In my search for another small model to make a powering project and all the talk about 3D printing, I ran across a company called Shapeways. They'll 3D print pretty much anything from user created 3D software models, and they've built up a pretty good catalog of unique model railroad items. One of them is a very small GE 20-ton electric used on a few industrial lines, designed by "tschwartz1274". It was made to be a static model, so naturally, I had to power it.
There's the base model, except I'd already removed the 3D printed static wheels. Finding parts to easily and inexpensively make a fitting chassis turned out to be more difficult than I thought, but I eventually came up with this:
It's a modified Bachmann 44-tonner power truck, with NWSL wheels, the incredibly tiny yet powerful 1215D-9 motor, and some Kadee springs for wipers. This is the original defective truck from my Mack 15-ton project, but I was able to semi-repair the gears, tune it just right, and strengthen it with solid axles and metal axle bearings. It's not a perfect runner, but it's still pretty good!
It all just barely fits! The whole model is so tiny that the NWSL 1215D-9 is the only motor I could find that would fit without an extremely complex chassis design, and even with that it's pretty tight!
The wheelbase isn't perfect, but it's close enough! All I need to do now is detail it, paint it, put couplers on, and add a little more weight, and this'll be a good looking, good running critter!
_________________________________________________________________
Darth Santa Fe It was made to be a static model, so naturally, I had to power it
Darth,
Cheers,the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Up until now I couldn't think of any 3D printed items that I really need. As always, Darth has shown an inspiring example of what can be done!
Thanks again!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I've powered up a few critters in my time, but nothing like that! WOW! I can see how you can get a coupler in the end opposite the cab, but not that motor end. Probably a moot point, huh? Also, theres still precious room for a little more lead sheet. It's going to need every gram it can get. Pretty clever stuff, especially the Kadee current pickups.
A loco like that would be fun to build in a larger scale, say 1/24.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Thanks everyone!
hon30critter, once I figured out the design, this chassis was actually simpler to build than the one for the Wiseman Mack. If you're looking for another project, I'd recommend giving it a try!
Southgate, that's true that there's little room in the back for a coupler. I'm going to cut the mount off a #58, drill a small hole through the shank, and mount it on a pin, so it'll still be operational. And I will be filling every space I can with lead to give it more weight, because it only weighs about 2oz as it is.
G Paine, the out of the box quality is exactly what you see in the photos. Shapeways cleans and polishes every product that goes out, so a little sanding on the roof and a couple angled spots is all it needs to be perfect. The plastic is tough, but also brittle, so care must be taken. 3D printing is finally approaching the quality of a good injection mold!
Filled it full of lead today, and brought the weight up to about 4oz or so, making it one of my heavier plastic critters.
I also pulled the wheels out of gauge a bit, because it was having some trouble running over switches. It has that 4-wheel waddle, but it's a good runner overall.
I thought I'd give a little example of how tiny it is, so here it is next to a Grandt Line 25-ton and an Athearn Hustler.
Cool. Good luck with it. Post more photos.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Darth:
What is the purpose of the disc that sits on the front of the deck?
Also, I'm guessing that the original was electric. Is that correct?
Thanks
hon30critter Darth: What is the purpose of the disc that sits on the front of the deck? Also, I'm guessing that the original was electric. Is that correct? Thanks Dave
cable reel for when the pantograph could not be used
hon30critterWhat is the purpose of the disc that sits on the front of the deck? Also, I'm guessing that the original was electric. Is that correct?
I'm not sure. Probably an access hatch of some sort?
The prototypes were electric, so I'll be putting a pantograph on the roof. No room for even a tiny diesel engine in that thing!
Gidday, Is this the prototype loco here ....
http://www.islandfalls.ca/historical.articles/Marshall/marshallgeneralreport_pics/8200.1930-04-12.concrete_tram_to_dam.A_wm.jpg
and a bit of a written description here ( part of the same site) go down to "Construction Plant Layout".
http://www.islandfalls.ca/historical.articles/Marshall/marshallgeneralreport.htm
not much to go on..
Cheers, the Bear.
Yeah, that's the one. If you look around that website more, there are a few other pictures too. It isn't much to go on, but what I've seen gives me a good enough idea on how to detail it.
It also bears a slight resemblence to these oddballs:
http://www.prrerie.com/images/shuntb.jpg
Although these are listed as being build by Baldwin. Used to push the ore cars under the Huelett unloaders.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
It may be to represnt a gathering reel. Some of these locomotives were had an "extension cord" to allow operation on track not equipped with trolley wire.
TIM SCHWARTZ, thanks for the info! I don't know why I couldn't see your posts before! This will be very helpful for detailing it, which I'm going to start on soon. Also, thanks for letting me know about the leftover stuff on the shell! I'll be sure to give it a good cleaning.
I've done some fine tuning on the chassis, and gotten most of the wobble and surging motion out. It runs much better now. The weather will hopefully be warming up soon, so I'm hoping to be able to paint and finish it once it does.
Well, getting back to this took longer than expected, but I now have it finished!
Now onto the finished photos!
Turned out pretty good I think! I may try adding window glass later, but I'm all done with it for now. It will never be a perfect runner, but it's at least pretty good, and has no problem pulling a few cars. And speaking of pulling, the couplers are simply glued in place. I could've come up with something to make them swivel and spring back, but it's short enough that it does fine without it.
Another critter for my collection!!
Very nicely done! I like the trolley pole details.
I have to say that I'm not quite sold on 3D printing given the problems with the wax and durability. That's not meant as a criticism in any way. I just think I will wait a while to see how the technology develops before I dive in. Besides, I already have enough projects on the go to keep me busy for a year or two.
Thanks for sharing your excellent work.
I missed your work on this project last year.
Nice work! As always.
One thing. The couplers. I've been working with Sergent couplers. This little guy would benefit from these. They really do work, and beautifully. ONE of the benefits of these couplers (besides the fact that they are scale and work) is that you really don't need a coupler box. Try them out, and you'll see what I'm talking about. All you REALLY need is a mounting screw and some kind of spring washer. The spring that Sergent uses isn't really necessary. Strictly speaking, you don't really need that spring washer. It's only there so the coupler doesn't flop about too freely. To me, the ideal would be a #2 "wavy" washer, and a shouldered screw. And, the coupler. THAT is really compact.
There is no need to use Kadees on a little guy like this. In fact, the smaller the critter, the more obnoxious the Kadee. While I work in mainline railroads, I do have a logging branch. And I expect to outfit all the little guys with Sergents. They are a vast improvement.
ed
Ed:
I use Kadee #711s on my critters. They are smaller than the 'scale' size Kadees but they still work with the larger couplers. They look fine on the tiny engines. Granted they are plastic but that really isn't an issue since the critters can only pull one or two cars anyhow. They will also work without a coupler box where space doesn't permit and they have to be glued in solid.
Darth Santa FeWell, getting back to this took longer than expected, but I now have it finished!
I know the feeling, the 2 Hustler kitbash HOn30 switchers I started last winter are still on the bench, other projects just seem to be getting in the way.....
Ah...ha! I love critters. They add so much dimension to the railroading world.
This is one of my favorites.
http://mark2102.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3842121
Did this shot when I worked at Enola.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
Congrats on the finishing of the new addition! 4 ounces is pretty hefty for something that small. I like your attention to detail; the hand rails are straight and clean, etc. I'm impressed. Dan
Don't underestimate the ruggedness of Kadee 711 couplers. Back in the days before Sergent and "scale" Kadees, a friend of mine had a layout on which he used 711's. One day I brought a new brass B&O EM-1 2-8-8-4 to run, even though his layout was designed for much smaller equipment. We coupled 40 cars behind that engine, with the lead freight car equipped with 711's. The engine pulled the train with ease and the couplers never failed, although we could see that they flexed a bit. I don't think I would recommend their use if your trains are usually in the 40 car range. He usually ran trains of 10 to 15 cars, occasionally going up to about 20 cars, and never had a problem.
Tom
At first I did not understand what our friend meant when he referred to using a Kadee coupler spring for electrical pickup. The brass wiper looked like what I have on my old Mantua Booster 0-4-0T and Little Six 0-6-0T. Then I looked closer -- what a clever idea!
As for the motor I have not looked under the hood to see what powers the new reissued versions of the old AHM Minitrains HOn2 1/2 diesel, but it must be pretty darn small.
Dave Nelson
crhostler61This is one of my favorites. http://mark2102.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3842121 Did this shot when I worked at Enola.
Very interesting! All you've gotta do for that is slap a box on a SPUD or modified Stanton drive and you're done!
Fantastic job! Looks great!