GS1 Shell

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

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.

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.

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

A bit of detail:

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

Fred wrote:

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

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:

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.

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.