I have no idea how to use SW...
Here's a photo of the F print from MR...
John

[WJH]

Thanks John. I know how to use solid works, so this will help nicely.

[JohnHudak]

Here's a new pic of one pair of trucks with the brake gear installed.. I still need to make the brake cylinders, and their corresponding levers, etc... I think I have everything I need now to finish these F's, except the time... I'm hoping to make a test of the running gear within a week or two, then finish up the detail parts... The shells are back at the painters, to re-shoot some areas where there were some pin-holes, then off to get the Pennsy stripe and lettering applied....
John

[joerom]

Hi John,
That is a first class looking set of trucks.Great work as usual.
Joe

[Andypullen]

Great work John! Do you need any more wheels?

Andy

[JohnHudak]

Great work John! Do you need any more wheels?

Andy

Thanks Andy, I don't need any at the moment, but if I do I'll know just where to come
John

[WJH]

Will there be plans of selling castings for these F units? Growing up in Danbury CT, I got to see the last of the F units in action in actual service. I miss those FL9's and rebuilt F3's.

[JohnHudak]

Will there be plans of selling castings for these F units? Growing up in Danbury CT, I got to see the last of the F units in action in actual service. I miss those FL9's and rebuilt F3's.

RB, look here... http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... 30&t=84462
John

[WJH]

Needless to say, I already know what paint scheme I would use. I took this picture before I left CT for Florida. Took the photo in 2006.
click here

[JohnHudak]

Here's a pic of the batteries and their mounts.... Don't worry, it looks like the aluminum frame comes close to touching the terminals, but it doesn't..... (can't)
I'm hurrying now, as there is a meet this weekend at my club, and I hope to take these F's there to test-run...
John

[JohnHudak]

Well today was the first time we tested the diesels under power.... And power it has! They took off for the first time with me on the riding car spinning the drive wheels! It took a lap to get used to the throttle, but after the first time around the track at NEOLS, I got the hang of it! I did about 6 or 7 laps, and then handed the controller to the wife, then some friends.. They all said "wow" when it just took off without even working hard! I took some videos, but for some reason my computer isn't recognizing my camcorder... But here's a couple of pics..
John