Model Train Journal

Interested in what folks are doing with this technology. This Western Maryland Geep is built with the usual aftermarket metal frame and chain-drive, NWSL wheels, and with a 3d printed nose and cab:



The print is an older one; more recent improvements in both the printing volume of the machines and the resolution ("fine-ness") of the details are yielding better and better result. I believe this is already a large part of the modeller's present and will be a main element of the modeller's future. Working with these parts is getting easier as the technology and technique improve, which they are doing rapidly.

I'm as much a techno-sceptic as the next guy, but when it actually improves my life I'm all in!

sarge wrote:Interested in what folks are doing with this technology. This Western Maryland Geep is built with the usual aftermarket metal frame and chain-drive, NWSL wheels, and with a 3d printed nose and cab

So the rest was contributed by a Red Caboose body?

I'm as much a techno-sceptic as the next guy, but when it actually improves my life I'm all in!

Completely agree.

Yep, I forgot to mention the Red Caboose kit that supplied the body and tanks, Weaver's trucks, Highball Graphics decals, Trucolor paint.

Here's another one:





IC Paducah Geep, Finescale 360 frame on Weaver trucks, my drive, K4 decals over Trucolor, Red Caboose Geep body and tanks, 3d print nose, cab, air-filter yokes.

I love the idea of 3d printing in the hobby but I feel like it’s a hobby unto itself and I don’t need another one of those right now.

Its a way to create items not produced before by any manufacturer. I can’t imagine scratch build a diesel in brass or even styrene.
How do you create all those grills and vents if the details can’t be had. Scratch building steam would be easier than a diesel.
Hardest part of 3D printing is becoming proficient in CAD. Hopefully in the coming years libraries will exist where be buy cad files that others have contributed to.

Pete