More GM Aerotrain

A little more progress...
I'm trying to work the nose into the body in a more gradual way. There should be a smooth transition. I think I got the roof line right, from the side it's very similar to an old Belair, The line is longer, more "fast back", probably because of that long rear deck...There is no "trunk" to deal with like on the automobile.
Depending on what design sketch you look at, they tried several ideas for the rear deck. I'm working from the patent drawings, which is very similar to the "final" treatment for the roof to deck transition.
There is another sketch that shows a set of fins similar to the 57 Belair (and a little intake/exhaust treatment to the side)...
Fortunately, GM decided on the cleaner look...I guess one set of fins was enough for any train (or car).All the drawings were obtained from the aero train section of the Bowser model trains site...
http://www.bowser-trains.com/hoemrrs/aerotrain/aerotrain.htmThe rest of the train, though unconventional in shape, is very conventional in layout. Each car has it's own trucks. Unlike the M10000 or first generation Zephyrs there is no articulation. Since almost every project on my board now is articulated, that's a nice change.This is the most complex shape I've done to date, and probably the most fun. Maybe I should do a set of '50s cars as scenic objects...On second thought...Maybe not!Frank MusickMoving America into the 19th Century!

www.kelticsylk.com

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RE: More GM Aerotrain, NewEnglandRailFan, Jul-14-04, 02:41 PM, (1) RE: More GM Aerotrain, kenya, Jul-14-04, 04:42 PM, (2) RE: More GM Aerotrain, KeltikSylk, Jul-14-04, 06:51 PM, (3) RE: More GM Aerotrain, NewEnglandRailFan, Jul-14-04, 07:07 PM, (4) RE: More GM Aerotrain, pwillard, Jul-14-04, 08:56 PM, (5) RE: More GM Aerotrain, KeltikSylk, Jul-14-04, 09:45 PM, (6) RE: More GM Aerotrain, TVRRMAN, Jul-14-04, 10:00 PM, (7) RE: More GM Aerotrain, KeltikSylk, Jul-15-04, 08:52 AM, (8)

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Very nice Frank!-Dave

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Are you going to do the cars two?

All ways remembering BigBoy 4023 and her run through Green River Wyoming on train 359 a 600 car mixed freight with a yellow Union Pacifc caboose on the rear.

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Hopefully.I want to do the tail car first. It's the next hardest shape. The coaches are pretty easy once that's done.It may be a while...There's about a dozen other projects in my "final production" queue.Frank MusickMoving America into the 19th Century!

www.kelticsylk.com

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There's a good pic in the Trains EMD 75th anniversary issue. That was back in 97 I believe.-Dave

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I was shocked when I read the the coaches were actually from GM motor coaches... as in "BUS", which made them light weight... sure... but that was one of the factors that contributed to the failure of the design.Pete Willard

http://www.trainsimstuff.com

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There's a publicity picture that shows a porter loading baggage into these under floor compartments. Between that and those cockeyed windows, you can't tell it's a train...
The one web site I found info on is called "Car of the Century", which seems to really fit somehow http://www.carofthecentury.com/the_aerotrain.htmI love the line "The Train that will Save the Industry"...Frank MusickMoving America into the 19th Century!

www.kelticsylk.com

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Looks good, Frank,Just let me know if there's anything I can help ya with. Supposedly though, it seems lik the designers a EMD used part of a car for the upper part of the body, and I know for fact that all they used for the coaches were GM Innercity Buses, widened to make up for the difference in road and rail, and also the complete removal of the rear end and forward areas of the bus. That's all they did. Oops, they also added railroad wheelsets under them, in exchange for the rubber wheels they were meant to have. Thomas Pearce,
Freight Car Builder, Broadway Limited Locomotive Works

Come see our new website:
http://www.bllw.100freemb.com

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It seems that hot rodding and trains cross paths every once in awhile. Since the Aero wasn't mass produced it's likely the demonstration units were built the same way any chopped coupe would be...I have some photos of the fabrication of the Milwaukee beaver tails, the finned ones. It looks just like a scene from American Chopper or one of the other shows along that line. Those tails were pieced together and welded up.The thought that GM would take the essential spirit of "rodding" to the level of a train is pretty amazing. The clay models were even done in a darker color and look like a car might in black primer. Add that red graphic down the side and the effect would have been pretty striking.At least they didn't go the whole route...No flames or twice pipes
Frank MusickMoving America into the 19th Century!

www.kelticsylk.com

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