J-Lewis

Body goes together ok. Floor needs to be a little thicker to allow for the screws to fix it into position (the Hornby screws are too short and these M1*4 screws poke through the floor). Thicker floor and slightly thicker sides should help to reduce resin warping as well, currently 0.6mm on the sides, so adding 0.2mm or so should make a difference, hopefully without making it look too chunky.

Actually I was wrong. The 7plank chassis is exactly the same length as the vent van. The only difference is that the plank wagon has the ‘doorstops’ moulded in under the doors. Wheelbase appears to be the same for both of them. I thought the vans were longer? I will keep the current designed length for these bodies and design a new chassis from scratch for my scale length version. Unless someone announces a more suitable RTR chassis in the meantime.

Hornby TT120 7-plank seems correct length (or close enough). It’s 45mm over the buffer plates which works out at a scale 17ft? The wagon has 10ft wheelbase instead of 9ft, but its certainly closer than the vent van chassis I was originally going to use.

I received a test print in grey resin today, this is very smooth, much smoother than the shapeways plastic version. The sides are showing a little distortion in the resin version so I will thicken up the panels to reduce that. I suspect the resin will be a lot more brittle too. I’m definitely impressed with how much detail is retained in these. My next steps: 1. Adjust design to fit on a 7 Plank chassis which should also be closer to the correct length for a mineral wagon. 2. Add the top flaps to the side doors.

Well hopefully suitable wheels will be available somewhere :) If not, I’m sure it won’t be long before someone makes them.

Thanks for the info. I've bought some Railtec decals and they come with and without boxes so I should have the correct ones. First test print has arrived. This is the shapeways 'smoothest detail plastic' version. Looks pretty good, detail is much better than I expected. Even the handles printed ok. Some stepping in the sides but hopefully will smooth out once painted.

Thanks Hans. Much appreciated.

I’ve ordered test prints from a couple of different suppliers. Looking forward to seeing how they turn out.

Once I’ve got this version to a good result I plan to build a correct scale version with a chassis to fit wheels from the 3mm society and nem sockets to fit the tillig couplers. Biggest question I have at the moment is resolution, I’ve seen photos of 3D printed models with a lot of stepping, I’m hoping that the smoothest plastic will reduce that.

7 plank might be a better fit. To be honest I’d assumed the vent van and the planks used the same chassis. Looking at the specs it turns out the planks are 4mm shorter. I can easily adapt the design to fit a different chassis.

Its supposed to be a later version (I'm modelling early 70's). I can easily make versions with the extra flaps and riveted versions if anyone wants them. I will have the files available in Shapeways if everything goes according to plan.

I've been toying with the idea of 3D printing some wagons for TT 120. I really wanted to get some 16T Mineral wagons. So far no RTR examples are announced so as the best way to trigger a RTR release of anything is to scratchbuild one... I've created a 16T body with a little extra length to fit the Hornby vent van chassis. This is the first step, I intend to develop a version with chassis and NEM pockets next. It's my first time 3D printing anything so I was curious to see how much detail I could retain at such a small scale, so this first design includes the handles on the end door as well as the fillets under the edge of the wagon. EDIT: The 3D file is now available if you want to try it the 3D printing this wagon body. STL file available free here: https://skfb.ly/oJtXP

I’m looking forward to getting my hands on my first British outline loco. The class 08 looks great in the preview pictures. It’s been a long time since I ran any uk models so it’ll be a nice change. I’ve got an Easterner set on order as well. So for me TT will be a first real foray into steam as well. I don’t think OO would have tempted me back to British outline so it’s really the appeal of something new that’s grabbed me.

I’ve just had an email that my BR Blue class 08 preorder has arrived in the warehouse. I guess they will also be on the website as ‘in stock’ soon?

A J94 would be the same wheelbase/chassis as the Class 08? So it would make sense as a future release. Unless the 08 has some kind of design issues that would prevent the removal of the plastic frames.

The new issue of Hornby magazine lists a production schedule for TT120 that includes a few new confirmations? There is mention of a GWR 57xx pannier 0-6-0 but no release date. The class 50 seems delayed until end of next year.

Are you able to reshare these files? I’m trying to 3D model a NEM socket for TT scale.

Looks nice. Brass building is a bit out of my comfort zone.

I’ve acquired this HOe / 009 model coach but I can’t figure out who made it. I thought it might be Tillig but it doesn’t seem to match anything in their catalog. can anyone tell me what manufacturer this logo is?

What locos are you running on this? Could you share any pictures?

The Herpa TT 120 trucks seem to be available again now. There are a fair few on the usual auction site. I just picked up one with a 40ft container load for my planned layout.

I just had the email about my vent van preorder being in stock. Just need the 08 now :)

My Hornby TT club pack arrived this morning. Hopefully my Easterner set won’t be too far behind. :)

I’m really liking the look of these TT models, I sold my OO years ago and have been modelling US HO exclusively for the past decade or so. I’ve taken the plunge and ordered one of the new sound equipped Hornby sets and a Class 08. Hopefully won’t be too long a wait for delivery! In the meantime my PECO track and buildings kit order arrived this morning, so TT is a go :)