Are there any n-scale modelers who kitbash custom loco's for us less than talented modelers? If so are these VERY expensive undertakings? Thanx for your time!
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Danimal: Are there any n-scale modelers who kitbash custom loco's for us less than talented modelers? If so are these VERY expensive undertakings? Thanx for your time!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Danimal, I've kitbashed several steam and diesel engines to get the 'PRR' look and to make engines which are not produced by dealers. Took Japanese electric engine and turned it into a PRR 'FF-2' as example. Need correct tools, paint spraying skills and patience to apply decals. After cost of getting tools and maybe a another engine to salvage the trucks/motor.... rest is just work and patience. Can be rewarding. N scale kitbashing is a real challenge. Currently building a PRR 'Trainmaster' diesel from a purchased, unpainted shell (14.00) and a SD-7 diesel(30.00). All other supplies I already have. Wire for handrails, clear plastics for windows, decals.... etc. Try some small changes at first based on photos you may have. You may find you can do more. Goodluck
Yeap, I'd agree with that. The more you do, the easier it gets and you try to do more as you go. Don't let the small size of N intimidate you from adding details or trying a little scratch/bash building. On the other hand, we need "the powers that be" start making more models than one every two years. I think the Manufactures could produce more models per year than they do now. They do it in HO, why not N? ------------------ MAX-RAILROADER
There is a company that makes custom shells. They have sold to another person that is supposed to start up soon. Here is the website for those who want it: http://www.rrtrains.com/n/jims.htm also check this one out: http://www.cyberramp.net/~jimngage/ We need another manufacturer to compete with Kato and Atlas. Dave
i do custom bashing and painting on everything i do almost. my biggest undertaking as of late is making high hood sd40-2s. if you take your time you can do it and get the results you want. i am also in the process of bashing 2 con cor autoracks into 1 one of the new articulated racks that thrall is doing.
I acquired a Spectrum SD40-2, which sat way too high, and the handrails were broken. So stripped it down, milled the top off the chassis block so it would sit at the correct height, scratchbuilt new handrails, added air conditioner, antenna plates, pilot details etc. Painted it ATSF then realised they did not have the early type! THEN Kato brought out their SD40-2 - oh well.... Also made a slug out of a Minitrix GP30, best thing to do with that! My son reminded me that I also made a SD45B out of a SD45. Not sure what it was, Model Power, probably. It was given to me by a friend. Not that happy with it, so may replace it with a spare Kato shell, left over from using the chassis to do a SDF45 using a JnJ shell. [This message has been edited by Alan (edited 23 March 2000).]
SD75l, Neither of the links on your post take me to a site for custom shells. Can you give us an update?
This thread is almost 18 years old! I doubt those companies have been in business for the last decade. What specifically are you looking for so we can get you something that works?
You may want to try sites like Shapeways. There are lots of folks designing lots of things, and just browsing can be lots of fun.
LOL at 18-year-old threads getting drudged up! I was kit bashing in the late 90's without a place like this to ask those questions... BUT, my two cents since the coffee kicked in, I'll answer it as though it were asked today! It's not hard to do certain mods to engines, with plastic shells. Just get a quality file set, thick CA glue, and always measure twice. These days kitbashing is probably even easier due to the variety of models produced, since you can get a hundred different power chassis or a shell near what you want to model from either an existing retail piece or even a shapeways 3d printed shell! Also, repowering can be as much fun as kit bashing... right now I am modifying a set of brass NP F7's to accept Bachmann DCC chassis, which (if I don't screw it up!) will now run smooth as buttered silk and look the part too. Mostly, finding a prototype and researching what people have done in the past will set you on a path to build whatever your heart desires and it can run well now, too! No more Mehano or Roco chassis with those red plastic gears..... my budget in the 90's was slim and I once build an FA/F7-2 kit bash simple because I had the scrap. Looked like a disfigured goat and ran like a tin can filled with bolts!
This has got to be a record for reviving a very old thread... sure wish TB would lock all the old stuff so folks hopes don't get dashed when they find that nothing has changed...
I have a couple old non prototypical Bachman engines I am about to start digging into. They are listed as a a Chessie F9 and U30B model but Chessie never had those on the roster. They had some quite similar so I might play with the sanding and paint set to make them look more like the proper model. They still run on a DC track so it will give me something to do till I can buy some DCC locomotives.
: http://www.rrtrains.com/n/jims.htm Is that the guy that made Jim's N Scale Shells? As resin casting goes, he was quite good. Cant get anything on that address.
