Z Scale SW1200

shortpainter Jun 8, 2018

  1. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Hi, Matt
    I have purchased z scale decals from CMR and am happy with what I got. I bought 4 different roads for the safety striping . I have 4 different nose, sides, colors, etc...in actual z scale. I also use n-scale decals for some z projects. Look at the n scale decals offered for passenger cars, trailers, trucks, etc...for smaller sized n-scale decals. Unfortunately this method doesn't always come out as prototypical as it would if they were the correct size. I have posted on railimages section a photo of a NHRR 44 ton switcher. The decals on it are from a NHRR passenger car set of decals from Microscale. I can't believe you need a license to print model railroad decals. I keep meaning to go to the Mass College of Art near my place of employ and see if there are any graphic design students willing to do some custom work. If this ever happens, I'll let you know. Good luck in your quest. Jim
     
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  2. minzemaennchen

    minzemaennchen TrainBoard Member

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    Great news! Don’t have to think about the SW1500 anymore. Now the rest of the EMD switchers are missing! I assume they are not far away, time to retire my line up, honestly, never liked to build them
     
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  3. minzemaennchen

    minzemaennchen TrainBoard Member

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    BTW, did anyone install DCC into the SW1200? If so what’s the best speed setting(s)
     
  4. HoboTim

    HoboTim TrainBoard Supporter

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    But Gerd, your creations are amazing!
    To be able to create something flat with detail then fold and assemble it into its 3D completeness is not something everyone is capable of doing! Designing, etching, casting is not something everyone excels in nor wants to do. 3D printing is becoming the easy way out! Like the decals! Haven't heard anyone mention ALPS printers in years. You may not have liked assembling your beauties but they are amazing!
     
  5. shortpainter

    shortpainter TrainBoard Member

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    Same here. For the Conrail locomotive, I had to buy a couple different decal sets from CMR and also N scale decals direct from the MicroScale website. I did find another place to try here: http://www.circusdecals.com/ I have not contacted them yet. They have Union Pacific decals so that means they likely can do Southern Pacific, right?
     
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  6. woodworker19

    woodworker19 TrainBoard Member

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    I designed my SOO hood and number board black decals in PowerPoint and printed them on my inkjet printer. I was surprised how well the number boards printed. The white cab numbers are the smallest from an old HO scale numbers set. The fonts may not match exactly but, I still run a caboose on my trains so I do stray from reality a little bit. I'm happy with how it turned out.

    Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk
     
  7. minzemaennchen

    minzemaennchen TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Tim,
    Thanks for the kudos, but I think for a lot of designs etching becomes obsolete. There is still plenty of room for designs which rely on thin wall thickness or smooth surface finish, but for some shells 3D will make it, especially the case in brass bit, I don't like the plastic printing, but cast in brass makes it heavy and feeling precious like an etched model. Prices wise really no difference, adding all up.
     
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  8. shortpainter

    shortpainter TrainBoard Member

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    More news on future models. I finally figured out a good configuration for the motor and circuit board for a B unit(calf) shell. The first prototype will arrive in about two and a half weeks. My shorty should arrive from Amazon about the same time. It won't be long until these are ready.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. woodworker19

    woodworker19 TrainBoard Member

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    Great! Thanks for the continued development. I have another Shorty waiting for it.

    Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk
     
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  10. southernnscale

    southernnscale TrainBoard Supporter

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    Cool! I will need two of these! Will these have the same options as the other on hand rails?
     
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  11. shortpainter

    shortpainter TrainBoard Member

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    Yup. I plan on making kits for these, too.
     
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  12. shortpainter

    shortpainter TrainBoard Member

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    Updates on the calf units. The etched metal hand rail kits will come with four different types of pilot hand rails per fret so you can match your prototype. You will be able to make an EMD TR4, TR5, or TR6 type of cow/calf unit using a mix of the different hand rails in each kit. The first 3D printed prototype arrived yesterday and the shell looks great. The frame was a fail and needs a redesign.

    Bad news: I have not heard back from a my chemical etch supplier in a while. Anyone know a good etching company? Please send me a private message if you do, thanks.

    An optional draw bar kit will be available when the calf units launch.

    drawBar.jpg
     
  13. shortpainter

    shortpainter TrainBoard Member

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  14. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Excellent. The weathering on the boxcar is superb. I've got two of these waiting to go. I'm in the info gathering stage, i.e., I'm really lazy in the summer months. Jim
     
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  15. shortpainter

    shortpainter TrainBoard Member

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    The boxcar is a MTL factory weathered model. It's the "side B" of one their 2017 weathered releases. It's one of my favorite pieces of rolling stock.
     
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  16. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Kudos to MTL for a fine job. I'll have to look a little closer at their weathered series of cars. I'm not too interested in the graffiti look. The entire scene is brilliant. Has anyone added LED's to the SW's? Thanks for all you've done to advance the cause. Jim
     
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  17. shortpainter

    shortpainter TrainBoard Member

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  18. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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  19. mdvholland

    mdvholland TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you! I just placed my order. Haven't had time for the hobby for a while (vacation, home improvement chores..) but hope to get back to modelling and finish my SW1200. ZFrank gave me a great tip for decals but I think I will go the easy way and use Shortpainter's decals for now (@ZFRANK but thank you very much!)

    Cheers,
    Matt
     
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  20. southernnscale

    southernnscale TrainBoard Supporter

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    I Contacted CMR and talked to them about Z scale decals also and have ordered two sets of each CSX, N&S, Chessie!
     
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