Fooling Around with Kiwi Trains: Adventures in 3D Modeling & Featuring 1:120 - 1:2 Scale : N, HO, O, G, 5inch, 7.25inch & 15inch Gauges! No Ads, Just Some Nutty Tales from Peter Bryant @ Portland Railroad, Northland NZ If the image has a star on the bottom right corner then its modified with AI and shouldn't be taken seriously.
After a few running sessions it became apparent my initial loop couldn't cope with the larger locos like the Ja and DL, finally had an incident with a long train on the S curve nearer the tent involving a wagon ripping the coupler off which was held by a decent screw.
Old Loop
All track laid & attached, further levelling to do around the new bridge.
for the connection between the USA Trains & Peco track I applied lots of heat to the track ends and married with loads of solder and 1.56mm brass rod to give strength.
The USA curved sections were straightened up somewhat, giving me the wide curves I desire.
The long sought after dream of an actual outdoor layout comes to fruition finally. Starting things with a simple loop running around a water feature. The plan is to then create a line that connects the loop to the upcoming workshop.
Looking up at the site, still largely trees.
Half a year later after clearing out trees and foliage
2 months later and the G gauge loop is finished, the drive is in place, the 5 inch railway on the right has a 10 meter run and in the background the 15 inch railway has begun to be ballasted.
I setup a tent to house the battery and solar regulator and serve as storage for a couple of trains.
1:24 Lpa Wagon, my attempt at an iconic wagon, saw these daily in whangarei running right up to the 2010's. Body is printed separately to the chassis, fits in place nicely. Creating a jig for the many handrails. Some areas on the corrugated ends need a tidy up in the design, and further details need adding.
2nd Wagon mostly done, Red primer looks about right.
First new design for the year, a 1:24 scale Q wagon, this is just a test print to ensure all the parts fit so looks rather rough. Probably a day and a half to produce all the components i'd say. The doors on the hopper work but still working out the brake rigging & the door release mech. Brake gear is printed separately and added, almost went to the effort of making the brakes function but not worth the effort.
A couple days later and things have largely evolved for the better
The handle bars were folded in a quick jig to ensure continuity. The holes were embedded in the design to ensure correct placement.
Q wagons in varying stages of production. I'm thinking a rake of 12 would make up a decent train.
8 Wagons
After watching low resolution videos of the Denniston incline, I was inclined to give it a go. I cut the sleepers out of lego track and placed on a board.
Ab hauling 12 empty Q wagons.
Wab hauling 12 loaded Q wagons
Making coal loads, I used a template to draw with a blue marker around the edges onto card which had mostly black on the reverse side. Next I will layer up some coal using pva.
Showing off some coal load tests, Using crushed coal I've been experimenting with the coarseness to replicate a load of that time period.
Handrails can really bring a model to life, with the first DL I 3d printed them, fixed into place asking to be knocked off. This time I 3d printed a Jig, which nicely holds everything in place, allowing enough room for the solder to form into what I hoped would resemble nice triangle brackets. In the end I was happy with whatever held the strongest while reducing burns to the hands. The handrails can easily be removed from the cab to permit it's removal.
Showing off some pictures taken at michaels place, he has recently been busy with scenery and bridgework. I could only bring what models I had in auckland and no wagons. During the visit Mike produced a bag of bachman wheels and pointed out the lack of wagons, I have been toying with the Idea of making a rake of Lpa Highside 4 wheel wagons..
3D Printed bridge girders
Cameraman had a great vantage point hanging from a branch.
Showing off the third attempt at the DL, so far only the long hood has materialized. This time the side panels on the long hood open. Unlike the Dx the doors clip into place without having to drill tiny holes etc.
Showing off some Pic's of DL 9008's wonderful encounter with tiny 3v Leds from Jaycar. Wired up to a 2xAA battery holder and switch under the fuel tank, as is with the current DL. Can't wait to photograph at dusk on an outdoor railway!
