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Hi All,

I thought I would share the latest project I just completed.  I modeled and printed a new cowling for my Dorm Car on my 1957 El Capitan.

Background:

The 1957 El Capitan was a beautiful consist consisting of:

F7 diesel ABBA
Baggage
Baggage
Baggage-dorm
Step-down-coach
Hi-level Coach
Hi-level Coach
Hi-level Diner
Hi-level Lounge
Hi-level Coach
Hi-level Coach
Hi-level Coach
Step-down-coach


Here is a video of my consist before I started this project:

I was able to get all Lionel for the consist including the Dorm Car which was only available in a 4 car set.

The prototype Dorm Car had a cowling that basically changed the car roof from normal up to the Hi-Level Car roof line.

Here is what it looked like in its Amtrak livery:

3747741216_13468c4944_b3747741132_b6b24aba4c_b

I had decided in the past to make one out of styrene, which worked pretty well which you can see in the video above.

But since I got a 3D printer and got much better at modeling, I decided to create a more prototypical version.

Here is the original:

20210415_13102620210415_150519

You can see that the lines are not very good and that it is too high leading into the Hi-Level Step-up Car (which I changed from just upper door to simulate a lower door).

So I modeled the cowling using better measurements (in mm).  I printed the first version forgetting to put the curve on the front.  Then I fixed it and modeled the new version.  Here is a picture of the model as well as the three side by side:

Santa Fe Cowling

20210415_13234020210415_132357

Here is how it looked on the Dorm Car:

20210415_13554720210415_13560520210415_140108

Because I didn't feel like trying to model the holes on the bottom to fit over the Car detail, I just used a soldering iron to melt the plastic to create the reliefs (it doesn't look nice, but it works fine):

20210420_132043

Next, it was time to figure out how to make it ribbed like the prototype.  I ended up using HO Scale roofing to do this:

20210420_145104

Before I received it, I painted the cowling with Silver Leaf model spray paint:

20210420_14500920210420_145015

Then I applied the roofing.  It was hard to line the ribs up, but I think it is ok (and when the train is running, you won't notice):

20210420_160832

So it is now complete and I put it on the car:

20210421_15264920210420_16090120210420_160905

I'm really happy how this turned out. 

I am working on getting the model loaded in the repository so anyone can print it.  Again, the cowling is designed for the Lionel 18" passenger cars due to the roof slope.  I can probably make one with an MTH roof line if it is needed.

Attachments

Images (19)
  • 20210415_131026
  • 20210415_150519
  • 20210415_132340
  • 20210415_132357
  • Santa Fe Cowling
  • 20210415_135547
  • 20210415_135605
  • 20210415_140028
  • 20210415_140108
  • 3747741216_13468c4944_b
  • 3747741132_b6b24aba4c_b
  • 20210420_145104
  • 20210420_132043
  • 20210420_160832
  • 20210420_145009
  • 20210420_145015
  • 20210421_152649
  • 20210420_160901
  • 20210420_160905
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Hi Bob,

The side width is 62.6762 mm (kinda to be exact). 

The 3D Repository is found down in the same section as the Buy/Sell links.  The .stl is located in the Parts - Conversions, Upgrades, Unavailable and then in the folder Cowling Santa Fe.

I have the NX Model (.prt) if you want to start with that and not the .stl.  I can PM it to you if you want it.

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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