WOW

This whole series is looking incredibly useful, and over time, will be referred to OFTEN.  My current steam loco will benefit--but even my next one, (And first scratch-build loco) which will be a steeplecab, will be a better model.  This series really manages to both cover a specific project, and give me a LOT of thoughts on general scratch-buildng.

I can't emphasise enough how useful this will be...WELL DONE

That's the idea

That's exactly what I was going for, and I'm very glad to hear you say it.  I know there aren't many folks who need a Southern Ks (although I think everybody should model Southern in the steam era), and even fewer willing to build their own, but I hoped that the ideas and techniques would be useful for any number of projects.

By the way, you mentioned referring to the article over time.  I have commented that this series might be useful as an e-book, so I'm curious.  Would you buy it if MRH produced it?  I cannot speak for MRH in any way, but Joe might see an interest and do so, or decide that there is no interest after all.

E-book--why?

Unless there was a lot more material added, I would see no need to buy an e-book of this; I have it all already.  Incidentally, some ideas will come in handy for non-steam.  You have given me to think of using brass--an article on brass working would help at some point.

Compilation

The only reason would be to compile all of the articles into a single document.  Both Kalmbach and Carstens do the same thing with previously published articles.  Like I said, I have no idea if it's even something that Joe would be interested in doing, but I thought it worth asking.  You certainly make a valid point about paying for something you already received for free.

What would you like to know about brass?  I'm no expert on brass working, but I'll be glad to help in any way I can.  Maybe I or someone more experienced could come up with a useful article, if there is enough interest in it.

Hey IrishRover

Are you going to post the build here as a thread, I hope?

I like steeple cabs. I have a large box cab in progress now.

Bernd

Steeplecab build

Due to possibly moving, it may be some time out--and it will be done after the narrow gauge steamer is done--and possibly a scratch-build car of some sort--best to start scratch building with something that doesn't use a small fortune in running gear and motors, trolley poles and woodstoves, etc...

But--I will post the build when I get started...

Good!

I'm looking forward to it.

Regarding brass

If anyone knows of a good, basic source for info on brass work, I would love it.  Thinner sides for things like the cab would be most helpful--and it's also got more weight than plastic.  Atlantic Shore Lines steeplecab # 100 only has a tiny bit of room--and one of the two compartments will be holding the decoder, the other is the only space for weights.

Thanks again for the wonderfully useful article--it shows a key point in modeling: Yes we can!

Any model, no mater how complex, is, in the end, an amalgam of smaller steps...

I tried to cover it

I tried to cover the basics of the brass work that went into my model.  About the only thing I did not go into was that I made sure to tin all the mating surfaces first, and whenever possible I worked against a block of wood.  For the cab sides, I would carefully hold the front or back wall (the thin brass allowed me to solder without burning my fingers), and lay the wall face down on the wood.  Starting at one end, I applied the iron (fairly heavy 50-60 Watt, to heat things quickly) to the back of the folded tab on the wall.  The solder melted on both pieces, and I removed the iron and let the joint cool, then moved down and repeated the process.

Thin brass, in the range of .005", is easy to cut with hobby knives and scissors, and it looks great.  As shown in the in-progress photos, it's very floppy until you brace it.  Things like the bead on the edge of the cab, or the joints, bends, and other non-flat features all do wonders at making the piece rigid.  While I would not want to maul or mangle the cab on my loco, it has survived an unfortunate number of roll-overs (from teaching teenagers about scratch building, and because I have a cat who seems to enjoy knocking over locomotives) with little more than a paint chip or two.

Please, ask specific questions and I will do my best to answer.  It's hard for me to guess at what you may be uncertain, confused, or unfamiliar with.  If there's anything you want to know about what I built, or if you'd like advice or opinions on how to build a specific thing, that would be a great way to get down to details.

eBooks make sense, sometimes

An eBook "reprint" makes sense for new readers as something to discover us by, but if you have the content for free already, why pay for a repackage? I certainly would not, nor will most people.

However, there is value in a one-cover eBook for people who have never heard of MRH, and makes a way for us to be discovered.

Since eBooks won't have ads (save a house ad for MRH), then they can't be free. The ads fund producing the magazine. For eBooks we micro-price them (sell them for a fraction of what a paper-printed book would cost).

Brass

Thanks for the notes.  I have never used brass, other than brass grab-irons and wire.  It will be a LONG time before I get to start, so I'll look for advice then.  I look forwards to any more insight on any aspect of model railroading; I hope that more articles are forthcoming.