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One coach I have wanted to do is well known to anyone who watched the classic 1970 version of The Railway Children. The film probabably put the preserved line on the map. As the coach is away being repaired I could not se in when I was at the gala in July, but I found a good drawing and corrected my first attempt.

ner-inspection-saloon-1a.jpg

 

The other new design is for the LMS Sentinel railmotor. After a bit of research, I determined that the published drawings were correct for the production version, there being a prototype version which is actually very simlar to thelightweight  LNER ones . I decided I sould start with the poduction version, but intend to do all the other versions. I think the LMS might have even run the prototype coach with the production loco unit.

lms-sentinel-railmotor1a.jpg

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In some ways it is a disadvantage, but mainly an advantage, that all my models are only produced to order. No upfront manufacture cost for me, no limited editions(although I could always withdraw models), no limited production run, and no waiting for years to see models, but this does mean some don't see the rush to get my next model.

Now maybe I should make my models in effect limited by only having them available for a set period. This would probably be counter productive, as I still have interest in my earlier narrow gauge models. It might be something I could do with buildings , changing shop names after a set period.

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One editor actually came up with a very good desciption of 3D printing , namely an 'aid to scratchbuilding'. It is not kit building, it it not r2r, and I try to aim my models at those who want something different, something they can use to complete a model. WSF is very strong and versatile. You can modify it, paint it with ANY water based paint, and it is UV proof. I have had a small number of breakages, due to fragile small parts, and these can easily be fixed or replaced, but I have heard of  far far more problems with broken and warped FUD prints. With WSF  I now recommend people use a drop of cheap superglue on fragile parts as soon as they receive models.

We all joke about rivet counters, I wonder why. Most people are happy to have a model at all, and I have had a lot of positive feedback . On request I have offered some narrow gauge models in FUD, but have had no feedback on them.  I prefer an overall impression to look good and consistent, and have seen far too many layouts with some parts spot on(all rivets present), but seriously rubbish on other parts of the layout, in particular buildings. To be fair, I sometimes get annoyed at  incorrect brick bonds, and stone setts(cobbles) being laid the wrong way.

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I have posted photos of some of my own models. I know someone who has used one of my models, and I have seen the photos, superb. I usually have some of my models with me at exhibitions, visiting and exhibiting. Hopefully one model will be on display at Warley as part of their club display of 3D printed models.

As I keep trying to stress, you have to think of 3D printed models differently. They nicely plug a gap between r2r and kit/scratchbuilding, a gap which is getting bigger. R2r can not deliver everything people want, and more people now don't build kits, but some are happy to have something halfway. I started out with narrow gauge WW1 models, and found that was definitely true with that group. Maybe standard gauge modellers are not quite as free thinking, and expect everything, but at r2r/kit type prices.

Development costs are low(apart from my time and the software I bought), but production costs are high, so it is not possible to realistically get samples of every model I design. From my experience I recon I can work out what works OKand where there could be problems. I have also tried various paints, glues and materials to use on/with the WSF plastic, and some might find it difficult to accept, but you can forget some of the specialist paints and materials, and use what you can find in any decent diy/craft shop. In many ways you are going back to pre-plastic days, as WSF is more like wood/cardboard/paper as it absorbs liquid.

Like others I had thought that 3D printing could do everything, but I have determined what it is best at doing, especially when cost is taken into account.I have not been tempted by loco chassis, as I would rather use a r2r based chassis, others are capable of building metal chassis. I think leaving it up to the modeller is best policy, otherwise you are tryin to do different models for different types of modeller, and the more skilled they are, the better they are at doing the extra work  to bring it up to the standard they want.

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One coach I have wanted to do is well known to anyone who watched the classic 1970 version of The Railway Children. The film probabably put the preserved line on the map. As the coach is away being repaired I could not se in when I was at the gala in July, but I found a good drawing and corrected my first attempt.

ner-inspection-saloon-1a.jpg

 

The other new design is for the LMS Sentinel railmotor. After a bit of research, I determined that the published drawings were correct for the production version, there being a prototype version which is actually very simlar to thelightweight  LNER ones . I decided I sould start with the poduction version, but intend to do all the other versions. I think the LMS might have even run the prototype coach with the production loco unit.

lms-sentinel-railmotor1a.jpg

have you a link for buying the NER Saloon

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I have posted photos of some of my own models. I know someone who has used one of my models, and I have seen the photos, superb. I usually have some of my models with me at exhibitions, visiting and exhibiting. Hopefully one model will be on display at Warley as part of their club display of 3D printed models.

As I keep trying to stress, you have to think of 3D printed models differently. They nicely plug a gap between r2r and kit/scratchbuilding, a gap which is getting bigger. R2r can not deliver everything people want, and more people now don't build kits, but some are happy to have something halfway. I started out with narrow gauge WW1 models, and found that was definitely true with that group. Maybe standard gauge modellers are not quite as free thinking, and expect everything, but at r2r/kit type prices.

Development costs are low(apart from my time and the software I bought), but production costs are high, so it is not possible to realistically get samples of every model I design. From my experience I recon I can work out what works OKand where there could be problems. I have also tried various paints, glues and materials to use on/with the WSF plastic, and some might find it difficult to accept, but you can forget some of the specialist paints and materials, and use what you can find in any decent diy/craft shop. In many ways you are going back to pre-plastic days, as WSF is more like wood/cardboard/paper as it absorbs liquid.

Like others I had thought that 3D printing could do everything, but I have determined what it is best at doing, especially when cost is taken into account.I have not been tempted by loco chassis, as I would rather use a r2r based chassis, others are capable of building metal chassis. I think leaving it up to the modeller is best policy, otherwise you are tryin to do different models for different types of modeller, and the more skilled they are, the better they are at doing the extra work  to bring it up to the standard they want.

 

I agree with all of that, Simon, but....

 

Worth saying that 3D printing is now moving on very rapidly. The quality of prints will soon see a step change in quality and I have no doubt that it will become a bit cheaper as well.

 

Well done for being such a pioneer in this field and so prolific.

 

PS: I think that you are right to leave chassis/motorisation to the end user. But it would be useful to have more of the underframe bits such as battery boxes. Finding the necessary info to scratchbuild these is tricky.

Edited by Joseph_Pestell
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Underframes etc would add to time and cost. It must be a juggling act for what can be done in a reasonable time and for a reasonable cost. Personally I would rather some was available as a starting point.

I have nothing but praise for the venture.

What stand will you be on at Warley?

Richard

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Unfortunately I can't afford to trade at Warley. Also from my experience of doing a few shows up here, people don't seem to be ready yet to just yet, and I can't afford to get loads of stuff printed to sell. Lack of WIFI in most exhibition bvenues does not help.  One of those organising Warley exhibition it has bought one of my models, and mentioned there is usually a display of 3D printed models on the club stand.

3D printing is getting better, but there have been a lot of problems with some of the new materials. Lots of people say the price will come down, but I am not so sure. Far more likely just to stay as it is until manufacturing costs go up, which hopefully won't happen for a long time.

There is a big difference between producing a few items for yourself, and producing enough as a manufacturer. Chris Ward said that there was no real profit in this, and I think did a lot of prototype models, for which companies are prepared to pay the real price .

There is a lot of hype, and publicity tends to highlight new development(which does not come cheap). There are a lot of similarities to the world of 2D printing(ie books and magazines). Think how long it would take you to print off one copy of RM on your home printer. There has been talk for a few years about having bookshops which print books to order, but that has not taken off yet. You can get books online, printed to order, which is what Peter Smith does with his books about French railways. That is OK , if you are at home, but I wonder how many would visit a shop, and buy a book that way. I wish it was not that way, but until 2D printing can print a complete book or magazine , while you wait, then it won't happen.

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have you a link for buying the NER Saloon

now up and running(link via my website)

 

What next? Think it must be GWR's turn next. I fancy an articulated commuter coach set. Not something I have see modelled, or offered in kit form

Edited by rue_d_etropal
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What next? Think it must be GWR's turn next. I fancy an articulated commuter coach set.

 

Hi Simon,

You've just mentioned one of my pet projects for adding to my collection. I've been looking at scratch building a set of these for years (made an aborted start) and pestering the Wishlist Poll Team to add it to the survey. 247 Developments will soon have the 8'6" articulated bogies available again which would make the project more viable.

 

If you are looking for more GWR subjects can I suggest the 70' Dreadnought and Concertina types. I tried building Concertina 3rd and Van 3rd brass and white metal kits about twenty years ago and made a proper pigs ear out of them. The 3D printing method looks to be very suitable for these with their recessed doors. 

 

No rush for any of these models for me at the moment. As I'm trying to get by with a disabilty pension I don't have the funds to buy anything much in the near future. It would be nice to know though, that when I have the spare cash, I could just turn around and order a print when needed.

 

Dave R.

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Dave, I have Jim Russell's book, which has the Swindon working drawings. He does say you have to be careful, and work with photos, but the articulated coaches are a pretty basic design(4 different ones), flat ended, no rain strips,the compartment ridges in roof are simple. Only new thing is the roof vents, which are different to others I have done, but at least they are on the drawings. The simplicity of the design does make me wonder why no-one has done a kit before(was one ever done in rolled metal?). As for a r2r, even a 3 coach one woiuld be pretty long, and they worked as a double set. Then there is the 6 coach version. Luckily from my side, that is no problem.

As for other GWR coaches, I will work through them. I shall note down any suggestions. Ideally I would do either coaches which can be used singly, or there is a set. I am less keen on sets, as they then cost more, and having to upload and maintain a set involves even more work(I try to do all new designs in 4 scales from N to OO.)

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Well my SECR 6 wheel van arrived today....

 

post-1099-0-11857300-1509648765_thumb.jpg

post-1099-0-71086200-1509648787_thumb.jpg

post-1099-0-45293700-1509648828_thumb.jpg

post-1099-0-50071300-1509648844_thumb.jpg

 

Other than one of the veranda ends has an error I'm really impressed.(I will sort with some filler and live with it)

The finish is excellent. All I have done is drop in some temporary wheels.

 

Handrails and lamp irons will be added and it will be ready to match its P class.

 

Andy

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No problem, I do know there was some mention of alterations.

As for  other wagons, I will have to think about it. If you have any specific requests then let me know. I now have the book. Wagons seem to take longer to design than coaches, although it might just be the brakevan , with differences at each end. Assuming most fittings such as axle boxes are the same or close enough, then I can re-use some parts. As I have a BR 16ton wagon, that could provide some parts as well, but sometimes it is just as easy to do another similar design. I do at least have a basic set of brakes for a 9ft wheelbase.

Edited by rue_d_etropal
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responding to a request for LMS post office sorting and storage vans in N gauge I came up with these.

 

LMS-Post-Ofice-vans-d1792-d1793.jpg

I hae included a basic chassis this time, as they are standard lengths and could be useful for other designs. I may modify some of my existing ones .I plan to do something similar o all new designs from now.

Talking of which, I have just had a request for a class 506 EMU. That may be next, as it was already on the list, and I have drawings.

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started on the 506.

motor coach first

cl506-luggage-motor-coach-1a.jpg

Only detail not 100% certain is the roof vents, as not on drawings, and most photos are not that clear.

Also the sister units , the class 306 before conversion to AC, are close enough. I think only visual difference in body is trailer coach, as one was a composite, so had a partition where one roof vent would be. It should bealso possile to change design to suit the modified version assuming I can get a drawing.

 

just added the motor trailer and centre coach.

 

cl506-trailer-coach-1a.jpg

cl506-motor-trailer-coach-1a.jpg

Edited by rue_d_etropal
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With the new model of the ex SECR P class loco out in the not too distance future, Ithought something for its original purpose as a pushpull loco. A set of 3 6 wheelers, which survived into the 20s. Some were also converted into 4 wheelers , had corridor connections and were transferred to the IOW. I think they were intended initially for Sheppey, but the converted steam railcar coaches were used.

 

secr-6w-pushpull-brake-third-1a.jpg

secr-6w-pushpull-first-1a.jpg

secr-6w-pushpull-third-1a.jpg

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Something different, the GWR built 3 sets of 6 articulated Mainline and City(ie Commuter) coaches. One set was fully articulated, the other2 were made up of 2 3 coach articulated sets. Each 3 car set was made up of one third brake, one third and one composite. For the 6 coach set the composite was also articulated. Thus 3 types of body, but 4 types of complete coach.
Bogies were 7ft on ends and 8ft 6in on articulated sections.
The coaches were built in the 20s and survived till about 1960.

 

gwr-artic-mainline-city-brake-3rd-coach-gwr-artic-mainline-city-third-coach-1.jpgwr-artic-mainline-city-comp-end-coach-1

gwr-artic-mainline-city-comp-coach-1.jpg

Not a short train, and only really for an urban setting. 

Edited by rue_d_etropal
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