Hello All, Some of you may have noticed that it has been kinda quiet lately at CESM. But we haven't been slacking off... we've been working hard on a big project that we are excited to get going on. With your support, we will be able to manufacture a model of the famous NRE 3GS21B Genset locomotive in N scale. But unlike our first locomotive release with a 3D printed shell and a modified mechanism, we decided to take another approach. We knew that we couldn't sit there day after day assembling, building, sanding, decaling, and applying impossibly tiny details, so we decided to use injection molding. Our plan is to offer a model of this locomotive with a split-frame, 5-pole skew wound motor, dual flywheels, ditch lights, optional DCC and/or sound, and a detailed cab interior. Planned road names are UP, BNSF, NS, CSX, and the NRE demonstrator units. We are looking to gauge interest in a product such as this. If you are interested, please let us know at our website so we can gauge interest: http://www.cescalemodels.com/#!n-scale-nre-3gs21b/c1rkk If you have any comments or questions, feel free to ask them here. After all, this is a forum, right? Thanks! -David
Hi Guys! The locomotives would be produced by the same company as atlas, with the same motors and a similar mechanism. We will make every effort to get the chassis made in a very heavy alloy as well. Thanks! -David
While I won't be buying any(too late for my era), I wholeheartedly support this effort by CESM because there can never be too many N scale manufacturers!
Thanks Ghengis! If we can manage to pull this one off, we are definitely going to look at another locomotive release. Thanks! -David
If you deliver on your initial description, along with your implication that you are "emulating" Atlas methods, (not Trainman) then you are well on the way. I'd say beyond those "fundamentals", it is mainly attention to detail (from the production standpoint, not the fine model kind) and quality control. Decoration is, of course, key. BNSF has been a challenge for manufacturers....once again, emulating Atlas would be a very good idea.
Hi everyone, Today we have been on a roller coaster at CESM. We started out thinking about injection molding, and we got so excited that we decided to post here and everywhere else. Everything was going fine until a member of our board of directors stepped in and gave us a blunt "no" on the injection molding. So now we are going to have to pull back our claim to injection molding because of this. BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO PRODUCE THE 3GS21B! We are still going full steam ahead on this model and like the rest of you are ready to finally see it come to fruition. That being said, this model will be produced in a similar manner to the TEBU models, but with better quality because of the lessons we learned with the TEBU's. We are going to invest some time into R&D to see if we can't seal the shapeways shells to accept paint somewhat better and be closer to the quality of injection molding. We are also working on getting our supply chain geared up for larger production. The change to this method will not be perfect, and the price point will be higher, but we will make every effort to get this model done as best as it can. I guess that a model with slight imperfections is better than no model at all. We will keep you posted when we have updates. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. -David
There is always resin casting. It gets great results and is less cost prohibitive than injection molding.
KUDOS!! While I won't be buying any diesels, I will echo what was said earlier, There can never be enough N-scale manufacturers. From what I saw of the TEBU, you all ought to do good! Keep it up!
Thanks for the idea! I think the big issue is that randy (randgust) has issues with summer casting because of humidity. Living in Long Island doesn't help me either. If you can point out someone who can do int in the midwest where there is little humidity year-round, I would be glad to do it. And just to clarify... it would cost $200,000 to produce this locomotive with injection molding, and we would have to sell 1500 of them to break even. Definitely not happening because of the HUGE risk involved. Thanks! -David
I have cast hundreds of HO scale slot car bodies here in PA. I used a casting plastic, and have had zero problems with humidity. The bodies are pressure cured then heat cured. Smooth-on supplied the materials.
I admire your goals and would buy if I was not in 'de-accumulation' mode. I'd invest if I had the cash as I really respect Randy's work.
