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.

HO Zh Wagon Download

The Zh was todays task, 1:87 scale and coated with primer. designed to be printed on its end, vertically and the ends separately. The bogie/truck holsters will be done separately depending on the bogie.  

For those with a 3d printer and want to produce a cheap train for yourself in HO to go with the frateshi stuff then this wagon can be found here. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5412149

Desperately need my decal printing up and running.

1:87 Zh & Silver Fern Updates

The Zh shell has been made available in 1:87 scale upon request, available here http://www.shapeways.com/model/1560575/1-87-scale-nzr-zh-class.html?li=shop-results&materialId=6

NZ120 Silver Fern

The silver fern fitted with front lights

The fern also received front head lights. It is a very bright led, but really is a personal preference. 

Also worth mentioning, the bogies... Since the size of the fern, even in nz120 scale is simply too big to fit inside the Printer (for Frosted Ultra Detail). It is available however in Frosted Detail, which is better than Strong & Flexible in terms of smoothness so I can't complain. The bogies however, being small and detailed in nz120 need to be made available as a separate product. 

An initial order to replace my fern, in FUD Material is a go so far. The bogie could be made available in Brass/Bronze after a test print is ordered in one of the materials. The power bogie is spaced apart like the non powered 3 bogies, so its now possible to have an un-powered free running model.

The undergrubbins will be added, and the bogies removed from the main shell, with links pointing to the bogies from main product page.

The undergrubbins will also be made available for mine and others test prints as a separate item also.

NZ120 Decals

I've been printing a few decals using an inkjet printer, decal paper & bonder.

I've printed decals for the DL, DXR, steam engine number plates & Zh Wagon.

The number plates are printed on trasparent paper & will require the loco plate to be painted white / gold first.

DL & DXR Decals

Steam Engine Number Plate Decals

Zh Decals

Zh after receiving decals

The DL, now with cab numbers. not as tidy of a job as i wanted but still looks great from 2 feet away. The decals on the front required painting first.. of which i now need to re-do. lucky I printed a few sheets!

NZ120 DL 9008, Class Leader

NZ120 DL 9008, Class Leader

NZ120 DXR 8007, Class Leader

Zh, Material Comparison

After delivery today I've taken a few pics & you can see the difference between SF & SF- Polished. In terms of what your asking by manually building the sides out of styrene we will see what we can do, however I think buying a complete shell with the polished SF will keep costs resonable while presenting nice smooth sides!

Update,

After 2 coats of primer, filed down brass bogies were attached but still lacking washers to correct the height. Couplers are added & shes ready for more photos.

Zh, F

Showing off the F Class with a bit more paint, in the background a south island Ja hauling a small freight & an lighted guards van. 

 

The Zh with fitted brass bogies from woodsworks. The bodie was printed in "Strong & Flexible" & needs sanding to create a smooth finish.

Showing the underside. It should be noted that the bogies need filing down on the sides to allow it to go around the somewhat tight curves. But apart from that the concept worked out.

Another view with the K patiently waiting with a rake of zm's

Painted white, fitted with trackgangproducts couplers & rolling around the layout.

A shot of the Ja.

The old man suggested moving the driving wheels forward on the Ba to create a talked about S Shunter class, making it perfect for shunting dutys as the entire weight of the boiler is more centered. 

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.

NZ120 Zh Wagon

Today we have a ZH, The center & end parts were sent to me by Mark Andrews, all i did was place it on the Zm chassis after some modifications. 

NZ120 Scale ZH

The idea is to print the sides onto paper using a printer. This way you can add grafiti & logos as desired.