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Northern Electric Multiple Units


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I’ve recently started to dip my toe into modifying stock and kit building as a way to get the models that appeal to me. I understand that whilst I may have a fascination for modern EMU it’s not the sort of thing that any manufacturer is in a rush to produce. I’ve started with a 3D printed kit by Modern Multiple Units. I’m using this to build my skills and experiment with different techniques before moving on to the units that really interest me - anything used on the Aire Valley line. So far I’ve joined the two pieces that form each body, filled, primed and painted, added Railtec transfers and built a chassis for the each of the driving vehicles. The centre coach is running on a Hornby 153 chassis. There’s still a lot of detail to add and work to be done but I’m happy with progress so far. 

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I put Electrarail Graffics on one side but decide to experiment with painting the other side and using transfers. The Electrarail graffics are obviously easier to apply but I wasn’t really convinced with the end result. They cover up a lot of the moulded detail on the kit and I just didn’t feel they looked realistic. So I’ve gone with painting it and applying Railtec transfers. I used their Class 158 kit as it provided all the elements I needed. The end result can be seen in the last photo

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Hi 313201,

 

I used the full chassis off the 153 but with hindsight I might have tried fabricating something and just using the bogies. The Hornby chassis needed a lot of trimming to make it fit the coach body. The isn't much flex in these 3D printed bodies compared with injection moulded stuff so fitting was a bit of a pain and I'm still not really satisfied with it.  

 

I've not fitted an interior yet so I'm still considering my options on that. I don't think there's anything ready made that's going to have the right seating layout so I'm probably going to get out the plasticard and try and make something. I'll post more on here as I progress. 

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It looks like yours is the same as mine, the prints have splayed out at the bottom, presumably as they cured. I found as they were they were way too wide. As you say the material is very brittle. Heating it in hot water is enough to make it pliable enough to gently bend back to shape. I usually run them under cold water afterwards to speed up the cooling again, and then leave then sat between a few heavy tins to make sure the shape holds until they are cool. 

 

I had a spare Lima 156 chassis, and pretty much sliced the sides off. In reality, not much different to a piece of plasticard but I had it to hand, it was spare and roughly the right dimension, and already had a hole in for the bogie pivot. 

 

How well do the Elecrta graphics line up? I know Electra's graphic work is generally pretty good, but as I said on my thread am not convinced by the window-line of the 323. 

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  • 4 weeks later...
On 17/07/2021 at 13:47, JDW said:

How well do the Elecrta graphics line up? I know Electra's graphic work is generally pretty good, but as I said on my thread am not convinced by the window-line of the 323. 

The Electra Graphics seemed a little out of alinement, especially on the door windows. I also thought that they covered the moulded detail on the bodies. After applying the graphics to one side I decided to have a go at painting the other. I then used Railtec transfers. I’m much happier with this side and will be using this method on future projects. The 323 is the first time I’ve tried to kit / scratch build rolling stock so I’m using this project as a skill builder before moving on to the units I really want to do. I’m modelling West Yorkshire so I really want  Class 333 and 331. So I was happy this week to take delivery of this….67838361-BD0C-4C10-8096-AE5EC1DB3E85.jpeg.f759131d74a1cf87cc24371a759b71d5.jpeg9F50801C-966E-4DFD-A398-B1C92B42EF14.jpeg.a30aaa8cc5d41f3f961a3298d85b7e0e.jpeg

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  • 2 weeks later...

I’ve started the painting of the 333 and I’m happy with progress so far. The 3D prints seem of a good quality with no noticeable distortion and only the tiniest amount of flash to sand. I did spend some time sanding the cab roofs as the print lines were quite noticeable here. 3095AF89-1EB4-47A4-A391-462567D7C267.jpeg.a641fb0e83f91c9c87080fa71c3665a7.jpeg9547B8CF-09D6-447B-8C48-EBC693622F7B.jpeg.38a39a18b146b516f1090e24ec9054c3.jpeg957C0BB5-6BEC-4E76-A789-C24F595E2E89.jpeg.e0c91d159854ff7e8e13d0c99714cad8.jpeg

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