Stevens Creek Models

For those of you that were wondering about progress on the YSL hopper, you need wonder no more. It has taken me a long time to get back into the swing of kit design, but I'm going at it full throttle now. The above photo of a portion of my computer screen shows some of the preliminary hopper design . It is close to completion. I hope to send files out for test cuts in a day or three.

The car is designed to use MacLeod Western trucks with 20" wheels. It will take Kadee #5 couplers in #242 boxes, or #148 couplers (They come with their own #242 boxes) for "normal" On30 coupler height.

6 February, 2009

After a bit of redesign, and dealing with my ISP blocking outgoing email for several days (grrrrr....), I sent files out for test cuts this morning. Yippee!! I played with the trucks & wheel sets I selected, and they roll like they've never even heard of friction. All I need to do is breathe hard on them to get 'em going. Wow!

12 February, 2009

Looks like I'll have some test cuts in hand about the first week of March. Some of the raw materials I want to use were not in stock and it will take about a week to get. Should be clear sailing afterwards.

18 February, 2009

Laser cut parts arrived today!!! If I have time later on today I'll post a pic of them. There are a few minor issues I see right away, but they are very easily solved.

9 March, 2009

Here is what the laser cut parts look like. I'm not sure what the reddish wood is, but these are just test cuts so I'm not concerned. All the wood provided in the kit will be basswood according to my current plans. 2 small sheets of styrene & one of peel-and-stick paper are also shown here and will be part of the kit.

9 March, 2009

I had a few minutes to work on the car assembly today. The photo shows part of the under side of the car at the B end. The frame went together far better than I expected. My time is very limited the rest of this week. This may be as far as I can get with it until after the 15th. We'll see...

10 March, 2009

I unexpectedly ended up with a couple of hours today and got this far. The hinges are not quite right, but I made do with what I had. Better ones will be in the kit. This is pretty much it for the underside detail of the car. Note how odd the middle truss rods are: They go right through the hopper bay!

Up for assembly next week is the main portion of the hopper, deck(s), a few stakes, dump & brake gear, etc. etc.

11 March, 2009

I took a break over the weekend & went to Bakersfield to play with tiny trains & consume mass quantities as part of the Left Coast HOn30 group. Our 10th anniversary!

When I was able to get things cleared away enough to get back to work on this project I ran into some problems with the corner braces. I planned on using some thin styrene for them. The problem is that they break too easily and can't make the required 90 degree bend without snapping. I've redesigned them to use peel & stick paper. They will be a thinner more prototypical thickness than the plastic and should look really good when painted. I should have the new parts in hand shortly.

Today I glued the upper hopper parts together. I'll post some pictures later, after I have the corner braces. It assembles much easier than I thought it would.

18 March, 2009

The test build is complete!! Picture(s) later today.

22 March, 2009

It will be a few weeks before kits of this car are available. If you are interested in getting one send me an email. The address is on my home page linked below. No obligation. Price(s) to be determined. Availability will be announced on my home page. Thanks for dropping by!

22 March, 2009

Versions & pricing: It looks like there will be 3 different kit versions available for this car.

First will be the Basic kit. You will need to supply your own trucks & couplers for this one. Expected price: about $40.00.

Next will be the Complete kit. In addition to the Basic kit, couplers and trucks will be provided. The trucks will be preassembled with 20" diameter ribbed back wheels. Expected price: about $62.00.

Lastly, the very limited Special Edition kit which will contain all the items of the Complete version + a special extra something. Don't ask what it is because I won't tell you. Expected price: about $64.50. Only 20 or fewer of this version will be available. There is a limit of one per customer of this version.

I expect these kits to be available near the end of April, or the first part of May.

28 March, 2009

Painted test build #2.

4 April, 2009

I finished writing instructions for the kit last evening. <== That is always the most difficult part of the process... Box artwork is next in line. There are still a few small items that need to be rounded up but otherwise everything is on schedule for an end of April or start of May release.

14 April, 2009

The above photo shows all the tools I used to do the test builds, with the exception of my small screwdriver & needle nose pliers. They escaped my attention when I was gathering up the tools. You know what a screwdriver & pliers look like, right? Besides, I was feeling too lazy to do another setup for the shot.

This pic shows all the adhesives & applicators I used to do the test builds. I like using the can bottom & pin with the CA glues. The ridges in the can keep the different glues separated and the pin makes for a really inexpensive applicator. Don't forget to have some debonder handy - just in case...

17 April, 2009