Here are some more pics of the DD35, this time weathered! And they are now available! http://www.shapeways.com/model/1054869/emd-dd35-n-scale-1-160.html?li=search-results&materialId=61 http://www.shapeways.com/model/1508...le-1-160.html?li=more-from-shop&materialId=61 A dummy unit should also be available soon. There will be a dummy on it's own, two dummies or powered unit and dummy. I can do 'Ready To Run' models as well fully painted and weathered if required, please PM me for that. -James
This is one loco that I have always loved. I never got a chance to see one though. I did however one time get to see a DD40AX pulling into Albina yard one time when I was about 7 or 8 years old. My Dad and I got to climb up into the cab. That was ONE impressive loco. Now if I didn't HATE UP so much I would probablly have to have one.
Wow...the surface on that print is sure rough. You need to try the toothpaste trick on 'em after you've de-waxed them and before you paint 'em. Use clear toothpaste (which is more abrasive than white) and a NEW medium toothbrush and carefully buff the model everywhere with lots of toothpaste and plenty of strokes. Although I haven't done it on any of my small RP Prints, the before and after photos of several products other modelers have bought or produced using Shapeways, both plain and detailed show a huge difference in the quality of the surface. I hate to say it, but I personally find that surface to not be acceptable. Cheerio! Bob Gilmore
Thanks Bob, do you have a link to one of the Shapeways modellers who has achieved a high quality finish using the FUD material? It'll be interesting to see the difference in their process. Cheers, -James
Yes that might be an option. I have no problem with SP, WP, MP, or D&RGW. I just cant stand Utterly Pathetic. I guess it goes back to the whole trademarking tactic that we all remember oh so well. And also a personal experience at Argo in Seattle. I drove by there one day while railfanning and was on the public access rd, was NOT trespassing when a UP clown (security officer) comes by and tells me if I dont leave the premisses immediately, he will have me arrested for criminal trespass. To me that was the last straw! I have absolutely NO desire to take a picture of anything UP now unless it is the 844, 3985 or soon to be the 4014. Ryan
Here's the link to HuskerN's blog and the page with the toothpaste technique and before & after photos. Lots to be learned from this site about Shapeways and RP printed models: http://www.nscaleaddiction.blogspot...0-05:00&max-results=20&start=29&by-date=false Let me add that some have used this technique and found it didn't make a difference, but overall, I'd say it works well for smaller surfaces. Like HuskerN has mentioned, perhaps a smaller toothbrush with shorter bristles would be more effective. It de-fuzzes the CB&Q 5' trucks (UP "Q" trucks) I buy from Eric Cox (Panamint Models) at Shapeways quite well, but, they are small. Cheerio! Bob Gilmore
Just an update on what we have been doing with he DD35, bobthebear has worked out a way to modify the DD40AX chassis so that you can now see through the corridor in the middle! The unit still runs just as well, but I think looks a lot better for it. -James
Well here is the next step, the DD35 Dummy..... I just need to do a few more checks, then they will be up for grabs. - James
Checks complete, everything fits! The DD35 dummy is now ready to be ordered, if you want one that is. I have designed the trucks to take 36" Fox Vally wheels (FVM3611) which fit perfectly and run much better that plastic ones, a few did not spin freely at first but once it had done a lap of the layout they all did. The truck also take a Micro-Trains N Scale body mount coupler (1015 or 1016). There is plenty of room inside for weight, it will need some. It is still in gray primer but I will have some photos of the powered and dummy units running together soon. The kits come in five flavors... One DD35 to be used with a modified Bachmann DD40AX. One DD35 dummy complete with chassis and trucks. Two DD35s to be used with modified Bachmann DD40AXs. One DD35 to be used with a modified Bachmann DD40AX & One DD35 dummy complete with chassis and trucks. Two DD35 dummys complete with chassis and trucks. The dummy and powered body shells are identical so if you get two powered shells then change your mind I have made the chassis and trucks available on their own here. There is a full set of instructions available on my blog site on how to modify the DD40AX chassis or I can do that for you. Cheers, -James
Thank you, James. This is a worthy effort. I just ordered a pair for the Bachmann chassis I had already started modifying for kitbashes from Atlas GP35 shells. I do have reservations about the output quality, however. Have you shopped around for rendering from somebody other than Shapeways?
Hi C855B and thanks. I haven't tried any other printers as of yet because I haven't found one that allows me to have a shop front the way the Shapeways does, however I am willing to have a go. - James
And here we have some shots of the two DD35 units together, one powered and the other a dummy. That's a lot of power! - James
Ah... you funny... an MP SD50 in yellow with DD35s. There is now a hole in spacetime. (For the peanut gallery... MPs SD50s didn't get yellow paint until '83. The very last DD35s were turned into Datsuns/Toyotas/whatever in 1981. For that matter, pretty much anything interesting on UP's roster was gone by the "Borg" mergers, or because of the mergers. It was a sad time for "classic" UP fans.) Just received word that Shapeways shipped my pair of DD35 shells. Will report back on arrival. While I'm here, James, Mark (Spookshow) mentioned that you were possibly doing the UP water bottles in their pre-modified configuration (smooth-side, with the jacketing intact). You still on board with that? And (hint hint) any thoughts about C855s? I have three Con-Cor U50 chassis ready and waiting to hack for such a project. You interested?
Hi C855B, Yep, per-rebuild tenders are almost done, hopefully finished this week. And as for the C855 well watch this space, the model has been started, there will be a powered A and B unity based on the Con-Cor U50/Turbine and a dummy A and B unit. As for the MP SD50, well it's the holidays, and it looks cool! Looking forward to seeing what you do with the DD35 shells. Happy new year to all! - James
Well, then Merry Christmas to me, James. I have been coveting (...obviously, you think?...) a brace of the big Alcos for decades. You've set a pretty high standard with the water bottles and what I see in the DD35 pix, so I'm certainly looking forward to great things. Thank you. ...mike
My fault with the MP SD50 Mike. I picked up the wrong loco for the photo! Didn't notice 'till afterwards.
James - received the Shapeways package today. Looks amazingly good "raw" - I'm quite impressed the long hood could be rendered without warping. However, I won't have a good assessment on any aliasing issues until next week, after it gets its solvent bath. It turns out my artist wife used the last of our Bestine stash without my knowing it, so a trip into "the big city" is needed to replenish before I start on this. Thanks for your efforts! I'll post progress (and/or the lack thereof).
