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Professional Locomotive Kitbashing Services

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 27, 2017 6:50 PM

There should not be a seam if your cut is perpendicular to the sides. 

Also note that the Athearn Genesis SD70Ace Cab is a removable part....no cuting should be required.

Also an interesting tidbit.  The locomotive that you posted the photo of (BNSF 9159) is shown on page 2 of the owners manual for the Athearn Genesis SD70Ace.

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Posted by NWP SWP on Monday, February 27, 2017 6:52 PM

I see.

Steve

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Posted by NWP SWP on Monday, February 27, 2017 7:01 PM

Now if I wanted to model a LPG/LNG powered unit what changes would need to be made to the unit(s)? I am wanting to make a tender like this.

Image result for canadian national lng tender

Or convert this to a tender.

 

Image result for 33,000 gallon tank car

And lastly what is this used for?

Image result for canadian national lng tender

Steve

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 27, 2017 7:26 PM

Add a hose that runs between the tender and the locomotive (s).  This is kind of a entirely new topic.  You might also want to read the powerpoint presentation that was linked in your other topic.  There is a good reason why its not allowed as train cargo, and I would not want to be the engineer or conductor of a train with a locomotive equipped with such a tender.   A derailment with one of those tenders might produce the same type of accident that led to your RTR bash of locomotive parts.

 https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0714

No idea what the bottom thing is.

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Posted by NWP SWP on Monday, February 27, 2017 7:50 PM

Thanks, I think the bottom car has something to do with CN's LNG/LPG projects.

Steve

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Posted by NWP SWP on Monday, February 27, 2017 8:18 PM

Could those two cars be used as diesel tenders?

Steve

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Posted by NWP SWP on Monday, February 27, 2017 8:42 PM

Another project I may do is a SD70ACe "Draper Taper" unit, a Veranda Turbine style hybrid hood/cowl unit version, and a SD70ACe vintage style cab. These are just some ideas for someday projects.

Steve

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Posted by dknelson on Monday, February 27, 2017 9:00 PM

With those as future projects, now is the time to start developing your skills with cutting and fitting styrene parts -- kitbashing or kitmingling as it is usually called, primarily in reference to structures, but many of the same principles apply for modifying rolling stock including locomotives.  In many ways styrene is a wonderful and even forgiving material to work with.  

As with any skill it takes practice and before you start chopping up those locomotives, develop the skills you need with swap meet quality structures and rolling stock, even if the project itself is not on your list, just to get the skills.  Even just working with raw plastic itself can develop the skills.  

Dave Nelson

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Posted by NWP SWP on Monday, February 27, 2017 9:08 PM

I think I will do that.

Steve

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Posted by NWP SWP on Monday, February 27, 2017 11:20 PM

Is the Rapido "Redundant Line" a real thing or is it just a joke?

Steve

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 4:55 AM

cascadenorthernrr

Is the Rapido "Redundant Line" a real thing or is it just a joke?

 

I believe that Jason is deadly serious about this project.

Rich

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Posted by Bundy74 on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 12:43 PM

richhotrain

 

 
cascadenorthernrr

Is the Rapido "Redundant Line" a real thing or is it just a joke?

 

 

 

I believe that Jason is deadly serious about this project.

 

Rich

 

 
Maybe he'll do an SD40-2 as well Wink

Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.

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Posted by csxns on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 6:43 PM

Check out that centercab in the browse our galleries.

Russell

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Posted by NWP SWP on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 7:12 PM

WOW COOL!!!

Steve

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Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 5:22 PM

Ok I was looking in a Micro-Mark catalog, and I saw a 3D printer and a 3D scanner would this be a good way to kitbash the Bs, slugs, and other custom projects I plan to do? Could I scan the shell of the loco copy the sections I need and assemble them into the selected project?

Steve

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Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 5:35 PM

BMMECNYC

 Also from a practical modeling standpoint, are you planning on powering those road slugs?  If so where would you put the motor?  Are you planning on DC or DCC operation?  Do you have the capability of removing metal on the locomotive chasis to reduce the hood height? 

 

I was thinking about that point. Could I do a slug like those of NS? I included pictures of them below.

Image result for norfolk southern road slug

Steve

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Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 9:05 PM

Here's another possible project.

Image result for sd70ace with elephant ears

Steve

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 9:06 PM

cascadenorthernrr

Ok I was looking in a Micro-Mark catalog, and I saw a 3D printer and a 3D scanner would this be a good way to kitbash the Bs, slugs, and other custom projects I plan to do? Could I scan the shell of the loco copy the sections I need and assemble them into the selected project?

 

From what Ive seen from Shapeways and other 3D printing, the resolution just isnt there yet for HO scale models.   Im assuming you looked at the price tag as well? 

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 9:09 PM

cascadenorthernrr
 
BMMECNYC

 Also from a practical modeling standpoint, are you planning on powering those road slugs?  If so where would you put the motor?  Are you planning on DC or DCC operation?  Do you have the capability of removing metal on the locomotive chasis to reduce the hood height? 

 

 

 

I was thinking about that point. Could I do a slug like those of NS? I included pictures of them below.

Image result for norfolk southern road slug

 

You can do whatever you want.  All of these are really good projects.  Make a list and prioritize your modeling.  There are a lot of things out there to model.  NS does a lot of building.  Check out their SD90 conversions (SD70Acu is what I think they are calling them).  KATO makes SD9043s (I own 2) and have had 2 years of trouble free operation, once I corrected my own stupidity. 

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Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 9:11 PM

Yes the price could pose a problem. So a system like AIO Zeus 3D printer/scanner would not have the resolution for HO scale? I found this on shapeways, it doesn't look too bad.

HO scale 1:87 CSX SD40-3 Wabtec Cab 3d printed Cab in primer by Campbell.

Steve

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Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 9:15 PM

Ok thanks.

Steve

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 2, 2017 3:14 PM

cascadenorthernrr

Yes the price could pose a problem. So a system like AIO Zeus 3D printer/scanner would not have the resolution for HO scale? I found this on shapeways, it doesn't look too bad.

HO scale 1:87 CSX SD40-3 Wabtec Cab 3d printed Cab in primer by Campbell.

 

Well, I guess its catching up.  The Micro Mark printer may or may not be able to do that.  A lot depends on your printing material.  I know a guy who does detail parts in different scales via a shapeways store.

Large components get expensive quickly.

 

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Posted by NWP SWP on Thursday, March 2, 2017 3:25 PM

Well I was considering buying the AIO Zeus 3D printer/scanner that way I could scan the shell of the locomotive and make a copy of it.

Steve

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Posted by dehusman on Thursday, March 2, 2017 7:39 PM

cascadenorthernrr

Well I was considering buying the AIO Zeus 3D printer/scanner that way I could scan the shell of the locomotive and make a copy of it.

 
Before you invest several thousand dollars in scanners and printers, etc.  Why don't you actually try doing a simple kitbash to try your skills and actually practice doing something.  Its really easy to talk about wanting to do all sorts of projects and its another thing to actually do them.  Try doing a simple project on a car or a building.  Take an Athearn bluebox car and upgrade it with separate grab irons, detailed roofwalk, replace and detail the door guides, replace the brake gear and rigging.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

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Posted by tstage on Thursday, March 2, 2017 8:04 PM

Dave is absolutely correct, Steven.  As mentioned by him and others: Hone your skills on simple kits and projects BEFORE you start spending googobs of $$$ (that you either have or don't have) on some sort of dream.  There's nothing wrong with dreaming.  However, sometimes you have to "reel" yourself in and get "real".

Question for you, Steven: Have you put together any kits - albeit rolling stock, structures, etc?  If you have then detailing (i.e. adding something to your model that didn't come with it) is your next step.  Kitbashing would be the logical step after that.

Enjoy the "journey" while you press on to your "destination".  You'll enjoy the ride and find the experience more rewarding that way. Big Smile

Tom

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Posted by NWP SWP on Thursday, March 2, 2017 8:56 PM

I think I will get a old Athearn GP30 and make a center cab version with a cupola. That should require quite some cutting.

Steve

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Posted by tstage on Thursday, March 2, 2017 10:43 PM

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

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Posted by NWP SWP on Thursday, March 2, 2017 10:58 PM

I will do it.

Steve

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, March 3, 2017 4:08 AM

cascadenorthernrr

I think I will get a old Athearn GP30 and make a center cab version with a cupola. That should require quite some cutting. 

I have a suggestion for the OP.  Before you start buying and cutting up locos, how about buying some track and a power pack and build a small, simple layout. Do you plan to operate in DC or DCC?

Rich

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 3, 2017 5:13 AM

richhotrain

I have a suggestion for the OP.  Before you start buying and cutting up locos, how about buying some track and a power pack and build a small, simple layout. Do youi plan to operate in DC or DCC?

Rich

 

+1

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