I've been posting updates about these to the Diesel Detailer forums, but I thought I'd share the progress with others in the community:
First off, the MPI F40PH-2C - a kitbash of two Walthers F40PH units on an Atlas B40-8 drive. I'll let the photos do the talking:
In the process of doing the F40PH-2C, I decided to create some UTDC bi-levels from Athearn units, which is going to leave me with three spare chassis:
It's a hell of a job to decal one of these in full Tri-Rail scheme to match the decorated Athearn units:
Given those spare chassis, I couldn't help but let my creative mind run into overdrive. I fired up Adobe Illustrator, plotted out some car sides, and had a gentleman mill me out a set of styrene Hyundai-Rotem CEM bi-level car sides. I should be able to work these together with roof kits from Train Ready Products (formerly Train Station Products) core kits.As for the ends, I'm pretty much stuck using 3D printing. Not sure I care to go through the effort of resin casting the 3D prints either, given the uncertainty of the UV curing of said 3D printed parts. At any rate, it'll be an interesting venture.
Enjoy the pictures.
-Kurt
Hmm, looks as if the last photo didn't come out. Here it is:
Excellent work, pls keep us updated!
Jay
The Rotem CEM bi-level car sides arrived today - the crispness of the cuts are better than I ever imagined:
Kaslo cab doors arrived for the F40PH-2C:
The Train Station Products ACF/Pullman roof came for the Hyundai-Rotems as well:
Since the prototype was itself a "kitbash" this is extra fun on several levels.Oh, and stop making my modeling look bad in comparison.
Just to clarify: The ex-Amtrak F40PH-2C's with HEP units tacked on the rear platform (a.k.a. F40PH-2CAT's) are prototype kitbashes, but the MPI F40PH-2C's were built new on the longer 64' 2" frames.
This is awesome, the Rotem coaches are definitely in my list of "top 5 things that I will have to scratchbuild because no one will ever make in HO". I had envisioned using green plexi so that the windows are flush. Microscale now has a set of black window gaskets. The cab car end almost looks like a P42. Your CAD lazercutter (?) guy did an awesome job on the sides.
Mine doesn't move.......it's at the station!!!
Really nice Modelling work Kurt!
Keep up the great work!