E-7 portholes

[tqvfjmin]

I have a Proto 2000 E-7 shell that has the square windows rather than the MP prototypical portholes and I want to model the units that were used on passenger trains #s 125 and 126 that ran between Van Buren and Fort Smith. My thinking right now is to make resin castings of portholes using an F7 or FT shell I have on hand as a master and splice them into the P2K shell.

Can anyone offer a better approach? There were aftermarket castings once upon a time but I think these are no longer available. Any and all ideas are welcome! Thanks!

Also, does anyone have drawings indicating the correct location of the portholes and the spacing for the paired ones. Looking at photographs, I am guessing that the porthole pairs filled the same space as the square windows but, because they are smaller, are farther apart on center. Is that right? Thanks again!

[mopac]

comment. Please sign your post so we know who to respond to.

Now to answer your questions. Delta Models had an extensive line for all the Mopac models back in the 1980’s Bill Basden was the creator of the concept to to change out the side panels. The product line was sold by Bill and the other party sold it again to some one else.

Then is just died and disappeared. In all over a 4 year period there were 35 different configurations to change using the side inserts.
There were Mopac T&P southern ACL and I have lost tract.

Bil since got out of HO scale and now has a line of O scale resin parts.

Now fast forward to what you want to do. Unless you just want a few for you self, and not do retail your OK. yor cost would be about
300.00 for materials and then you have to build the masters. If you go the Cadillac route your looking at 2-3 K resin and rubber is not cheap.
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Now I can provide a drawing based on an HO model for size and locations for the Portholes. will try to up load it to the forum
for all to use.

Good luck on your endeavors. I have attached some Body shell photo’s of the Mopac versions.

Bill Basden Delta Models http://www.deltamodelsusa.com

[mopac]

Here is the Porthole drawing in a PDF format.

Bill

[tqvfjmin]

Bill:

Thanks you so much for the diagram and renderings. That’s a huge help.

Cole:

I really was planning on doing just one and was only going to cast a two-porthole part to inset into the side of the shell to replace each of the windows, after removing the post from each pair of square windows and removing the gasket. Hopefully that will cost significantly less than you suggested.

Sorry for not having signed. I’m new to both the MPHS and the forum. Both of my grandfathers were MP employees in NLR; one an intermittently employed machinist and the other a switchman, first in the NLR yard and later, as his age and seniority commended, at the less busy LR passenger depot.

Tim

[peggyrothschild]

Tim
I wonder if using a newer process might be a better alternative such as Shapeways 3-D printing? Look through the HO model threads as Ryan Harris offers a Mopac WV caboose and detail parts using Shapeways. There’s been a lot of interest since Bill sold his masters to have the portholes reissued and Ryan might be willing to produce a set.

In fact with Shapeways there’s other alternatives where a master could be made for each side to allow the modeler to cut out the entire side and glue in the Mopac version. This obviously would cost more in material but a lot less in labor in removing the square window panels and trying not to damage the rivet strips.

[tqvfjmin]

Interesting idea.I just sent a copy of the thread to Mr. Harris and asked what he thought. Will let you know what he says.

Tim

[tqvfjmin]

Mr. Harris replied to my e-mail and said that this is the sort of thing shapeways does well. He has some P2K E unit shells and is going to look into it. Thanks for the idea.

[peggyrothschild]

Ryan does excellent work and it certainly helps with him having the P2K shells. Over the years there’s been several modelers looking for the port hole sets to be re-released. Personally I’d prefer having an entirely new side to drop into the shell rather than cutting away the panels but we’ll see what Ryan comes up with.

btw welcome to the MPHS and the BB forum,

[mopac]

Jezz a new lease on life for and old concept, in its time was good for the 1980″s.

I vote for Charlies Idea for new sides. It would be easier to do. the center panel was tedious but could be done.

I will watch with interest.

Bill Basden Delta Models http://www.deltamodels

[tqvfjmin]

When you say “new sides,” where would the cut lines be on the P2K shell?.

Tim

[peggyrothschild]

If it were me, I cut just below the curve of the roof and behind the doors so everything looked the same but I guess he could also go below the side air intakes and just behind the side doors too. I model a branch line so the only passengers are forced to ride in a Mopac bus.

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