Description
This engine is a custom-designed EMD RS3m diesel engine shell and chassis that is 3D printed.
They are diesel-electric locomotives that were rebuilt from RS3ms. In total there were 98 engines that were swapped to that designation. However there were several various types of conversions that were done depending on the railroad that was being modeled. Conrail and Amtrak both appear to have had locomotives that are identified as EMD RS3m, however they appear to have much shorter EMD sections than does this model. If you are interested in a model of one of their styles, of which I think there were two, please send me a message and depending on the interest level I will very seriously consider designing them as well. I can design this for another chassis, or at some point I may design a chassis for this engine as well if there is interest.
Specifically for this model it was designed for the Katy railroad. It happens to also be correct for the SEK (South East Kansas) railroad as well. Regarding Katy #142 was actually painted in both red and the yellow and green paint scheme at different times. While #142 is the most commonly pictured engine, 152, 154, and 146 are also easily findable.
For this model the shell is included in two pieces, the cab and the rear. There are pins between them to ensure correct alignment. They may have to be sanded slightly to allow for an easy fitment. The front and rear step areas as well as the fuel tanks need to be attached to the main shell as well. Beyond that it would be assembled as any normal kit would be with the details such as brake wheel and both horns.
The base platform that I ended up using for this model is that of an athearn yellow box (such as a GP9) chassis. In order to have the trucks fit as well a pair of athearn blue box trucks will be needed. With the blue box worm gear cover they should snap right into place on the yellow box chassis with no other necessary modifications provided the drive shafts are the same format between the engines chosen.
Parts that you need to specifically get are:
Trucks, Athearn Blue Box powered truck.
If you happen to need motor mounts for an engine I have produced some screw style athearn motor mounts in limited quantities for myself. They are usable, but I need to test them with lock-tight, but if you need some to go with it please let me know and I will see if we can come to a deal to include them. I do have screws for them.
Handrails: Should generally follow a standard GP unit or RS3 unit’s style of handrails, sadly they are to thin for me to be able to print and process.
It is 3D printed using Sirayatech resin, and should be compatible with almost all types of paint and most type of glue such as superglue, etc. They will be printed once the order is placed, I will do my best to still get them out within 3 days, but it may take longer as this is a large item and will take several prints. I will do my best to keep you updated and work through the orders as quickly as possible.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Cody.
Heyer 3D Design
David W Crumpton (verified owner) –
Very nice detail on this shell. The front cab and rear/front pilots go on easily to make the assembly complete. Cody is very professional to work with and gave me a RS3M to mount to a chassis.