| 6000 Body Shells |
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| I had originally planned on having these made custom, but then it seemed that I wouldn't be a true modeler if I didn't explore the world of scratchbuilding. I have scratchbuilt before (the subway station), but so far the only things I've done are the embankment right-of-way for the Junktown Line and a canopy for a bus terminal that, in truth, is every bit as ugly as the former terminal outside the the Howard station. Of course my view is that this is a learning expierience and just because you goof up, you don't have to think of your first attempts at scratchbuilding as the FUBAR line of products (as I used to refer to them) Get creative! Those first tries that look a little shoddy can be symbols of urban decay. Actual construction will start soon, and I'd like to share my progress. For you expierienced modelers this may bring painful memories, but for newer modelers an idea of challenges to come. THE PLAN To simplify things, I'm going to build the car in parts. Another option was to do a Vaccumn Form, but I'll save that for later. ( You can find Mattel Vac-u-forms on E-bay, usually selling for about $25.00) I've always built kits, so that's how I'm looking at this. The easier it seems, the higher your confidence. Once I have each of the pieces made, I will get some RTV and casting resin. Then any of the parts I need duplicates of, I'll cast. If I ever do model the 31st Street Shops I've mentioned, this will come in handy, as I can have car parts strewn everywhere. The last part is the roof. On the advice of my dealer, I'm going to use styrene to make ribs for the contour shape. This seems a daunting task in my eyes, so thats why it's being done last. I want to gain some expierience with the easier stuff first. Then it's ready to be assembled! I may have to do a few of these, but one I get one just the way I like it, I will cast them and have an entire fleet of 6000's. These are designed to be fitted on a Bachmann Streamlined Trolley (PCC)body. I will then install couplers, snow plows, grab irons, and maybe even window guards on certain cars.I also want to check into fiber optics for directional lighting (although I don't know what I'll do for the rear car). The 1-50's will be the best option for realistic operation. I want my 6000's to look and run like the real thing. Now if only I were 7/16" tall..... |
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| UPDATES 5/8/02- I have cut out the basic shape of the car sides, the outline of the passenger door, the front panel on the side of the motorman's cab, the headlight panel (though I may redo that; it's microscopic) with the headlight drilled through with 1/16 bit. The front access door was complete, however I lost it so I will do another later. 5/20/02- I've finally gotten started with the sides! I practiced cutting the windows on my old car side I attempted last year. So far so good! 8/20/02- I have finished the car side after several outtakes even getting the right curvature on the bottom and at the ends. The end piece was done too. I strayed from my original plan and did the end as one piece. I will cast both parts; adding lights to the end copy and leaving the other blank, and will adjust the side copy for a conductor's window. 2/16/03- Sorry, I haven't come clean on this earlier, but I lost the side and end piece on my way to work a few months back. I have decided to go after the 1-50, which had some godawful results the first time, but has been going well now that I started doing it in wood. As far as the 6000 goes, I have decided I will swallow my pride and buy one from IHP, though it will require a lot of modification. But what the hell my tax refund's on the way! 3/6/04- I am retracting that last statement because I had originally approached Mike Bartel about building a 6000 shell a couple years ago, and magically now he gets the idea to build them. I let him know I was sore about it and I got a less than professional response. Now he has decided to build more CTA car types, again at outrageous prices. I plan to make an attempt to cast extra shells which I may sell at a decent price, once I receive the masters for them. I would encourage people to boycott IHP. I sent the job out this week to a private contractor and should have results within two months. |
