edsmith0075 Posted August 24, 2015 I am in the process of building a High Cube Boxcar for my 8 wide fleet. I have ran into some challenges with this build, the first is the roof. I have been unable to recreate the paneled roof with minor height differences in ribbed pieces. When I use a full plate it is too much and I have yet to come up with a way to make plates a fraction higher then others to recreate that ribbed look on the top. I am looking for guidance from everyone on ways to accomplish this. I had the original plan of using the modified plate shelf pieces, I think they are 2.5 wide but can not seem to get them to line up evenly to create the ribbed look on the roof. I used these pieces on the side to make the ribs and love it. I would love to use these for the roof but can not find a way to incorporate them ascetically. I would like to make this boxcar as close to the 50 foot high cude boxcars that are in circulation on modern american railways today. Once I have this prototype built I plan to build a bunch in yellow to mimic the "Rail Box" cars I see often. Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr In the pictures below I applied a cheese slopes and feel that it raises too high. Any feedback? Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Andrew M. has boxcars in his fleet that I really like alot. I would be grateful if someone could share with me the details of those builds like the roof and sides. He has great models that deserve full credit. I looked at his content and he never posted anything about his frieght cars. His locomotives (AC44s) for instance are great works which he details well. Thanks in advance to everyone, I hope my request for help do not start to get on peoples nerves. Ed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrispyBassist Posted August 24, 2015 (edited) This took some thinking! Two ideas: 1) use 1x1 tile w/clips and and 8 long bars or flex tube to mimic the ribs 2) figure out a way to SNOT minifig neck brackets (these) under the tile you want to be the rib, to raise it ever so slightly from the rest of the roof. I wouldn't worry about getting on peoples nerves, this is part of what the forum is here for right? Edited August 24, 2015 by CrispyBassist Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eurotrash Posted August 24, 2015 (edited) If you want vertical elevations that are less than 1 plate in height then it's fairly straight forward to accomplish. I'd use a bracket like this one mounted with the thinner side horizontal and facing upwards - that'd give you a vertical difference of less than one brick height. Good luck with your build. (edit) Also this PDF (from Bill Ward) is an excellent resource http://www.brickpile.com/2015/08/18/updated-brick-geometry-from-bbtb-2015/ Edited August 24, 2015 by eurotrash Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edsmith0075 Posted August 24, 2015 Thank you both for the advice. I have been kicking around the idea of the "neck" connector as that is the fraction of space difference I am trying to accomplish. I have even been cruising Flickr for pics of reverse engineering and found a wealth of stuff none of which looks to be utilizing that clip. I have not seen anyone in the train community create this detail in their rolling stock so I am excited to share the final product once completed. Ed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greenmtvince Posted August 24, 2015 (edited) FMC Boxcar Ideas by Vinnie Fusca, on Flickr So this was an old attempt at messing around with FMC 50' externally braced boxcars. I used the standard door rails like I do on my single-sheathed wood boxcars. The roof as you can see is made up of 1x4 and 2x4 tiles. I was going to simulate the ribbing by having the inner most end of the 1x4 tiles sit half a plate higher than the ends of the 2x4s. I think the effect would have been nice even if the ribbing was a foot wider than prototype. I was going to do this by running a length of flextube down either side of the car and using: http://alpha.brickli...page?P=6019#T=C under the tiles to angle them as needed. Then creating some sort of plate scaffolding to hold the tiles together relative to each other so the roof wasn't so explodey. Edited August 24, 2015 by greenmtvince Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A Gallifreyan Cat Posted August 24, 2015 FMC Boxcar Ideas by Vinnie Fusca, on Flickr So this was an old attempt at messing around with FMC 50' externally braced boxcars. I used the standard door rails like I do on my single-sheathed wood boxcars. The roof as you can see is made up of 1x4 and 2x4 tiles. I was going to simulate the ribbing by having the inner most end of the 1x4 tiles sit half a plate higher than the ends of the 2x4s. I think the effect would have been nice even if the ribbing was a foot wider than prototype. I was going to do this by running a length of flextube down either side of the car and using: http://alpha.brickli...page?P=6019#T=C under the tiles to angle them as needed. Then creating some sort of plate scaffolding to hold the tiles together relative to each other so the roof wasn't so explodey. Looks amazing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zephyr1934 Posted August 27, 2015 You could use jaster's trick for the vents on this locomotive. Get something up the middle that is about one plate taller then the edges (e.g., a double slope ridge piece or a snotted tile wedged between the studs) then just barely peg 1x4 tiles to the edge. It will be delicate, but you could probably reinforce it with a row of 1x plates underneath. Then again, might look even better with 2x4 tiles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edsmith0075 Posted August 28, 2015 Thank you all for the amazing tips! I will hopefully be able to get this completed or at least make major progress this weekend. The week has been really busy and I haven't been able to do anything except stare at it and think about how the ideas would work out. I will keep everyone posted and try to snap some pics along the way to share with everyone. If there are other suggestions please post as I'm will to try things, take pics and see how it works out. I placed a bricklink order earlier this week that I'm waiting on as well so that all the colors will match when final assembly is complete. Vinnie's boxcar has been a huge help. Is there any other details on the yellow boxcar above? The roof looks great and I would like to incorporate elements of that boxcar into my build, credit due to Vinnie of course ;-) Ed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
legoman666 Posted August 28, 2015 (edited) A half plate offset that you can repeat: Edited August 28, 2015 by legoman666 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edsmith0075 Posted August 30, 2015 Thank you for the detailed pic legoman! Here are photos of the progress. I'm still struggling with the roof but the advice given here has been super helpful. Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Any suggestions on this build thus far? I am going to try, tonight, the different roof techniques that were shared with me recently. I really like vinnie's light sloped roof but am having trouble building it with the same plates on the bottom of the roof as the plates used for the ribbing. Thanks again everyone! Ed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edsmith0075 Posted August 31, 2015 Here are updates... Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr I am super happy with this roof design. It's really solid as well. Now that the roof has been identified, I am noticing a gap between the sides and the roof where the peak arch is. I am looking for feedback on techniques to fill this space. Thanks Again to everyone here that has provided tips and guidance it means a lot. Ed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zephyr1934 Posted September 1, 2015 That is looking really good. As for the gaps on the end, you could probably leave it as is and only you would notice, but you might be able to cover it with 2x4 wedge plates... though that may mean you would have to push the end out another plate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edsmith0075 Posted September 3, 2015 I wanted to post an update for everyone that might be interested. I figured out a way to fill the gap that was bothering me on the peak of the roof. Now for a door, trucks/bogies, and bottom chassis details. Wait! I want to add ladder/steps to the corners like most boxcars have. Any suggestions? Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Thanks to all that are following or gave suggestions thus far. Ed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zephyr1934 Posted September 5, 2015 I wanted to post an update for everyone that might be interested. I figured out a way to fill the gap that was bothering me on the peak of the roof. Now for a door, trucks/bogies, and bottom chassis details. Wait! I want to add ladder/steps to the corners like most boxcars have. Any suggestions? Quit tempting me with your evil 8-wide ways! (grin) Seriously though, it is looking really nice. The doors are probably an easy one, build something studs out with mostly tiles for the outer layer in a pattern that matches a typical boxcar door, a few 1x1 tiles with clips to put a couple of bars on, etc.. My first thought is that the grab irons on the end for the brakemen would be difficult to do since they should be about a plate or less to be prototypical and those areas are all studs to the side, but then again, maybe you could use 4265 (longer stem than its replacement 88072) to make grab irons or perhaps any one of a number of hinge plates, e.g., For the steps, I like 1x1x1 corner panels with the "stud" out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edsmith0075 Posted October 26, 2015 UPDATE! I wanted to post updated pics in case anyone was following this post or trying to build something similar... Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr As you can see I figured out a way to mount those widow frames as ladders! Now I'm looking for advise on completing the bottom and underside. I put a pair of trucks on it in the pic for reference but would like advice on this last section of the build... Thanks as always! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davidzq Posted October 26, 2015 Love those window frame ladders! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edsmith0075 Posted October 27, 2015 I tore the model apart last night trying to figure out a design for the bottom. I also strengthened the roof. Here are pics of the framing for the roof. the middle part was removed at the time and will be added back into the frame before finishing. Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davidzq Posted October 27, 2015 It seems to me a lot of the internal frame is overkill, and a lot of weight could be saved while maintaining strength. In particular, I think most of those hinge bricks could be replaced with long 2x plates holding the roof together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zephyr1934 Posted October 28, 2015 That is looking great (the window pane for the ladder is a great touch). As for the underframe, when in doubt, look at a few model train cars for inspiration (or even better, the real deal if you can find it safely) and then replicate the general feel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edsmith0075 Posted October 29, 2015 Thank you guys for the feedback and advice. David you are right on about the weight reduction. I started on it already, the cross frames and other parts are overkill. I started working on another boxcar exactly like the one already in build except this one will have all the extras removed and I will use it to fix the orignal as well as a template for a fleet of these boxcars. Here are additional recent pics. I hope people do not mind the pics on this posting. I am trying to help anyone that may want to copy or improve my current boxcar build. I know I have learned alot of great and helpful techniques through reverse engineering better lego builders then me. Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr Any suggestion for the door? I would like to add railings or something to detail the door more? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Younge Posted October 30, 2015 That ladder technique is just an inspired piece of work! Well done!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
