Overhead wires and 3D printing

I have long been fascinated with the notion of working model catenary.  As a youngster I would look at the Triang and Hornby catalogues and wish I could have such a system.  I decided to add a short extension to my On30 layout to provide extra storage space (same old situation, too many wagons not enough sidings).  Originally I intended to make this a car float (train ferry in this country) inspired by Egham and Staines "Fraser Mills" though I had no intention of making it work!  I then decided that a working overhead would be more fun, and provide the impetus to build another exhibition layout (you'll learn about my first and only one day!).

So jumping straight in I decided what I needed was a quick to make loco to test my embryo catenary making skills.  Phil Parker had introduced me to 3D printing via his excellent blog, and it seemed a good cheap way of making a loco.  I thus ordered a box cab diesel body from Shapeways and waited for it to turn up.  First impressions were good, the shape was nice, and it seemed strong enough to withstand me working on it.

Construction thus far has been very simple.  It consists of the body which via some little plasticard ledges sits on a square piece of plasticard.  This sits on a Tenshodo Spud to provide the go.  Some plasticard side frames with rudimentary axlebox covers complete the bottom half, and a plasticard box sits atop the roof.  This supports a 50 year old Fleischmann sprung pantograph which I have fixed with nothing but friction, enabling it to be removed for maintenance.  A wire from this will be led to the Spud in due course.

All that is really left to do is adorn the loco with some handrails, air tanks on the roof and fit some inner bulkheads to add some more strength and to break up the interior a bit.  Then its a case of dusting it with grey primer and painting it some nice offensive colour. 

I'm thinking orange.