Rudititanic

Lovely work!

Newly completed: the Caledonian Railway McIntosh 439 Class. Two versions have been made; one in their main format and the second with light modifications (such as pipework) as on preserved class member No. 419. https://www.shapeways.com/product/CTD4WR66N/n-gauge-caledonian-railway-439-class-v1 https://www.shapeways.com/product/8FESH7SSF/n-gauge-caledonian-railway-439-class-v2-preserved

Not at this juncture unless there is a commission request or considerable popular interest. Things are a bit busy at present!

According to what I read, it was an independent project by Robert Davinson supported by and tested on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway: https://topstastic.blogspot.com/2019/03/galvani.html

Alongside a S&DR chaldron, the latest N model worked on is somewhat odd even by Era 1 standards. In Scotland, 1842, the world's first electric-hauled train ran as a demonstration. Looking more like a truck it ate through non-rechargeable batteries, but proved it was possible. 'Galvani' therefore is both Era 1 and 'modern' electric!

The original drawings have variations through modifications, but as for differences I meant the often-reproduced plans made for modellers. Photos are always the safest for accuracy! Thanks. :)

Thanks. The NRM drawings were accessed in-person and measured/photographed rather than scans per se, and with the main dimensions drawn in it was then a case of comparing many photos to get/confirm the details (where no measurements, using like-for-like distances between known loco parts). The biggest challenge was that the two main model overview drawings are both wrong, and in different ways! Conversely the biggest success was finding a scarce image of the firebox roof area, revealing differences from what was commonly assumed. As a commission I ultimately developed Leader in O and 00 before amending to N for myself which aided its overall fineness. Good luck, hope this helps, and thanks for looking at my site.

Just in case useful for those discussing 3D printing: https://www.shapeways.com/product/WB35TCXS7/00-scale-bulleid-leader-scratch-aid-body (Bogie sides/cabs/ashpan & reverser also uploaded)

Having been completed in N, a 00 variant of Agenoria/Stourbridge Lion has ben worked on. Rescaling is not as easy as some might think as parts can get excessively thick (or thin in the other direction) so every part has to be overhauled as can be seen in this comparison of re-scaled N (right) versus refined 00. https://www.shapeways.com/product/ZJCY3TTE6/00-scale-agenoria-stourbridge-lion-loco

Such a pity, though historians often get overlooked... I'd be happy to help if you do go down the bodyshell route; I had started sorting mine for 00 too.

It’s interesting reading everyone’s comments about the inaccurate wheels, but so far sadly there are other issues too. Having recently completed a Leader in N Gauge (video/image below; now on Shapeways) I heavily researched the engine including accessing her original plans. Wheels and raised riveting (instead of flush) might be arguably minor, but potentially more noticeable is the absence of ten washout plugs on the roof. Furthermore, the safety valves were in a single cut-out rather than two holes (as per the unique rooftop photo in K Robertson Bulleid Man Myth and Machine p86) and the sliding panels either side of the smokebox were actually different sizes. Hopefully these will at least have the sliding doors fitted in the final model. Several panel seams are also missing which seems unusual as others are present. Then the funnel opening so far does not seem to fully correlate, and I hope the cycling lion on silver is not meant to be the works grey version! As photos to date are of pre-production tests I’m sure there’s much already in the works (fireman’s window bars and cab interiors for example) but it will be interesting to see the final model – I have two on order. I also messaged KR with these points a while back, though am still awaiting a response. As an aside, the key published modeller’s drawings of Leader are themselves incorrect not only regarding some of the above but even having the fish belly sides in the wrong place! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_J9aUqRmkA

A quick Christmas project - populating L&MR coaches with 3D-printed figures. As with the coaches themselves (eg the L&MR originally had no standing-only Third Class), this largely reflects the 1930s-onward replicas more than the actual 1830s - there would not have been too many top hats in Third Class!

Returning to something a little earlier, completed and awaiting running trials are two famously-tall engines: Agenoria (or is that Stourbridge Lion? ;) ) and LMR construction loco Twin Sisters. Rather different machines! https://www.shapeways.com/product/3CT7LTVWP/n-gauge-lmr-twin-sisters-loco-scratch-aid https://www.shapeways.com/product/KRCG2WE2M/n-gauge-agenoria-stourbridge-lion-loco-scratch-aid

Finally complete, Bulleid’s Leader in N has been heavily upgraded to feature not only accurate super-detail (having even used the original prototype plans via the NRM) but also a redesigned chassis system with new scale BFB wheels in replacement of the under-scale rtr ones. For those happy to compromise, however, a simple version with no chassis modifications is also available – videos have been produced explaining both of these construction methods. Here though, the prototype shows her paces… If anyone is interested in a more detailed breakdown of how the model was designed and built, I would be happy to explain and show photos etc.

After a few false starts, nearly there...!

For those asking about the N Gauge Leader upgrade, the final proofs are being tested and completion is (finally) in sight!

Introducing Era 0 - Elizabethan mine tubs! The very earliest of model railways (!) the tiny diorama really shows how rail technology has developed... https://www.shapeways.com/product/7REVSMHZU/n-gauge-elizabethan-plateway-diorama (Bulk pack also available)

Sharing a new commission, the Listowel Lartigue monorail has been rescaled and refined for 00, including track, wheels, loco, two coaches and mobile steps. Nominally ‘static’, these are all free-rolling as in N so with the potential for motorising… https://www.shapeways.com/product/G3CLRMRA2/00-scale-listowel-lartigue-locomotive (More links on the 00 page)

Very kind of you to say thanks. The early days had such a distinct aesthetic and such variety what with their pioneering nature, it makes a bit of a difference from Big Four etc (along with saving space)! As for the Sentinels, they're somewhat more modern but still just as distinctive and different in their own way so I certainly see their appeal. Good luck with the layout plans.

@Annie I think James has easily covered as much as I can in response to your questions, though to add with regard to the stronger/coarser plastic here are links covering more recent prints that hopefully you can gauge the finish from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVw3LrNFIG8 https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/176628-newman-miniatures-crampton As for motorising, it was designed for a specific motor-bogie chassis as James mentioned with no real intention for hollowing out per se, so I would recommend that type specifically. If, however, you are set on a different chassis I am open to developing an alternate print for you that is as spacious as possible if wanted (you would need to design your own mounting point/s though). At the very least I'm glad you find the model of interest!

On a current 3D development, Shapeways is increasing production costs of Smooth/Smoothest Fine Detail Plastic, and simultaneously promoting new materials - Gray and Clear Ultra Fine Detail Plastic. Having now built a Head Wrightson in the new material, here are a few photos and thoughts: The new plastic is easily as crisp as ‘Smoothest’ (if not more so) and seems to respond well to filing and paint (with primer). It’s just as brittle as its predecessor though, and while the buffers/details/wheel shims glued with no issue the accidentally-snapped-off brake remained somewhat weak post-gluing. Knocked off a few times I ultimately experimented in turn with superglue and plastic glue, both working if delicate (although this could be unfair to fault seeing how small the part is), and later shored up with some UHU at the coaling stage. Comparison of the finish with ‘Smoothest’ is stark, but again in fairness the predecessor was an early-built example before realising the need to thoroughly clean prints. Sometimes ‘Smoothest’ can have a slight crystalising issue especially where not cleaned so it waits to be seen if this is duplicated on the new model. Lastly, while not knowing if Shapeways has already increased its prices or not, the new material appears to be cheaper – in the case of 00 locos quite substantially. Early days, but certainly worth considering.

Recently upgrading the shape of Bulleid's 'Leader' in O Gauge, the decision to take this over to N etc as an improvement started a chain reaction of little tweaks that ultimately grew into discovering the model plans used were in areas completely wrong! The result is a hyper-detailed model with as much as possible included and each element checked against multiple images and period plans to get as accurate a rendition as possible. While the mechanics remain the same as an easy-build format the wheels are technically too small, so work has turned to hopefully develop a system for easy rewheeling of TomyTec chassis with BFB wheels. There's a lot to prep and it might not be successful, but it's certainly worth trying...

A newly-upgraded 00 Planet Class has just been developed - perfect for the Hornby Era I coaches. https://www.shapeways.com/product/BS4SETZST/00-scale-planet-loco-scratch-aid-fine-detai https://www.shapeways.com/product/VBQGJ9CE9/00-scale-planet-tender-scratch-aid-fine-detail More images can be found on this post:

Great thanks, and glad you're pleased. If I can be of any help do let me know.

Great work and some lovely extra details - really adds character.