MY SD40-2 IN 3D

jpv, it just gets better and better!!

Dan Weinhold

Many thanks, Dan!

jpv in France

Truly impressive. To draw a locomotive (any locomotive) on a computer is a HUGE undertaking. The engineering that goes into the making is not a small task. Looking at your model and comparing it to my Overland... you win! 😁👍🏼

Well done on your part, and I will be following this thread!

James

E21 James posted:

......To draw a locomotive (any locomotive) on a computer is a HUGE undertaking...

Working on it!

JP's project inspired me to get moving on my own version.  My plan is to build the frame from etched metal and machined parts, with the superstructure being assembled from a combination of 3d printed, resin cast, and Atlas parts.  This project is on hold at the moment since it was a distraction from the project I should be working on.  I really should finish one thing before I start another, but it's hard to do sometimes.

Looking great so far JPV!
Jim

Well, James, thank you for your comment; it's very kind! I've never seen an Overland model but the comparison makes me ; I don't think I can reach their level; it's too high for me! Your're right when you say that the drawing is a huge undertaking and these of Jim are also the proof.

Jim, hello, happy to see your drawings; it will be a fantastic model! thanks for your comment. As you told me one day, I will certainly use some Atlas parts; I have seen on their website that they were not expensive but they don't inevitably have all the necessary; but it's better than nothing!

See you soon

jpv in France

Some progress on this engine:

The two end platforms are done and in place on the chassis:

The fuel tank is also in place but just to see if all is ok and it's good!

And a closer view:

Next to be printed: air tanks, snow plow and coupler pocket.

I will have to buy a 3D printer..............

jpv in France

You should check out Layout_loE or he6agon on Shapeways.  They do lots of stuff like you are describing in HO and have been very receptive to upscaling their parts to O Scale.

Thanks, RDU. It remains to be seen if their parts are compatible with mine: same dimensions, thickness,  assembly with my pieces, etc...! but it's a good information you gave me.

jpv in France

Today, I cut the walkways; I have bought the Ho pattern; The O scale is too big.

They are just put on the chassis to check the dimensions; they will be glued when the shell will be fixed, not before.

jpv in France

While I'm waiting 3D parts to be delivered, I began to make the pipes which run everywhere along the sides of the chassis.

I wondered how to do but I have found a solution to this problem: very thin electric wire (0,5 mm diameter) supported by  pieces in U shape (EVERGREEN channel 2,5 x 1 mm) cut in 1 mm width.

I first made a template in a 2D drawing to have the exact space between U pieces; I re-do it to know how many wires I have to lay down!

I will have to draw other templates for other areas of the chassis.

It's time consuming but I think it will be fine.

Now all is drying until tomorrow!

It's extremely inadvisable to do this work with mittens...........

jpv in France

Mittens, you say. I couldn't this bare fingered.

Dick

Well Dick, I was helped by tweezers!

Here is the first side of the chassis completed with pipes:

And a closer look of each end:

This afternoon (for me) other side!

Now it's time to have lunch!

jpv in France

Again. You do beautiful work!

If it helps, each traction motor has 3 cables coming out of them. If I can find the diagram i’ll post it for you as to where they came out at what TMs they went to. 

James

Many thanks for your comment and your help, James!

jpv in France

jpv69 posted:

Many thanks for your comment and your help, James!

jpv in France

Well i just looked at my comment and my finger must have slipped. Each Traction Motor has 4 cables coming from them. Not 3. 😅

no problem!

james

After your answer, it's funny because I asked to myself the same question! according to the drawing I have, I found 4 cables going inside the truck! 

Errare humanum est 

Bonjour de France

jpv

E21 James posted:

Well i just looked at my comment and my finger must have slipped. Each Traction Motor has 4 cables coming from them. Not 3. 😅

It makes more sense: three phases and one neutral wires.

Yves

Looks great! 

Thanks Eric!

jpv

I received these parts:

The snow plow will be installed when I will get the detail parts for the front face (air hoses, brackets for lift bar, etc..)

Today I fixed the coupler pockets:

The last two parts are the air tanks; I have to improve them with pipes before gluing on the chassis. It's the work for this afternoon!

jpv in France

I have written something wrong: the air tanks are not glued on the chassis but on the fuel tank! if I had done this, some screw holes would have been blocked!

So, now they are glued on the chassis with some pipes added:

On the 2 photos above, you can see the 2 screw holes at each end for the assembly under the chassis.

It lacks yet some other details:  parts in order from PSC (fuel filler, gauge, etc...).

jpv in France

I told you some days ago about a new project after the SD 40 I'm working on, making the design at this day.

Here it is:

An AEM 7; not yet finished, of course! it will be made like the sd 40, in 3D printing.

Another shot: close up of the cab interior:

Last shot, a photomontage:

The tracks come directly from the 3D Warehouse of SKETCHUP, on the other hand, the catenary gantry is a model I'm building.

But now, back to the SD 40!

jpv in France

Your talents working with plastic is mind boggling.   This is just one incredible model.   

Butch

Thanks for your comment, Butch! I'm 

jpv in France

Some little progress on the SD40-2.

Now detailing the front and back faces of the chassis:

Parts are from PSC; the cut bar is home made with some bad welding in the middle of the part......................; will try to get them better in sanding with my mini drill........Sure I'm not a weld expert........next, the back face.

Just lacks a hose near the coupler pocket but I have to modify it because of the snow plow......

jpv in France

This is amazing. So very inspiring.

Wow, JPV!  First your container well cars, now this. I haven't commented yet, but tres bien!! I've wanted to make a SD40-2F for years. Maybe this is the motivation I need to finally start!

Rob

Thanks Dan!

Rob, thanks too! If this thread can give you the starting signal, I will be happy for you.

jpv in France

It's been a long time, but many other things to do in my apartment turned me away of the 1/48 scale!!!

Among those things, I built this kit with a friend of mine (no connection at all with the railway modelling but very useful !!!):

Back to the 1/48!

I received two days ago the front short hood: 

I made an attempt, inserting a brass access door latch to see if it fitted: good result.

Unfortunately, a significant default appeared on one side:

Impossible to correct without breaking the part!

To make the printing easier, I reinforced on the 3D drawing the box by thickening the inner side; I made the same thing on the shell after the cab, everywhere I found these latches holes and there are many others too!

So I asked my "3D guy" to re-do this piece and I have to wait again............sorry!

jpv in France

Hi all,

It's been a long time but events have moved me away from 1/48 scale for a while...........

Now, it's behind me and I can come back to my hobby!

Well, the first attempt of the front hood was not a success! I asked my 3D guy to re-do that part; the second one is not a success too!!!!! some defects are still here and it's not possible to work correctly with such a piece!

So now, I'm waiting for the third time to have a new one, hoping better!!!!!

Meanwhile, I worked on the doors that I have had to separate from the 3D shell for more simplicity in the 3D printing process; so these doors are made of 0,25 mm thick styrene and will be glued on the shell; the hinges are made of styrene strip (0,25 mm thick, 1 mm width and 2 mm long) and a rod of 0,5 mm diameter that I will add after.

Good news all the same: my Dash 8 40CW (ATLAS) is scheduled to arrive at the end of this month (I ordered it in GERMANY - AM SPUR NULL HOBBY SHOP).

See you soon

JPV in France

Doors completed with all these tiny pieces which often prefer to go for a walk when you want to catch them! calm and quietness are advised!!!!

jpv in France

Even if the front hood has yet some defaults (third 3D printing attempt!), I put the different parts on the chassis and to judge the unity; front hood and front cab made with resine, part in light grey (primer) made with ABS, chassis and fuel tank ABS too.

I also changed my mind about the paint scheme; I will certainly paint this engine in a lease color, much rare and never done in O scale (I think) than classic companies (UP, CSX, etc...) and easier to do too........

I really like this one:

And a light weathering will suit to this engine!

jpv in France

First doors with hatches I had in stock:

Three of them desappeared from the sprue.........

jpv in France

JPV, Very impressive level of detail you have going on the SD40-2!  My knuckles are already hurting with those latches!

Thanks Mike for your comment! 

Hello all,

Long and necessary break for some different reasons..............and one in particular: my main computer broke down! I have another one in the living room where I could put some directories before the screen of the other become all black!!! I have to wait the next week to have a repairer at home!

I worked again on this engine, but I have modified my point of view a little bit: in fact, all in 3D is quite impossible for one main reason: as soon as a part reaches a certain dimension, the price to print it becomes exponential: for exemple, the long hood behind the cab. So I decided to take again my cutter and my rule to make it at a more affordable cost.

The doors are now glued on the frame and all the hinges are made (tedious work with very little parts - strips and rods - to fit together!); I have to re order door latches.

But I kept the roof in 3D resine printing; too hard to drill 20 mm diameter holes for the fan housings in a 2 mm sheet of styrene!

The resine breaks like glass and it happened to me on this part! hopefully, the break is hidden and reinforced by the exhaust stack glued on!!!

I just added rivets and lift rings on and the exhaust stack (also in 3D/resine); I find it's not too bad like that.

The 2 following parts have been re done in styrene too: their appearance in 3D was not like I wanted; I just keeped for the first one the fan grille in resine.

I also changed the lift ring for a little bigger ones.

On the other hand, this one is fully re done in styrene, always for a better appearance.

With these modifications, I will have a better model.

Next week,  I will give some other little parts to make in 3D to complete this long hood and after that, I began to do the cab.

jpv in France

JPV.

I have to say it ! "Tour de Force" or in English,

Exceptional creative achievment.

Thanks for posting. Roo.

yes it is tedious work, but your results are outstanding!

Thanks to all for your kind comments!

I forgot to say: fan housings come from ATLAS; kind of part hard to do in 3D (not the drawing but the making!); door latches come from PSC.

jpv in France

Layout_IoE on Shapeways has made, what I think, are some excellent fans.  Sometimes things don't show up in 1/48 on the website but if you ask him.