Tuesday, July 19, 2016

A Few Detail Parts for the Rails

I know that I promised something about what I have been up to on the layout but.....

I have recently made some 4 bolt and 6 bolt fishplates and sleeper plates available on my Signals Branch Shapeways Shop in the HO Infrastructure range and the 7mm Scale range. All of the items are printed in the Frosted Ultra Detail acrylic material.


These items were designed as a result of a request from a modeller so if you have an idea contact me and I will see what can be done.


My email address is rpilgrim@bigpond.net.au



The fishplates were designed for Code 70 and 75 rail but would also work with Code 100 rail.

The fishplates can be glued to the sides of the existing rail to add that missing detail, not for the modern image welded rail modellers though.


Of course the sleeper plates with the holes can also be used as scenic detail laying around the railway yard and alongside the line.

I have also done the fishplates just with holes for lineside details as well.

Here are some 3D renders, photos of the prototypes and a couple of HO 3D model prints.

HO Scale

Close up of 3D render of HO 4 Bolt Fishplates

4 Bolt Fishplate - Carcoar NSW


Actual 3D HO 4 Bolt Fishplate print on Peco Code 75 rail, also fits
Shinohara Code 70 and Micro Engineering Code 70 rail
Close up of 3D render of HO 6 Bolt Fishplates
Observation suggests that only 4 bolts were used.
6 Bolt Fishplate - Carcoar NSW
The 3D printed model fishplates in the photo are opposite each other instead of offset by half the rail length.
This was a test to ensure that NMRA RP25/110 and RP25/88 wheel flanges would not hit the fishplates (which they don't).
Close up of 3D render of HO sleeper plates.
The 4 holes through the plates are to fit Micro Engineering Micro Spikes (Product No. 30-108)
Sleeper Plate - Blayney NSW

Note that the holes in the actual plate are slightly off centre but the holes on the models are centred.
This is because of minimum wall thickness issues of the 3D printing design requirements.
HO 3D printed Sleeper Plates on HO timber sleeper - Code 70 Rail
Micro Engineering Micro Spikes (Product No. 30-108)

Close up of 3D render of HO sleeper plates with printed dog spikes.
Plates are designed to be slid onto Code 70 or 75 rail and glued to HO timber sleepers once gauged.

7mm Scale

Close up 3D render of 7mm Scale 4 Bolt Fishplates
4 Bolt Fishplate - Carcoar NSW
Close up 3D render of 7mm Scale 6 Bolt Fishplates.
Observation suggests that only 4 bolts were used.
6 Bolt Fishplate - Carcoar NSW
Close up of 3D render of 7mm Scale sleeper plates for Code 100 rail.
Two layers of plates are shown.
Close up of 3D render of 7mm Scale sleeper plates for Code 125 rail.
Two layers of plates are shown.
Sleeper Plate - Carcoar NSW

I hope someone finds these of some value.

6 comments:

Ian Millard said...

Very nice Ray. Will get some fishplates next time they have a free postage offer.

Cheers, Ian.

Ian Millard said...

Ray,

For these to be used as scenic details laying around, you should redo them without the bolts and just the holes.

Ray P said...

Ian, true didn't think of that, using them as track side detail came to me as I was writing the blog.

I had better edit the blogs appropriately.

Ray

Ray P said...

Ian

I have now done the fishplates with just the holes so that they can be used as detail items alongside the track, etc.

Ray

John C. Poirier said...

In North America, six-hole fishplates appear to be used almost always with six bolts, nut the four that you have. Any chance that you might offer the six-hole fishplate with six bolts, for North American modelers? (Or do you offer that already?)

Thanks.

Ray P said...

John

I can do one with all six bolts. Do you know which way the bolts are? On ours they are from both directions (see photo above). If you can let me know I am happy to do them.
My direct email address is: rpilgrim@bigpond.net.au

Regards,
Ray