Rapido Trains, who are producing the Revolution Trains Class 92 locomotive, have sent us images showing progress in making the metal moulds for this model.
This image shows the “top” of the bodyshell tool, with the impressions for the cab roofs at each end and the beginnings of the pantograph well in the centre.
This is the tool after the first stage where the larger areas have been ground out by heavy duty cutters.
This image shows the runners for various components including what appear to be the windscreen. The hole in the centre of the right half of the tool is where the plastic is injected under high pressure.
The next step will see copper electrodes incorporating all the fine details used with high-voltage current to gently spark erode the more subtle and nuanced forms such as frames, grilles, moulded pipe runs, rivets and so on.
We are hoping to receive the first moulded sample within the next two months.