{"id":28281,"date":"2016-11-24T09:00:55","date_gmt":"2016-11-24T14:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/?p=28281"},"modified":"2022-10-14T12:57:06","modified_gmt":"2022-10-14T16:57:06","slug":"all-aboard-with-boxcar-models","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/all-aboard-with-boxcar-models","title":{"rendered":"All Aboard With Boxcar Models"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this week, we showed you how<\/a> to take 3D printed model trains from raw prints to gorgeous finished pieces. It\u2019s all part of our holiday celebration of how our designers and makers bring Tiny Worlds<\/a> to life. Two of the gorgeous trains we featured in that post were created by Alexander Clark of Boxcar Models<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"CNSM<\/a>

CNSM 203 – 214 MD by Boxcar Models<\/p><\/div>\n

Like many of our model train designers, Alexander’s pieces fill a need not met by the market \u2014 and his process for creating them has been a journey of discovery. “Railway modelers always want ‘that’ model that is not available commercially, and that\u2019s how I got started\u2026 if I wanted them, I knew I was going to have to make them myself,” he told us.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

This desire led him down the path of 3D design. “Having an engineering background, I knew my way around a drawing and knew how to use a computer, so I learned how to draw a model that could be 3D printed. I started simple and produced what is basically an electrical cabinet. From there, things just grew to more larger and complex models,” he added. Those models don\u2019t come directly from Clark\u2019s imagination, but they aren\u2019t always easy to source: “If I am lucky there is an engineering drawing of the model. If not, I have to either measure the real thing or source endless photographs and make a best guess at dimensions.” That\u2019s when the design work really begins.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

When creating the designs themselves, he strives for maximum accuracy, opting to draw his models in true-to-life 1:1 dimensions. Using additive fabrication software Netfabb, he then checks his models for printability, making any necessary fixes manually before scaling them down for printing. The final tweaks come after, when he makes a few adjustments for the material design parameters, “so there has to be a bit of compromise between 100% accuracy and what will actually print.”<\/p>\n

\"Amtrak<\/a>

Amtrak Horizon Cafe V2 Doors by Boxcar Models<\/p><\/div>\n

We’re grateful that Alexander took on this unusual design challenge. Boxcar Models’ exquisitely detailed coaches, freight cars, and accessories not only allow enthusiasts to find models that wouldn\u2019t exist otherwise, they also make for utterly unique gifts<\/a> for collectors looking for rarer-than-rare finds.<\/p>\n

\"CNSM<\/a>

CNSM 250 – 255 Combine by Boxcar Models<\/p><\/div>\n

Check out Alexander\u2019s full range of trains and accessories in his Shapeways shop<\/a>. And whether you\u2019re looking to recreate the past through scale models or create mods for your favorite miniatures, don\u2019t miss the trains, trucks, figurines, and more in the Tiny Worlds<\/a> collections of our Holiday Gift Guide<\/a>. Let us know how your holiday projects are shaping up in the comments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Earlier this week, we showed you how to take 3D printed model trains from raw prints to gorgeous finished pieces….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":28286,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[489],"tags":[686,972,495,1524,492,1530,1214,1529],"class_list":["post-28281","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-products-and-design","tag-3d-printed-gifts","tag-3d-printed-holiday-gifts","tag-19-designer-spotlight","tag-holiday-2016","tag-16-miniatures","tag-model-trains","tag-scale-models","tag-trains"],"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/boxcar-3.jpg","yoast_head":"\nAll Aboard With Boxcar Models - Shapeways Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Earlier this week, we showed you how to take 3D printed model trains from raw prints to gorgeous finished pieces. 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