Quote from: steadfast on March 22, 2025, 06:16:56 PMYes I do know him, hence I know the models won't be coming back.

Jo

Wow, that is a pretty terminal statement. Is he ok?

Even if the models won't come back, perhaps the drawings?

GE

Quote from: GlenEglise on March 25, 2025, 08:42:49 PM

Quote from: steadfast on March 22, 2025, 06:16:56 PMYes I do know him, hence I know the models won't be coming back.

Jo

Wow, that is a pretty terminal statement. Is he ok?

Even if the models won't come back, perhaps the drawings?

GE

All is well, he's no longer self employed so doesn't have the time to be chasing things like this.

The final nail with Shapeways was their appalling support for designers, failing products that had printed fine 100 times and saying it needed redesign, hence the shop closed a while before Shapeways went under. Various other models went with the motorail vans, including the UKF bogie fertiliser vans. Also Shapeways materials didn't keep up with the times, and FUD or whatever they keep changing the name to, wasn't on a par with resins.

I keep trying to persuade him to get some bits printed in resin and sold on ebay or whatever (I could even do the decals  ) but no time or desire at the present time.

Jo

Quote from: steadfast on March 25, 2025, 08:51:32 PM..
All is well...

Glad to read it!

QuoteAll is well, he's no longer self employed so doesn't have the time to be chasing things like this.

The final nail with Shapeways was their appalling support for designers, failing products that had printed fine 100 times and saying it needed redesign, hence the shop closed a while before Shapeways went under. Various other models went with the motorail vans, including the UKF bogie fertiliser vans. Also Shapeways materials didn't keep up with the times, and FUD or whatever they keep changing the name to, wasn't on a par with resins.

I keep trying to persuade him to get some bits printed in resin and sold on ebay or whatever (I could even do the decals  ) but no time or desire at the present time.

Jo

Thank goodness that he is ok.

Well, maybe in due time he will come back to the hobby. It would be a real shame if designs are lost to the greater community.

GE

I have had a go at making a model. The end not visible in the photos I first saw turned out to be considerably more complicated that the other end!

Feel free to comment on the images; does anything look not quite right? I realised only one door has a handle, so that is one issue...  As far as I can tell the tumble home is two straights rather than a curve; anyone know any better?

It is sized to fit a Lima GUV as I found one cheap recently with the intention of doing a similar project.

Hi Andy,

Looking good - still interested in getting a couple, as, I think is Brian!

THeres a couple of guys doing them in TT120 and OO on RMweb...

Interesting to see your progress compared the those.

Phil H

Here is a first print.










I have posed it on the Lima body next to a RTR BG for size comparison, and it looks to be a little high. I think that is just the internal walls, so simple to correct. I am also thinking the detailing needs to be exaggerated; I am worried it will disappear with painting.

Looks great Andy! In the spirit of constructive criticism: the overhang on the roof at the door end should be more prominent I'd say.

The end doors should be wider, and more closely follow the contour of the wagon; the hinges sit right at the outer edges.

Harder to say definitively but I feel it needs a sharper angle on the ends, particularly the non-door end. Yours looks a little flat.

The black rectangular 'bumper strips' go across pairs of the doors on the side, and I think are actually more prominent than the CAD, more visible in this photo:

96606 by Gareth Rawlings, on Flickr

As you've identified the whole thing is riding too tall, I'd be minded to literally squash the entire drawing. The above shows it alongside a 37 and how closely the roof contours align.

I'm in general agreement with Nick's comments. Although, I'm sure I see a break between doors, in the bumper strip. Re height: the body looks to be riding high on the solebar by 1mm or so, to my imperfect eye.

Yes, you're quite right Mark, technically speaking there can't not be a break, otherwise you wouldn't be able to open the doors singly, from the N gauge perspective I would make it continuous though.

Quote from: ScottishModeller on March 29, 2025, 02:50:24 PMHi Andy,

Looking good - still interested in getting a couple, as, I think is Brian!

THeres a couple of guys doing them in TT120 and OO on RMweb...

Interesting to see your progress compared the those.

Phil H

Yes, indeed interested.

GE

A few versions later, and I feel happy with how this is looking now.

Hi Andy,

Certainly looks the part!

So, what next?

If someone wanted to get a couple off you......

How could we do that?

Phil H

Does £12 for a pair seem reasonable?

As I said, it is designed to fit the Lima BG chassis - not included!

I am going to say plus £4 post and packaging. It is years since I last posted a parcel, so I am going by what I have seen charged recently. However, if you are in NW England, we might be able to meet at an exhibition or something.

I did some design work for IanT, and he paid me by PayPal, which seemed pretty straightforward. Anyone interested can PM me, and I will give you my email address. I would aim to get it to you within two weeks.

I would appreciate it if you sent me a photo of the finished article that I can post on my blog.

Hi all,

I now have a pair of bodies from Andy!

Looking as good in the flesh as they did in the photos.

They got a good wash last night and will get my usual treatment for 3d prints - a dip in Ultra thin superglue later today.

Them, once dry, primer coat applied and then left for 24hrs before several coats of Network Rail Yellow.

More as things progress.....

Phil H