Model Railroading > Krauss Maffei ML4000 and 3D Printers

Hello there!

I am working on an old and very interesting project. Bringing the 60´s technology to today´s standards!
I started with a Rivarossi ML4000 and after researching for different traction systems, trucks and adaptations, I decided to do it by myself using the resources we have today.
With some very nice information on my new Bible, the SP and KM Hydraulics from Bob Zenk I have found inspiration to keep the progress on the work that almost came to a stop.

I used a CAD program from my University to design the trucks based on the Athearn gears dimensions and style, having in mind the truck wheel base of the ML4000. A friend of mine built his own 3D printer (yes, he is crazy) and was able to generate the trucks with my drawings. A little adjusting was necessary, removing excess of material that the multi layer method brings and the testing of the locomotive was successfull. The original Rivarossi side frames were mounted on the new trucks. After that I built a brass chassis which is pretty heavy and use the drive from a Genesis SD70ACe,installed Lok Sound decoder with the two Maybach MD870 programmed on it and now I can finally finish the project with all the detail and painting,as the time, family, work and and and allows me to do...
Here some Photographs

Cheers from the 60s

Fill from Austria and Brazil :-)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/19/16 15:23 by filldiesel76.

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Some more

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Cool!  Keep us informed about your project.

Gary B.
Waverly, NE

Some more pictures

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The chassis seen from underneath and already installed on the loco.

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Impressive work.

Rick

That is really impressive.  Someone actually doing model railroading!  Well done!

Cooper

Wow!  Very well done.

- Jeff Carlson

I want 4!

bnsfsd70 Wrote:
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> Wow!  Very well done.
>
> - Jeff Carlson

Here the finished truck, the enlargement of the diesel tanks and a short video showing the truck being generated "printed".

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THAT IS AWESOME but STILL  alot of work. I am still hoping that our friends at Scale Trains will do this model. I have talked to Shane and (if I understand him correctly) that this subject has been brought up and is being discussed for a POSSIBLE future release. NO TIME TABLE HAS BEEN SET. I do however, think this would be an excellent project for them to do. I believe they have MANY projects on the burners at this time so this one, if they do it, will have wait its turn. 

That´s all for a while! Thanks for the kind comments so far!
As soon as some more progress has been done, I will be back with some more pics!

All the best!

Fill



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/21/16 02:33 by filldiesel76.

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Great work, Fillipe -- thanks for sharing the process!

~ BZ

Hey Fill!  You're having too much fun!! No fair!!!

Keep us updated on the project! 

Steve

Whoa! New school modeling!
Clarence G

Brilliant modeling!  Please put that design up on Shapeways.com so we can buy some! =)

Cheers,
Harry

Good morning!

Well it is true, it is a little bit of work, but it is a model I always wanted to have. And it was a lot of fun designing and building it! Actualy I took about 4 to 5 hours to measure, calculate and draw the parts. Printing was done in some two hours and the frame took me some 4 more hours to finish. Cleaning and adjusting the trucks also took 2 hours for the pair. The most work is the classic modeling work on the shell actually, because it is much finer then the rough metal and plastic work. That´t is why the model is not finished yet. Parallel to that I am building a 5 feel long, 1,5 foot high trestle from Micro Engineering, and that is much more work, and not so fun to do!  Sure if the gentlemen from Scale Trains bring the model with the quality they have on their turbines I will get poor again :-) But my model will be finished and well kept!  It is special to me! I will check that with Shapeways,it is a good idea!

Have a great day!

Fill



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/20/16 00:46 by filldiesel76.

Very well done! I particularly respect your commitiment.

Brian

Wow!!! Awesome work, it looks great so far.

Posted from iPhone

Clyde King, a well-known SP modeler, also tackled this project, but old-school style.
http://www.pbase.com/espeef5/km_ml4000
http://www.pbase.com/espeef5/more_km_project_photos

Brian Ehni