3D Printing for Model Railroaders

[steemtrayn]

How about components to build a Bush train shed?

https://www.shorpy.com/node/9755

[gmpullman]

kasskaboose

I don't see any other steady market for 3-D printing in MR.

Mass-manufacturers are beginning to embrace the technology. Here is an HO machine tool made in 3D plastic from Kibri:

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/kibri-ho-38676-horizontal-shaping-machine/

I'm sure we will be seeing more items coming to market as the technology goes up and the costs go down.

Atlas has a line of 3D printed accessories:

https://shop.atlasrr.com/c-1506-ho-scale-3d-printed-scenic-details.aspx

I bought a bunch of different styles of PRR catenary supports from a Shapeways designer.

PRR_cat6 by Edmund, on Flickr

These would have taken me weeks of scratchbuilding based on articles in the Keystone Modeler. For me they were a blessing.

IMG_5577_fix by Edmund, on Flickr

Cheers, Ed

[snjroy]

This is the way of the future. Go for it but don't spend too much money on it because the returns will probably be limited upfront. I have bought a few things from shapeways. Smaller items are ok because of the lack of fine details. As mentioned, HOn30 works well for that reason. If I had the time, I would try some structures.

Simon

[kasskaboose]

Perhaps there is value in 3-D printing for creating footprints before getting structures or other things.  Having a depiction of a structure helps in planning where to place scenery, track etc.  I don't see any other steady market for 3-D printing in MR.

[mbinsewi]

I'll go for dry bulk trailers.  There are some out, but a little competition would help with the outrageous price they currently ask.

Here's what I mean:

Picture from Heil Trailers.  They all don't need to be chrome.  Most cement bulks are a plain gray.

Some can load themselves, all can unload.  Those that load themselves would be an easy thing for modelers to modify themselves.  No special casting or tank needed.

Mike.

[gmpullman]

SeeYou190

What I would most like to see are really interesting pieces of machinery to use for flatcar loads.

One of the items I really wanted to see was a "bare" locomotive boiler. These were shipped by flat car and backshops across the country would often replace complete boilers or major components of them.

Boiler_2 by Edmund, on Flickr

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Boiler_1 by Edmund, on Flickr

While gathering materials to scratchbuild such a boiler, I recently checked at Shapeways and found that such an animal has indeed been produced. Mine will arrive tomorrow 

https://www.shapeways.com/product/NS3V2M8S5/nw-m-class-boiler-475-1-87-scale?optionId=69965198&li=marketplace

 

Southgate

EMD and ALCO traction motors a smaller EMD prime mover Alco prime mover, GE, others. locomotive generators-alternators

Put me on that list, too!

Oh, yeah! Seeing Dan's reply above about the prime-movers reminded me. I'd like to see first-generation locomotive platforms with partially stripped cowling or shells as would be seen in various shops or scrap lines where parts have been cannibalized. Also a prime mover shell where the power assemblies have been removed to place into a scrap line diesel.

Something like this but I'm more interested in EMD E and Fs and Alco PA and FAs where the diagonal bracing is left in place but the side panels have been removed.

IMG_1521 by Edmund, on Flickr

One of the books I have shows chunks of PRR Alco PAs cut up and dumped into gondolas. Sure, I could chop up an existing shell but usually the wall thickness is too deep for a convincing look.

[edit]

Southgate

Items for around the diesel shops; EMD and ALCO traction motors

Dan, have you seen some of the vintage Keystone Locomotive Works Diesel junk? It is a little crude but can be made to work. I have some of their traction motors and they aren't too bad.

Mine came with a pair of ~40" wheels. Actually, FDT shows the generator (Looks like an Alco-type), diesel junk and traction motors on their site:

https://www.factorydirecttrains.com/keystonelocomotiveworksho.aspx

Thank You, Ed

[Southgate]

Items for around the diesel shops; EMD and ALCO traction motors

a smaller EMD prime mover

Alco prime mover, GE, others.

locomotive generators-alternators

A detailed static blomberg truck with traction motors or a conversion bolster to use Athearn parts to build a complete one. This idea could be applied to Flexicoil trucks in 2 and 3 axle form, AAR trucks, etc.

Caterpillar D17000 engine as used in GE 44 tonners, and other applications

HO scale is woefully short on decent vintage forklifts like Clarks and Hysters from the 50s and 60s. 

I'll think of more but gotta run right now. Dan

[G Paine]

Drums are fairly common, so probably would not sell well. You would be competing against mass produced injection molded plastic at a much lower price.

The market niche for 3D printing is making something that are not readily available in the mass produced market. For instance, look at all the HOn30 items, conversion kits for N scale mechanisms, etc. I have bought some narrow gauge things from Shapeways for Bootbay Railway Village. In any scale, there are many hundreds or thousands of items available, and many designers. I am not trying to shut you down, but as an entry level designer, you would heve to have something unique to get some attention, attract sales and get good ratings and customer feedback.

[SeeYou190]

What I would most like to see are really interesting pieces of machinery to use for flatcar loads.

.

This would take some research and careful design, but having some new loads that are not lumber, girders, pipe, or tracked vehicles would be great.

.

How about a hammer mill for a rock crusher, or a tub grinder component for a sugar mill.

.

-Kevin

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[wvg_ca]

i have had a printer for a while, just use PLA..  Did some things for the layout, no interest in sending them to shapeways .... but I did put a few on Thingiverse 

[Harrison]

I am wondering if anyone has done this or is interested in this(I asked MR if they wanted an article, haven't heard back yet). What are things that you think would be good for printing? If there is a lot of interest, I might start a shapways store. Some 3D printed oil drums:

Let me know what is of interest, And I will Cad it up and give it a test.