Main Shelf layout Spiral & Helix, Weekend effort.

Main Shelf layout Spiral & Helix, Weekend effort

Video of 3d Printed Db pushing Trackgangproducts Yc's & La with 3d Printed W Wagon & workers back down after an evenings work.

The Challenge;

Extending the layout to the upper shelf, requiring a 3 level spiral then a 4 level helix, 1cm height for every 35cm in length.

This is where its going to sit. Enabling me to extend the layout similar to lower level. Upper level I would like a station yard & a larger post 70's loco shed to store my nz120 locos.

The spiral undergoing construction, Peco Flexi Track is used. Not glued down, track is only held down by clips, Will attach track by screws (3 per level to allow for natural track expansion)

3d Printed DA with 3 white metal 56' carriages. perform countless tests to assure its actually going to work in practice! Turned out No Probs!

Helix Preparation, ya really need to get the maths correct at the start!

Helix Construction, getting funky with a jigsaw & very fine blades!

The Helix all cut & ready for the next stage, supports..
Also showing a quick tool constructed to ensure accuracy & make the job a little easier!

Progress on the Helix assembly.

Showing the spiral @ the bottom & helix attached. Only 2 lengths of flexi left till monday Grr!

Showing bottom unitrack link.

Showing typical Flexitrack connection, This photo shows the track on a new connection to the Helix, even the best planning can't prevent oversights. However being able to identify & fix the problem is what truly matters! 

W wagon & Db Part 2

A quick post to show off progress on the W wagon & Db Class. Note the Corona bottle cap to give an idea of the scale! The db is currently getting a good cleanup with Tamiya Finishing Abrasive paper. I've also purchased 0.2 Piano wire for the handrails, using fine drills to drill into the nylon model & a touch of super glue will ensure a tidy & robust job.

Not to forget, the W Wagon Plans can be found in NZ Model Journal - September 2012 of which are available in the scales nz120, nz64 & 1:87 (HO) and as always loads of reference photo's! If you haven't yet resubscribed for the magazine or need to order backissues then head to http://www.nzmrg.org.nz/index.html

Still a bit to go on the W wagon, The door lock mech should be easy enough to scratch build with styrene & brass wire! For the brake lever I will use trackgangproducts detail parts.

Top View

Looking from the rear!

Df (Scratch built using dandruffs df in a day technique) Dft (Trackgangs) & DL class (Shapeways FUD)

W Wagon & Db Prints Arrive

Showing off 1 week later 2 designs, designed - printed - delivered under 1 week. I have to say I'm impressed to see the quick turn around. The quality of the prints is somewhat great! These photos were taken after I first scrubbed the models down with a toothbrush & toothpaste then rinsed under the hot tap & blowing down via the air compressor then repeated until all the oil was removed. I then primed the model. 

The W wagon doesn't require brass bearings, simply fitted 2 Wheels & Couplers from trackgangs. Its quite freerolling so worth me getting some more for the steamers to tug around.

Sitting on an Atlas SD-7. The bogie sideframes are half a mm to low.. might have to redo then add bogie detail, brake linkages etc.

*Updated, now painted & rolling around the layout.. The perfect holes for the wheels mean no fiddly bearings. simply pop the wheels in,  perfect alignment of wheels & no derailments gives me confidence to invest in a decent rake for the steamers!

The Db Class turned out quite a stunner, couplers, airhoses & airhorns so far..

I can't find any #8 wire to attach so may as well go with the fine wire then its painting, I intend on red with white stripes. 

1:64 QR

The QR Class, designed on request for the guys over the ditch. I do like locos with a raised front hood, after having just completed the DB class the DQ followed a similar design process making it a rather tidy job overall. No airhoses or anything too fancy but the headlights and windows on the cab have smoother curves and the windows have a raised lip surrounding the window.

Available here https://www.shapeways.com/model/1259510/nz64-qr.html?li=productBox-search

Showing left hand side

Showing right hand side

Bulk Powder Container Loads

Tonight is a simple challenge, producing a Bulk Powder "Container Load". Fortunately I had the NZ Model Journal - March 2013 of which had nz120 & nz64 plans with loads of reference photo's. More Here http://www.nzmrg.org.nz/index.html

The ribbing shouldn't make it given the printer tolerance, also the only material made available is Strong & Flexible Polished, making hopefully smooth sides. But a test print will show the results.

I'm rather tempted to add lots of detail, but the small detail parts might lead to issues so smooth it is!

https://www.shapeways.com/shops/kiwitrains?sort=newest

3d Printable NZR DB Class

This weekend sees a few projects get finished,

NZ120 DB ready for a test print, turned out a nice wee model! 

Rivets galore! https://www.shapeways.com/model/1251693/nz120-nzr-db-class.html?li=productBox-search

A rather nice photo of the actual prototype;

Image Credits to Tom Morrison

http://www.flickr.com/photos/75916342@N03/7147107793/

2 Models available for the 1:87 (HO) Modellers

1:87 Scale Kiwirail DSG Shunter

https://www.shapeways.com/model/1251723/1-87-scale-kiwirail-dsg.html?li=productBox-search

1:87 Scale Nzr DB Class

https://www.shapeways.com/model/1251760/1-87-nzr-db-class.html?li=productBox-search

Other projects currently on the cooker, 

NZR W Class 4 Wheeler Wagon. Designed as test to see how nz120 3d printed 4 wheelers will actually run!

Hornby O Gauge as a child.

This post goes a little bit off topic, but remains true to NZR. 

Growing up as a children us kids got to play with alot of trains! Our father built each of us a locomotive to push around the Hornby tinplate track, every school holidays we built massive railways through the entire house, of which didn't impress mother who had a hell of a time navigating through a maze of children & trains! The kitchen was lino, and we called that water.. so naturally the kitchen became a port, and the dining room another connecting port. Sometimes if we pushed our luck we would run a main trunk down the hallway with branch lines to the bedrooms! Ahh countless hours of fun & making full use of your imagination..

NZR rolling stock built on tinplate wagon chassis. 

Younger brother Andrew posing with his Garret 

Another good lineup!

This is how kids played in my day, *note the absence of playstations/tv's

The good old days!

Showing off the shipping fleet, many many hours of meccano!