Since I started this journey, I have been very interested in building some shells. To this point, the coarseness of the Detail materials, and the required thickness of walls have combined to be restricting factors.

With the dual announcements of the Thek chassis, and Shapeways Frosted Ultra Detail.. things have aligned such that the time is now here.

I wanted to start with a switcher similar to this but I couldn't find good dimensions.


Reading some, I found that often older engines were often chopped up to make yard switchers.
Quite literally, I did that myself for this model. I started with this drawing:


I then chopped it down to a single truck, shortened the nose, etc. Here's the resulting computer model:


Here's the first test print (thanks to Karin for the pics!):




A couple of notes: The model needs a bit of tweaking. I need to open up the area below the couplers, and I'd like to smooth the roof over the cab more than it currently is. I'll get those changes done very soon.

I guess picking a name of "GS1" was unfortunate, because I want to go back and attempt the proto GS1. If anyone can suggest a name.. I'll be happy to change it.

For any visitors not familiar with the websites:
Stone Bridge Models LGThek Chassis
GS1 Shell on Shapeways

Looks like an HO Hustler of the 50's to me. Bought one back then at the local drugstore for all of $14.95 ( Included engine, two, cars, caboose, ovaltrack, and small transformer)Only thing different is this one looks like it has hand rails and the cab is liitle higher to look over the engine cowl.
Dwight

Stony, I second Dwight's suggestion. I like "Hustler" very much. And the shell turned out very well. It looks like there is some room over the motor, to help weight the shell down?

And to take a step back in time, yes I remember the drug stores... but, I also remember we had a 'Dime Store' too. It was always fun going in them.

Stony-- as this is a generic shell ( and a work still in progress)- with no SPECIFIC model-- I would add other details... A whistle on top of the cab, a bell ( could be just a bump) on the front and top of the hood, some details on the lower side skirts over wheels, spliting the cab side windows, and maybe a slight visor over windows on front of cab.
Looks like there is a coupler up front but not on the back??
You may delete any and all suggestions.
Fred

Well.. as much as I like the name Hustler.. That name is taken, and I was considering doing one of those too:
Porter Huster (HO)

Anyone like the name Bravado?

One of the switchers I looked up had a plain flat side and they talked about the fact that they had welded a peice of ordinary sheet metal across the side .. to keep idle hands and feet away from the moving parts. The reason you see 'details' on the side of the GS1 is that you're actually looking at the side of the truck itself.

I made a hole on both ends for couplers.. It looks like I need to just extend the hole so that it drops all the way to the bottom. (?someone gave me bad dimensions?)

Fred.. the whistle is blowing.. you've got mail.

What do you think about the name the "Rebel" or the "Lil Rebel"?

Stony,
The Porter Hustler (HO) is what I have been thinking of putting on top of a Marklin 0-6-0 steamer. I'd have to remove the siderods but it might work.

A few updates.. smoother/shorter roof.. opened the coupler slots, added rungs below the steps.

Looking better, Stony!
I like some of Fred's suggetions. Any chance to add some details to the side-skirts?

A bit of detail:

stonysmith wrote:


Okay... okay... BUT... are those Z-scale springs?

And... and... what about rivets? Can you make Z-scale rivets?

Another update.. closing in on final..

Stony, the little detail is coming along rather well.

Ok, on a geeky note, you could use the name "The Hull". As in George Hull, the father of stereolithography (1986). Link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereolithography

Hate to be a nit-picker but these did produce heat, no exhust or fan?
Other wise detail looks great. Suggest using a modified Micro Trains GP9 Horn modified instead of a molded one.
Dwight

soccrdad30 wrote:


John, don't you mean the Hulk? After all, this is such a monster.

theshylion wrote:


Dwight, you do have a good point, but you'll have to convince Stony to either add a stack or perhaps make the exhaust yourself.

I don't know, what do you think guys? Would something this small need an official exhaust stack? See how little I know about trains.......

stack would look nice-- as would a GPS antennae and whip with squirrel's tail.
signed,

You going to have a molded headlight? Perhaps make it hollow so an LED can be placed there. Or you could go for one of those big honkin searchlight headlights.

Fred wrote:

Fred.. I will be happy to attach a cat's whisker as the antenna. YOU get to tell Peg why you're taking scissors to the cat

Kelley wrote:


Yes, I added a bit of indentation inside to facilitate positioning a LED better. I am leaving the headlight solid on the outside, but you can easily drill it out and get access to the cavity behind. I would however give some thought to using fiber optic in this case. Another choice.. This material is very translucent. A LED under the shell pretty much anywhere will shine deep into the darkness.

This is starting to look like a Davenport engine I used to watch as a kid:
www.bcrhs.org/Boulderrail/history/gwr/sugar.html