F40C

[TinyTurner]

After receiving a copy of the excellent 5:10 to suburbia, I realised that there don't seem to be any F40C available rtr.
I can't claim to know much about them, but they look neat.
There is a Shapeways offering, but I'm not convinced by the print quality and cost with shipping.
Are there any trodden paths for bashing an existing variant? 
Maybe the Lifelike F40PH could be a basis to work on, though Kato is likely better?

[milw156]

I have built up one of the Shapeways shells.  I have a couple more to do, but the work to get them good enough has put me off. completing them. They will ONLY work on the Kato MID production 40-2 mechanism, the early version is a fraction of a mm to short, and the trucks hit the steps. I have talked to the designer at several shows, doesn't sound like he was interested in resizing for the earlier mechanism. The fan intakes on the slope of the roof are kinda rough, but he has designed in holes for most of the gabs & lift . rings to go that make that part easy peasy. Like the Milwaukee SD40-2's. these units also had a shortened fuel tank, but unlike the dash 2's, they were shortened on the back, not the front. I used the tank & underbody detail part from the SDP40-fF for this, as it has the step in about the right place. It would be REALY nice if someone would design to print this with better printing technology than what Shapeways has, AND design it to fit the SDP40F mech, and to take the window glazing, but I digress (I used Micro scale crystal clear).

I got the original decals and masking pattern from Jeff King, but decals are available from Circus City in the Milwaukee Road NWSMT scheme:

https://circusdecals.ecwid.com/products/Milwaukee-Road-F40C-MILW-N-Scale-Decal-Set-p91374905/url

, as well as the early Metra scheme:

https://circusdecals.ecwid.com/products/Metra-METX-F40C-N-Scale-Decal-Set-p91374903/url

. where a panel was installed over the fluting. The last version, of which there are 2 left, stored at Western ave shops relaced the rear most stainless fluting with a simple panel. There is a possibility that 3d central trins may do this last variant in N scale, (at least Mat didn't say nowhen I asked him at the Naperville RPM) as they make the HO version with Kaslo shops
Although, if you are interested, PM me for one of the shells I have as well as the decals for whatever you want to number it.

They are not meant for close up photography, but they are unique to the Milwaukee, and I got to see these a lot as a teenager.

[TinyTurner]

That looks nice.  The 2' foot rule in action 
What would the 'right' chassis be?
It's the 'lines' that put me off shapeways, I have no say in the quality control and it is quite spendy.
I am considering getting a quality 3D printer setup.  It means figuring out cad and finding the files somewhere.  I think that between that and etched brass it's practical to make a lot of nice models.

I see someones already been busy, there are some detailed Lifelike units on Model train market.
Spookshow points out that the Lifelike models are 6'' to low, but without a side by side comparison I would not know
I'll hunt for some drawings at some point.  Apparently there is a lot of rebuilding.
I find it odd that there hasn't been more effort to conserve a running F40C.
It seems Kato are releasing F40PH this spring.

[milw156]

The real F40 Ph is based on a GP40 , the F40C, is an Sd40-2 with a head end power generator for AC/heat and lights for the cars. The only  frame Damiens model was designed for is the MID PRODUCTIIN Kato SD40-2, which did not employ any screws to hold the frame halves together. The "early " version  will not work, nor would an F40PH, but for different reasons. An F40C is essentially an SDP40F with HEP instead of a steam generator.  Hope that helps. Prior to the bilevels showing up, your "scoot" could easily have been heavyweight paired window coaches pulled by a GP9 with a steam generator and torpedo tube air cylinders on the roof!

[mcjaco]

That looks nice.  The 2' foot rule in action 
What would the 'right' chassis be?
It's the 'lines' that put me off shapeways, I have no say in the quality control and it is quite spendy.
I am considering getting a quality 3D printer setup.  It means figuring out cad and finding the files somewhere.  I think that between that and etched brass it's practical to make a lot of nice models.

I see someones already been busy, there are some detailed Lifelike units on Model train market.
Spookshow points out that the Lifelike models are 6'' to low, but without a side by side comparison I would not know
I'll hunt for some drawings at some point.  Apparently there is a lot of rebuilding.
I find it odd that there hasn't been more effort to conserve a running F40C.
It seems Kato are releasing F40PH this spring.

Metra still has 1 or 2 in storage for back up.  At least last I saw.  Wouldn't be surprised if one of them ends up at the Illinois Railway Museum at some point.