Snowwolflair

I am using the Virgin Voyager lighting units which come pre-wired and with the correct combination of fiber optics. Im trial fitting them now but they wont be permanent until the model is painted.

Update on transfers

Here is a shot of the DCC chip installation and speaker

Video of the test run with sound using a Zimo MX649 sound chip.

Mesh to give effect and to add rigidity. The under-frames have a tendency to curl and the mesh and the seating, when I add it, will stiffen this.

A few more explanatory photos. The Blue silicone is a gasket seal type that stays soft and compressible. This means that on curves there is enough movement whilst the plugs and sockets are held firmly

A bit of an experiment. I want to implement directional lights and to do this I need to distribute the power to the end coaches from the center car. I will be using DCC and also the class 170 bogies on the coaches have no electrical pickup. Those of you who are familiar with the Hornby Brighton Bell model will be familiar with the idea of using 3 pin plugs to hook together coaches. Its fragile but worth the effort. The trick is to get the plugs and sockets to move a little but not be loose enough to stress the wires, and to achieve this I am using silicone rubber (blue compound) to hold the plugs.

I'm using short neck Rapido couplings at the moment. I may change this and use three pin electrical connectors later to feed the front and tail lights if I decide to fit them. These short couplings give a good spacing for demonstration purposes. You will note I have ground back the underside to ensure the couplings do not scrape but this does not affect the sides. Please excuse the lens distortion.

Photo re-posted below

Build update with photos http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=32841.msg384866#msg384866

STOP PRESS I have just had a quote for the transfers for the class 180. They will be 5 coach sets in First Great Western dynamic lines with an alternate name and numbers option for First Hull. The transfers will include if they are printable, all warning signs, coach designations, door entry panels, ATP panels etc. and anything else that can be seen and can be printed. I have been given the 2D artwork from the 3D Shapeways CAD master so the transfers will be aligned to this They will be about £15 for a complete 5 car train. I will post a photo of them when they are prepared. If anyone is interested in a set please PM me as this may affect the number of sets I order.

Shapeways box arrived today and here are the coaches sat on class 170 bogies (no adjustments made). With a bit of fettling the class 170 power unit fits at the correct height in the middle coach. http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=32841.msg384611#msg384611

The FUD profile is not suitable for a vinyl unless you want to sand off all the detail first.

I'm looking at getting a transfer for the Dynamic lines made up. It will be done by a company that have previously done other dynamic line transfers so they know what to do. Not sure of price yet, but it will be cost to make plus 5% of artwork prep cost per five car set. I will be posting information on http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=32841.msg381738#msg381738