An eBay seller has resin "G" scale Diesel engines: Alco 539, 539T, 12-251, 16-251, EMD 16-645 Turbo

Just search "Alco 251 engine", for example, and you will find them.

PC

There are a number of guys doing 3D printed engines in the model railroad world now, and to be frank, some are way, way better then others.

My side business is actually a model railroad detail parts company, and I have a slew of my own stuff in various stages of completion. I spend a ton of time actually measuring and researching my parts first hand, then just freehand drawing stuff referenced off of one photo which is what a lot of these guys do. All of these are drawn and printed in 1/87th (HO).


FM 32E14


EMD 16-567U (DuPont engines)



FM 8 Cyl. 31A 8 1/2"


EMD MH8 Power Trailer


567C Short Packs


567A/B Short Packs


FM Z Hit & Miss


Locomotive Batteries (one of my best sellers!)

I started playing with diesels myself, specifically the Ingersoll Rand 300 Horsepower straight six used in the early boxcabs... I've got an O scale project going, had some drawings to work from, and it didn't feel right to have nothing to see in the engine compartment. Once I get a good hinge design that's printable worked out for say, hood units? Well the sky's the limit. As the materials improve eventually it may be feasible to print these with fuel lines and the like already attached. That then gets into how modeling is changing, what is modeling now... I've had that philosophical debate quite often over the last year.

Dylan: try Kapton tape or equivalent for the hinge. Cast 'nubs' on the inside of the door and frame opening, punch corresponding holes in the tape hinge, and mushroom with a thin soldering-iron tip for reinforcement. A thin piece of stiff monofilament fishing line can be used to 'prop' the door open to position nearly invisibly.

Some of the marketing choices in "G" scale have been strange. For example the concentration on Alco 251 engines when there are relatively few "G" locomotive models to use them with, and the lack of 244's when there are lots of Aristocraft FA and RS hulks that could be used in diorama scenes. And no 16-567B yet, although there are F's and GP7's in "G" scale. Seems like a 16-567B with D12 generator might have some sales potential.

And traction motor and wheel combos would be usable in static models, shop scenes, and as cargo loads. Same for the common steam generators.

PC