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2mmFS : GWR W1 Cattle Wagon (3D Printed)


Ian Smith

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Following the receipt from Shapeways of a GWR Cattle train that I had drawn up (http://www.rmweb.co....e-train-in-fud/), I have been working on two of the set, a W1 Large Cattle Wagon, and a W2 Medium (Outside Framed) Cattle Wagon.

 

The parts received from Shapeways were cleaned of the waxy support residue using an old toothbrush and washing up liquid. Annoyingly on a couple of the wagons (not the ones in this article) I was a little over-zealous and damaged the T section strapping on the wagon ends (at least I assume it was me and not just a bad print). So for future reference, care is needed while cleaning :nono:

 

Once cleaned, the 2mm Scale Association RCH W Irons (part 2-312) were folded up and soldered, then secured with super glue into the recesses that I'd had the foresight to draw into the rear of the solebars (a similar recess assisted the location and fixing of the V hanger). The brake gear was from an old 11'0" wheel base underframe etch that is unfortunately no longer available (I guess it has been superceeded by a better version). The brake handles are from another old etch of Colin Waite brake gear, the last few limited supplies of which are now being sold off by the 2mm Scale Association Shop 2.

 

The W1 wagons were actually 11'6" wheelbase, but this slight discrepancy doesn't really show on the finished wagon (the wheel spacing is to the correct 11'6" it's just the brake gear that is 11'0").

 

The door bangers are simply strips of 0.010" nickel silver from a bit of an old etch, that were bent to shape with a little "tail" that was inserted into a small hole in the top part of the solebars. These were secured with more super glue applied from the inside of the solebars. The buffers are again 2mm Scale Association items (part 2-072), and are a snug fit in the pre-drawn holes in the headstocks.

 

The horizontal bars in the openings at the top of the sides are 0.3mm brass wire cut to length and super glued to the back of the door framing - The W2 has a recess drawn in to facilitate this fixing, but rather stupidly I forgot to add this aid when I drew the W1 (although I have now rectified this in the updated drawing uploaded on Shapeways.

 

The photo below hopefully shows the W1 (and W2) underframes, and the method employed in the construction of the underframes.

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The roof was made from 0.010" plasticard, gently rolled to shape with a marker pen on a mouse mat. The strengthening strapping being 0.005" plasticard strip. The W2 does not have the strengthening strapping.

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The first attempt at painting the W1 had to be stripped off with white spirit as despite being a nice new tin of MATT Humbrol dark grey, it insisted on drying GLOSSY !!!! :cry:

 

One surprising benefit of the stripping process was to leave a finish that rather nicely shows off the 3D Print though :

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A complete re-paint has left the following little wagon that I'm really rather pleased with, it still needs some transfers adding (large 25" GW) and of course the lime wash that was prevalent in my chosen modelling period (c.1905/6). I need to obtain some new transfers because the old Woodhead that I have (I think) are well past their best, I will probably try Fox Transfers, and hope that they have the word "LARGE" on there 2mm GWR sheet.

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Ian

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The venting slats in the sides have come out particularly well. How thick are the planks in that area?

 

The sides I made 0.8mm thick, the ends are a little thicker at 1.0mm (although I thinned the edge of the end where it would be visible in the opening in the sides to 0.5mm (the wide of the corner strapping) by chamfering back along the end by 3.0mm. The plank gaps go into the sides by 0.2mm. All of the strapping (except the X strapping on the ends) is 0.2mm thick, and the bolt heads are all 0.2mm square (again excepting the ones on the X strapping which are slightly bigger but are hexagonal in shape and both stick out 0.15mm).

 

Following the successful printing of these Cattle Wagons, I have made them publicly available from Shapeways (I have bundled them into pairs to keep the cost down for potential purchasers as Shapeways apply a 5 euro surcharge per STL file when printing FUD). If anyone wants more than 2 of a wagon, I don't mind putting a file together containing a few wagons (as I did for myself - 7 wagons for

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Thanks for all that dimensional information, Ian. Goes to show how FUD can be made to look excellent even in 2mm scale.

 

P.S. Tapered headstocks on the wooden solebar version???? (I can't recall seeing a wooden sb W2, but it seems a bit odd in style terms.)

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Where's the smiley for raiding the piggy bank? There should be one. :D

 

Nice work. Will you be at the AGM? I'd love to see these in the flesh, so to speak.

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Tapered headstocks on the wooden solebar version???? (I can't recall seeing a wooden sb W2, but it seems a bit odd in style terms.)

 

My 1976 edition of Volume 2 of Atkins, et al has a picture of no. 26481 which reasonably clearly shows the tapered headstocks, also the drawing of the wagon in the same volume shows the same. Whether all of the wooden solebar shod wagons in the diagram had the tapering is open to question.

 

Richard,

 

Unfortunately, I will not be attending the AGM - Throughout the autumn and winter my other hobby (Radio Controlled Car Racing) takes precedent on Saturdays.

 

Ian

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Looking really good Ian! The fineness of the planking is remarkable, especially considering the scale that you are working in. The picture of the wagon after paint striping really highlights the detail, the wood grain in the planking is very nicely done. A little dry brushing of a lighter colour on the finished wagon would really bring it to life, in my opinion. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished, lettered wagon.

 

Best wishes

 

Dave

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Richard,

 

I attended TINGS yesterday, and realised what you meant by "...and we're rostered on different days..."

 

Another Ian Smith was in attendance on the 2mmFS stand :-)

 

A shame our paths didn't cross, I had taken my 3D printed wagons with me on the off chance that you would be there on Saturday.

 

Below are a couple of images that I have posted in my gallery of the finished W1 in pre 1904 cast plate livery:

2mmFS GWR W1 Cattle Wagon (Non Brake Side)

2mmFS GWR W1 Cattle Wagon (Brake Side)

 

Ian

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In my experience with FUD you can go down to 0.5mm + detail happily providing you've got a bracing of some kind (eg an interior bar of 1x1mm or so here and there or a curve or angle) - its like adding framing to the real thing.

 

On the painting side looking at the way it came out when you cleaned off the old paint I'm curious if there is a way to get that lovely wood look from the cleaning back out of it painted and given a wash somehow ?

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Alan,

 

From the limited experience I have with FUD 0.5mm does seem fine (that is the thickness of the springs that I had printed up - obviously they are delicate until fixed to the model though).

 

The problems with the original painting of the W1 have provided an excellent cleaning fluid - White Spirit - The finish of the FUD material after washing (well mild scrubbing really) in White Spirit accepts enamel paint excellently, I did not apply any undercoat / primer to the wagons.

 

Ian

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