Trucks and Trucks and Horns Oh My

Long overdue for a rework/development effort were the Blomberg trucks.  After all, there's a GP40, and MP36, FP7's all needing proper 4-axle trucks.  Originally these were just sideframes so I created dummy trucks from them.  I also improved the Blomberg B trucks (the older ones) and created Blomberg "M" trucks which are the more modern ones with the dampener on the leading axle. 

A semi trailer was also in the offing.  Pretty simple when it comes down to it and I'll be making 40', 45' and 48' versions as well.

What does a GP40 or an RDC need to warn 1:450 scale trucks at grade?  A horn of course!

All of these are in test printing right now and if they come out ok I'll release them on the Shapeways shop.

How about one of these ex Lackawana/EL electric MU cars?  I'm about 75% done with one...

And still working on a semi-scale knuckle coupler.  It's really difficult because of limitations on materials... but it will happen.

Conrail GP40 Unpowered Model

Although I still fully endorse the "full side decal" process I started getting interested doing some models with standard decals as a painted finish is admittedly better.  Well, and I became frustrated with the performance of the print-your-own decal paper and lack of white ink.  The inkjet decal paper is just too thick and doesn't seem to respond to MicroSol to conform to the details.  

So, perusing the web I found CMR Products who does print-on-demand decals in odd scales like O and Z.. and they were very happy to do several of their sets for me in 1:450. And good news is I am a fan of the roadnames they already make.

I had a GP40, FP7/9 and few boxcars undecorated from my shop (Shapeways "Smoothest Fine Detail Plastic")  so decided to give the fine folks at CMR Products a try -- I emailed and they were very glad to make decal sets of their existing artwork re-scaled to 1:450, and for a very reasonable price!

The GP40 from Shapeways was washed in warm soapy water, with gentle scrubbing with an artists bristle brush.  After drying, it got a coat of Tamiya Fine Surface Primer from a rattle can.  I touched up a few spots with a sanding stick, then another coat of primer.  Then a coat of Tamiya semi-gloss black..  Then a few of the rougher spots remaining from 3D printing got 2-3 brush coats of Future.  When that was done, the whole model was brush painted with Future (clear acrylic).  Decals were applied and some touch ups done.  

As you can see, the decals were crisp, opaque and accurate.  They handled extremely well, especially given the tiny size.

I added an air reservoir tank above the fuel tank, made of a piece of electric wire with the end conductor exposed a tiny bit, and painted black.  I maybe should have removed the Chessie style rock plow on the pilots.. but eh.  It's T.  So, the GP40 is ready for trucks and couplers, and a horn to boot, plus weathering--but that's another story (stay tuned).
 

I'm baaaaaacck !

After a couple of years away from T-scale modeling due to a move, job changes, and a sabbatical, I've gotten back to my 1:450 scale avocation.  There are some things going on behind the scenes regarding business development as well, but for now I'm going back to my old shells and development of US/North American prototype equipment and getting them kick-started again.  First up is an RDC shell done in the CN noodle black/red scheme.  Very distinctive.  Now to modify a mechanism to fit.  I had hoped the new HST mech would fit but no such luck.  Anyway, stay tuned to see what's on the workbench!

A Couple of Photos

I tried a new "raw brass" material in Shapeways with the AAR dummy coupler design.   Seems to have worked pretty well.  At one time I made these copulers in FUD, then had some brass models made using those as investment castings.  These are better, in my opinion.  I need to edit the design a wee bit to loosen the grip up.  When coupled it is -tight-!   

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2nd Generation EMD Power In the Works

While thinking about new projects I began contemplating, "What is the most broad-reaching locomotive model for North American modelers?"  I.e. what locomotive model spans the most roads, geography, and time frame?  Although I have no conclusive evidence, I think the EMD GP40 (and the -2 version) should come close.    Quoting Wikipedia:


"1,187 GP40's were built for 28 U.S. railroads; 16 were built for one Canadian carrier, Canadian National; and 18 were built for two Mexican carriers.. the GP40 was discontinued and replaced by the GP40-2, which has a modular electrical system and a few minor exterior changes...  Standard GP40-2 production totalled 861 units, with 817 built for U.S. railroads, and 44 for Mexican roads."


So nearly 2000 GP40's were produced and ran on roads from the B&O and PRR to modern day roads CSX, NS, UP.. not to mention Canadian and Mexican carriers.

The initial 3D renderings are now done.. and although it will be (by necessity, due to hood width clearance issues) a dummy, we will soon have a T-gauge GP40 model.  Now to get those Blomberg trucks ready for the T-Gauge  UK wheelsets...

A New Forum

Fellow T-gauger Doug Kightley has taken up the challenge and has created a new discussion forum: 

Check it out: http://www.talkingtgauge.net

Rhaetian Railway Allegra ABe 8/12

Here's a project I did at the behest of a fellow who models the Swiss railways in the Alps: the Rhaetian Railways "Allegra" or  "ABe 8/12".  The prototype runs on the meter-gauge Bernia Railway (and some others) with extreme grades and curvature.   

(Photo from Wikipedia)

The model was created using 3D printing for the lead "A" unit shells, while the "B" or middle unit was scratch-built from an A unit.  The decoration was done with the technique I call "full-side decal" where basically the entire side is one decal.  I paint the bodies white and print the decal on clear decal stock.  Some added details such as the pantographs were scratch made from etched brass parts from an ship-detailing kit.  The power chassis is the 35.5mm Eishindo chassis, and all units are powered.

If you are interested in purchasing a shells, they will be available on the CCE Shapeways site, and feel free to contact me if you are interested using the decal artwork for your own model.