So I provided some VR drawings and Rene' reproduced the heal section of the points in 3D electronic space, shrunk, meshed and had some trial copies printed by Shapeways.
The initial design featured a 'floor' that continues below the sleepers. However, Rene' printed a second version that looks a little closer to RTR track (i.e. with the webbing).
The local Vancouver Proto87 group met at my place last week and we decide to see how it worked and looked. As you can see, the Code 55 rail is laid directly over it. (Note that the final version will use dropper to operate the points - not the copper clad method).
Rene has been undertaking the same for his layout. As can seen, he has had a trial printed for the 'v' section (16mm gauge), which includes the check rails, with the rail slotting in against it. It will be noted that a different material has been used, which results in crisper detail.
9 comments:
Looks very interesting Julian, While I appreciate that this is a first pass, have you given any thought to producing the "webbing between the sleepers" as only half the height of the sleeper from the base up in order to eventually cover the webbing by ballast etc.
Either way this method would reduce the build time of a well detailed prototypical point
Regards,
Tom. R
Hi Tom,
I haven't thought about that, but a good suggestion.
Although, the rail effectively sits on, and covers the 'webbing'. Furthermore, there are minimum wall widths that have to be observed (varies depending on the material that is to be used). I'll run that one past Rene'.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Julian
I'm curious what is a dropper for operating the points?
Greg Amer
Hi Greg
My 'dropper' referrs to brass rod being attached to the point blades and fed down, beneath the baseboards. The slide mechanism us located there, rather than on the suface, between the sleepers.
There's many variation on how to install this - particularly to alleviate soldering the droppers directly to the blades (they work-harden, crack, and fail with time).'
Julian
Julian,
Can I also ask what was an approximate cost $ of the shapeways product for your 5'-3" example.
Regards,
Tom R.
Hi Tom,
Rene, was going to make them available 'for sale' through the Shapways site. The price would be ~$3 plus shipping I'd guess.
I'll ask him and get back to you.
Julian
Hi Tom,
I spoke with Rene':
"...It depends on the material, but as printed, they were in the neighborhood of CAN$3 for the switch and CAN$15 for the frog. I usually mark things up just to the closest round number, so it won't change substantially when I do make them available."
Obviously, you'd have to a some more for postage to Australia. And it should be noted that Rene' and the rest of us were/are still not sure if printing the frog is absolutely necessary. The main instigator of all this was how to portray the slide chairs around the point blade area (i.e. the section featured in this post). Consequently, nothing has yet been designed for the frog in VR 18.37mm.
Hope this helps,
Julian
Hi Julian,
Looking good. I suppose for the frog you could just slide the rail in as far as possible to keep the frog 'Live'- though have you seen wireless dcc advances at http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/drs1.html
Cheers Damian
Hi Damian,
Interesting stuff indeed! We'll have them running on diesel before long...!
I entry will soon appear that should be of some interested to you!
Julian
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