More 3D - adding something new every week

[rue_d_etropal]

I am sticking with small prototypes at the moment as they are good for bigger scales.

Light railways had some interesting railcars, but are not that well documented. After studying a few photos and comparing some drawings I came up with the lightweight railcar and both versions of trailer for the WCPR.

The open sides version of the trailer was not in that form for long. I only found one photo online. Photos of railcar and trailer together are also rair, but I did deduce that there were differences in their shape. The railcar is slightly taller. Measurements are available for the railcar, but not the trailer, which I deduced was about 3ft shorter(one window). The buffers might be a bit chunky, but are based on th ones fitted to the larger railcar.

I think they would lookgood on any light railway modelled, not just the WCPR.

I plan to do other light railway railcars.

Even in Gauge One(1/32) they are not that big.

[grahame]

Much of what is said about WSF is just opinion.

 

 

Maybe some is opinion, but the opinion of potential customers is important and shouldn't readily be dismissed. I'd much rather have items printed in FUD than WSF. I'd have thought that offering the option would appeal to more.

 

I've not had problems with painting FUD, with either enamels or acrylics, so long as it is thoroughly de-waxed and de-greased and appropriately primed.

 

G.

[rue_d_etropal]

Just received copy of Early Years of Motor Rail.... , by WJK Davies.Odd that I had not bought a copy already as it had much of the info I required for my first WW1 loco. Plenty of ideas, some nice drawings as well. Thee appears to have been a slightly bigger 60hp version of tye standard gauge Simplex, but not sure if it ever went into production. For me it will be ideal for Gauge One as the wheel base is 6ft 6in, making it possible to use a r2r chassis.

 

The big FUD/WSF debate. I am happy to offer FUD as an option, but I won't be modifying my designs, so some advantages will be lost. I have some well known and experienced modellers who have had no problem with my WSF(having chosen it even when I offer FUD). The trend in the hobby is away from traditional approaches, and many are less prepared to have to clean , prime and then use expensive paint on teir models. Getting hold of these paints is getting more difficulyespecially with restrictions in postal system. I can buy all my paints at my local branch of Wilkinsons, and any good DIY store should be able to supply similar. I want to encourage more into the hobby, so removing barriers(eg no local specialist model shop), will help.

I am also now looking at bigger scales(O and G1), and many of these are too big for anything other than WSF. O and G1 are getting more interest these days(eyesight ?), but much of what is offered is complicated kits. I am planning to offer a basic body which is a major aid to anyone building the model, and I have found the prices are actually very reasonable.

 

I am trying to offer something for as many people as possible, not just a small minority.

[NeilHB]

Mine arrived today from Shapeways - nice and quick as I only ordered it on the 30th December!

 

It's rather nice and a big thank you to Simon for taking the time to produce this.

 

If I may point out one issue though - the shape of the cab roof is wrong - the roof on the real thing had more of a peaked profile.

 

 

 

See the difference with the prototype photo of Rachel in the goods yard at Burneside (image courtesy of Burneside Past and Present group on Facepest).

 

Not a big issue to sort though with a bit of plasticard!

 

With regards to the main line versions with 6'6" wheelbase - as far as I'm aware these were never produced. They did go on to produce a couple more versions which are illustrated later in that book.

Edited January 4, 2018 by NeilHB

[Dava]

I've recommended the Simplex on the G0G forum as someone was looking for one to replace the impetus kit. Look forward to seeing Neil's on the Burneside Tramway soon!

 

Dava

[NeilHB]

Thanks Dave - I’ll bring it with me to the Mickleover open day in January for inpection :-)

[Edwardian]

Just received copy of Early Years of Motor Rail.... , by WJK Davies.Odd that I had not bought a copy already as it had much of the info I required for my first WW1 loco. Plenty of ideas, some nice drawings as well. Thee appears to have been a slightly bigger 60hp version of tye standard gauge Simplex, but not sure if it ever went into production. For me it will be ideal for Gauge One as the wheel base is 6ft 6in, making it possible to use a r2r chassis.

 

The big FUD/WSF debate. I am happy to offer FUD as an option, but I won't be modifying my designs, so some advantages will be lost. I have some well known and experienced modellers who have had no problem with my WSF(having chosen it even when I offer FUD). The trend in the hobby is away from traditional approaches, and many are less prepared to have to clean , prime and then use expensive paint on teir models. Getting hold of these paints is getting more difficulyespecially with restrictions in postal system. I can buy all my paints at my local branch of Wilkinsons, and any good DIY store should be able to supply similar. I want to encourage more into the hobby, so removing barriers(eg no local specialist model shop), will help.

I am also now looking at bigger scales(O and G1), and many of these are too big for anything other than WSF. O and G1 are getting more interest these days(eyesight ?), but much of what is offered is complicated kits. I am planning to offer a basic body which is a major aid to anyone building the model, and I have found the prices are actually very reasonable.

 

I am trying to offer something for as many people as possible, not just a small minority.

 

By way of consumer feedback, I am bound to say that I am a little out off by WSF as a material for objects that require a smooth finish but that feature significant raised detail, such as wooden bodied passenger stock.  I looked seriously at the SE&CR 6-wheel 3-set, but I worry that the amount of smoothing down necessary could be achieved whilst navigating round the panel detail.

 

Also, I do worry that the price of the medium might militate against the accessibility you advocate. I realise that to an extent this is out of the control of sellers.

 

It might help if there were more finished examples to be seen, or posts showing how acceptable results might be obtained. It is, however, too expensive, for me, to risk a failed experiment. Perhaps you and your customers could show off a bit more, which might show my concerns to be overstated.   

 

I know others will disagree with what I say, but here is at least one potential customer who has not taken the plunge with your products yet, and it might assist to have the feedback as to why I, and maybe others, have so far held off.

 

Perhaps I just need to see the light!

Edited January 4, 2018 by Edwardian

[rue_d_etropal]

On panelled coach sides you are unlikely to damage the panelling if you smooth it down. Much of the opinion is still based on theory(or obsession with fine detail!), and when you see it in reality these days , you might realise it is not that bad .

It will not be damaged by UV, and does not need fancy cleaning up as is required with other plastics. I don't add some small detail(it is not really that visible except in some peoples minds).

 

Many of the best models built over the years have been built from wood or card. Smoothing down is not big a task, if you use the right tools to do it. WSF is not as fragile as other plastics. It is tought, one reason some don't like it. Also for the bigger scales , there is no alternative, unless you want a kit of parts, and that defeats one big plus for 3D printing.

[TurboSnail]

The 'white strong and flexible - polished' material might be worth a try, I've got a couple of models in it and the layers don't really show very much - unfortunately I don't have an normal WSF version to compare it to though.

[TurboSnail]

I dug out the 'White, strong and flexible - polished' model and here are the worst bits. As usual the curse of the camera makes it look worse than it is (the model is OO scale).

 

 

The sides are better and just have a rough finish rather than print lines - could probably fix with some high build primer.

 

[rue_d_etropal]

Smoothing is only offered for items up to a certain size, and it can remove detail. It is not that difficult to sand down yourself.

Iagree photos do show it looks worse tha it actually is, which is why I recommend people actually have a look at an item in reality.

[rue_d_etropal]

Just so Hornby are not the only one with new items announced today, I have made the WCPR railcar and trailer(s) available today. I think I have got them right, based on mixture of photos and published dimensions. not much info about the trailer, but I think it looks OK.

 

I now have my first print of the LMS Ro-Rail bus(like what K's produced). As mine is HO, I am having to think how to motorize it, and as a result will make a couple of changes to the design before resizing.

After that I have my selection of different ypes of Scammell Mechanical Horse tractors and trailers to resize.

That should keep me busy.

 

I resized the L&Y steam railmotor fot O and G1. I have split loco from coach(each orderd separately), as some may feel they can build loco themselves.  I plan to work through other designs, with a sprinkling of brand new ones as well.

Edited January 8, 2018 by rue_d_etropal

[sem34090]

My single experience (so far) of a WSF-type material is an LBSCR Class D1 0-4-2T that I drew up and accidentally printed to HO scale. It came out very nicely, with the curved parts nice and smooth with no noticeable stepping (The only ridges were the ones that were on the original model!), and it took paint like a dream! Cab detail came out well too.

 

That was from imaterialise, where it's listed as 'Polyamide'.

[rue_d_etropal]

Much depends on which machine is used and possibly how it is set up. I think that in the past Shapeways have subcontracted work out when they were busy. Not sure if that happens now, but quality can vary. I don't think of WSF as a finished product, but it is saves a lot of work, if alternative is either scatchbuilding or even some kits. Fine detail(eg handrails and buffers), and I can either repair any breakages, or strengthen them with a drop of cheap liquid superglue when I first take them out of package.

One thing I won't use WSF for, is something requiring precise enginieering such as a loco chassis, but it does seem to be OK for wagon and coach chassis.Flexibility of the material helps.

[rue_d_etropal]

Got back to looking at the Wickham Trolley I started to design, primarily for G1,and then it would have been a stretched one to fit the chassis I have. As I had just got hold of a slightly shorter chassis, I wondered if that for fit, but it is also slightly too long. Thought it worth while continuing with the design, primarily in O and G1, but I am sure it could also be used for narrow gauge down to 1/55 scale.

Deliberately basic, not that the real ones are that sophisticated! I think they tended to use same body for different gauges.

[rue_d_etropal]

just done more on the Wickham trolleys, from 1/32 down to 1/100. Although designed for standard gauge, same bodies were often used on narrow gauge. They are no  bigger than a Tin Turtle.

 

I have done stard single unit, and a double ended version, similar to one supplied to MOD . Also done both with and without roof. This is mainly for cost reasons as both O and G1 vrsions are a lot cheaper without roof.

The G1 double version is designed to fit a Bachmann G gauge Winston chassis. This is actually what started me on the design, but then found out the chassis was too long for standard unit.

 

 

Hopefully I will be doing some other versions. One of the double unts in 1/22.5, possibly 1/19 as well. Want to find other designs of trolley as well. Some might be fictional, but still look OK.

[rue_d_etropal]

Something a bit more 'normal', now

 

The Swindon built GWR railcars, single, parcels and twin ones(including rebuilt single as a twin)

Scales from TT up to G1

 

   

 

Must do something LMS next , just wish I could find decent drawings for their articulated railcar, but I think it will be the original LNWR Siemens EMU, which can be modified for the Morecombe line as well as origial London lines.

[stewartingram]

If only a Wickham 109...........

[unravelled]

Ooh, that G1 parcels railcar looks tempting. Have you considered the AEC/BUT vehicles in G1? Are the later 4 wheel railcars too recent for you to consider, as they would make an interesting gauge 1 vehicle.

 

Thanks

 

Dave

[rue_d_etropal]

Ihave the BUT ones inother scales. I plan to do all in as many scales as possible.  For Gauge One, I am currently doing 1/32, but may also do 10mm/ft eventually.

Edited January 27, 2018 by rue_d_etropal

[rue_d_etropal]

Wickham 109 might be possible. That front roof line is a bit different.

[unravelled]

Ihave the BUT ones inother scales. I plan to do all in as many scales as possible.  For Gauge One, I am currently doing 1/32, but may also do 10mm/ft eventually.

I saw the BUT other scales , and thought they might make a nice G1 project and could be bought in instalments. I'm happy with the idea of 1/32 for any Gauge 1 I buy now, but I guess the good thing about 3d is that you can offer both.

 

Thanks

 

Dave

[rue_d_etropal]

Back to electrics with the original LNWR Siemens EMU, which wre then modified to AC to run Morecambe line.

 

and something completely different, but a lot more basic, the standard gauge 50hp 8ton shunting loco

[rue_d_etropal]

Made sense to do the original Midland Railway electric units as well

[mogman1969]

If only a Wickham 109...........

I'd settle for just the ends as a start !