Searail engine shells

minzemaennchen Apr 1, 2009

  1. DPSTRIPE

    DPSTRIPE TrainBoard Supporter

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    To illustrate Eddies point.....
    I plan on using a pair of them to pull hoppers, so, I don't think they will look bad. The extra 18 scale inches of height isn't as noticible with nothing to compare it to. That's the same reason I generally don't run AZL and MTL locs on the same train. And, it will look much better than anything I could kitbash.

    Dan S.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. BNSF Dash 9

    BNSF Dash 9 TrainBoard Member

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    I'm just here to make sure Z scale goes in the right direction. :tb-wink:

    Looking at the photos it's not as bad as I thought. Thanks for posting those.
     
  3. DPSTRIPE

    DPSTRIPE TrainBoard Supporter

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    It's off by just under a tenth of an inch. That's why I figured if there were no other locs around it wouldn't be too obvious. After I modify the trucks, I might try to lower the shell a bit, if there is enough clearance for the new sideframes.

    Dan S.
     
  4. minzemaennchen

    minzemaennchen TrainBoard Member

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    Will be interesting to see the shell painted, I'm mainly interested in the surface quality, the dimension might not be 100%, but we all love our MTL GP9 and GP35, Lajos SW1, etc.....:)
     
  5. DPSTRIPE

    DPSTRIPE TrainBoard Supporter

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    Gerd,
    Hopefully someone else posts pictures of a painted shell. My painting skills leave a lot to be desired.
    Dan S.
     
  6. Z_thek

    Z_thek TrainBoard Member

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    "If anyone has actual dimensions for an RS2..."

    Here are two key dimensions: the real thing's width is 10'-0", and the height is 14'-5" (about 6" lower than the GP9).

    Lajos
     
  7. Searails

    Searails TrainBoard Member

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    PAINTED ALCO

    Thanks to this forum for the critiques.

    Soon, and with the clients' permission, we'll post a painted Long Island RR ALCO shell by KAT, and a D&H BLW RF-16 A-B-A by Nancy.

    Additionally, we will send complete illustrated preparation, mounting, and painting instructions to all clients

    Jim

     
  8. harold grady

    harold grady TrainBoard Member

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    Sea Rails I am just drooling over your announcement of a forthcoming
    U-30 shell to be fitted over an AZL SD-70 drive.

    I am a hardcore GE and EMD fan. However today I just mailed off an order for your Alco shell out of curiosity, really desiring the U-30 shell.
    How soon will it be released and the price?
     
  9. Cleantex

    Cleantex TrainBoard Member

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    Like the boss was here,
    perhaps I find some answer for my questions :

    1. What is exactly the "pollution" stuff on the shell to remove ?
    2. Is Ultrasonic cleaning suitable ?
     
  10. Glenn Woodle

    Glenn Woodle TrainBoard Member

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    The Lionel series goes back to 1996. All of the items are made to "fit the box", and may not be exactly Z/N scales. From 2005 on, they have added cars that can go with the engines.

    A second item to watch for is the collection of churches. They may be small enough to represent a neighborhood size church. They are supposed to be lighted by adding a bulb in the back from your existing light string. They can be modified (new roof, steps, etc) to fit into a Z/N scale scene.

    New 2009 items may be viewable for Hallmark club members already. Some will be available a Saturday in mid-July.
    It may be best to start a new Hallmark post in the Cattle Car section. Open to modelers of all scales!
     
  11. Searails

    Searails TrainBoard Member

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    U-30 shell

    We are finishing the U-30 3D CAD model.
    In a week we will produce a first "proof" model.
    We will then make perception and fit modifications.
    Price is based on 3D and reservation volume, but will be close to the ALCO/BLW shells.
    Since the U-30 is larger in size it will be slightly more.

    Reservations will be taken beginning tomorrow at;

    SEARAILS Museum Quality Scale Models

    Jim

     
  12. Searails

    Searails TrainBoard Member

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    cleaning of a SEARAILS shell

    The shell is supported by a material similar to wax while it is being produced.
    First, we try to remove all of the wax using an high pressure air brush and water.
    Next, we use #6311 “SCAT” Wax & Grease Remover – search the web for accurate and detail user information.
    Finally, with a rubber tooth pick and a baby's toothbrush, we try to remove the wax remaining in the small surface details.
    We have not tried ultrasonic cleaning.

    La coquille est soutenue par un matériel semblable pour cirer tandis qu'elle est produite. D'abord, nous essayons d'enlever toute les cire utilisant une brosse et une eau d'air à haute pression. Après, nous employons le #6311 « SCAT » ; Solvant de graisse - recherchez le Web l'information précise et de détail d'utilisateur. En conclusion, avec une sélection de dent en caoutchouc et une brosse à dents pour des enfants, nous essayons d'enlever la cire restant dans les petits détails extérieurs.

    Nous n'avons pas essayé le nettoyage ultrasonique.
     
  13. Cleantex

    Cleantex TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Jim,

    Thanks for your answer. If it is wax, it should go away easy in cold water
    with Ultrasonic cleaning. I use it for the cleaning of difficult parts in Slot
    Machines, and the result is fantastic. It is just necessary to try out on your
    stuff. If I pass some order, could be interesting to have some samples
    (broken and not or bad cleaned) to make a try out. But perhaps you may have
    also some possibility to use an ultrasonic cleaner for test purpose.
     
  14. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Oh, man!! I just got an idea stuck in my head! How easy would it be to bash the U30c into a U25c, and put the Hallmark "Alco PA" truck side frames on it, and paint it NP?!?:teeth:
     
  15. Alaska Railroader

    Alaska Railroader TrainBoard Supporter

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    Armand, I would use caution with the ultrasonic cleaner. I have used them for 30 years and for some plastics it breaks it down after multiple uses. That was for plastic jars. This more fragile plastic might be more easily broken or weakened by the ultrasound. If you put your finger in an ultrasonic while it is turned on you can feel a slight pain. I think this could cause damage to your model. Do you have any MakeMyModel pieces? If so you might want to try one of them in your ultrasonic first. As a jeweler we NEVER put opals, emeralds, or pearls in the ultrasonic because it would fracture them. Just something to think about before you put something expensive into it...
    Karin
     
  16. Fred Ladd

    Fred Ladd TrainBoard Member

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    Now why would anyone stick a finger in an ultrasonic cleaner to get pain--- sortta like liking an electric fence.
    Annonamouse
     
  17. Alaska Railroader

    Alaska Railroader TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well Fred, anyone who works with ultrasonics already knows that their fingers don't belong in it. But sometimes you have an occasion to reach in for a quick grab at a part. That is when you find out what it feels like. It isn't like electrical, not THAT painful but after a second or two it you start feeling it. And that is exactly why I caution someone with delicate, and expensive, acrylic pieces to be absolutely sure before trying it out on the real thing. It would be nice for Searails to try a scrap piece in a strong ultrasonic to see if their clients can rest assured it will pass the test for them. My 2 cents worth.
     
  18. HoboTim

    HoboTim TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hmmmmmm

    If I recall correctly, I believe Mark Gasson uses an Ultrasonic cleaner to clean his RP items. Also recall reading that he has a time limit and that too long of a bath will fracture the RP material.

    This topic of Jim and the MMM guys being begged to use an ultrasonic cleaner in the past, goes back a few years. Perhaps the material they use compared to Mark Gasson, can't take the "pain" of ultrasound. Have yet to hear that they have tried!!! Always a first though!!! Chime in Jim!!!

    When it comes to Jim's items, I use lots of patience and an abundant amount of time along with a hobby knife, toothpicks, stiff bristle paint brushes and other small oddities to remove the waxy stuff from the items I have prepped for painting. I think I set aside 1+ hours to clean just one of the large bull dozers. Slow and easy!!!

    You want the detail, well it will require some work to get it!

    Hobo Tim

    p.s. Fred, do you go around licking electrified fences?
     
  19. Joe D'Amato

    Joe D'Amato TrainBoard Member

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    We still haven't seen one of these with paint on it. Somebody must have at least put a coat of primer on a shell? Pics anyone??

    Joe
     
  20. david f.

    david f. TrainBoard Supporter

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    i just got back from california and got my first look at the shell. i like it! there may be some size exaggerations, but overall it looks about right. i will soon have it painted and lettered in a beautiful Rio Grande "tiger stripe" scheme, but right now i have to re-assimillate myself to my regular responsibilities and schedule.

    there are a few detail changes i need to make to make it accord with the Rio Grande's RS3s (dual lights, different exhaust stack and placement, battery boxes in front of the cab doors on both sides, and removal of the snow plows (that's sad!). it appears that the shell will fit on the MTL chassis with the circuit board intact (height wise). i'm not sure about the LEDs fitting in there, but i haven't looked that closely yet.

    so as soon as i can manage some time to paint, i'll have a picture. all in all i'm glad i got it. it's the only game in town, as they say, for an RS3, but still a great first effort. thanks and congratulations to Searails.
    dave f.
     

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