I have enough information to start sharing my current project that I have been commissioned to built.The Schnabel CCRX 40010 transformer transporter in 1/50th scale. This is a 95% scratch-built via cnc milling in plastic. I will use what items from "O" scale model railroading that I can, such as wheels and detail parts. I will do my best to update my build regularly. All PHOTOS belong to me and are not to spread all over the internet with out asking first. This mainly pertains to the photos I was allowed to take of the at actual rail car.
A note about documentation. I got a $170 digital camera with 8 Gb card that will hold almost 1600 photos and take 8 min videos a piece. In two trips to the rail car I took well over 350 photos and 26 little mini videos on site. Videoing your trip will save you major heart ache of that one detail missed after you get home. You can take snap shots from the video create a photo get that view or detail you kinda missed. Been there and done that in the passed. Latter on you will see photos that all I am doing is shooting with a tape measure in it. It is a whole lot easier to have the measurement recorded in photo to refer back to latter on than trying to have scribbles all over paper and then trying to remember what you were measuring.
About my methods. I truly respect all those builders out there that build in there lap so to speak. I have some good military modelers that can do that. I'm not one of them. I'm a homeshop machinist that works in sheet styrene.I have considerable investment into my cnc table top set up over the years. It hasn't come cheap by any means but now I'm reaping the rewards so to speak. I have finally gotten to the point I can create a flat part and go out to the mill and cut it out and go back assemble it to the model. This has come with much trial and error over time and a lot of just last 6 months. With scratch-building you just have to pick your self up again when it all goes to crap on parts that don't work or you missed something and have to start over. I am more than willing to answer any question to the best of my ability and share any knowledge about my methods.

Now onto the build.

This is the rail car with a transformer that is being unloaded with hydraulic gantries. The transformer is pinned between the two halves of the rail car with the load becoming part of the rail car so to speak.


One half of the rail car with the adapter shown that was built allow a transformer to be coupled. The rail car was originally built in the early 70's for GE.


The rail car is coupled together when not transporting a load.


The each halve has a total of 10 axles

I started out with the adapter assembly for a starting point.

cutting out flat plates that will make up the adapter sides


cutting complete


what is left after that sheet is lifted off.


last one of milling




The red strips are my jigs to keep everything in alignment




adding face plates




a few details left to add latter on


building the sides of the carrier frame. This item is very complex in it has many angles and offsets that have made it very challenging to get it correct.


adding the strip inside the holes




plug to form the strip to correct shape strip in middle of plug is to keep plug at correct height when flipped over to gauge round strip in right spot




check plates cut out


installed


mounting eyes ready to glue up


these have a 4 degree offset in towards the center of the car.


jig for filing and the black part lets me know when I have file enough away


filed


glued up




mock up

More to follow as the build progresses
Fritz


8-10 SEE BELOW FOR A FEW NEW PHOTOS

That will be awesome when finished! Great custom! Dewoc might want one as he's falling for trains now , looks good

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Brandon

my youtube channel
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oh man this is so sick!!! Im starting to get an itch for Trains now just like Graham!! i want one of these things, there are not many GOOD O scale schnabel cars out there so i cant wait to see the finished product on this one!!! might be moving on from cranes and onto trains

that a project i wish i nad a machine like that

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SOMETHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING.

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luis.

Being a schnabel lover, this is just absolutely awesome!!

I have looked at photos of this car for years, but have never noticed some of the detail until the photos of your model!


Here is a video of it in 1992 when it was GEX 40010

Well in away up front it does cost to get going but for the cost of a 31000, YCC crane or LG 1750 you can be on your way to getting set up. It is just a different type of hobby as compared to collecting die cast models. One doesn't need to start out big either or with a cnc set up. I started out manual then went to digital readout dials long before I went cnc.


1/15TH scale model done @'97 when I first got my manual mill and lathe







Take care,
Fritz

Now that is craftsmanship! Fantastic.

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Heavy Cranes

Very nice Fritz...I'm at the manual stage going to DRO....currently doing a steam engine which will be a nice load for my cranes down the track.

Funny you mention the German Gustav 80cm Gun, for I have had 1/48th scale plans for @ 18 years but have never go around to build it. Gave the plans to a friend who built in in 1/35th scale and won best in show with it. Now that my cnc skills are getting better and looking ahead to moving up to cnc router table in may allow me to larger single parts....
Fritz

That is the making of yet another great looking model Fritz!! Look forward to the progress posts.

Jeff