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All Weather Windows

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All Weather Windows
Posted by Rod Carr on Sunday, March 15, 2020 4:16 PM

I'd like to add All Weather Windows to the C-415, C-424, C-425, GP-9 and C-636 locos on my HO SP&S layout.  Is there a reasonably priced source for this item, possibly 3D printed, that could have glazing added?  I would appreciate being pointed in the right direction.    Rod Carr

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, March 15, 2020 4:32 PM

All weather windows are so thin that glazing them could prove to be a problem.

I remember an article where someone modeled them using pieces of plexiglass, so the window was solid, then added the framing.

I know of no commercial source for what you are wanting.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, March 15, 2020 4:42 PM

Detail Associates at one time offered a GP-SD all weather window.

https://www.walthers.com/all-weather-cab-windows-double-type-for-gp-sd-units-pkg-2

I don't know how close this is to something the SP&S would use. You might get lucky and find some at a train show or Ebay.

 

Life-Like used to supply them with many of their hood-units. They had clear styrene inserts. 

Good Luck, Ed

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, March 15, 2020 4:59 PM

SeeYou190
All weather windows are so thin that glazing them could prove to be a problem.

Would microscope slipcovers be thin enough? These are my RH windows, on the left the plastic windows they came with and on the right slipcovers that I used.

With some practice you can score them and snap them to size. There is a bit of a learning curve and you will break a few along the way but it is possible.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, March 15, 2020 5:25 PM

Athearn has 3 pane  ATHG68222, and 2 pane ATHG68221.  You have to add the glazing.

Mike.

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Posted by doctorwayne on Monday, March 16, 2020 1:38 AM

I used the ones from Detail Associates, and used .005" clear sheet styrene to glaze them...

...but following local prototype practices, installed them only on the engineer's side of the cab, as shown above (on the 403, the long hood was the front.)  The 53  got 'em on both sides.

...but before they were available, I used clear Plexiglas to make my own.  I used my X-Acto to scribe outlines of the front, rear, and side windows on the plastic, then used a brush to paint the portions which would have been metal.  The scribed lines made for nice crisp paint-lines, with no need for masking.  These were installed on both sides of the cabs, as I had both the plexiglas and paint on-hand, so no cost other than my time.

Here are a couple of Atlas diesels...

...and another Atlas diesel with a scratchbuilt "Safety" cab...

I have some of the Plexiglas still kickin' around, and four of the Detail Associates all-weather windows (not glazed) - if you think they'd be useful, send me a PM.

Wayne

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Posted by doctorwayne on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 12:23 PM

Hi Rod, I've replied to your PM, but there's a good chance that your "Notifications" option is not working - mine disappeared some time ago.

Wayne

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Posted by drciesel on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 1:40 PM
Athearn markets three types of plastic all-weather windows.
 
ATH95350 2 pane, shallow angle
ATHG68221 2 pane, steep angle
ATHG68222 3 pane
 
All are molded in a light gray plastic and ALL come with clear plastic windshield inserts.
 
I have found that the plastic inserts in ATH95350 were molded slightly too large (or the frame too small) and will not fit without modification. The Genesis two-pane, ATHG68221, works just fine, however.  I haven’t tried the 3-pane yet.
 
Another potential source is the “parts bag” in some of the older Proto 2000 models; I believe I found a set in the Alco RS-27 model.  They are 2-pane.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 1:49 PM

Thanks for the correction.

Mike.

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Posted by Rambo2 on Thursday, March 19, 2020 11:26 AM
When installing all weather windows do you remove the other windows first?
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Posted by doctorwayne on Thursday, March 19, 2020 11:51 AM

Rambo2
When installing all weather windows do you remove the other windows first?

As far as I know, the real railroads don't remove the cab's original windows, as the all-weather ones are similar to "storm" windows:  open the inside window to use the advantages of the extended view allowed by the all-weather windows, rather than having to stick your head out the window in lousy weather.  They're probably most useful for looking back over the train, as most current locos no longer have high short hoods.

Wayne

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Posted by mbinsewi on Thursday, March 19, 2020 12:36 PM

As Dr. Wayne said, the all weather window covers the excisting window, no need to remove. 

The prototype does it the same way.  The original window stays in place, and is functional.

You'll have to see what window fits your locos right.  It look like the C415 might need the 3 pane, because of the size of the excisting window.

Mike.

PS.  Oops! Rambo, I thought you were the OP.  

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Posted by doctorwayne on Thursday, March 19, 2020 6:45 PM

mbinsewi
PS. Oops! Rambo, I thought you were the OP.

The OP has not been heard from again, either here or in reply to the PM which I sent in reply to his original one.

Wayne

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Posted by mbinsewi on Thursday, March 19, 2020 8:09 PM

Well, Wayne, at least we answered Rambo's question.  Smile, Wink & Grin

Mike.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, March 20, 2020 12:58 AM

doctorwayne
The OP has not been heard from again, either here or in reply to the PM which I sent in reply to his original one

Well, I learned a lot from this thread, so it was not time wasted.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Rod Carr on Friday, March 20, 2020 1:50 PM

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to my original query.  Sounds like someone who knows Sketch-Up or Solid Works could generate significant interest if 3D printing could be set up by one of the service organizations.

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Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, March 20, 2020 1:57 PM

Maybe, but that wouldn't necessarily make them any cheaper than what's out there already.  My experience with buying printed parts, is they are usually more expensive.

Mike.

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Posted by doctorwayne on Friday, March 20, 2020 2:11 PM

Rod Carr
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to my original query.

Rod, check your PMs regarding the all-weather windows.

Wayne

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