The field is wide open for "betterment" cars. Erie,B&O etc. I wouldn't mind some Erie Stillwell and Lackawanna Boonton cars either.
I'd like to have an E2 ABB set. E1's would be good, too. Maybe several people could pool resources and cover some of the development cost(s) of the E2.
I haven't really seen too many cars, freight or passenger, I'd really like some Virginian passenger cars. You would only need a few different designs and you can model the entire fleet!
"I would like to see different heavyweight car bodies to fit on MTL frames." I would have to agree... I would also like to see a New Haven EP-3 to put on a Kato GG1 chassis. These electric motors were beautiful and of the classic boxcab design... while I will contemplate the New Haven EP-4 and EF-3 for newer motors I would still need the EP-3 so it could represent what was before the streamlined motors.
Another thought, not exactly a shell, but what about some of the early freight containers (like NYC's LCL company, PRR's "Steel Box" service) designed to fit gondolas or flats?
I would like to second the Alco C-415 and the CRI&P AB6 !!! Plus add Baldwin DT-6-6-2000 (or "Center-cab", for less syllables !!!). All three of these have been discussed here several times.
The one that'd turn my crank at the moment would be a non-Veranda, Baby Turbine to fit the Con-Cor Turbine chassis. Make two versions, the early FARR grilled version and the later one with the square vent holes, along with a correct rear-end. No grabs anywhere, just pilot dimples to drill out and mount your own bent up brass or SS .007" ones. While yer at it, a proper tender for one would be a good idea to, and use the Con-Cor tender trucks, which are okay. Main problem I'm seeing with RP printed stuff is that designers are including too much over-sized details, such as grabs, railing, coupler lift bars and stirrups. These are much better if you use aftermarket etched brass and SS parts from BLMA, GMM and Plano, and bend up your grabs out of wire. Go ahead and print the attached supports and stanchions, but let the purchaser use wire for the actual railings inserted through holes in the ends of the stanchions. Also, designers are attempting to do "shells" rather than "kits", which result in highly visible layering when the printers get slightly out of adjustment or the orientation is wrong. Both of those problems (and they are BIG problems) result in spotty quality control and unsuitable models being shipped. One of the solutions to the orientation problem as well as the wax-supports affecting the surface quality is to make "kits" that would include "flats" of each side and end as well as the roof, all to be glued together by the purchaser, with keys and interior gusseting to assist in lining them up and keeping them square. I'm not sure why designers persist in thinking the "shell" design parameter is best, since it's really obvious that orientation won't be ideal for every surface of a "box" with one lid. However, printing "flats" all oriented in the ideal direction would keep wax supports at a minimum (or consistent across each flat exterior surface). This would not eliminate a Shapeways contractor from screwing it up, but likely it'd be so screwed up, they'd redo the print, whereas sometimes they'll ship a print if one or two sides on a body are are messed up. Another kit I'd like would be a total model of a UP CA-1 wooden caboose, minus the trucks which are available from Eric Cox and Panamint Models at Shapeways. Two versions would be cool, the "standard" CA-1 and one with side doors, either on both sides or one side. To really complete the model, a fret of etched grabs, platform railings and ladders, running boards and other small details would be ideal. Engineer the underbody and frame to accept Precision Scale's plastic or brass brake equipment details and include a RP printed interior too. Also, it'd be nice for designers to offer etched detail frets, but the logistics if you're using Shapeways might be a bit inconvenient. If you can do 3D models, you can certainly do the artwork for chemically milling parts, and there are several really great companies to work with for etched products. I don't recommend doing it yourself. Cheerio! Bob Gilmore
I'd like to see a wider variety of heavyweights done by anyone; 3D wouldn't be my chosen medium, but I'd certainly accept them if they were accurate.. I do have a questions about what you mean by MTL frames...the MTL heavyweights don't have separate frames, per se... the underbody detail piece is a separate piece, but the car floor and sides are one integral piece....a 3D printed car, would have to be a complete model, save for the roof, for all intents and purposes...and the roofs were as varied as the individual cars. #d may be a medium for various heavyweight roofs (MTL roofs with A/C, various clestory window arrangements, Harriman-style roofs for Tribe sleepers, etc), but one would still have to use a MTL roof as the model for the 3D printed version.... ~Bruce
I'll second these, an Alco C-415, and a Jordan Spreader! Brass is just too rare and pricey for my budget. Chassis for a 'Joe might begin with an SD40-2 mechanism, maybe with adapted DDA40X trucks, printed sideframes to add the unpowered pilot and trailing trucks. One with enough CAD skills should be able to pull that off. To start, we'd need truck centers on the EF-4, wheelbase and wheel size. Compare those scale feet measurments to popular 6-axle locos to find a set of reliable trucks that could have the correct spacing. The sideframes could be a veneer and laminated onto the sanded-down, existing trucks. Adding the pilot and trailing trucks and making them to operate as the prototype would be a challenge.
1. Any Baldwin road switcher 2. Lima center-cab transfer loco Of course, the mechanisms would still be a challenge....
Personally, I'm less excited about 3D printed shells compared to the prospect of 3D printed metal chassis in the near future.
James and his father were at the latest "open" at Gosport today, with what might be described as the prototype of the DD35. Wrong road name for me to be interested!!!! Regards, Pete Davies
ACF Railcars McKeen Cars F40C H-20-44 Rohr Turbos Lima Switchers E2 TA SDL39 HH660 Babyface C-430 Amtrak Boxcars That's my list, some would be easier than others obviously.
