Users bcentsale and 382Whistles expressed interest in New Have Railroad style catenary towers in the comments for https://old.reddit.com/r/nscalemodeltrains/comments/1vr4qk6/a_detail_i_am_proud_of_that_i_forgot_to_post/. I was a bit frustrated with my latest structure model's progress, so I decided to model the New Have style catenary towers in N Scale. The STL file is available.
Doing a bit of an experiment to see if I can 3d print a layout, the first 3 boards are now wired trains are running (btw ignore the missing buffer and coal on the j50, I brought it like that and im going to fix it one day)
This album is progress on my N-Track module. I hope to show the module at a Nov. train show.
I primarily use SketchUp Pro. It has all kinds of functionality and plugins that I'm barely aware of. I essentially use the subset of features that were present in the last free desktop version, SketchUp 2017. I also use Blender.
SketchUp:
Blender
A little update on the 1916 IRT car I’ve been working on for the elevated railway project.
The model is mostly finished now and this is the first time I’ve been able to put the complete body on the elevated structure and station. Seeing it in place definitely helped me catch a few things I still want to tweak.
This test was printed with a 0.4 mm nozzle. I’m actually pretty happy with the rivet and window detail, but I think this model is right on the edge of what makes sense with a 0.4. I’m going to pick up a 0.2 mm nozzle and see if i can print the smaller details, particularly around the windows and front/rear panels.
I also modelled a basic interior since the windows are large enough that an empty shell looked a bit strange.
I’ve decided not to 3D print the running gear. I’ll use ready-made bogies and metal wheelsets instead. At this scale I’d rather have reliable running gear than force everything to be printed.
Still a few adjustments to make, but the car itself is getting pretty close.
Create a new post in this subreddit of an image of your 3D Printing in Model Rail accomplishments. It could be a design, a printed model, a model on your layout, etc. I'll change this subreddit's banner to the most upvoted image (that is on topic and meets community guidelines) submitted between now and midnight August 30 USA Eastern Time.
Banner images work best if they are 1920 x 384 pixels with a 5:1 aspect ratio, but I'll find a way to make the winning image work no matter what size and aspect ratio it has.
I printed the "Corner" building in 2022 on my old Bibo printer. I usually print walls flat on the print bed and then paint and assemble. To achieve a curved wall, I printed the whole facade as one piece with "lofts" over windows and doors.
From the 1910s to the 1940s, Art Deco captured the imaginations of Architects and the public. The famous Cincinnati Union Terminal, the inspiration for the Justice League headquarters in comics, used concrete to create an imposing massive half dome. The Chrysler Building in Manhattan uses aluminum or stainless steel to create a blazing sunburst facade.
Art Deco is typified by symmetry, curves, and "modern" materials like metal, ceramic, and cast concrete. Visual interest is enhanced by Moorish geometrical patterns often featuring sun bursts or chevrons. Aztec and Inca influences were also common.
An Art Deco office building provides visual interest at the front of my N-Track module.
In the 1970s, windows were often partially or completely bricked up in a futile attempt to save energy during the energy crisis. The front facade features aluminum or stainless steel. The brick walls are painted aged white with chips in paint exposing red brick and terracotta underneath. Once proud oversized windows reduced to slits match the pervading theme of the 1970s: malaise, decrepitude, and cultural rot.
My wife took many photos of the T-Track modules: She particularly enjoyed a series of Star Wars themed modules that I'll post separately.