I recently got an email from a new Z scale modeler who was looking for an SD70ACe shell kit that I made some time ago. He saw the one on ebay that someone had put up there to auction a few days ago but missed getting it. I suggested he post a message to the more popular Z forums to ask fellow modelers if anyone had an SD70ACe shell that they wanted to part with. I am not sure what he is willing to pay for one, but I will remind you guyz who got them that you paid $40 for each kit. I don't know what the shell went for on ebay. If it was alot perhaps I need to make some more SD70ACe shell kits!!!! NOT!!!!!!! LOL If anyone wants to part with their shell, let me know or post a reply. I'll pass any info on to the fellow modeler. ThankZ!!! Hobo Tim
Hmmm Sounds Nice. Is there a chance on another run on the shells being made. What motor did you put them on? are there any RTR SD70ACe models ready... The Steaks
Steak, we use a SD70 Chassis for the Ace shell. I dont think there are SD70Ace models ready to run, but you can ask Gerd if he has any left. He can custom build one for you.
http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?93515-SD70ACe-UP-D-amp-RGW-Heritage-unit/page30 I don't have the master to make more molds. I do have a casting of one, but it is slightly shrunk from the master. If I make a mold of the casting, the new pour will have shrunk even more and might not fit over the AZL chassis. Or, I could make my own SD70ACe master shell and mold/cast off of it. This is not good as my mind is now thinking of ways to do this!!! Hobo Tim
I could try to make another. What if I've lost my touch? Let me look at what I have. The problem is I don't know if I have any more louvred sections. Dave f.
I've got one, no time to build it, nor a mech to put it on. Whever Tim's asking price was so any moons ago is my price, plus postage. PM me if interested...
I sent the guy an email just now letting him know about your offers. His name is Laszlo I believe. Thanks Hobo Tim
A recent USPS mail delivery produced a surprise of two SD70 shells done up in the UP paint scheme. I have completely disassembled one of them for an alcohol bath to remove all paint. I will then proceed to modify and detail the shell to create an SD70ACe body as close as I can to the level of detail that David Freehling put into his original SD70ACe shells. RP material? Shapeways is continuing to excel in their perfection of RP material printing, but some, like myself, still consider the material to be too crude or too brittle for fine details. I also know that an SD70ACe RP body is in the works by Allan Borg. If you check out his Shapeways page you will see he has a cab artwork created but not for sale. http://www.shapeways.com/model/632377/sd70ace-cab1.html I supplied Allan with the etched brass artwork I created a few years back for the handrails and the side panels. I do not know where he is in his business venture with the SD70ACe but I am hoping he will chime in to let us know otherwise I will be proceeding, at between a snails pace and that of a Tasmanian Devil in creating this shell for resin duplication. Allan, are you out there???? What is your progress on the SD70ACe project? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you are like me and prefer a resin casting of a loco shell over an RP version, please state your preferences to this thread!!! What do you prefer? Hobo Tim
Well, I am nearly finished with my prioritized project of getting some RTR Maxi IV's out there. After that is done I will be modifying this newly stripped SD70 shell I have and turning it into a new SD70ACe shell!!! I do have a question though! Would a main body made out of brass be better than a resin shell? Maybe make the cab out of resin and a brass etched shell body? Just asking! What are your thoughts??????? Hobo Tim
If you make it out of brass, you will be developing a skill that will allow you to make any loco you want down the road. Look at Gerd, he has developed that skillset, and look at what he's doing now!
Thanks Robert! But I'm not touching brass apart from some very fine mesh and louvers. Nickel-silver is much more durable. Tim, if you do the main body with etched parts I would go the whole way and do the cab too. Would be a much more valuable loco than resin, at least for me. Don't forget: the real thing is not made from resin or plastic...
