B23-7 rewind

[lyled1117]

For some time I have had a pair of B23-7s in progress for the Illinois Railnet. Some history is necessary. I bought the undecs to do these close to a decade ago, when I believe Atlas had only one version (not counting anti-climber variations for ATSF) available. I have the two models well along. They are former Southern Hi-nose units that have been chopped and turned to have short hood as forward. I just recently saw someone else doing some of these using a model with different features, phases if you will. Upon investigation I see the newer models are more correct for my intended units. I don't recall if I ignored these differences, accepted the differences, or I just didn't see them at the time.

I'm redoing a couple of models I had quite well along. I am hoping to safely remove the short hoods from the two models and attach them to the new sills I have acquired with the two shells. These were Hi-tech Details Hi-nose kits, and were a bite to chop, assemble and fit to the Atlas sill. I'm hoping I don't have to recreate them. I can extract the brass parts from the original long hoods using the freezer technique. The cabs are where the greatest amount of work had been after the short hoods, those can be transferred easily.

These images are of my models. The circled grill in the first image should be a panel with a horizontal door, both models.

The grill in this 2nd image remains on one model and is replaced by a blank panel on the other.

So ....  I probably need to have my head checked, but for these two features I am redoing these models. If I hadn't learned there were more correct versions of the model available I would likely have proceeded happily with what I had done. On a side note, in the past I have discussed these models and the equipment doors that need to be replaced on one of the two. I'm still investigating getting that 3D printed. I now have two sills to practice on before putting it into the one that matters. I still have to get it printed satisfactorily tho'. The 1st pass of that was not acceptable.

Look for me in the looney bin

Lyle D

[icghogger]

I would probably just do the "slice & dice" myself as it does not LOOK too daunting (however, I've been wrong before about such modifications.....and, BTW, welcome to the looney bin!)

[lyled1117]

An item that has been a stumbling block for me on these has been the equipment doors on one of the two models. Atlas delivered these in one style which is correct for one of the two but wrong for the other. Arriving SOON are the KV Model hood latches. If these proportion out decently and aren't humungus in comparison to the existing latches I may have the solution. I'm hoping I can remove the right most door from one of the two present sills and transplant it to the left of one of the new sills

The Atlas model with knob locks on the doors
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the desired appearance via some graphics editing to get hinged latches:
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I've modeled in Solidworks the replacement section but have not yet tried to get it printed since a 1st pass that was far from usable. I've yet to learn how to adjust features to get a believable print. I understand the concepts, just need to gain some experience. If the KV Models stuff pans out, I won't need to for this item. I have plenty of other 3D print items to learn on

Lyle D

[sbcarshops]

Looks good so far! and the quest for accuracy is almost never ending! I do like the direction you are going and love the progress. Not sure if it helps or not but if need be i think Plano has some of the circular slamlocks  (Link)

Also what kind of 3D printer are you using? that might make more a difference than any adjustment might make for the finer detail. FDM have some limitations in that regard compared to say a DLP one