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.

Some more Fine Detail and 7mm Scale Signals - Offset Brackets

Just a short post to announce that I have recently made some left and right hand offset bracket signals available on my Signals Branch Shapeways Shop in the HO Fine Detail range and the 7mm Scale WSF range.

Here are some 3D renders of the signals showing the detail level. Note that these are views of the 7mm Scale signals as they show the operating mechanism below the signal base, however the HO Fine Detail Signals have the same level of detail (basically the same 3D file) but without the mechanism which needs to be ordered separately as it is in WSF to reduce the cost.

I would like to point out that these signals have two signal arms, a 39 inch and a 30 inch to allow the modeller to choose which one to use.

Overall view of the Right Hand Offset Bracket Signal

Right Hand Offset Bracket Signal platform detail

Right Hand Bracket Signal platform underside detail

Overall view of the Left Hand Bracket Signal

Note the pulleys at the base of the signal post and the small supporting brackets under the platform

Note that the large cast iron bracket is not printed in place to allow the inner surfaces
of the timber beams and underside of the platform to be painted

I have also added a left hand offset bracket to the White Strong and Flexible (WSF) original HO signal range but of course the range doesn't have the higher level of detail.

Well, that's it for now but I will get back to some posts about the layout soon.