WABTEC 3000 BEL , N Scale 3D print project

Carl Sowell Aug 27, 2022

  1. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

    3,032
    8,074
    82
    I posted some pictures of this project, so here will be a "build" thread.

    My project will be to morph this KATO C44-9 into the BEL :
    [​IMG]

    I hope mine turns into this :
    [​IMG]

    I have begun the 4 color paint scheme :
    [​IMG]

    Now the chassis mods and decoder install. Decoder is a new ESU LokPilot 5 Micro. I have modified the original factory light board to solder decoder wires to for power supply and motor tabs :
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    There are several decoder wires to snip off, after I decide on lighting for this beast.
    I sanded about an 1/8+" from the top tabs and rounded the front and rear tabs so that the shell fit on chassis without any rocking back and forth.

    Should be a fun but rewarding project.
     
  2. Bookbear1

    Bookbear1 TrainBoard Supporter

    637
    876
    35
    Looking forward to more progress pictures!
     
    Carl Sowell likes this.
  3. alister

    alister TrainBoard Member

    733
    1,196
    37
    MetraMan01 and Carl Sowell like this.
  4. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

    3,032
    8,074
    82
    Thanks Al ! Yes, I ordered those decals but they have not come in yet.
     
    MetraMan01 and alister like this.
  5. JDG

    JDG TrainBoard Member

    629
    6
    28
    I assume you purchased this shell from Brett Isaacs / Baldylox Designs. ILO CMR decals (which suck in my opinion) why not use the ones Brett specifically designed and sized for this shell? They are available through His Etsy page as well.
     
  6. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

    3,032
    8,074
    82
    Well JDG, you are certainly entitled to your opinion and to express same. Yes, I ordered the CMR decals @ about 1/2 the price of Brett's decals. Now to set things straight, I did order and have received the Brett Isaacs decals with my shell. They look good but to be honest I think they are the CMR's.

    Now to get on with the show. After 48 hrs. drying time, I masked off the red and air brushed the gray. I use Tamiya tape and really find it easy to use. I made a masking error on engineers side but it is not worth trying to correct. Here are 2 images :

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    This side shows my error but not worth trying to correct as it is very tight quarters to work. The darker gray hump, on rear of battery box, will be painted white with silver vents and the bottom edge of the shell and the box on bottom will be sprayed black. I will have to brush the walkways and hand rail, steps, along with some other very small details. After that, I will spray model with clear gloss and then apply decals.
     
    BNSF FAN, Pfunk, rch and 10 others like this.
  7. alister

    alister TrainBoard Member

    733
    1,196
    37
    Looking sharp Carl !!
     
  8. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

    3,032
    8,074
    82
    Latest mask and spray job :

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Next up some more masking, heavy, and then air brush some black. After that some hand painting black with brush. If all looks OK, I will spray with clear gloss and apply decals.

    Thank you for looking !
     
    BNSF FAN, Pfunk, Philip H and 14 others like this.
  9. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

    3,032
    8,074
    82
    This morning (Sunday), I sprayed the shell and tank (?) with black. Here are 2 images :

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    If this was a KATO shell, I would be ready to wrap it up with decals, however being a 3D print I have some repairs to make such as the short piece of handrail on engineer's side. I used Tamiya tape and some small amounts of liquid mask in certain areas that I will have to work on with some very small brush touch ups. But next will be gloss clear coat, some panel line accents, and then decals.

    Thanks for looking !
     
  10. alister

    alister TrainBoard Member

    733
    1,196
    37
    Thant's looking really nice Carl!! Really well done.
     
    BNSF FAN, Carl Sowell and MetraMan01 like this.
  11. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

    3,032
    8,074
    82
    Here is an update as of today. All the painting is complete including a lot of hand brushed detail, been gloss coated and after it dries for 2-3 days I will apply decals. Next posting she should be decaled, dull coated and mounted to KATO CW44-9 chassis.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Keep in mind this is what I am shooting for:
    [​IMG]

    Getting close ? ?

    Tank you for looking ! !
     
    Sumner, Kurt Moose, SP-Wolf and 14 others like this.
  12. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

    1,927
    2,026
    44
    Looking great
     
    Pfunk and Carl Sowell like this.
  13. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    22,014
    27,407
    253
    Looks phenomenal to me!!
     
    Carl Sowell and Pfunk like this.
  14. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

    3,032
    8,074
    82
    I would like to thank all who have looked and especially thankful for the "likes" and comments. Someone might say that I just am full of myself and like to show off. May be partially true but my main reason for posting anything is to help pass on things that I have leaned in my 72 years of model railroading that started in 1950 with HO.

    Having expressed that, I now want to preface the rest of this posting with some words that may help someone else. Here are 2 images taken today and I will make some comments with each one :
    [​IMG]

    Many of you will recognize what I did here, yes I used Tamiya Panel Line Accent (black) to accentuate detail. Not too shabby and I can accept the result, however I would have preferred better. That is my 1st suggestion and that is to practice mucho to use this stuff and be careful how you attempt to "erase" goofs,

    [​IMG]

    Here is the air conditioning unit on the battery pack or battery unit as they call it. Again, not too shabby but could be better.

    Now my biggest gripe and that is with the decals. I purchased a set from 2 folks one of whom was the shell printer and the other from a 3rd party who I think actually printed both sets. They are nice looking decals and appear to be very thin and that's the issue.. If you have ever tried to use 10 year old dried cracked MicroScale decals you know what took place. I highly recommend that if you purchase these spray them with a clear gloss coat before attempting to apply. I am not flaming either maker but just trying to pass on my experience.

    Ok, I am off my soap box, thanks for looking
     
  15. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

    1,927
    2,026
    44
    Looks great carl heard you were going to build a few E33 electrics girl my road :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::LOL::sneaky::sneaky::sneaky::whistle::cool:
     
    Carl Sowell and BNSF FAN like this.
  16. alister

    alister TrainBoard Member

    733
    1,196
    37
    Nice job, I had been thinking about trying the Tamiya Panel Line accent paint - looks really good!!!
     
  17. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

    1,508
    2,447
    55
    The black Tamiya Panel Liner also makes for nice diesel spills and leaking oil.

    [​IMG]
     
  18. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

    1,927
    2,026
    44
    For some reason me thinks that's a rock island unit :whistle::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::sneaky:
     
    Kurt Moose likes this.
  19. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

    3,032
    8,074
    82
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Finished the decals and sealed with "flat crystal clear". Next up glass and couplers, then power chassis.

    Thanks for looking.
     
    MetraMan01, SP-Wolf, 308GTSi and 11 others like this.
  20. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

    1,508
    2,447
    55
    That's looking real good Carl.
     
    Carl Sowell likes this.

Share This Page