Well 2012 wasn't the great year I was hoping it would be. I've now found myself single and managing the household bills that used to be covered by two salaries...

Needless to say that various projects have slipped and my modelling mojo was at an all time low.

Recently though I've started playing with CAD again and recently took delivery of several 3D printed bodies from Shapeways. These consisted of a C1, C12, J50 and N2 all produced in the FUD material.

Unfortunately, the C1 has several design flaws which means this body will not be used to fit a modified Dapol B1 chassis (yes I know the wheels are undersized but they fit the splashers better!).

The N2 will make use of a chassis converted from a spare Farish Diesel motor bogie with etched frames to create the correct wheelbase and fitted some spare Farish B1 wheels (which are actually a scale 5'9! - close enough for the N2!). This chassis has actually run but I'm presently looking for a suitable motor that will fit within the confines of the N2 body. For those who are interested I am presently here with this:

The N2 body still sits a little high on the chassis but I am hopeful that I can get it within 0.5mm of where is should be (blue tack is to hold the body level for the time being!). Should this conversion prove successful then I have a method to create a new chassis for the C12 as well!

So, what have I finished I hear you ask! Well today I've become the happy owner of a J50/3 and a K3/3. The K3 project was started some time ago but stalled due to problems fitting it onto the planned Farish V2 chassis. Much filing and fitting of new wheels saw potential but I was unable to regain the quartering of the center driving wheels among other problems. Enter Hans Starmans of N-Stars who kindly fettled the chassis as well as building me a scale chassis for the J50. The J50 chassis is a work of art using an 8mm Maxon motor and turned down Minitrix wheels. The only problem is the coupling rods which I had etched. These are too thin and therefore distort very easily. I will have another set etched in a slightly thicker material when time and funds permit.

The K3 is fully lined using a bow pen. While I have successfully lined some repainted teak coaches before this is the first time I have lined a loco and I'm very pleased with the result! Boiler bands were made out of some 0.5mm strips of scotch tape with the red being lined down either side. Both locos still need some coupling hooks and vac pipes but again I'll add these when funds improve.

Anyway enough rambling I'll leave you with some more pictures!