spsmiler

Quite why the processing fee has to be added as an extra beats me - it should be included in their basic charge for the item What peeves me is that prices start in US$, then switch to €Euros and finally £GBP. This must increase the final cost too? To get around the VAT (and possible import tax) issue I delayed my purchase until they had a special cyber Monday offer that (this year 2023) includes multiple purchases and both discounts and free shipping (based on order value). For a 3 coach MU train I am making several purchases which must be treated as different purchase orders - as otherwise the courier (UPS) will see the combined package value and assume that VAT has not been charged ... and charge it again! Plus add their brokerage fee. This actually happened to me (just the once!) and whilst Shaepways refunded their VAT charge I still lost out because the UPS VAT fee included tax on the VAT element of the Shapeways invoces.

With print at home buildings you can print as many copies as you like - and this means that if kit bashing and you get it wrong you can just reprint and start again. If every print attracted a reuse fee then the attraction of buying that print download would be minimal.

I do exactly the same - model trains, mostly the somewhat coarse versatile white nylon but some items (eg: London Underground signals) come in a better quality plastic which shows fine detail better. Shapeways have a new nylon material which is somewhat cheaper. I've not yet used this but am about to buy something in it. Tyneside Electrics carriage (third rail). I am hoping that this does not have the visible layering marks that are often seen on the versatile white nylon items. Generally I've had great success with Halfords paints*, but models painted with one rattle can of white primer have given me grief because the top coat paint flakes off. This is with both Shapeways 3D printed items and Radleys resin items. *) Halfords paints are OK but not their shop staff who said I should be buying toy shop paints because I was unable to quote a car make and model for a certain colour paint ... and I told then what I will be using the paint for.

As an aside, I've just made the purchase from Shapeways that I mentioned earlier in this thread (9th October) - they have a two day cyber Monday offer which offers both discounts and free carriage based on order value. Because of the free carriage and risk of import duty (VAT I expect to pay) I am buying items individually, as three purchases. They also have a new (and cheaper) basic nylon material and I'll say more about this in the thread about 3D printing.

The person who has the shop that contains many model trains (as well as other items related to railway modelling) has hinted on his own website that there may come a time when .stl files might become available - which will lead to people being able to 3D print these trains for themselves.

Hello everyone, Class 312 trains are certainly on my 'wish list', having very fond memories of travelling on them on GEML services out of Liverpool Street - with journey times far shorter than those offered by the Elizabeth line today! I have not even attempted to model them. Cut and Shut (or whatever its correct name is) is not within my skill set. Perhaps it would be if I had a vice and better tools, anyway its not neccessary. 3D printed bodies of Class 310 trains can be bought at Shapeways - you must still supply chassis, seats, pantographs, paint, underframe, bogies, wheels, etc but you do get white plastic bodies. Its a coarse plastic, almost pockmarked and the cabs might have what look like a cattle grid from the 3D printing process. But this is (arguably) still better than the alternatives. I have not got around to buying these trains as I'm building others, but eventually , well they are on my wish list. Painted in BR Blue, as its easier. First Great Eastern stripe and NSE toothpaste would be nice but they have curves that are beyond my capability. See here: https://www.rue-d-etropal.com/3D-printing/passenger-stock-br/3d_printed_sg-br-class-310.htm nb: Orders below €150 have VAT added whilst above that value they do not add VAT at time of sale but instead the courier adds VAT and import duty*. Oh and their handling fee. Its easier and possibly even cheaper to buy each coach individually. *model trains do not attract import duty but Shapeways use a commodity code for plastic which does attract import duty. I intend to challenge Shapeways about this later this year as I would like to buy three passenger carriages at one time - which should in theory be cheaper than buying them singularly. The person behind this Shapeways Shop mentions on his website that Shapeways (and he) are looking at selling the STL files for home printing. This is a new development that is still to become reality. Simon

Oh joy! I painted the rail blue several hours ago and now whilst I wait for it to dry and I have some waiting time I thought that I should search for tips about the grey. All is not lost however, I will still benefit very considerably from the information about the white lining. Simon

These come in many types, and sizes, what I was looking for is indeed the little counter type shops which is only big enough for one person, such as found at island platforms. That said, I feel sure that many modern image modellers would like (by way of contrast) a modern glass wall structure which also sells newspapers, has a few table spaces and even has toilets. Such as at East Croydon.

I think I've found a gap in the market ... I admit that I do not know every product from every supplier but I'd like a model of the small (portable?) coffee shops that are seen on many station platforms - and so far I've not found any. Ancorton sell a wood kit of a structure that has a food sales counter but it also includes a waiting room, which is not the type of platform building that is to be found at many stations in the present era. Even a printed paper wrap that goes on to a plain card box would be better than nothing. I'm modelling in 00.

Not all of us have the skills to use etched brass successfully! I have tried, hence my comment. I think and hope that I will just about manage a white metal KW Trams Great Orme tram kit. Perhaps the only advantage that I can see in using brass etches (or white metal) is that there is no risk of interior illumination shining through the carriage sides or roofs. Printed cardboard model trains is another option but perhaps best only for static display, a cheap way to fill sidings / an engine shed, etc. I have used Shapeways 3D printed carriages and found that they often have visible lines that come from the laying down of layers of resin during the printing process. This makes them very much a choice of last resort. But for limited-appeal models that cannot justify the cost of tooling up for metal or injection moulded resin 3D printing is the only solution. The person whose Shapeways shop includes these carriages only offers bodies - a one piece 3D print comprising roof, sides, ends. These seem to be reasonably robust, although I admit that I try to handle them gently and have no plans to test their robustness in a way that could actually damage them. The rest of the job is in the scratchbuilding category - and for a novice like me sourcing things like seats, bogies, other components is a challenge. In this respect I have found Andy at Issinglass to be very helpful. For many reasons, including supporting innovative cottage-industry retailers and that the models include everything I would like to try Issinglass carriages but their models are more historic 'steam locomotive hauled' era than electric multiple-unit era. In the 1990s I had a Dave Alexander Tyne & Wear Metro kit professionally made for me and it could yet be that I'll adopt the same solution for a Judith Edge NER or LNER electric locomotive, such as used on the coal train route or was planned for the York to Newcastle electrification.

Thank you Ade Simon

Scale Model Railways have just included this YouTube to their weekly newsletter I've never heard of either Microset or Microsol, might their use be better than just plain water? Simon

On reading the Amazon questions and answers section I've seen many positive results, at least one from someone using this on Scalescenes 'print at home' model railway buildings. But one reoccurring comment is that it only works on inkjet coated papers - not ordinary papers.

Hmm, that is not something that I had thought of doing -I was only going to share still image photos. However, 'never say never'. If I do create a video it might be on a rival service (Rumble) and not YouTube. The first two carriage train will not be motored. Instead what I really want to do is make a five carriage train with another articulated trainset at the other end and a motored pramb carriage in the middle. This had longitudinal seating. Just in case anyone reading this did not know, on warm weather weekends, bank holidays and possibly weekdays too during the school holidays the North Eastern Railway ran some trains with carriages designed for the conveyance of perambulators. This way whole family groups with young children could get to the seaside, without blocking the aisles of the normal passenger trains. It was a really excellent idea. Although the rolling stock used for this type of service changed over time the LNER continued with this, and British Railways too - at least until the dieselisation of the service in the 1960s Nowadays perambulators are rarely used but instead children are carried in pushchairs / buggies / strollers.

The May 2023 edition of 'Underground News' (the magazine of the London Underground Railway Society) includes a modelling update which talks about forthcoming new models of London Transport (and Metropolitan Railway) trains - including the possibility of another model train manufacturer introducing some London Underground trains - and also provides updated information regarding the model trains which were sold by the late Phil Radley. The O gauge trains that Phil marketed were actually produced by someone else. It is not explicitly stated whether or how these will be marketed in the future. At least some of the OO range is likely to become available again, but everything is taking time because Phil's estate is still in probate.

I am hoping to have a rue_d_etropal two carriage LNER Tyneside Electrics train finished later this year - my time is limited as I'm caring for a bedridden parent, trying to complete an update on my website, making videos for my YouTube channel and now that spring has arrived am busy in the garden. I'm hoping that the website update will be completed this week so that I'll have more time for railway modelling, although another constraint here is the need for warmer weather so that I can use spray paints etc outdoors. I am also planning to buy some more rue_d_etropal 3D printed model trains, as and when personal finance permits. My interest is in electric multiple units, and for most designs rue_d_etropal is the only alternative to scratchbuilding ... which is beyond my skill set. One gap that needs filling is Class 303 / 311, at present the only option seems to be the specialist bespoke scratch builders Britannia Pacific, but they are expensive. Sourcing chassis, bogies, underframe equipment etc is also a challenge as I do not know all the traders who sell these things. In this respect Andy at Issinglass has helped me tremendously with many of the items I need, but he specialises in LNER (and constituent) companies. I'm going to need to find a similar business for my models of LMS (Class 502 and 503) trains as I also have bought some of these from rue_d_etropal. Dealing with messy 3D printing chemicals etc does not appeal to me (and if smelly / noxious would cause much discord with others who live in this house) so I am happy buying from specialist traders. The primary reason why I am even considering 3D printing full carriages at home is because whilst the 'white versatile' printings from Shapeways are better than nothing they (for instance) still require a LOT of work to mimic a smooth metal sided train. Also there are non-prototypical lines lengthwise along the roof which I cannot totally eradicate as it will affect the roof vents. Apart from full carriages there are a few 'very niche' items that I would like and since I am not an art and design guru I'd probably have to commission someone to create the stl (or whatever) files for me to 3D print at home. (A different) Simon

Has anyone experience of inkjets that use pigment inks - this type of ink is said to be more fade resistant than the dye type of ink used in most inkjet printers

I've been reading reviews, etc about printers and come to some conclusions. Lasers dont have the image quality. Dye ink printers have the image quality but the ink runs when wet plus fades - often quickly Pigment ink printers are perhaps OK. but they are also expensive to buy and run. Certainly these will be the best option for 'print at home' buildings, whether they work for transfers remains to be seen.

This might be of interest for creating decals ... whilst researching colour printers I came across this office printer that can print in white - it uses cmyw (cyan, magenta, yellow, white) toner cartridges. This is the Xerox VersaLink C8000W (White Toner) A3 Colour Laser Printer C8000WV_DT But whilst perhaps suitable for a commercial trader the approx £2,500 cost of this machine is far greater than most home users would be wanting to spend! Also, I assume that since the paper / decal sheet will pass through it it will only be suitable for single print runs - ie: no printing on top of printing.

Its a pain that whilst UPS tell me when to expect my parcels they do not notify me when a parcel has attracted a tax fee that will be requested at the time of delivery. At least though I know its a possibility and can chase them so that I can pay with a card in advance of delivery. As I was also charged VAT by UPS Shapeways have now been refunded the VAT that I paid them. I need to speak with Shapeways regarding the tax code and product info they quote to UPS - I think they use a tax code for 'ornamental plastic'. Of course model trains would be better. Later this year I am intending to buy a 3D printed Class 306 train - all three coaches as one purchase - and this will definitely cost more than €150. Today (Friday) I received an order from the Modellbahnshop Lippe in Germany (using FedEx) that was dispatched last Monday plus a UK domestic small package (from The Model Centre / delivered along with the letter post) that was sent 2nd Class on Wednesday. Both came on tracked services and I received emails telling me that they would arrive today. btw, the Modellbahnshop Lippe purchase was below €150, they are great for buying things not always easy to obtain here in the UK.

They claim that they are so overwhelmed with parcels that it takes three weeks for them to work through the backlog. Its happened to me several times and this was without any import duties or other taxes (or handling fees) to pay! Why they cannot recruit enough staff to meet demand is a mystery. ----------------------------------------------------- re: my parcel, Shapeways said that it is best to not combine orders where tax has already been paid if the total value will be above £135. OK, lesson learnt. The UPS handling fee was about the same as the Shapeways carriage fee so had I received the goods as two consignments my overall expenditure would have been about the same. In the meantime I can expect a sales tax refund from Shapeways within a few working days. One thing that baffles me is the financial value that UPS quoted for my goods (ie: the value they used when charging 20% sales tax). In short, it looks as if it might have been less than I think it should have been. However it could be because they quoted GBP£ and not Euros€ (the currency on the sales invoices) or even US$ (the currency Shapeways use when quoting selling prices on their website!). The word on my mind is 'obfuscate' and in this situation I am happy to not seek clarity, in case its discovered that I should have been charged more.

Thank you ... there is lots there! As an aside, do any of them include herringbone style of brickwork?

Its a value that has been foist upon people by bureaucrats. It also defines whether purchasers will be stung for Brokerage Charges by the postal / other delivery company for collecting the VAT. UPS charge £12.20 - which is about the same as the the carriage charge that I paid Shapeways. In the near future I plan to buy a 3 car Class 306 train and I think Ill make it one purchase as it will be cheaper than buying each coach individually and paying three sets of carriage charges

These were two separate orders made on different days, both were also below the £135 / €150 limit. So in this instance it was right that Shapeways did charge me VAT as on their own neither order would have attracted a VAT charge by UPS. Thank you @Nick C for the link Even if Shapeways refund the VAT I paid them I will still be out of pocket, as an element of the VAT fee I paid to UPS will represent a VAT on VAT payment. I shall share here what happens when I contact them.

So the goods arrived, with invoice for what UPS wanted me to pay. The description of the contents is: "Ornamental article of plastic, O..." The description stops as shown, in mid-sentence, I suspect that this is from the commodity code The value is 177 EUR. The charge to me comprises £32.22 Freight Import VAT and £12.20 Brokerage Charges. There are no other charges. The snag is that the items in the box came from two different purchase orders that were placed (and paid for) on different days but ended up being sent at the same time. Both purchase orders included VAT. In other words, I've been charged VAT twice! So, I need to contact UPS and Shapeways, advise them both of the situation and and see what happens. Hopefully I will get a full refund.