Here's a new project that just went up on Shapeways. These parts replace the end panels of the Walthers Proto Budd Big Dome. Walthers put out some BNSF and ATSF business cars this year, but not all the details are correct. The Walthers model reuses the standard parts from previous releases, but the prototype has been updated with HEP and other modernized components. The stock Walthers model better represents an as-built ATSF car with steam heating. These new parts address the shortcomings of the original. They have HEP sockets, red marker light housings, and a new door frame to add tubular diaphragms. This was the real motivation for the project. The stock sprung diaphragms are a bit chunky and it's difficult to modify the end for the newer style, so I just decided to print new ones and fix all the details in one go. Here you can see the differences between the two ends. The vestibule end of the car is open, so there is no end door. The opposite end has some additional grab irons and steps above the HEP sockets. The little tabs on the top of the stiffener ribs are for stanchion mounting. The BNSF Bay View has a railing around the roof of the car. The underside of the car has additional HEP wiring, and I may make those parts available on Shapeways too. I have some new cable hanger cleats and junction boxes, but I need to finish the installation myself before I make them available. I want to make sure all the dimensions work out so I can confidently post a good product.
