Re: C&S RPO 11 in HOn3

Posted by Todd A Ferguson on Nov 11, 2018; 8:56pm
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/C-S-RPO-11-Linn-Moedinger-s-Shapeways-Print-in-Sn3-and-Hon3-tp12427p12637.html

Jim,

I believe that Soho also made a C&S coach in HOn3 in the 1970s.  At least that is what I recalled the one I owned and painted RGS being labeled.  But of course my memory could be failing me too...  I have designed multilayer laser cut sides and ends for passenger cars in Sn3 and I think that could still hold some promise for HO, S and even O scale models.  The sticking point is the always the roofs.  I have tried some different laser cut ideas in Sn3 but the problem becomes that some of the parts become small and fragile.  Mark Evans built some very nice RGS work cars that were former passenger cars used on Tomalco kit bits and pieces and styrene.  He scratched the roofs out of styrene and they came out pretty nice.  In HO and S the roofs could probably be 3D printed at a reasonable cost.  

In O we have the Bachmann car roofs and the San Juan roofs as possibilities.  The design work to do laser cut parts is probably less or no more than the 3D modeling to do printed car parts.  Most people can work in 2D CAD easier than in 3D CAD and it is very inexpensive to get 2D software.  My layered approach allowed the windows to be built up and also for the inside cuttings to have laser etched board details to as I think passenger cars with interiors are nicer than those without.  Brass cars can be hard to finish interior wise both in paint and details as I am sure you and others are aware.

I do believe that the cost and quality of 3D printing will continue to improve and the cost will continue to fall just as it as with laser cutting.  3D Systems which invented 3D printing in the late 1980s is located about 45 minutes from me in Fort Mill, SC.  I was involved in come early 3D printing development and implementation at GM in the late 1980s.  If we can go another 15-20 years we will likely have inexpensive high resolution 3D printers on our workbenches at a reasonable cost.

Best,
Todd