The passenger cars of my Bowser Aerotrain have never been reliable rollers, usually derailing after no more than a few times around the track. I designed a new chassis a while back with an equalizing axle, which fixed the problem right away, so I decided to take things further with my 3D printer!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA_xZBE-Dbw
I created a simple coach interior which presses straight into the body of any of the passenger cars, and it has the same self equalizing axle system as the chassis I made a while back. It works well, and it makes the cars look quite a bit better! And for anyone who might be interested in giving one a try, I've gone ahead and put it online for free download: www.thingiverse.com/thing:4716983
The whole train now runs around reliably without derailing, so I think it was all worth it!
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That is fantastic!
Here is the video imbedded:
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Hi Darth!
Once again you have come up with an answer to a question that I have been asking myself for a long time, i.e. how to do the interiors for the Aerotrain cars?
I wasn't aware that Bowser was offering car interiors, and I don't plan on buying a 3D printer so I will look into those. The option of course is to find someone with a printer and get them to make the interiors for me using your program. Thanks for sharing that.
FWIW, I bought the Bowser drive for the Aerotrain locomotive. The chassis is very flexible so I will address that issue when I install it.
Thanks again,
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Thanks!
hon30critter, maybe some square brass rod can fix the flexibility of that chassis. It looks like there's quite a bit of space on each side where some could be mounted. If you get the interiors printed for your cars, I hope they do well for you!
Fantastic bit of modeling! And of course the real thing was a rough rider, so it's good they can handle the bumps!
Aaron
Pretty cool, Darth! And while I wouldn't be able to make use of your 3-D program, I thank you for offering it to us. Dan
Hi Darth,
I tried to order the interior/chassis assembly from i.materialize but they said that the program needed to be adjusted. Here is their comment:
"In order to print so-called ‘grouped models’ (a 3D model that consists of several parts), the individual parts need to be connected to each other. The recommended type and thickness of the connections depend on the printing material. For Polyamide (SLS) you can find the recommended guidelines for connecting grouped models here: https://i.materialise.com/en/3d-printing-materials/polyamide/design-guide#OPartWhereArtThou."
I have no idea of how to make the changes. Is it possible for you to make the changes and send me the revised program? If my request is unreasonable I will understand.
Thanks,
It looks like they need to have it on a plastic tree (like injection molded plastic models) for it to work on their printer. I might be able to adjust the file that way, so I'll give that a try and send it to you if I can.
Darth Santa FeIt looks like they need to have it on a plastic tree (like injection molded plastic models) for it to work on their printer. I might be able to adjust the file that way, so I'll give that a try and send it to you if I can.
That would be very generous of you! Thanks. If doing it becomes a problem please don't waste your time.
Do you have any suggestions regarding what material to have the chassis printed in?
Cheers!!
I just sent you a message with the file! I printed mine using PLA, but any printable plastic material should do the job since metal bearings will need to be inserted for the wheels anyway.
I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I wish I had your talents!
I'll let you know how things go.
I got the Aerotrain interiors in the mail today:
I am quite happy with the quality and appearance and the fit is excellent, all thanks to Darth Santa Fe's exacting design skills.
Looks promising.
Nice! I'm glad they're working for you!