ATSF RSD-7 class 602 (roadnumbers 602-611) by ATSF N SCALE MODELS

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

The Santa Fe bought 10 RSD-7 Alco's in 1955. They were just about the first high horsepower diesels on the system. Due to problems with the 244 prime mover all were gone by 1969 however.....
This model is a 3D print and can be ordered through my shop on Shapeways. Phosphor bronze etching is only available through my website WWW.ATSFNSCALEMODELS.COM. 
Drivetrain is a modified Atlas C-628/630 chassis, shortened by 4,5 mm (exactly the same as the RSD-15 model which is available in 4 versions). More info and buildng instructions can be found on the website.
There is room enough for DCC sound (ESU Select Micro fits and has the correct sound program) and sugar cube speaker.
Because these engines often ran with a RSD4/5 there is another option I will use myself: remove the motor and all gears (also from the trucks) from an Atlas zebra striped RSD-5. The empty space (enlarged as much as possible) can be used to house the sound decoder and sugar cube speaker. All empty space in the RSD-7 (quite a bit) can be filled with lead sheet, creating a heavy engine with a lot of pulling power and nice sound plus 24 wheel current pickup.
If there are questions or suggestions, please let me know.
Happy ATSF N scale modelrailroading!

[Cajonpassfan]

Too new for me, Dirk, but wow
Nice work on the grabs, too!
Best, Otto

[JoeD]

beautiful work.  looking to see one cleaned and painted.  I've been slightly less than impressed with some of my Shapeways buys over the past year.  It looks amazing.

[sirenwerks]

Not a ATSF fan but anything ALCO is tempting. Frame mods make me queasy though... Waiting to see a painted model to see if the temptation is too great.

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

Thanks for the positive comments!
Regarding Shapeways: the orientation of the parts affects the outcome a lot. These days you can decide yourself which way you want your model printed (at extra cost unfortunately but understandable). The RSD-7/15 shells are printed roof on top, minimizing the overhangs that create a fuzzy surface. Only the cab sides and a small spot under the large round roof radiator have to be scraped (and the underside of the running board, the fuel tank area and inside the shell of course). The drover/rider/combine is a 6 parts print. All sides are printed flat, face up (floor upside down in this case). That way no overhang/shadows and hardly any stairstepping on the roof. Using a good leveling airbrushed primer will help a lot also in covering printing irregularties. I realize it is not the same as injection molding, but to me the results are very acceptable and you can make models which are otherwise unavailable....... its a personal choice.   
Regarding the shortening of the frame: first time I did it I also had my thoughts..... but with the usual handtools and some patience I never messed up a frame. Splice plates are provided in the etched details and the building instructions on my website are clear (I hope).
   




For questions/suggestions please email me at info@atsfnscalemodels.com.