{"id":31237,"date":"2017-05-17T15:22:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-17T19:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/?p=31237"},"modified":"2017-05-25T11:12:02","modified_gmt":"2017-05-25T15:12:02","slug":"james-train-parts-childhood-dream-comes-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/james-train-parts-childhood-dream-comes-life","title":{"rendered":"At James\u2019 Train Parts, a Childhood Dream Comes to Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

\"2x<\/a>

2x EMD DD35 Dummys N Scale by James Train Parts<\/p><\/div>\n

James Norris<\/a> is a second-generation\u00a0model railroader and a professional CAD modeler, so\u00a03D printing opened up for him \u201cthe amazing ability to [make] what you want, not just what somebody else wants.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

Much as he relishes owning\u00a0models before other people have them, he also enjoys making models and replacement parts for others, which he sells them through his Shapeways shop, James\u2019 Train Parts<\/a>\u00a0and on his website, where he explains how 3D printing works<\/a>\u00a0and how Shapeways makes it \u201cvery easy for designers like myself to reach customers everywhere, with a cost-effective and reliable service.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Below,\u00a0James\u00a0talks\u00a0about his\u00a0relationship to model trains,\u00a0before and after 3D printing.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

How long have you been working with model trains?
\n<\/strong><\/em>As long as I can remember. My father has always been an avid model railroader and I remember going down into the cellar of our house in the U.K. where he had a large U.S. N Scale layout. He used to have a small blue oil drum for me to stand on so I could see over the edge and watch all the trains running. We also had a heritage steam railway directly opposite the house so I think it’s fair to say from that point I was hooked.<\/p>\n

I started with Lego\u00a0trains and progressed to British OO. It wasn\u2019t until later that I made the switch to U.S. N scale, which is what I model now.<\/p>\n

How did you buy or make trains before you discovered Shapeways?
\n<\/strong><\/em>Given the cost of new trains and having the knack of fixing broken ones, I tended to buy secondhand rolling stock and locomotives from exhibitions and shows. When Ebay started to become popular, I found it one of the best sources of U.S. trains here in the U.K. Kits didn\u2019t really appeal to me, as the time involved paired with my skill level at the time meant I ended up with bad models.<\/p>\n

What has 3D printing added to your appreciation of model trains?
\n<\/strong><\/em>It has changed my view totally. Through my professional skills as a computer modeler and the amazing ability to 3D print what you want, not just what somebody else wants, I have been able to create models that\u00a0have never been produced before \u2014 and for the first time have something before everyone else.<\/p>\n

\"Baldwin<\/a>

Baldwin RT-624 Center Cab N Scale 1:160<\/p><\/div>\n

How long does it take you to design a\u00a03D printed model? How long to paint one?
\n<\/strong><\/em>Typically, I spend about 40 hours on a locomotive to design and develop it ready for release. Painting is more specific to the locomotive. A simple black paint scheme can be done in a few hours, whereas a full Santa Fe design with stripes and lining takes much longer.<\/p>\n

Tell\u00a0us about a project you’re particularly proud of.
\n<\/strong><\/em>Each time I release a new design, having spent a lot of time on it, that becomes my favourite, so it\u2019s a tough question. I am proud of the Baldwin centre cabs<\/a>, as the design worked so well they can be used without modifications to chassis. But I think my Alco C-855s<\/a> are my best so far. They combine 3D printed stainless steel in the chassis<\/a>, 3D printed plastics for the shells<\/a> and details and etched brass parts for the handrails and grab irons<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The project also taught me a lot \u2014 and will make my next project even better.<\/p>\n

You can buy\u00a0James\u2019 Train Parts from his\u00a0Shapeways shop<\/a> or website<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Is there a\u00a0model train that you wish someone would make for you? Or are you looking for rare or unavailable replacement parts? Let us know in the comments.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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