CNJ DRX-6-4-2000 project

OK, the main painting is done. Still need to touch up the grills. Most models show them painted 2-tone, but the pics I have, at least in the original paint and on the 2nd batch all seem to show them being the same color. Whether that's how they were, or if they just got dirty really quickly (like the RDC roofs), I have no idea, but mine will remain black.

After attempting to scale the builder's plates down to a scale 8mm, I was able to get semi-legible ones at that size, but after several attempts, there was no way I was getting the lettering a different color than the background. That'd be fine for toothpaste stripe models, where they look like the entire plate is just green, but... I compromised, decided to go with a 3-dimensional plate without lettering, and just print the lettering as an insert. If you have REALLY good eyes, you can make most of it out...

Now to add the railings. I have some .020 brass which seems just a little too fine, have to see what else I can find locally or can order within a few days.

BTW, if your LHS doesn't have the K&S brass product that you need, your next best bet seems to be TrueValue. Around $2 per item (at least for 1/32" brass rods, your mileage may vary) with free ship to store.

Don't suppose anyone has any pictures of the cab interior on these? Closest I can find is an RF-16 Shark cab...

Shark has a stepped back wall, but since the engines are reversed in the DRX-6-4-2000 (cab-orientation wise), there'd be no need to bring in the center towards the cab. I assume there'd be a door (or doors, the RF-16 has one on each side, but there might only be one on these).

Probably not going to be super-detailed (haven't added the brake stand yet), and the scale of everything in the cab is subject to change, but here's where it stands so far:

Here's what I've got. This print is super-simplified, just for fitment. I have designed a brake stand, several other things that I don't have a clue what they are, fireman's seat, engineer, fireman, etc., but printing all each time would just be a waste of resin (and I'm running low), so they're not printed here. Early test showed that the handles need to be printed separately. Thought the chairs might need to be too, but they came out OK. Back on the chairs is only supported by 2 posts, one of which broke while cleaning, so I may go with a more robust design.

Main things I was trying to achieve: fit in the space correctly; match up with 2 pre-existing screw holes in the shell for mounting (and thankfully the same screws that hold the pilot on the trucks fit these. I think I ordered like 20 when I needed 1 because the cost was the same); leave room to run wiring between the cab and the chassis for the headlight, classification lights, and number board LEDs. Nailed pretty much everything on the 5th try. Front detail is blurry in the pic, but here it is assembled:

Decals are in, waiting on the bi-color red/white LEDs for the classification lights, wire for the railings (just got word it's in), and then we're ready to move on to the final assembly stage. Here's where we stand with the interior. Engineer, fireman, speed recorder and the handles will be printed separately. Colors are just to make the objects easier to differentiate in the scene.

And we have the first printing (remember, handles and speed recorder will be added on):

While a lot of "behind the scenes" stuff goes on, there isn't a lot to see. Waiting for more resin (Sunday) to print the other cab and control handles (did figure out where the reverser goes!). Installed the couplers on both ends, and routed the wire up inside the chassis. Pilots are fitted, but I can't get to the screw to secure them. I think I'm going to have to drill through the chassis to provide access for a screwdriver. Once I drill the holes so I can mount the pilots, I'll see about re-mounting the electronics to the chassis. Then I'll secure the undercarriage details, and the chassis should be pretty much finished. Meanwhile, here's a pic of the body mounted on the chassis with the final pilot in place:

Feel like I'm finally making progress! Couplers and pilots fully mounted, undercarriage details mounted, electronics mounted to chassis (what fun that was to avoid the undercarriage mounting points). I probably need to lengthen a few wire runs to get it operational (and isolate the body from the chassis to get the TMCC working). Threw on the end decals as I don't picture handling them much, side decals will be applied right before I'm ready to clear-coat the chassis.

Added the numbers...

While I would never "try this at home" I've really enjoyed following your progress. Looking great!

@Scotie posted:

While I would never "try this at home" I've really enjoyed following your progress. Looking great!

Thanks! Believe me, many things I've done during this project were a 1st for me, and I've been like "can I really pull this off?". I literally learned a TON of things about printing with my resin 3D printer, among others...

Was at a baby shower in Point Pleasant most of the day, but I did manage to get this done... Oh and the bi-color LEDs for the marker lights shipped. Full speed ahead!

Hit everything (except the grills) with a coat of clear satin (which seems to me to be the closest to "O Scale passenger showroom finish", did my 3 Blue Comet cars with it, and they match the MTH factory painted ones very closely). Printed the other cab, drilled both cabs to ensure levers can be attached (very small openings have a habit of closing when printing resin). Now both cabs and the engineer and fireman need painted, once that's done they can be installed in the shell. All the big things are done, now it's "death by 1000 cuts" until it's finished...

Noticed a problem when I posted this pic. That's the front end, but there's no builder's plate. Seems I put them in the same location on both sides. Was able to detach it with an exacto knife (thank God it was on with krazy glue and not JB Weld!). Left a mess under it though. Had to sand, repaint the area, and then re-clearcoat the entire thing when I got home from work today. UGH!

Number board, builder's plate, headlight lens. Classification light LEDs should be here Saturday. Windshield is (hopefully) printing. Engineer and fireman are painted. Want to get the windows in before I attempt mounting the cabs (which are currently primed, but not painted).

Still have to install the control handles in the cab, if I could manage to get 2 full sets printed. Stuff that tiny isn't easy...

I have printed (paper, not 3D) gauges in the console now, and a printed back cab wall. There's supposed to be a printed dial for the speed recorder, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to cut out a circle that small... Painting the cab tomorrow (mainly the seat cushions and the controller handles), touching up the crew, then I should be ready to install them.

Cab windshield should be just about done, had to tweak it a couple of times, and it's an hour between tweaks to see if it was enough. Last print was very close, but no cigar.

We have handles! Of course, the reverser is only in the end with the crew, as it should be. Still working on getting the dials in the speed recorders... The entire cab was designed on the computer, based on a few RF-16 cab photos (and modified because there's no HEP equipment behind the cab on this engine like there is on the RF-16, Baldwin located it in the center between the engines), 3d printed in one piece except for the speed recorders and control handles.

Windows and rear cab installed. Needed to check for clearance for LEDs for the number boards and classification lights. Bi-color LEDs still slated for a Saturday delivery (and since I'm having a BBQ, that's more like a Sunday or Monday install), have extra wiring coming in tomorrow. Miss having Radio Shack around! Still need to add the door window "glass".

We’re you in the beach or boro? My first house was on River Rd. in the boro. My three girls were all born at Pt. Pleasant Hospital just down the road, it’s a shame it’s gone. Whenever we visit the area we pass our old house then go over to Manasquan Inlet. Spent many nights, during my younger days, at the inlet watching the submarine races!!

@Trainmstr posted:

We’re you in the beach or boro? My first house was on River Rd. in the boro. My three girls were all born at Pt. Pleasant Hospital just down the road, it’s a shame it’s gone. Whenever we visit the area we pass our old house then go over to Manasquan Inlet. Spent many nights, during my younger days, at the inlet watching the submarine races!!

Beach. It was held at Jenkinson's Inlet. They're ridiculous, charge you through the nose for the event, charge $25 per vehicle for parking, and then won't even reserve you any spots. Lot was full by 11 AM for a 12 noon event, nobody could park. And that's PRE-memorial day. Going to be a zoo this summer. About the only place I'd hit is Point Lobster, mid-week, other than that, I stay away. Over in Manasquan, the Squan tavern isn't bad, but another place I'd only go mid-week this time of year.

I've heard stories about those submarine races, a true sight to (not) behold!

Magnificent job!!!

Here's where we stand at the moment...

Note the builder's plate just in front of the cab door. Shame they didn't run the Blue Comet another 7 years, or we might have seen something like this!

Front cab isn't installed yet, have to investigate some clearance issues between the cab and the number boards. Nothing a dremel and a good bit of cursing can't fix!

Still to do (in no particular order): Railings, LED wiring and installation, cab door steps installation, side door steps installation, door window "glass" (once I get all the glue off my fingers from the cab window "glass" installation), electrically isolate the chassis from the body so the TMCC works.

This last one could be the hardest. I've already got nylon bolts cut to the correct length, but fitting the kapton tape between the chassis and body could be tricky. The fun when you try and fit a chassis made for a thinner plastic shell inside a thicker die-cast body. I've already removed metal from each to get them to mate correctly, but is it enough to allow for the tape thickness? If not, out comes the dremel and more cursing. Tune in next week and see!

BTW, those Lackawanna MU units in the background will be getting some owl eyes and PRR paint once this beastie is done...

I worked for Jenkinson’s when the family still partially owned it in the 70’s. Used to paint, make candy, and run the beach train. In middle May dig out the tracks for the beach train, was always a rush to get the track cleared and train out of storage and on tracks for Memorial wknd. There used to be a two story concrete storage building in their inlet parting lot. The pavilion at the inlet was still standing and being used in the 70’s, used to be amusement rides by the pavilion too but they disappeared in the 60’s after hurricane Donna. Was in a Jersey Mike’s here in FL and saw a wallpaper pic of me running the train. Have been buying Mike’s Subs since 1958!

Heck, if it was the early 70's you might have been running the beach train when I rode it! We'd hit Asbury Park more often (back when it WAS Asbury Park, before the fall), but I loved the beach train down at Point Pleasant. Think we hit the shore less and less as Asbury Park got worse.

Finally got the speed recorder dials on! Has to be less than 1/16th of an inch diameter...

Anything else will have to wait until later in the weekend, have a BBQ to prepare for.

I'd like to thank the USPS for keeping my LEDs in Oklahoma city for 6 days (so far). No idea when they'll get here, was supposed to be 2 days ago. Meanwhile, everything BUT the LEDs is re-wired and ready to go. Cab door windows are installed. All railings and grab irons except the side door ones are installed. Getting really close to done.

Don’t forget, side window frames are silver (stainless steel). Check the pic I sent you a while back. Your model is turning out fantastic! I’m jealous!

@Trainmstr posted:

Don’t forget, side window frames are silver (stainless steel). Check the pic I sent you a while back. Your model is turning out fantastic! I’m jealous!

The frames that slide are silver, there's pics of it a bit back in the thread.

And the LEDs are in. Of course, wiring them up is another matter entirely. Not to mention getting the cabs back in (currently full of wire, as can be seen in the pic). And yes, that IS a reverser handle behind the engine, just not one for a Baldwin...

The classification lights can be white, red or off (not planning on running any second sections, so no need for green. It was hard enough finding the red/white LEDs). Figuring out what to hook them to is another story. Nobody on earth seems to know the pinouts of the LCRU I have (which was originally from the "donor" engine, a Lionel SF PA-1). I've figured out much of it, but as for light polarity, AC or DC, it's all a guess. Going to have to bench it out and see if I can figure it out. Some of these "guesses" are from similar boards, I have no idea if they're active or the same on this one, a 691-PCB1-01B. Just in case you're playing along at home, here's what I've got so far:

J1 - sound connector

Pin 1 – volt +

Pin 2 – volt -

Pin 3 - ?

Pin 4 – serial data

J2 - couplers

Pin 1 – front coupler

Pin 2 – rear coupler

J3 - program switch

Pin 1 – program switch

Pin 2 – program switch

J4 - lights and smoke

Pin 1 – rear headlight

Pin 2 – front headlight

Pin 3 – constant lights

Pin 4 – light ground

Pin 5 - smoke

Things have somewhat been on hold until I can test out the LCRU board's  outputs. Got the railings installed for both the side doors, and the rollers finally came in for the test track that I need to test the LCRU, so...

I could just leave the rear part off, as it's not needed for this locomotive, but included it for the pic. Test track (unextended) is 26", and should be long enough for anything I ever throw at it (especially since the longest engine I have is my 2-8-2 Heavy Mike. Power is plugged in via banana plugs at the end, and runs to the whole thing. Now once I test the board's outputs, I can figure out how to wire up the LEDs.

Gunrunner John may be able to provide you with the info you need. He’s always on the forum, try contacting him.