N Scale Surfliners

[jagged ben]

So I should wait for you to make these available instead of buying what's already available on Shapeways, right?   

Are the differences between the two generations of cars only interior or are there any important exterior differences?  Also, given that some of the Surfliner generation are also painted in the Amtrak California scheme (according to your Wikipedia link), I probably actually don't care.   I'd be happy with a good stand-in, to be honest, but a Superliner is not such a thing.  (Although there are a couple Superliner coaches painted in almost the same scheme used on some of the trains.)

Now that I know where to get decals I'm getting excited!

[up__1995]

It's up to you - it may be a while before mine are ready for sale.

The main differences between the 2 have to do with window placement, side rib placement and frequency, end of car details, and more. For a more detailed analysis, refer to RRPA or RCP photo databases. I do not think I can make my photo databases pubic at this time.

I don't think there's an issue with modeling one generation using cars from the other. However, I am going to be printing both and testing both variants for my personal collection.


** Edit to include latest update: I have printed a full train's worth of cars (Surfliner; Gen. 2) and am finalizing the underframe mechanism. Once I have a suitable underframe design, I will order additional kato trucks to complete this train and test the overall train performance.

[up__1995]

Kato trucks (with the integrated couplers) have finally shipped from their Schaumburg HQ after a 7 day "processing" hiatus. Nevertheless, Alex was friendly, and I'm looking forward to receiving the parts.

I am still in the process of testing the underframes -- it's been an arduous but (hopefully) fulfilling process. Shells are mostly complete for V1, there might be some revisions after painting, but I like how they look.

More photos will be posted in the next week or so, maybe 2.

On another note, does anyone know where an (athearn N) 59PHI in the AMTK surfliner scheme might be available? Preferably DC, as I'll be doing my own DCC upgrades to my spec.

(*Edit: I do realize that Athearn recently released another run of 59PHIs due Q3/Q4 2022, but I'm wondering if there might be any out there that I could acquire before then)

[randgust]

I've had multiple aborted attempts to work with Shapeways prints on any car that had corrugated sides.

In FUD, they kinda turned into an unsandable, rough-cut kludge.

But in a decent resin print, if you can get lucky and keep them from warping and cure properly, they should be outstanding.

I love the cars as a rider, they are just outstanding, some of the best-designed passenger cars in the US for their service area.  I was going to raise the decal issue but that appears solved.   And I salute ANYBODY designing a print that designs it to fit specific final parts like trucks or mechanisms, and adapt critical dimensions as needed.   It's just a personal pet peeve when I find a really nice print that has scale-sized coupler pockets that have to be surgically removed, or a body shell that's .020 too narrow to fit any commercial frame.

[kc135_guy]

That print looks fantastic!  Sign me up for two sets of these cars once they are finalized. 

I’ve been waiting a long time for someone to come out with these (I’ve been hesitant to purchase the ones currently on Shapeways for the reasons that randgust mentioned).  And now that decals for both the Surfliner and Amtrak California schemes are available, the timing for your cars is perfect.

[3rdboxcar]

I have sold over 90 Surfliners / California cars on Shapeways and never had one person come back saying they were not happy. My cars are designed to use kato trucks and Kato superliner windows for flush fitting, cutting only required where there is a deviation from a standard Superliner window in a row.
Downside is Shapeways prices.

[kc135_guy]

Any progress on these?