TheRailwire

General Discussion => 3D Printing => Topic started by: Mark W on December 02, 2018, 10:10:01 PM

Title: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Mark W on December 02, 2018, 10:10:01 PM
Here's yet another one I did several years ago and shelved due to failed test print. 
The Photon: Giver of Life. (and wine!) 

(https://i.imgur.com/mSUFPVX.jpg)
https://i.imgur.com/mSUFPVX.jpg


(https://i.imgur.com/DzAUoW3.jpg)
https://i.imgur.com/DzAUoW3.jpg
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: wcfn100 on December 02, 2018, 10:12:07 PM
Nice Mark.

I'm killing myself trying to print box car side and doors (getting lots of failures due to how thin they are) when I should maybe just be printing the whole car.

Nice caboose trucks.  :)

Jason
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Mark W on December 02, 2018, 10:30:36 PM
Yeah, I just grabbed closest I had laying around. 
But aside from 6 domes and predominance in wine transport, I'm not well rounded in the history department. 

I saw a few posts about Rio Grande using these as water cars as late as 1988. 

(https://i.imgur.com/F7lrtg8.jpg)
https://i.imgur.com/F7lrtg8.jpg


re: car sides, yeah I'd give it a shot printing it assembled.  How thick are the doors?  .6mm has been the sweet spot for me. 
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Cajonpassfan on December 02, 2018, 10:36:20 PM
Oooooh, nice!
Otto K.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Chris333 on December 02, 2018, 10:38:38 PM
That looks great. I can't believe that these are basically the cheapest printers available and can do this.   :o
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: wcfn100 on December 02, 2018, 11:40:23 PM
How thick are the doors?  .6mm has been the sweet spot for me.

.67mm at the ribs.  Probably half that on the door panels.  I've got one last try going now.  If I get multiple failures again, I'm going to have to beef them up.

Jason
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Mark W on December 03, 2018, 01:03:47 AM
.67mm at the ribs.  Probably half that on the door panels.  I've got one last try going now.  If I get multiple failures again, I'm going to have to beef them up.

Jason

That should be plenty thick for N Scale box car doors.  Might be a tad thin for the whole side, but I don't see why that wouldn't print.

Are they peeling? Sticking to the FEP? 
If you can share pics we can help troubleshoot. 
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: wcfn100 on December 03, 2018, 01:19:14 AM

Are they peeling? Sticking to the FEP? 
If you can share pics we can help troubleshoot.

I'll start a new thread once I see how this last batch prints.

Jason
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: tom mann on December 03, 2018, 06:51:24 AM
This is really great.  Is the faceting visible on the domes a limitation of the machine or the resolution of the file?  That row of rivets came out awesome.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: JMaurer1 on December 03, 2018, 12:37:58 PM
But aside from 6 domes and predominance in wine transport, I'm not well rounded in the history department. 

I saw a few posts about Rio Grande using these as water cars as late as 1988. 

What do you want to know? I've been working on an article about the 6 (and 4 dome) tanks for awhile, even kitbashed and bought some from SW. Problem has been getting decals...
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Mark W on December 03, 2018, 07:23:42 PM
What do you want to know? I've been working on an article about the 6 (and 4 dome) tanks for awhile, even kitbashed and bought some from SW. Problem has been getting decals...

Oo!  Anything you're willing to share!  Let's connect offline too.  I'll need box info if these are going to be distributed...   ;)
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Cajonpassfan on December 04, 2018, 06:56:06 PM
I *need* one of these... :P
Otto K.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: peteski on December 04, 2018, 07:26:28 PM
I *need* one of these... :P
Otto K.

Very nice! I would love to own one, but I really don't need yet another (decal) project.  :scared:
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Mark W on December 04, 2018, 07:34:34 PM
Yes, I love that artwork!  We need to add a database of Decal makers, Photo Etchers, and Custom Painters to our 3D Printers lists. 

I have a few decal projects queued, pending a service provider.   


This is really great.  Is the faceting visible on the domes a limitation of the machine or the resolution of the file?  That row of rivets came out awesome.

Those are actually low resolution on the 3D file.  :facepalm: 
I don't know how that happened, but I do need to tweak the domes a little anyway, so we'll get that fixed. 

That rivet seam was printed and applied separately! :D
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: JMaurer1 on December 05, 2018, 11:04:53 AM
(https://www.protocraft.com/images/240a.jpg)

Hey look, Protocraft HAS those decals...in HO. We really need to see if they will make some of their decals in N scale (especially this one) since I really NEED one of these cars as well (used to live in Elk Grove and never even knew there was a winery or where it was).

Told you, I have a ton of info on these cars and dozens of photos...
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: JMaurer1 on December 05, 2018, 11:15:16 AM
I just sent Norm at Protocraft an email asking if he would be willing to do any (expecially the Gibson Wine) of his decals that he has in HO and O scale in N. My fingers are crossed but feel free to email him as well. Norm@Protocraft.com
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: JMaurer1 on December 05, 2018, 11:16:37 AM
...and Mark: I *need* several of these cars. What do I have to do to get them? I PM you my email address for that and for my other data.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: JMaurer1 on December 05, 2018, 03:04:51 PM
The good news is that Protocraft responded really fast. The bad news is that he isn't interested in doing any N scale (he mostly models proto 48). Still we might be able to use his graphics to print some in N scale since most of the small lettering will be lost anyways. I'll try asking if he has any problem with that before I do anything else.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Trainmaster247 on December 05, 2018, 03:12:33 PM
Amazing have you considered selling the files or making them avaliable to download?
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: peteski on December 05, 2018, 03:44:10 PM
The good news is that Protocraft responded really fast. The bad news is that he isn't interested in doing any N scale (he mostly models proto 48). Still we might be able to use his graphics to print some in N scale since most of the small lettering will be lost anyways. I'll try asking if he has any problem with that before I do anything else.

Ok, my arm is twisted now.  :D If I could get a bit higher resolution photo or scan of that decal sheet I will put it on my to-do waiting list.  I could easily do these on my Alps printer. Just need to vectorize the artwork (to be able to produce decent quality decal).  I cold try to use the image posted earlier, but it would be easier if I had larger image available.  Or if you have some better resolution straight-on photos of the car so I could trace the lettering and the bird . . .
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: tom mann on December 06, 2018, 10:23:22 AM
Guys - please don't use his artwork without asking him/getting permission first!
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Lemosteam on December 06, 2018, 10:25:48 AM
Aye, not to mention there is now written evidence here that might be construed as intent to do so.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: peteski on December 06, 2018, 02:46:33 PM
I'm not. But what's been seen cannot be unseen.  That is why I asked for photos of the real car.  Besides, their decal artwork is simply depiction of something that exists in the  "real" world.  Regardless of what  is my source, my decal artwork will show the same lettering and logos (since both depict the same subject).  I was never planning on simply scanning the H0 decal sheet and shrinking it to N scale (although I'm sure that has been done numerous times).  But regardless of what is the source of my design, it will look similar to someone else's decal sheet designed to model the same car.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: tom mann on December 06, 2018, 04:16:13 PM
I'm not. But what's been seen cannot be unseen.  That is why I asked for photos of the real car.  Besides, their decal artwork is simply depiction of something that exists in the  "real" world.  Regardless of what  is my source, my decal artwork will show the same lettering and logos (since both depict the same subject).  I was never planning on simply scanning the H0 decal sheet and shrinking it to N scale (although I'm sure that has been done numerous times).  But regardless of what is the source of my design, it will look similar to someone else's decal sheet designed to model the same car.


I understand - I just wanted to be clear that that would be the case.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: JMaurer1 on December 06, 2018, 05:47:30 PM
Intermountain did the single dome version and has this picture of the logo on their website:

(https://www.intermountain-railway.com/ho/images/46341wl.jpg)
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: C855B on December 06, 2018, 05:59:11 PM
My question is whether finished product was shipped in these cars, "Have a straw on ya'?", or if it was intermediate process transport. The tank cars that Coors Beer (CORX) have or had was, sadly, just for wort, which is a pre-fermentation base.

I like that six-dome car and the appealing graphic, and could make an excuse for a couple on the layout. If we can resolve the decal situation, it'd be great.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: peteski on December 06, 2018, 06:28:04 PM
Looking at the graphics posted here (both model and prototype), they all seem to use slightly different typefaces and even the bird logo has different colors. Also the tank car in the seems black (not silver).  So there is quite a bit of leeway (unless one wants to model some specific car).
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Chris333 on December 06, 2018, 07:00:06 PM
Hows about the real car?
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Cajonpassfan on December 06, 2018, 08:19:27 PM
Hows about the real car?
Lol, what a concept :D
Otto K.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: peteski on December 06, 2018, 08:27:37 PM
Hows about the real car?

Was it just a single "real" car?

I looked at Protocraft website. There were several cars in 1-, 4-, and 6-dome configurations.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: JMaurer1 on December 07, 2018, 11:08:09 AM
There were 1, 3, 4 and 6 dome wine tank cars. The most 'popular' seems to have been Roma Wines, but in addition to Gibson there were also Victor, Fruit Ind., Ambrose, Chateau Martin, Musolino, Foppiano, Gallo, Petri Bros., National Dist., Madera, and Yosemite Wine Assoc among others as well as the unlettered fleet cars. Most all either wore the reporting marks of ACFX, CDLX, GATX, NATX, or SHPX. I've slowly been writing an article on them that I may actually try to finish now that there is some interest. I would post more pictures but my files seem to be too large and I can't u/l them to Railwire and would rather work more on the article than shrink photos. Check out the pictures at the Protocraft website since he has most of the Gibson photos that I've seen.

As for did they actually ship wine: yes they did, but not the wine we now know. 'Fine' wine didn't come into vogue until the 1960's. Previous it that it was a cheap sweet wine that they would 'fortify' with additional alcohol (usually brandy) to act as a preservative. The high alcohol content of the wine made it a cheap drunk (hence the term 'wino'). Sometimes the wine wouldn't be fortified until it arrived in the mid west or east coast in which case the wine was closer to grape juice during the trip.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: JMaurer1 on December 17, 2018, 11:41:33 AM
Mark, LMK when the wine tanks are ready to purchase...
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: peteski on December 17, 2018, 01:56:51 PM
Mark, LMK when the wine tanks are ready to purchase...

If someone sends me one of these printed tank cars I can begin to design the decals (for the black and silver versions). I can't promise when they will be ready though.  They will be printed on my Alps printer, with both silver and white colors accurately represented.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Mark W on December 17, 2018, 07:15:56 PM
Will do, though it may be a while.  I need to re-design the dome, almost from scratch, to make post-print assembly a snap (literally).  I'll definitely let you both know once they're ready.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: peteski on December 17, 2018, 08:25:53 PM
Will do, though it may be a while.  I need to re-design the dome, almost from scratch, to make post-print assembly a snap (literally).  I'll definitely let you both know once they're ready.

Don't rush on my account. I'm juggling more projects than I have fingers on both of my hands.   :)  I just wanted to let you guys know that I committed to doing the decals.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: JMaurer1 on December 18, 2018, 11:06:55 AM
BTW: Chanp used to do decals in HO for the 6 dome tank cars...they had NATX/Ambrose Wine, NATX/North American and GATX/Roma Wine and I can scan the art from their freight car lettering book if anyone wants it
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Mark W on March 19, 2019, 11:11:28 PM
I found it!  Here's the photo that re-ignited my drive for getting the Six Dome car printing again!
Just barely caught in frame on the left there, pulled by a cab forward with a lovely mix of freight.

(https://i.imgur.com/iYfT74J.jpg)
https://i.imgur.com/iYfT74J.jpg


I'm not quite sure on the location.  I believe the original post mention Yuba Pass or Emigrant Gap.  I can't say I recognize that big rock slab from my may trips on the California Zephyr though.   The right side looks very much like many places along the Truckee River. 



Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: learmoia on March 20, 2019, 07:11:32 AM
Cool picture.. looks like it is being pushed by something else (not a cab forward).  Notice the smoke stack is against a freight car with no tender between

~Ian
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: JMaurer1 on March 20, 2019, 10:58:16 AM
Man, you got some really fine detail on these cars! I keep breaking the vents off of the domes trying to put the handrail around the tank (not a complaint at all, just my big fingers). Mark does some spectacular work!
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Cajonpassfan on May 19, 2019, 10:50:16 PM
I found it!  Here's the photo that re-ignited my drive for getting the Six Dome car printing again!
Just barely caught in frame on the left there, pulled by a cab forward with a lovely mix of freight.

(https://i.imgur.com/iYfT74J.jpg)
https://i.imgur.com/iYfT74J.jpg


I'm not quite sure on the location.  I believe the original post mention Yuba Pass or Emigrant Gap.  I can't say I recognize that big rock slab from my may trips on the California Zephyr though.   The right side looks very much like many places along the Truckee River.

I “knew” I saw that scene  somewhere before. Here it is again: [attachimg=1]Westbound over Soldier Summit on the D&RGW near Kyune, Utah. What an awesome display of steam generated horsepower! Not Truckee and no Cab-forwards here 8)
Otto K.
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Mark W on May 19, 2019, 11:03:32 PM
I “knew” I saw that scene  somewhere before. Here it is again: (Attachment Link) Westbound over Soldier Summit on the D&RGW near Kyune, Utah. What an awesome display of steam generated horsepower! Not Truckee and no Cab-forwards here 8)
Otto K.

Soldier Summit!  Yep, now that I see it. 

Bummer, I was excited to re-create the old mixed freight with the 6-dome and cab forward. 
Oh well, while that particular photo was not quite as imagined, it's still a great bet that many 6-domes left California via Donner behind Cab Fowards.   8)
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: JMaurer1 on May 20, 2019, 11:29:19 AM
I actually painted my cars this weekend and have been finishing up on the decals. Hard part is painting the black underframe and adding weight to the cars...and not breaking off the find detail (vent pipes and steps). Soon...
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: Mark W on May 20, 2019, 09:53:05 PM
Awesome, can't wait to see it!

I know the first batch had some ultra thin vents, but I got you one of the '2nd Run' prints too, didn't I?  It would have the 3 Rivet seams (one spare) and a thicker vent pipes. 

I'll especially be interested in your thoughts for making painting and adding weight easier. 
I figured dropping some BBs and a few drops of thin CA down the hatches might work, though it would be tricky to keep things balanced.
Another thought is to press tungsten putty between the two 'beams' of the under frame. 

Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: JMaurer1 on May 21, 2019, 11:14:28 AM
That's what I did...BBs down the hatches, but the holes in the bottom allows the CA to exit the building. I do wish that the frame and the tank were two pieces: easier to add weight and paint since the frames are usually black and the tank a different color (usually silver).
Title: Re: 3D Printed 6 Dome Tank Car
Post by: peteski on May 21, 2019, 03:19:44 PM
It would have been good for the car to be designed with an allowance for easily adding a weight.  Removable end or removable panel on the bottom.