GE 44 Tonner in Z Scale

shortpainter Aug 19, 2020

  1. shortpainter

    shortpainter TrainBoard Member

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    I finally made progress on the GE 44 Tonner model. The shell was designed way back in November 2019 but the chassis design sat around for 9 months. There were major hurdles to overcome. The long hood is only 6mm wide on the inside so it was difficult to find a suitable motor. Also, the motor shaft was too thin to fit the Shorty’s worm gear. I was able to use brass tube for a shaft adapter. Unfortunately, there is no room for a functional coupler. I incorporated couplers into the shell’s 3D print model. These faux couplers connect with MTL, AZL and Full Throttle couplers but it must be done manually. The chassis under this shell is a rough prototype. Now that I have a suitable motor and I can finalize the chassis design.

    Here's a video

     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Aug 20, 2020
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  2. goatfarmer

    goatfarmer TrainBoard Member

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    it looks great!
     
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  3. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    I like it too, however I don't think it's time to throw in the towel on automatic couplers just yet. The MTL 902 can be made to work. A small flat rectangular piece of .003" springy metal (I can't remember the name of it right now) with a bump in the center can make a centering spring like used on the T Gauge couplers, and just tap a screw through both halves with a bottom plate to hold the coupler in. I can see the whole mechanism in my head, and it would fit. Then you could switch magnetically with your switcher. :D
    4.jpg
     
  4. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    That is slick! Nice work!
     
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  5. shortpainter

    shortpainter TrainBoard Member

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    Last edited: Aug 20, 2020
  6. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Very nice. I'd like a couple in NHRR. Jim
     
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  7. John Bartolotto

    John Bartolotto TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sweet!!
     
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  8. ubiminor

    ubiminor TrainBoard Member

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    Beautiful work and result. Congratulations.
    G.
     
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  9. ZFRANK

    ZFRANK TrainBoard Member

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    Great progress! Also a smooth runner. Would there stilll be any space for a dcc decoder? I like Robert's idea with the #902 couplers.

    Verstuurd vanaf mijn ANE-LX1 met Tapatalk
     
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  10. Chris333

    Chris333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    That looks more to scale than the Bachmann N scale model!
     
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  11. LWR21

    LWR21 TrainBoard Member

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    Amazing work. I'll add it to my to-do list! (Behind two of you other switchers.)
     
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  12. ztrack

    ztrack TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    WOW!!! That looks and works amazing!!!
     
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  13. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    love it!
     
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  14. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

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    That is perfect loco for you layout. Which as said before might be one of the coolest small layouts I’ve seen!
     
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  15. shortpainter

    shortpainter TrainBoard Member

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    We think alike, sir. A while back I considered the 902 couplers (and Rokuhan knuckles) and tried to fit them. The problem is the prototype has no walkway over the pilot. So to keep realistic proportions, you only got 1.25 mm to work with. In that space it's possible to put a pole to mount 902 couplers. Even so, the back of the coupler would be rubbing against the truck. That's without adding any spring mechanism to make them function. During my trials, I added extra room at the front/rear pilot and it no longer looked realistic. Imagine the MTL SD40-2 coupler box but bigger. Ugh. Below are some pictures to show the 902's size compared to the available space. If you guys want, I can make a plastic version of the shell to experiment with.
     

    Attached Files:

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  16. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Oh no, I'll be happy with the brass one as is. I will just use a 24' caboose as a permanently attached buffer car. :D
     
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  17. shortpainter

    shortpainter TrainBoard Member

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    You should be able to fit the DZ126 decoder under the chassis in the fuel tank area. You will have to trim away some of the plastic from the trucks. You may have to trim some to the decoder itself, if possible. I left the fuel tank area open so people can add the shorty weights.

    IMG_2250.jpg
     
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  18. Chris333

    Chris333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Does this mean Shapeways brass is back in production?
     
  19. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    Amazing work, you are very clever !!!

    I now have hope that I can power my little N scale GE steeplecabs.
     
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  20. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Can you make .010" deep recesses on the interior for us to mount plastic window glazing sheet inside? And provide a cutting template, as I think window glazing and interior figures take these models to the next level. :D
     

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