3D custom design body for Plarail/Trackmaster

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I wondered if anyone might be interested in a 3D printed body, to fit onto the 2014, Mattel / Trackmaster, Diesel 10 chassis.
I had a word with "Modern image models" and their design work will cost around £200 which I propose to fund, via Kickstarter.
The design work would be sent off to Shapeways, where people could buy a body print, costing in the region of £100 due to the amount of material.
To get a good quality finish and level of surface detail, they would need to be printed using SLA rather than SLS 3D printers.
Link to Modern image models http://www.shapeways.com/shops/Bmthtrains
What locomotive body would folks on here, like to buy ?
I wondered if a class 86 electric loco would be popular, as they run in the UK and Europe http://www.europhoenix.eu/news.php
Maybe a class 37 would be a good choice ?
What do you think / what would you consider buying (if anything) in 3D printing.
[-] The following 3 users Like plarailfan's post:
  • HankAmericanEngine, Super, Ucwepn
That sounds very interesting!

I'd definitely be interested in an SD70ACe in the Union Pacific and BNSF liveries!
Residential train-afficionado in training, and Thomas & Friends fan.

[-] The following 1 user Likes HankAmericanEngine's post:
  • plarailfan
(12-29-2014, 09:19 PM)plarailfan Wrote: I wondered if anyone might be interested in a 3D printed body, to fit onto the 2014, Mattel / Trackmaster, Diesel 10 chassis.
I had a word with "Modern image models" and their design work will cost around £200 which I propose to fund, via Kickstarter.
The design work would be sent off to Shapeways, where people could buy a body print, costing in the region of £100 due to the amount of material.
To get a good quality finish and level of surface detail, they would need to be printed using SLA rather than SLS 3D printers.
Link to Modern image models http://www.shapeways.com/shops/Bmthtrains
What locomotive body would folks on here, like to buy ?
I wondered if a class 86 electric loco would be popular, as they run in the UK and Europe http://www.europhoenix.eu/news.php
Maybe a class 37 would be a good choice ?
What do you think / what would you consider buying (if anything) in 3D printing.


The cost will be a factor. Can they lower the cost if let say some members order the same design? Also what material are they going to use to build the shell?
I would love a GP30-GP40...but yeah that price is abit up there...
From Thomas To Today's Modern Diesels, They're All A Part Of My Rail-Yard!
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  • plarailfan
This is how 3D printed models look when they leave Shapeways / arrive at your door https://www.flickr.com/photos/41294071@N.../photolist-
The 3D printed model seen here, will fit and runs on the wind - up capsule clockwork "Thomas" chassis.
They are unpainted models and some models are in another type of plastic, that is almost, but not quite, clear, like glass.
Personally, I prefer these white coloured ones like the one in my photo, but, doing a "Google" search, there does seem to be a lot of clear coloured models, so maybe they are cheaper, or more detailed ?
Wow!!! Shape ways has the right idea! Would make a great idea for the trains plarail/Trackmaster never made, like the regular E2 jinty, for example. A lot of us have modified done good. Some of us er... Not so much. This would be a great place us to get a shell built like a regular E2, then all we need to do is paint. I think shape ways is "shaping" the way we look at plarail models.
Proud owner of Tomy/Plarail trains. Cool
(This post was last modified: 12-30-2014, 12:20 PM by ROCKINATOR.)
i wonder which is best for painting, the white or the clear?

at this stage, i cant afford it, and likely never will. that £100, what currency is that? if its GBP, that converts to roughly $200NZD.
my website address has changed: https://sunscollections.weebly.com/
Yes, I must say, I do feel concerned, that the price of the body from Shapeways could scupper the entire project Sad
I'm in the process of consulting further on this aspect and hopefully, some way might be found, that will lower the price.
The size of the body and the amount of material used, are what is keeping the price too high, I'm afraid Sad
(This post was last modified: 12-31-2014, 06:16 AM by plarailfan.)
Ok folks ! a new year and a first for Plarailers - a crowdfunded 3D printed locomotive body design project, which anyone will be able to buy from Shapeways later this year.
There's just a month to join in the crowdfunding to pay for the design work.
Thanks for your interest in the venture, hopefully more to follow !
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/desig.../x/9529593
I just though I would give a brief update, as there's around one week to donate to this project.
I haven't started the ball rolling by putting my own money through this Indegogo scheme, because all money paid has commission deducted and Paypal charge for their bit as well !
In addition, the taxman regards crowdfunding
schemes, as income and the organiser (me) has to declare all the money and fill in a tax return.
All this has proved to be interesting market research and although no-one has donated yet, I have had some encouraging comments and there is interest, especially if the costs can be brought down which I am looking into
Many thanks for all your input and if donations come through, it will go ahead.
I've Just finished co-ordinating this shipping container https://www.flickr.com/photos/41294071@N02/16091768654/



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