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While working on a kitbash of an Atlas extended vision caboose into a model of MP 13530, I realized that I was going to want another one.
http://www.pbase.com/mecrharris/mp_13530
My model represented a rebuilt caboose with the double hung conductor’s window and blanked windows on the opposite side. I knew if I built another one, I’d want it to be different, say one with the later X-panel roof but as-built with the original window arrangement.
My quest for an X-panel roof to fit an extended vision caboose came up empty. I had been trying out some other 3D printed designs on Shapeways when it occurred to me I could 3D print new sides and cupolas for the Atlas extended vision caboose. Six weeks later I had drawn several variations on ends, roofs, cupolas and sides for the Atlas extended vision caboose, enabling me to bundle the right parts together to order the as-built and rebuilt window arrangements of cabooses in series 13515-13574 with the diagonal panel roof as well as both versions in series 13575-13664 with the X-panel roof. I have also made a few other parts to ease the kitbashing process, including battery boxes, smokejacks, toilet vents and brake rigging (not including the reservoir, brake cylinder and control valve).
All the parts can be found here:
https://www.shapeways.com/shops/he6agon?sort=name§ion=Caboose&s=0
To make it easier for anyone who wants all the parts necessary to build a complete replacement body for the Atlas caboose (you’ll still need the caboose for the underframe, trucks, etc.), I’ve included links in each part description to add all the items to your cart to build a specific prototype. So, if you find the product page for the MP caboose ends, you’ll see in the description links to add all the parts needed to make each style of cabooses to your cart. Here’s the product page for the MP ends:
Near the bottom of this page, you’ll see a YouTube video. It’s a flyaround showing the 3D model rendered in color so you can see the different details included in the model, since Shapeways’ renderings don’t always show everything you want to see. I haven’t printed these parts yet, but I have printed some other caboose parts that share the same basic end, roof, side and cupola design. You can see my photos of those parts here:
http://www.pbase.com/mecrharris/3dprint_caboose
Finally, here’s a rendering of the caboose brake rigging part I’ve designed:
The actual part includes four sets of these, but I’ve shown only one here to illustrate what part gets discarded (shown in yellow) and what part remains to be installed on the model (shown in magenta). I just designed this part so I haven’t bought it yet – it’s on the list of parts I’ll be ordering next – so if you buy it you might end up the first one to try it out. If you do, let me know how it works out.
Hi Dan! Good to see you here.
Okay, so there are basically four variations you can build:
A. 13515-13574 with diagonal panel roof and original windows
B. 13515-13574 with diagonal panel roof and blanked windows
C. 13575-13664 with X panel roof and original windows
D. 13575-13664 with X panel roof and blanked windowsVersion A: $107.27
Version B: $107.69
Version C: $105.10
Version $105.56Then there are the detail parts you can add. Because of the $5 setup fee per part for parts printed in Frosted Ultra Detail (FUD) and Frosted Extreme Detail (FXD), I tried to group parts together on a sprue to avoid paying $5.75 per small part. This way I get multiples of small parts and only encounter the setup fee once. The prices vary between the two materials, with Frosted Extreme Detail being the more expensive and more detailed material. It also has a smaller maximum size, so some things like the caboose sides won’t fit in the bounding box, therefore I can’t offer those parts in FXD.
The detail parts that apply are as follows:
E: MP Smokejack $9.72 FUD/$12.95 FXD for 10 pieces
F: MP Battery Box $11.54 FUD/$16.07 FXD for 2 each of 3 styles (total 6 pieces)
G: Brake Rigging $10.60 FUD/$13.46 FXD for 4 pieces
H: Toilet Vent $9.08 FUD/$11.85 FXD for 10 piecesThe prices are still higher than I’d like, but when I think about building another one of these, or in the case of the 13575-13664 series, which I have no possibility of obtaining other than brass, it’s not that bad. You still have to provide the Atlas caboose to supply the trucks and underframe, but you can get those pretty cheap on ebay regularly, especially if you don’t mind stripping one in the Cotton Belt scheme (those things are everywhere!).
I hope this answers your questions. Of course, if you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Ryan Harris
Fort Worth, TX@cduckworth wrote:
Ryan
Can you post some photos of the parts and caboose kits?The fourth link in the original post has the photos of the caboose parts I’ve received. There are so many of them I thought it would be easier to just give the link to the gallery rather than post them inline in the message.
Here’s the link:
http://www.pbase.com/mecrharris/3dprint_caboose
And here are some additional renderings and photos of other things, including some cupolas:
http://www.pbase.com/mecrharris/3d_models
When you click on any single image in the galleries, it will display a new page for that image. Scroll down below the image and you’ll see the exif info for the photo. Just below that you will see the text, “other sizes: small medium large original”. I’d recommend clicking original on these images so you can see the parts in all their glory.
For most of us who have seen 3D printed parts over the years, these parts will change what you think about 3D printing. It’s not “there” just yet, but brother it is getting a lot closer. It’s really amazing what can be done. These carbon black outlet covers are very small and the detail is even better than you can see in this photo, now that I know how to clean the parts better and avoid marring the details with aggressive solvents:
Some of my favorite parts are the semaphore blades. I’m working on a prototype double head semaphore mast mounted on a signal bridge. Still a ways to go on that project, but the semaphore blades themselves are done. Here they are in Frosted Extreme Detail:
As far as the caboose parts are concerned, again I’d recommend just browsing the gallery looking at the original images. I took the photos in the sequence shown and the first few photos are as I removed the parts from the bubble wrap, so they still have the waxy support material on them. As you go through the photos, you’ll see the parts as they are cleaned and the detail begins to be revealed. I go through the assembly process, which is very quick. The parts shown do not include the grab iron ends and drill starter holes that are now standard on all the sides. I’ve also made some revisions to the cupolas so the opening on the inside lines up with the underside of the roof (the ceiling from the point of view of the caboose occupants). I’d like to make some interior detail parts in the future, so this latest revision to the cupolas allows for that.
Speaking of revisions, I’m constantly trying to improve the parts. Since these parts are not the result of expensive tooling, they can be revised very easily and with no loss of investment. All I have to do is draw the changes to the part and upload the revised CAD file. As the technology improves, the possibility exists for me to thin out the parts that have been beefed up to meet the minimum thickness, such as the overhanging roof edge, or simply not included at all because it can’t be printed, such as brake stands and the plumbing at each end of the caboose.
Anyway, I think in spite of the cost, the technology is finally catching up to our hobby. We are rapidly approaching a point where having a critical mass of pre-orders or committed buyers isn’t a requirement to make unusual models anymore, even in the small runs we’ve seen in brass or resin. I made both the Cotton Belt C-40-8 and C-40-9 classes of caboose just because I want one of each and because I can. Surely either one would have satisfied the Cotton Belt modelers out there who wanted an alternative to the Atlas caboose. But why not have both? And the same is true of the Missouri Pacific cabooses I’ve modeled here. One version is good, but all versions are better! I didn’t do it because I have to get a certain number of sales to break even. I did it because I want one of each!
As more people develop the skills to translate our favorite prototypes to CAD files, we all benefit from the ability to recreate even the most obscure of our favorite prototypes in miniature. I understand the religious fervor of some when it comes to 3D printing; it’s a very exciting technology. Yes, it’s a little pricey now, but like laptops and flatscreen TVs, it’s going to get better and cheaper as time goes on. But right now, as it is today, it’s really quite good. I can’t tell you how excited I am to build all these projects!
Ryan Harris
Fort Worth, TX
$105.56
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