Hello All,

As a collector of interesting and unique looking rolling stock, I often find that there's no models of the things I am interested in. I was wondering if anyone here has any tips for scratch building to a first time scratch builder. I'm specifically interested in scratch building an NR class, and model of ATSF 3000. I know that at least the second of the two is a significantly complex locomotive so any ideas for how I could make such a thing or good ideas for starter rolling stock to scratch build would be greatly appreciated.

With thanks,
Aunuli

Way out of my league I’m afraid.
The current trend seems to be to use existing chassis, learn CAD, model the loco in 3D and then print it with a 3D resin printer. 

Looks easy when you type it out like that. :shock:  

To start with, you'll want scale drawings for both (or the measurements in some other form). For tools, you'll want mini-pliers, a fine-bladed fine-toothed saw, a craft knife, a cutting board or mat, a straightedge, and plenty of blades. For general materials, you're going to want to get together plenty of plasticard or styrene sheet.

As far as the ATSF 3000 class goes… You're going to want a plastic tube of the same diameter as the boiler. Or a brass one, if you're comfortable with soldering stuff to brass at this scale. I would suggest using wood sanded and filed to a curve for the cab roof.

Probably best to use an existing chassis if you can. Or hinge two 10-coupled chassis together.

You might be able to build your own chassis blocks from brass or wood, but that's probably even fiddlier in N than in HO.

For the NR class… You could probably actually kitbash from an American freight diesel shell. If you want to build the shell from scratch, it's for the most part a hollow rectangular solid with no bottom. I would advise using matchsticks or square plastic rod to reinforce the perpendicular joints.

Hi there 
… and welcome to the forum… I presume you mean an Australian NR class? You could talk to RobynT about the chassis at least… she has quite a few of them!

Good luck with the models

Cheers from Australia

Trevor

I've found some drawings of ATSF 3000 class but one of the ones I found is really hard to read and the other is really low res. Also I was thinking I would probably use two x-10-x chassis for the locomotive.

With the NR class, looking for information on RobynT's NR classes was what brought me here to begin with but I lost track of the thread.

With thanks,
Aunuli

In relation to my NR models, I did try to release this model back in 2009 but due to some slander from a couple of Australian N scale manufacturers everyone cancelled their orders. Fast forward to 2019 and I have been kept busy building NR's for customers, isn't life strange?  I have made some for my own collection and I will need to build a new layout to run them on. There are so many liveries for this loco it is difficult to choose which ones to make. 



This is the original photo I used in 2009 to promote the model. I really tried to show the quality of my hand crafted model.



Recent customer orders on the workbench.



These are for my own fleet, there is another Ghan loco, "Steve Irwin" that will be added to the group soon.

You can see more of my model railway projects on my facebook page…Rail Modeller Australia

[user=2210]Aunuli Mansfield[/user] wrote:

Hello All,

As a collector of interesting and unique looking rolling stock, I often find that there is no models of the things I am interested in. I was wondering if anyone here has any tips for scratch building to a first time scratch builder. I'm specifically interested in scratch building an NR class, and model of ATSF 3000. I know that at least the second of the two is a significantly complex locomotive so any ideas for how I could make such a thing or good ideas for starter rolling stock to scratch build would be greatly appreciated.

With thanks,
Aunuli

I ran some workshops on scratchbuilding a while back using a container wagon as a starter. These are quite simple to build but help beginners gain some basic skills cutting, filing and gluing styrene. Hand crafting models is very rewarding but does require practice and a bit more practice in order to gain the skills required to produce a nice model. It is not hard to do but I recommend starting with a simple project first. The NR is a complex model and due to Australia's smaller loading gauge, it can be difficult to find a suitable mech. Obviously if you need the drawings I can certainly help out, but I would suggest trying a few wagons first. Maybe I should do the workshop on this forum as a step by step with members taking the opportunity to create a model for themselves. Any feedback on this idea??

I'll certainly take that to note. I quite like US covered hoppers and they are decently simple so they might be a decent model to figure things out with. Also your NR classes are how I found this forum Robyn. If you can either link to your earlier threads on scratch building or give some tips, either would be greatly appreciated.

With thanks,
Aunuli

I have recently made the acquisition of a resin printer and have 3D modeling experience so will likely proceed with this project through largely printing the components of the models. Figured I should give an update