rue_d_etropal

Odd thing is, there is nothing to stop people sharing designs, but that does not seem to be a problem. The other issue is how to offer the downloads. I think some of those offering 2D print files, actually have to respond to orders and send them, but I would prefer them to be downloaded without me having to do anything. Again I assume this is how music , ebooks etc are downloaded.

there is something in some download files to stop it, but nothing will stop it completely. This is why I am working on an system idea, with small designs which can be paid for, but only talking of a small fee for each design. As there will be a large number of designs making up the system I am working on, it will be necessary to 'buy' access to quite a lot of design to build anything(which is why I started with the Lego analagy), and I plan to offer variants of designs so overall it will be worhwhile for me, hopefully.

a big part of the internet is based on idea of downloading files, but not just for free, so how do they stop people sharing these downloads(eg music,ringtones)?

Probably because they already had been done in traditional plastic!

Think about a world without Lego or Meccano, and you thought up the idea. Now how would you produce it. I think 3D printing would be a good method, but would you still produce the bit, then sell them, or offer the 3D print designs to people to print themselves. The designs for individual bits would not be complex to print, but would probably have taken some effort to actually design, especially if they involved curves, straights together and angles mixed(I have been working on an idea so know how complex this can be). Now digital may be best way to get designs out there, but I don't think giving them away is a good idea(apart from a few samples). If they are going to be paid for, how much would you be prepared to pay. Too high and one person buys then gives to everyone else, too low and it is no better than giving away. Get it right, and most will pay, as it would be less hassle than looking for somewhere to get a copy. Now you would start with enough basic bits to get someone started, and then adapt and add more, so there should be an incentive to buy more design files. If the original designs have been worked out properly, it should not take too much effort to adapt designs, making it easier for the designer. Now the idea I am actually working on, I don't want to say much, but it is something I have been thinking about for a while,and it is something achitectural which could be adapted for various scales, within limits.It won't be a simple case of just resizing designs, as each scale will need some adaptation. So how much for that 'Lego' brick design?

I've been using a package called Alibre for many years. It was recommended to me by someone who has done a lot of 3D work, and it suits me. You can build solids and walls. Not as expensive as most others packages, and that includes being fully licensed to do commercial work. There used to be a free download(liited time) so you could try it out. https://www.alibre.com/

https://www.locosnstuff.com/Motor-Bogie-and-Chassis-kits.php If he hasn't got something already then he should be able to design something suitable

the new system(standard gauge) might be impressive but the old railway(metre gauge) would make a more interesting model. Some might find it more difficult to model, but I would model it in either 1/55 using OO/HO track etc, or 1/100 using N gauge track etc. Both scales also have advantage of having lots of war gaming stuff(figures,vehicles) which would fit in nicely.

Found this website by chance when searching for info on a French rolling stock builder http://www.train-franco-ethiopien.com/index_en.php The railway was built by a French company and most of the locos and rolling stock were from French companies. The website is possibly one of the most comprehensive I have come across for what was not a very big railway system. A pity other railway systems are not so wel covered. Loads of scale drawings,just a pity the loco ones are only side on. During Italian occupation classic Fiat railcars were introduced. Sadly much of the system is now closed but I think it might make an interesting project for a model.

Article in one of my recent magazines talks about a range called Marklin Minix. Odd thig is it says it is O scale, but I remember something in RM back in the 70s talking of a range suitable for 1/32 scale. Some of the Fleischmann Magic Train stuff was big enough for 1/32scale, in particular the diesel, as they were based on quite big narrow gauge.

A couple of people have suggested British HO. Looking for a bigger market than just UK, to justify costs. This would take care of track etc as that is already supplied . I would start with anything that has been run in UK and abroad. Quite a few 'modern image'locos such as class 20s and some of the old west coast electric locos,not forgetting the Woodhead locos which ran in Netherlands. For steam anything from WW1 and WW2 which was taken from UK to Europe, such as the austerities and the LMS 8F for WW2 and various pre grouping locos for WW1. Lots of suitable wagons as well. For passenger stock, again anything used in the wars, plus the Night Ferry stock. If I was thinking narrow gauge then a new version of what Marklin tried in the 70s, 1/32 scale on 16.5mm gauge track. As a scale this is probably the most common used for toys etc, eg farms, soldiers, scalectrix,so is ideal for the younger modeller, and it can use OO/HO track.

I do, one of my early ones.

I actually had a copy of the drawing(side) but not the end on. Then I was sent copies of both, although the end one is not actually of this particular coach(different roof end), but good enough. I have side drawings for the other inspection coaches, but nothing on the non balcony ends of them. Now for inspection coaches the one high on my list is the LNWR one preserved on KESR, especially as it was also at Longmoor. Just can't find a scale drawing of that particular coach.

After a busy 2020, 2021 shouldbe interesting. I am hoping Shapeways and UPS are sorted out for exporting to UK. Given that they export to most of the World, I think they are probably more ready than some. One slight glitch has been one of my magazine adverts went missing, not a good time to happen, especially as January is traditionally credit card/bill paying time for many. These things happen, and it will be interesting to see if it actually has an effect. Started 2021 with some requested designs Firstly Maunsell and Bulleid catering coaches, including the Tavern car(but you do have to paint on the bricks!) http://www.rue-d-etropal.com/3D-printing/passenger-stock-sr/3d_printed_SR_coaches.htm After a request for the ex GCR inspection coach which worked in Scotland I have completed a design http://www.rue-d-etropal.com/3D-printing/passenger-stock-lner/3d_printed_gcr-coaches.htm Based on outline drawings and measurements. Coach was scrapped in 1968,so had a long life, and should interest GCR and Scottish fans.

I ordered a couple of items at start of month, and invoice from Shapeways was then still showing VATincluded, so hopefully I won't be charged again because I will be shouting very loudly at officials if I do! Not due till next week.

And some of it is then resold back into UK, as part of sets etc. This 'origin of goods' is one of the big problems, which worries a lot of companies in UK, and has not been sorted out yet.

double charging is something I will look out for. I ordered a couple of items on 5th January, and invoice (and payment) includes VAT, somight get messy if UPS ask me for payment, and I will probably have to pay the shout very loudly afterwards. It should be noted that the delivery charge includes VAT, and it will be interesting to se how that changes. I was also under the impression(another thread on this forum) that the Netherlands had a rate of 21%, so was that the rate being added before?

And that will happen with everything. Anyone making stuff here in UK, will have same problems, with anything they import(materials), as well as extra paperwork for anything they export.

has anyone acually done an orde snce VAT was removed from initial prices? Is it added on at invoice time? My impression is that UPS and Shapeways are set up to take tax payments, and UPS won't ask for money on the door. That is the way it is meant to work, but then given the incompetance in the Bx transition, it would not surprise me if it does not go smoothly. I assume they already have a system to handle deliveries to places like Australia. Note that all other companies will be going through this, so even if they don't supply directly, there will be costs added in somewhere in the chain. In particular smaller companies. Already a lot of companies have stopped supplying to UK customers. Hopefully that will be temporary.

received today, nice book, very useful. just a pity most drawings are only side on. One drawing I am after is a complete one , including end views,for the A type tender. At the very least the width of the narrow body. Are there plans to do books on the other Irish railways?

wondered who was buying them!! Tend to have found it more difficult to find the vans. Always have to look carefully, as many sellers don't appreciate difference between HO and OO. For any wagon, I can always knock up a design for 3D printing.

I had forgotten about the adapter tracks and adapter wagons. Marklin have developed a complete system which starts with trains for the very young, and then these can be incorporated into a more traditional system. My original point was that there is nothing wrong with companies working together, but there is a lot wrong with companies who think they can do everything themselves, sometimes borrowing ideas from other companies.

I wonder if the problem is not VAT or oher local taxes which get dropped for exports, but thewhole concept of Duty Free. I remember back to old days of Purchase Tax, but only just. Why should the country receiving goods get any of the tax on those items. It would be a lot simpler if tax was just charged and paid in country of origin. But then bureacrats never like simple solutions,and there are plenty of non productive companies who wil be making money out of this(I used to work in IT and finance, so know how they think!!) Countries always want more exports and less imports, and if one effect of this new way of handling tax is that less is exported then that is going to be bad for some countries. Reminds me of a story I heard about a new government form for applying for business grants. It was siimple to fill in, and actualy worked. Surprise surprise it was scrapped! The person who had come up with this new application form, then resigned as he did not want to work in a world of idiots!

until it crashes because too many are trying to access it, like today. I save pdf files on my computer so I can then read them , any time. I could even print them if I wanted. Rather than having loads of dead old, out of date catalogues, a simple pdf file which can either be distributed online, or could be printed in shops when required, 21st centurt style.

unless you are a British company living in the past! I regularly get pdf leaflets from Gaugemaster, mostly German and Austrian companies but also Walthers from America.