Early H10 and 12 are fairly easy. Pickup a VO1000, a couple of Trix H10-44 shells and start hacking. I'm working on one right now. May do an article for it. It seems simple enough.
Re the handrails, I'd do it with them on. It would be easier for those who want something finer to cut them off than for those who are modelling challenged or just lazy (I'm a bit of both) to add them.
I somewhat agree however another point to consider is painting. Having the handrails already in place may make some paint jobs extremely difficult to mask and apply paint. A separate but easy to apply piece would be better. Those wanting finer brass rails wouldn't have to remove anything and lazy modelers would only have to apply a few prefabbed pieces. Just my 2 cents!
That S4 looks great. 3D printing may be able to solve a lot of the small locomotive shortages we have in N scale. I would really like to see an HH600-HH660 shell, maybe for the old Minitrix FM chassis. Frankly, I am just happy to see an S-anything switcher.
As I mentioned earlier and Bill also comented, painting some schemes with the handrails in place would be difficult if not impossible without breaking or removing them. I really don't see something like appealing to any "lazy" modeler anyhow. PS. How appropriate...this photo just showed up on NE Rail site.... http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/bo/bo9095dsa.jpg
Now I need to find some Blunt ALCo switcher trucks.... Reading the above comments I don't think these printed bodys are for lazy modelers, I assume nothing is going to come decorated or ready to run? These will take some skill and time no matter what. Painting would be made more complicated with handrails attached for sure. maybe some locating dimples for handrails and grab irons at the correct locations would be nice , it would sure speed things up. Tally another vote for an HH660 ALCo, I have no clue what mechanism to use right now but I'm thinking the Kato NW-2, again , need ALCo blunt switcher trucks. Randy
Interesting thought, I dont think Blunts have ever been in N scale. They aren't too comlicated though, seems like it would be easy to do side frames using 3D printing... maybe I need to look into Scetchup.
I've been watching with interest on this alco s4 and i have to agree with several others that having the handrails seperate will aid in multi color painting i need about 4 but if they come with handrails molded on i'll pass as my freelance paint scheme would turn into pain in the A** with the railings in the way
Yeah, I thought of that on my way to work. Sadly, it would be better if Atlas had made something with Blunts since their spare parts are readily available. Back on the topic of this S4, I would likely signup for Shapeways and order one if it came available with seperate handrails (or none at all).
Guys, just so you know? There's no reason that Mr. Meyers won't (if this becomes a shapeways-buyable product) offer both a handrail'd and handrail-less version! So have patience, when the time comes I am sure everyone will get their cake And if he doesn't? Then get out the pitchforks and torches!!
:wideeyes: and here I thought I was just having fun playing with trains! For the record though I am listening - suggestions are why I posted in the first place. I am already well on my way to having an updated "separate handrails" version done. I'll posted pictures when I get farther along... As for other models - aren't the current mechanisms a bit too long to stand in for an HH? It looks to me like the HH660 was about two feet shorter than the SW-1200 (between truck centers at least)...
Can you make truck frames with shapeways also? Is the material flexible enough to fit over the truck assembly?
I think the HH is shorter, that leads to a thought about custom a chassis. If something could be designed to use existing components there is already a hobby with pretty decent experience casting complex shapes out of Britannia metal. I have a buddy who has made small metal figurines using hard RTV molds and pewter based metals, I wonder if the same tech. could be applied to casting custom side frames for a mechanism. The components in a Life Like SW may be too large, but perhaps Bachmann or Atlas motors and running gear could be made to work. Something like that and 3D printing could basically make any locomotive a possibility.
