NZ120 AKC Arrives

The Northern Explorer gets a step closer to being a complete train set with the arrival of the AKC (Cafe Car)

Now Available at https://www.shapeways.com/model/1517151/kiwirail-akc-class-nz120-1-120.html?li=shop-results&materialId=61

The Di having a turn..

Still much work remains on this..

DB class hauling the Northern Explorer...  Not so prototypical but makes a good picture!

Dxr this time hauling dora

AKC after paint and window glazing installed

And a wee HD video of the consist running, hauled with a Kiwirail DL

Another HD video of the consist running, hauled this time with a Db class

Model Progress Report - Oct 2013

A quick update showing off progress on models, the last 3 photos are Jolon's brilliant job on detailing the 3d printed DQ.

The first clip shows some work in 3ds Max, re learning particle scripting again, fun times!

NZ120 EF

NZ120 AK Carriage

NZ120 AK Carriage

NZ120 AK Carriage with DL Hauling

Jolons NZ120 UD, DQ Class & Scratch Built DS Class

Jolons NZ120 DQ Class & Chassis with Sideframes attached

Jolons NZ120 DQ Class & Chassis with Sideframes attached

After further work on the DQ, Jolon submitted these shots!

NZ120 DQ Class

NZ120 DQ Class

NZ120 DQ Class

NZ120 DQ Class

NZ120 3d Printed Kiwirail AK

Finally turning up in the post this week is the long awaited Kiwirail AK carriage, 3 Prints later!

The window frames will be painted black & clear plastic will be cut to the appropriate length & height then fitted thus completing the look.

The bogies require brass bearings & wheels available from Russell @ trackgangproducts.co.nz

A wee movie of it doing a Test run

New Designs May 2013

Work continues on all fronts, the streamlined KA is currently being printed with the AK print finally being accepted by Shapeways.

Toll Rail DK-2 Locomotive Proposal "A"

On request it was designed off a blueprint provided, it never made it past the drawing board thanks to the new dl class. 

NZ120 KIWIRAIL DL CLASS

 Very much a work in progress, although the basic shape is there.

NZ120 Kiwirail AK Class

 After numerous the AK was finally accepted for printing, around $100 in frosted ultra detail makes it a very expensive carriage. 

Layout for the steamers.. & new designs

The weekend just passed saw development of a layout purely for the nz120 Steam Engines. Perfectly level with a lazy 2% grade climbing a whole 3/4 inch in elevation.

A wee video of it working

 I'm considering buying the instant grass mat as seen on a recent motorised dandruff post. However I have given static grass an attempt. A wee diorama showing off the DSG crying out for some decals!

Purely as an after thought,

New Designs...

Kiwirail AK Class, Available through one product, scaled correctly and waiting on a test print.

F Class Version 1, simple little tanker. Other versions are following pending printing outcome.

NZ120 ZH.

November 6th Update on Recent New Models

So recently I was asked by a chap in Germany to convert my DA into a G12

His message included the info on the loco
"A Bo'Bo'-EMD/GM G12 would be one of the models of choice. One purpose-built demonstrator went around Denmark, Sweden and Norway in the early Fifties, and was bought by the swedish SJ in 1956, numbered as T42 205, serving in northern Sweden. In the mid-1950s also the Sydvaranger iron ore mine railway in northernmost Norway introduced another two G12. The GM-demonstrator, later SJ T42, became the forefather of some very successful NoHAB designs as the GM-engined T43."
Availalbe here ;

 http://www.shapeways.com/model/760630/b1c8a8256dd2cb3f4738a2107d3bffb7?li=

Secondly we have the DA Class in its last phase 3 version.

Available & able to be purchased without any issues.

http://www.shapeways.com/model/761987/28e43db66c7d63fdeb9f69d4e0991d8f?li=

Thirdly, the AK & AKC Top shells are finalized & available, measurements correct & an personal order placed :P

The bottom chassis, bogies, and seat design is finished, just awaiting seat & table placement. A big thanks to all that have been emailing me photos of the internal carriages, this will end up a very detailed carriage inside and out!

AKC

http://www.shapeways.com/model/761208/7b5edaf808943552a9b42e364afcfabe?li=

AK

http://www.shapeways.com/model/761209/e4a76a33aa0eac380033e27116e7f6cc?li=

Lastly, the JA is undergoing a detail overhaul

End of the month Info

End of October Update on progress;

NZ120 - JA CLASS

Fits like a dream onto a Spectrum USRA 4-8-2 Light Mountain Union Pacific's Chassis

For a first steam engine loco shell I have to admit this went very very well, and to see her in the flesh is most satisfying to the eyes. Even without any real detail... yet.

This will naturally be adapted to the streamline version.

NZ120 - ZM Box Wagon

I've always wanted a NZ box wagon but never really wanted to scratch build all them ribbings. It turned out better than expected considering the material used, however the one major advantage over any other kit is the weight, weights just enough to stick to the track and no more. I plan on getting quite a few of these to string behind whatever loco I have and know it will pull it without any issues.

I used trackgangproducts.co.nz 's bogies & couplers, which added the right amount of weight to the bottom.

NZR EF30 CLASS

The angles on this model makes it a nightmare to scratch build, even though it looks like it would be simple to build. Without much detail in its current form it still looks pretty darn good in my merrily bodging outer sibling opinion! In this picture the chassis I found the best is a British DMU Chassis, Fits right on, grips the body in what could best be described as a vice like grip.

KIWIRAIL AK Carriage Set

If ever goal posts keep moving, none would be a better example than this.

Originally was just going to do the one main carriage, now i've been talked into doing the cafe carriage. Which when I think about it is another half an hours work moving windows around and its done.

The undercarriage will include the bogies, seats etc. The top will sit right on the undercarriage.

Then how the windows were going to be able to happen, there's no way anyone would want to cut little square individual windows and fit them. So the picture below will show a 1mm thick window panel can be cut and attached in the slot. And if you cut it right you probably wouldn't even need to glue em in.

Paint the inside of the window boxing black and it will look just like the real thing.

Not so far in the distance will see a shell for a 1954 DF Class now I have acquired the correct chassis.

The last weekend Jolon brought his scratch built DF and for the greater part of the weekend spent its time pulling various consists around the layout. Which is more than enough to get me wanting one.

Check out the video, quite something!