3D printing SP prototypes

[ATSF_Ron]

I was at a train show this weekend at CalExpo/Sacramento in northern CA.  Saw a really nice FREMO setup.  Just a couple days before going to the show, I ran across a local guy's web site who does 3D shell prints of some SP steam prototypes.  I met him at the show on Saturday.  The two pics I've included show tender and loco shells he makes.  These are sweet and designed to fit on the USRA light mike frame.  Theoretically they should also fit the heavy USRA as well.  I read somewhere that the mechanisms are the same.  The only differences being the boiler shell sizes/details.  I have several of these BLI steamers, but all are the USRA heavy type.  I'm definitely ordering a couple of those tenders to replace the USRA tenders on my SP units, but before I order the loco shells I need to verify they fit the heavy mike chassis.




His contact info is:  jordan@folsomlocoworks.store

He makes various MK series 2-8-2 shells as well as various tenders.  I believe he's on FB, but I don't have FB.  Anyway, I thought this was worth sharing for our fellow N scale SP fans out there!

ATSF_Ron

[James Costello]

Their Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/FolsomLocoWorks

[Brian M]

I've seen his posts on FB, certainly seems like some nice models.  Looking at his Etsy site, I see he offers dreadnaught ends for boxcars in different styles, and sized based on the dimensions you provide him.  That's a great idea, and something I've thought would be a nice offering in N scale for a while.

-Brian.

[chessie system fan]

Those boxcars look like the old Out of the Box Models files.  The molded on roofwalks and thick end details look the same to me.   But the other models look nice.

[ATSF_Ron]

My photos aren’t that great, but having seen these up close and in person, I’m very impressed with the Loco and tender shells. Interestingly, I was looking at scratch build options for one of the tenders and happened to see his FB posts while going down the SP rabbit hole. Less work for me and my shaky hands 😁

[garethashenden]

Those boxcars look like the old Out of the Box Models files.  The molded on roofwalks and thick end details look the same to me.   But the other models look nice.

From the description:

The original digital model for these cars was developed by Out of the Box Models, whose work laid the foundation for this project. Folsom Locomotive Works subsequently undertook a comprehensive redesign of the model, refining proportions, surface detail, and class-specific features to more closely match Southern Pacific prototypes.

[Mark5]

Liking those UTLX tank car decals. 

[ATSF_Ron]

Jordan confirmed for me that these do in fact fit the USRA heavy mechanism as well as the light. I ordered an MK5 shell as well as the whaleback tender. I will report back once I have these and start the work!

[Pizzaparty]

I have his P10 skyline casing model - it’s nicely done, still need to snag a chassis as it’s on my “to do list”, but it looks really nice

[ATSF_Ron]

As usual, life decided I didn't get as much hobby time as I wanted this week.  However, today is nice and warm here in northern Cali, so airbrushing was started.  There are a couple of thin spots fixable with a 2nd coat.  I also still need to spray graphite paint on the firebox and smoke box areas before lettering.  I have a feeling the challenging part of this project will be moving the electronics from the BLI USRA tender to the SP whaleback tender.







Really digging having a more accurate SP MK class 2-8-2 join the roster!  Cleanup of the shells was blessedly simple.  And the Tru Color paints I'm using go on thin and smooth.  Using retarder solved my frequent and annoying air brush clogs.

ATSF_Ron

[ATSF_Ron]

My apologies for the crappy OLD cell phone photos.  It's a variation of the iPhone 6.   Yeah yeah, time for a new phone. 

[jagged ben]

I got to see these models in person recently and they are very nice.

[ATSF_Ron]

@jagged ben, I saw them at the CalExpo train show. Is that where you saw them? That was a nice Fremo setup they had and yes, the sample he had running looked great. 😌

[ATSF_Ron]

After what seemed an eternity of masking and trimming and more masking, I'm ready to shoot the firebox and smokebox areas with some graphite.  I bought TruColor 008 Graphite, and oops!  It's waaaay too dark compared to the C9 in the attached photo.  That color looks more like the color pics I've seen of SP steam.  The graphite is nearly the same shade of black as the rest of the shell.  Has anyone used this particular color from TruColor?  I don't recall their paints changing color much, if any, as they dry.

Another thought I had was to leave the shell as is and weather those two areas with some shades of grey Pan Pastels I have on hand.  Thioughts?  Opinions?

Thanks,

ATSF_Ron

[nickelplate759]

I used that TruColor Graphite on this engine, and was happy with it.  But I wasn't trying to match anything else.