Model Railway Structures

[Mike G]

 

 

ON the other hand I could get a set of comet model brass sides - around £ 40 and replace the sides form an existing Hornby model - which I could pick up for around £ 15, but then I'd need to be good at soldering, which I'm not.

 

 

Peter

 

Comet sides £10.50 a set, you wouldn't solder the sides to the donor. Find any of coachmans threads to see how to glue the sides to the ends. The only soldering you may have to do may be the backs of the door windows and a few grab handles. For a £25 investment I'd think that was worth a try for at least one coach. You may surprise yourself into the bargain. Clean area, plenty of flux, plenty of heat (25 watt min) and a dab of solder. Got to be worth ago surely?

 

Mike

[bigwordsmith]

Thanks Mike I thought they were a lot pricier than that I watched Tony Wright's video on BRM on  brass soldering- as I'm thinking of Gresley bodies there are loads of panel lines and door/ grab handles - unless you solder them absolutely perfectly - which I'm not sure I could do they will look a mess, but as you say at a tenner a pop that's probably the best option.

[FNM600]

My latest model is a lattice footbridge based on the footbridge at Kirby in Furness.

 

674x501_1783563_2362845_1394884734.jpg

 

Currently just doing some minor tweaking to suit printing requirements. Likely to be available for sale in about 10 days.

  In what scale is it in? 1:87 3.5mm HO or 1:76 4mm  OO  ?

 I must admit that 3D seems the salvation for poor British HO which facing an uphill struggle against the OO overscale brigade with so much legacy stock and being really pampered by the big boys such as (Triang)-Hornby, now a major make in my country too, and Bachmann plus that new manufacturer from the land of Lego  (DK) !

   Regarding Hornby they have rationalized the sectional track systems (Setrack) and power supplies but have... a long way to go regarding scale (1:76 1:80 1:87) and couplings although their latest offering have NEM362 coupling pockets make exchanges easy.

 

  Jokes apart, could and would you print to order by scaling OO drawings by 76.2/87= .87 !

 

  Going O.T. :  what scale is used in NZ ?  For track I presume it is 12mm HOm the nearest commercial one to 3'6" 1067mm.  Is that so? 

  On the other hand looking at picture from down under on the net NZ railway structures seem very British! Is that so?

 

   Your items look very good!

Edited May 30, 2015 by FNM600

[wizmacnz]

The footbridge is available on Shapeways at OO, HO and N Scale. Unfortunately the HO is quite pricey because of the material it has to be printed in and its' size. The N scale is a real bargain. The OO was ok until Shapeways changed their pricing structure. Hopefully they will at some point change the pricing structure again to restore its competitiveness.

 

NZ modelers use a variety of scales (my layout is OO). Quite popular is NZ prototype in S  Scale (1:64).

[phil gollin]

The footbridge is available on Shapeways at OO, HO and N Scale. Unfortunately the HO is quite pricey because of the material it has to be printed in and its' size. The N scale is a real bargain. The OO was ok until Shapeways changed their pricing structure. Hopefully they will at some point change the pricing structure again to restore its competitiveness.

 

NZ modelers use a variety of scales (my layout is OO). Quite popular is NZ prototype in S  Scale (1:64).

 

Have you got an option to produce a version with lattice work sides to the steps, instead of vertical railings ?

 

Thanks

 

.

[FNM600]

 -- OMISSIS --

 

NZ modelers use a variety of scales (my layout is OO). Quite popular is NZ prototype in S  Scale (1:64).

 Thank you for your reply to my questions.

  Re: My question on scale:

  Well in all countries there are different scales such as N 1:160,  HO 1:87,  O  (albeit in the varieties of 1:45 (correct for the track), 1:43.5 (double HO at 7mm/ft), 1:48 (1/4" /ft) to suit different tastes in detailing and/or room available at home.

    I didn't think about it, but it makes sense to use this unusual scale S 1:64 as your local mainline gauge of 1067 or 3'6" would be scale at nearly 16.67 nearly HO track for track for STD gauge (1435mm) by a 1% error !

  So one could use HO track with bigger sleepers and HO mechanisms.

  Also I wonder whether local homes have more bigger spare rooms such as sheds, etc. in many urban home in many parts of Europe.

  Also I doubt about much interchange of rolling stock with the local Australia as it is 3 hours by plane and not just 25miles/40km!

   You mention OO, but being an English speaking country (I believe in NZ you talk about railways rather than railroads) I am wondering about OO/HO saga and confusion there. You mention OO yourself.

   I discovered this years ago the hard way when I moved to UK.  In Europe although there are different rail gauges such as in Spain/Portugal 1668mm and Russia/Finland 1524/1520mm and Ireland at 1600mm the height and spacing of buffers are the same thoughout in Europe to allow interoperability by means of wheel/bogie exchange at least on STD and broad gauge without using special adaptor wagons.

 In HO usually the same 16.5mm tracks (error on track gauge in Spain for instance) and 1:87  scale is used except for the islanders meaning GB as one S.African shop on the net puts it!

 

  Again compliments for your 3D printed detail parts!

Edited May 30, 2015 by FNM600

[wizmacnz]

Have you got an option to produce a version with lattice work sides to the steps, instead of vertical railings ?

 

Thanks

 

.

3D printing companies, such as Shapeways, seem to have now standardized on a cost model that puts an emphasis on how much space a model takes up in the printer. Shapeways used to charge by how much material is actually printed. Models like the footbridge don't use much material, but do take up significant machine space. Apart from the N scale footbridge, that is still a bargain, the larger scale footbridges now have a cost penalty and are not really selling. Until the cost penalty is reduced, and I get some sales, I'm not really planning to do further variations of the footbridge model. Of course I could make lattice work sides to the steps and will put some time into further variations when pricing improves.

 

Peter

[westhighlandline]

Hi Peter

 

Just stumbled over your thread while browsing for N gauge footbridges on Google. Nice work there, and the price seems more than just fair for the intricate richness in detail that you've added. I think I'll order one as soon as my credit card is set back to 0.-, which should be by June 8th.

 

Cheers from Switzerland

Kosta

[wizmacnz]

Well, I've been very remiss in updating recently. I've been extremely busy, but unfortunately not really related to railway modeling. The software I use for creating models for 3D printing is the same software that I use for the main day job, designing buildings for the real world.This is an example of what it can do, when I'm using it for what it was intended.

 

 

 

I have found a bit of time to add a few windows, doors and chimney pots to the N scale models available for Scalescenes kits, and I've started on providing drawing documentation with dimensions for people planning to use things I've got available in their own models. The first of these is available for download from the Blog page of my website at http://modelrailwaystructures.com

 

My model railway structures facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/modelrailwaystructures isnow past 500 likes, which is fantastic considering I've yet to do any proper advertising for my products, website or facebook page. 

 

I'm almost looking forward to a slow down in our current construction boom and I'm certainly looking forward to the end of my house renovations, both of which are keeping me away from creating new projects for 3D printing.

Edited May 26, 2016 by wizmacnz

[wizmacnz]

Work, a damaged shoulder and interminable house alterations have somewhat limited my ability to sit in front of the computer in the evenings and create new models for 3D printing. I have been able to get a little more done recently. One of the things I've been working on is classical columns. Not the easiest of things to make in card or plastic if you want to have the correct form of taper in the column. Easy to replicate though with 3D printing. The columns are available on Shapeways at various sizes, to allow you to make anything from a simple front porch for a georgian house, to an  imposing facade for a civic building.

I've put a couple together with a door and a couple of steps as a single printed item that can be stuck on the front of scratchbuilt building. 

 

 

The columns have yet to make it onto my website http://www.modelrailwaystructures.com but can be found at my Shapeways shop at https://www.shapeways.com/shops/modelrail . Updating the website is another one of those tasks that has got a bit behind.

 

 

[wizmacnz]

 

I made these park benches for OO scale modelers some time ago. They have now been re-scaled and made available at 1:148 scale for N scale.

[wizmacnz]

I often get asked to put together items in larger batches in particular sizes. The beauty of 3D printing is that it's pretty easy to do if the computer model has been set up correctly. It's easiest if the object has a hole in it that allows a loop of plastic to pass through it. This links all the objects together through the printing and cleaning process and allows Shapeways to process it as a single part. Doing this certainly keeps down the cost per part. Below is a batch of doors made in HO scale to suit particular opening sizes requested by the customer. There are 40 of the single door and 10 of the double doors.

 

 

The windows below were a batch prepared for a war gamer wanting particular windows and sizes to build a diorama.

 

[Wigan Wallgate OO Gauge]

Wizmacnz, big fan of your work and I too am based in New Zealand! Im looking for someone to do some commissions for me, would you be interested? (I will send more details across, if you are)

[wizmacnz]

Well subject to the limitations I'm currently operating under, as mentioned a few posts above, I'm always interested in new ideas and challenges. What did you have in mind?

[Wigan Wallgate OO Gauge]

If you could send me a message with your email I'll send pics and details across!

[wizmacnz]

Well in response to the request from Wigan Wallgate, I've produced some more modern seating types.

 

 

 

 

It made a pleasant distraction from remodelling and re-scaling doors

 

 

There are now 16 different types of door, which will be available in OO, HO and N Scale. Most will also be available in a variety of sizes. This has meant a lot of repetitive resizing and rescaling. Fortunately I'm through the worst of it.

[Wigan Wallgate OO Gauge]

Well in response to the request from Wigan Wallgate, I've produced some more modern seating types.

 

625x465_15718184_9242844_1474013711.jpg

 

625x465_15718217_9242848_1474013733.jpg

 

625x465_15718381_9242884_1474018658.jpg

 

It made a pleasant distraction from remodelling and re-scaling doors

 

625x465_15572645_9183417_1472692459.jpg

 

There are now 16 different types of door, which will be available in OO, HO and N Scale. Most will also be available in a variety of sizes. This has meant a lot of repetitive resizing and rescaling. Fortunately I'm through the worst of it.

Hi Peter,

 

Huge huge thanks for producing the benches, I'll certainly be placing an order for 6 X four seater, 4 X three seater with armrest and 2 X three seater without armrests. Where will I be able to purchase them from?

[wizmacnz]

They are all available from my Shapeways shop. If you are not familiar with Shapeways, they print once you have placed your order. They handle all the money and the postage and packaging and pay me a small portion of the money as a designer fee.

 

The process is explained in a bit more detail on my website http://www.modelrailwaystructures.com/about/

 

The seats are available at Shapeways (I've sent you some direct links by PM)., but my website hasn't caught up yet. 

 

Shapeways print the objects either in Holland or the USA. For us kiwi's the post and packaging can be a bit steep. But it's the same price however much you order. I tend to wait until I have enough on my shopping list to make it worthwhile. Also every now and then they have free global postage offers.

[wizmacnz]

I've finally finished updating all my current range of 3D printed doors.

A useful information sheet can be downloaded from http://www.modelrailwaystructures.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Door-Range-1.pdf





To browse through the doors with sizes and pricing go to my website page. http://www.modelrailwaystructures.com/doors/

Pricing shown on my website is for HO scale. At Shapeways you can select the scale that you want and the price is updated. OO and HO are similar in price. N Scale is normally cheaper than OO even though it is printed in a more expensive material.  S Scale and O Scale uses more material and is therefore more expensive.

[Mike Storey]

Very good range - I have only just stumbled on to your site. Will you be attempting the following at some stage?::

 

1. Arched sash windows

 

2. Single sided platform canopies (I am looking for those which lean out from a wall down towards the platform - none available in kit or RTL form currently. Easy enough for me to make until it comes to the valencing, which can be bought separately, but only in brass, AFAIK).

 

Best wishes

[wizmacnz]

Very good range - I have only just stumbled on to your site. Will you be attempting the following at some stage?::

 

1. Arched sash windows

 

2. Single sided platform canopies (I am looking for those which lean out from a wall down towards the platform - none available in kit or RTL form currently. Easy enough for me to make until it comes to the valencing, which can be bought separately, but only in brass, AFAIK).

 

Best wishes

 

Arched sash windows will be pretty easy to model. Just something I've never got around to. I suppose if someone gives me a  picture of a prototype or some dimensions it might encourage me to get around to it.

 

I've already made some lean to canopy trusses. I think at two different pitches. Here's a picture of the shallower pitched truss used on a customers layout. (I do have his permission to use the photograph he sent me).

 

 

I have valancing to suit, but I'm not sure if I have created the gable panel for the shallower truss. I can quickly create one if someone's interested.

 

My Type 2 Valance goes at the eaves.

 

 

And the Type 3 Valance cut in half will close off the end for the steeper pitch truss.

 

 

I also have roofing panels, but although I think they look great, are a bit pricey because of the amount of material that has to be printed. Not so tricky to make your roofing from card, although, being biased, I have to say it would have looked better if you had used one of mine. 

 

 

I have many roofing panels available, but most are not put on display for sale. I'm waiting for the printing costs to come down, as they inevitably will at some time.

Edited November 2, 2016 by wizmacnz

[Mike Storey]

Arched sash windows will be pretty easy to model. Just something I've never got around to. I suppose if someone gives me a  picture of a prototype or some dimensions it might encourage me to get around to it.

 

I've already made some lean to canopy trusses. I think at two different pitches. Here's a picture of the shallower pitched truss used on a customers layout. (I do have his permission to use the photograph he sent me).

 

1043_110948_390000000.jpg

 

I have valancing to suit, but I'm not sure if I have created the gable panel for the shallower truss. I can quickly create one if someone's interested.

 

My Type 2 Valance goes at the eaves.

 

625x465_4489429_1734260_1459316418.jpg

 

And the Type 3 Valance cut in half will close off the end for the steeper pitch truss.

 

625x465_4538390_1770997_1459316958.jpg

 

I also have roofing panels, but although I think they look great, are a bit pricey because of the amount of material that has to be printed. Not so tricky to make your roofing from card, although, being biased, I have to say it would have looked better if you had used one of mine. 

 

625x465_2140371_1849858_1459327276.jpg

 

I have many roofing panels available, but most are not put on display for sale. I'm waiting for the printing costs to come down, as they inevitably will at some time.

 

Thanks Peter

 

After writing that, I happened upon the LCUT site, which does single sided canopies at a reasonable price, with valencing.

 

On the windows, I will track down some pictures and the dimensions I noted, for your consideration!

[wizmacnz]

I've just released for sale a new footbridge design in N scale to suit 3 platforms. This version spans a twin track then a single. No doubt I'll create a version to span two sets of twin track soon.  At US$27 I believe it is very competitively priced. Not that I've seen anyone else selling something like this anyway.

 

 

[wizmacnz]

Following on quickly from the three platform three track bridge is the three platform four track bridge. Ideal for the larger station. Currently only available in N Scale from Shapeways at US$29.

 

 

[JoshHamilton99]

A bit late to the party.. But would it be possible to make parts of the footbridge rather than the fixed sections? This style is perfect for Liverpool Street, though it needs to be a longer expanse, ideally 3 feet with various kinks etc. 

 

Regards,

Josh