Well since it was snowing all day I stayed in side, completed my changes to my 3D print file for the steeple cab and sent it to Shapeways for printing.

This is a view of the STL file from the current model. I did not realize I reduced curves significantly until I got my print. The curves on the end are triangular and so I made sure on my current version that I fixed the STL file I sent to the printer. In this view you can also see where I left room for 2.5mm square metal stock to add some more weight to the locomotive.

In this view you should be able to see print lines marked by the blue and red lines. Those have been sanded so now. The blue arrow points at the brass stock I placed inside the cut to show how it will fit inside the frame of the body. Finally you will see the red arrow pointing to my upside down coupler. That is top set short shank  whisker coupler pretending to be an under set version. I think that will be the best for coupler height.

The wheels on the HH600 are 42 inch, while the steeple cab should be 46 inch. I put 45 inch NWSL wheels on my display version, but it doesn't look like they make something that will fit this atlas model. Does any one know if there is a substitute out there?

I also added blocks to allow screws through the frame to hold the body square to the frame. This feature is added to the new version of the cab. 

Other things I was up to this week was to clean all the holes for grab irons, I got my head lights and figured out how to mount the LED's into them. Pantograph has been ordered but is back ordered. Bells should be in the mail. I pretty much do all my ordering on line as the closest hobby shop is 5 hours away, and they don't stock the super details anyway.

Since the weather is supposed to be poor all week, I hope to get all the hand rails and grab irons in, possibly my Micro Mark rivet decals done, and I have to see if I can figure out how to make the side arm pantographs as I can't find anything like that on line.

Until next time,

Tim