1:87 Modern

 Showing off some more 1:87 3d printed 'closer to completed' models. The DXR chassis was redesigned to accommodate the frateshi motor block & bogies. The painting process is about to begin but still waiting on a few more diesel shells to be reprinted after alot of internal debate about true, semi scale & considerations. I guess you could call this a fine balance between what looks right and functionality. Anyway, the dxr body pictured is the third attempt and im quite happy with the result. The Ef now has correct detail but needs to be enlarged so its scale to my "frateshi format".

I also designed the Zg wagon according to a blueprint from the NZ model railway Journal october 1999 magazine using the Zh shape as a general starting point. I was handed a box of old beaten up HO stuff including a front end loader (pictured) so I quickly went about 3d printing my UD wagon with small modifications to the bogie regarding coupler mounting points.

More 1:87 Shells.

Showing off another 1:87 project

NZR Body shells for my brothers HO railway. Going to experiment with 3d printing a "Frateshi chassis" with a modified length & 3d printed universal axle extension. The larger locomotives should take a frateshi chassis while maintaining a full scale body, the exception being the track width much wider like the Frateshi nz painted HO Brazilian diesels. My aim is to remove the frateshi shell & chassis block only using the motors, bogie wheels & gear frame. I can easily 3d print a Chassis with a modified length and plug the bogies into my 3d frame, manufacture some universal shafts to accommodate any length I wish. The sideframes & can 3d print to look however I like and clip into place. Since we're not worried about wheel width the axle spacing might be a few mm +/- wrong so who cares.

Finally upgraded the phone camera thanks to a hand me down from mum so picture quality has improved over the potato camera I was using yesterday, anyway, the DL I prepared a week ago I hand brushed using the last lemon yellow & red paints. I also attempted to paint the black panda eyes free hand and without masking tape & steady hand once again a mediocre finish to a less than satisfactory finish. Thus I sanded everything back as best I could and used Tamiya Fine Primer in a light coat then polish away with 1000grit sandpaper and in a similar fashion to conditioner, repeat as necessary while avoiding sanding all the detailing away. I really need to get my AITG and organize grill etches rather than trying to 3d print them.

I'm hoping a dash 9 will fit the DL so when it arrives I'll see if my gamble pays off and it fits, if not another frateshi chassis can be modified without much issue as the motor block & flywheel comfortably fit. 

Continuing on the shells & more painting later, this current batch of 1KG ABS(Sandbrooks - Auckland) seems to have little pits are appearing on the prints, which I suspect is my very worn out print nozzle! The next filament order I will try some UP premium PLA(3D Printing Systems - auckland) with a new improved print nozzle. Instead of lemon yellow I'm trying tamiya "chrome yellow".

 

1:24 Kiwirail Dxr

1:24 Kiwirail Dxr

3d printed body sections printed, glued together & sanded. Everything fitted well, slight warpinig issues experienced a couple weeks ago during the cold snap but nice clean prints since.

Showing internal supports, nice and rigid.

Headstocks & Fuel tank printed & attached. Bogie sideframes printed, everything clean & tidy

Brass etched mesh added, need to get more for the rest of the grills, very fine stuff.

The DXR after more detailing..

DXR Handrails added, Kiwirail paint scheme applied, Decals & paint tidy up still to do

NZR Locomotive Shells for HO 1:87

Going some what off tangent in terms of scale, some New Zealand Locomotive Shells for HO were requested. The DC, DH, DI, DB, eeDF, DL, DXR & Ja converted to 1:87 scale so far. The intent is to print a shell & utilise chassis from donor locos or preferably buy a custom diesel chassis from North Yard Model Railway Parts (www.northyard.co.nz) at a reasonable price. The price for a shell will range from $60 - 200 & a chassis should set one back at least $150.

Currently the 1:87 market for NZR is catered for by the Frateschi Range, which from memory is limited to DA/DC/DX/DH in terms of Diesels

The models in 1:87 scale are only available in the Detail Plastics.

(Frosted Detail & Frosted Ultra Detail). 

HO American dynamic brake details, grills , air hoses, couplers, handrails etc to finish off

A new shop section for 1:87

1:87 (HO) Scale New Zealand DC

1:87 Dh General Electric - Pre Shunters Refuge

1:87 Di Class

1:87 Dxr Original Cab

1:87 NZR DB Class

1:87 DL Class

1:87 Df 1954

1:87 Scale DSG

1:87 Ja Body

1:87 Ja Tender And Bogie Sideframes Oil

Weathering the DL, DXR & EF Class

Some more work on decalling & weathering the 3d Printed DL, DXR & EF (Class 30) Locomotives.

NZ120 DL Class

NZ120 DL Class

HDR, NZ120 DXR Class

NZ120 DXR Class

NZ120 DXR Class

NZ120 EF (Class 30)

NZ120 EF (Class 30)

Purchased from Russell at www.trackgangproducts.co.nz

Are MWW NZ120 DX Rear Grills.

Before

Directly After, Need to touch up the outside rim

Arrival of the NZ120 DL

The NZ120 Kiwirail DL in the flesh, if somebody ever does an etch for the grill's the appropriate removal of printed "grills" will happen. In the meantime painting & the addition of trackgang couplers, air-hoses & air-horns will commence. Hopefully some decals can be made to really bring everything together nicely!

http://www.shapeways.com/model/1168180/nz120-kiwirail-dl-class.html?li=productBox-search

A photo of the DL receiving Handrails, airhoses & horns. 

And a wee vid of the DL running.

A nice modern lineup!

Toll Rail DK-2 (Proposal) Locomotive

A personal request from Jolon see's a locomotive come to light for his personal collection. Essentially a double cabbed DXR (Modern design).
Also arrived is a JA in FUD to replace the last. Handrail's for the diesel's is the next priority!

Post since updated ; Photos of the NZ120 Model detailed by Jolon

Jolons NZ120 DK-2 

Jolons NZ120 DK-2 

Jolons NZ120 DK-2 

Kiwirail DL

The DL Class designed for both NZ120 & NZ64 has finally been finished! Many thanks to Kiwirail for the blueprints allowing for some accuracy.. A first NZ120 version has been ordered in FUD & already in the printer. It should prove quite adequate! 

 The AK carriage has now been painted black on the window trims, the windows will be cut to size & fitted in the slot. Now I need to find a way to print the end decals, the red/yellow/grey stripes... One step at a time!

Kiwirail DXR with AK Carriage.

Kiwirail DXR with AK Carriage

A great northern with incorrect wheel spacing to suit a K/Ka seemingly trying to "fit" in.