I am NOT modelling the Welsh slate industry.
I am NOT modelling the Welsh slate industry.
Right, now that is out of the way I can show you my latest 3D printed item of rolling stock.... a 3 bar slab wagon as often found in Welsh slate quarries.
I don't have a specific use or back story in mind for this model as I can't think up a good reason why you might find one in a small factory in Yorkshire. My reason for designing and printing this model was so I could have something small, and hence cheap to print, which would allow me to experiment with inside frames.
So far all the wagons I've printed have had the frames and axle boxes on the outside of the wheels. This makes them easy to assemble as the wheels just slot into dimples on the back of the axle boxes. With frames inside the wheels I needed a different approach. I could have just printed the model in one piece but that would have meant removing a wheel from the axle so that I could slide the axle through the model. While this is possible it would mean I would have to get the back-to-back gauge correct when I put the wheel back. Instead I opted to print the model as multiple parts.
Essentially I have the frame separate from the holes the axle will pass through (four of these are printed on a single sprue) which means I can glue the parts together to trap the axles in place. A small amount of the outside of the hole is present on the frame allowing for easy and accurate positioning of the parts. Also, because over half the hole is on the small part they clip over the axle which means they stay nicely in place while the glue dries.
The accuracy of the 3D printing process means that the parts are a perfect fit, and amazingly everything runs nice and freely and having filed down the pointy ends of the axles I think it looks quite good, although I'm not entirely convinced by the paint job. The only problem with the model is that there is no where to add extra weight so it is too light to use. The solution to this would of course be to add weight by adding a nice slab of slate, but unfortunately that isn't something I can easily source locally, well not without buying a huge bag from the garden centre.
As usual with my 3D printed items, if you happen to want a 3 bar slab wagon then they are available via Penistone Railway Works.
It would look good with a fifty gallon oil drum on.
ReplyDeleteThat or maybe a large crate of some form
DeleteI'm sure you'll soon manage to acquire a piece of Welsh slate.
ReplyDeleteThere is a house not far away that uses it in their garden and it spills out onto the footpath, so I can see me stopping to tie my shoelace sometime soon!
DeleteThats a nice little wagon, I might have to order one sometime.
ReplyDeleteAs for loads, if you see Langley Models at an exhibition they have a tray of odd castings to rummage through, engines, digger buckets etc.
Thanks Paul, glad you like the look of the wagon.
DeleteI like the idea of rummaging through a box of random castings for something appropriate. That did remind me that I have some old fantasy gaming castings kicking around as well that might just do. So far I've found a large wooden barrel that is about the right size - maybe I should model a mobile pub!
This is great, and I will need a few when I re-vitalise my tramway diorama. It really looks the part. They were often to be seen grossly overloaded, sometimes with spacer bars between the waggons, so choose a big bit of slate to weigh them down with!! Your paint finish is rather good...a photo of one underground here http://robinsonmaps.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/conglog-of-bandits-and-cathedrals.html
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the look of the wagon, although I'm not as convinced by the paint work as you are -- in reality it looks quite a bit darker. If it looked like the photo I'd be happier!
DeleteFunny you should mention that photo of yours though, I used it when deciding on the bolt detail on the side bars :)
I'm very flattered! That super little diorama of your wouldn't need much work to develop it into a slate mill :-)
Delete