MODEL RAILROADING
I have avidly pursued modeling in N-scale. From the grass and trees to the weathering on cars and buildings, I have gradually built this layout. Like most, my layout is always evolving.
It might be thought of as a creative outlet that never shuts down. It provides an outstanding platform for my ideas when I have the time and energy. Yet, when other responsibilities pull me away it remains ready for the next time I return.
As a self taught model railroader for the past 8 years, I gradually became accustomed to the various offerings of the manufacturers, specifically in the rolling stock, locomotive, and era-specific categories. Due to the larger proportion of older modelers in the hobby, including those who worked with and advised the companies as to the specific product offerings, a majority of the commercial products available were of eras pre-2000/1990. In addition, many of the offerings in N scale (the second most popular scale; the one I modeled) lacked detail and fidelity, era-accuracy (including the inclusion of modern equipment), quality, and/or a combination of the factors. As a result (and since I modeled modern day operations of around 2000-present), there were little to no products in this timeframe that were well suited for my modeling, (or if so, they succumbed to the aforementioned criteria). Therefore, I set out to combine my expertise in CAD with the need in my hobby.
The desire to bring new designs to my layout led me to design and manufacture my own train cars as seen below.
CREATIVITY
Creativity is the key to success in the future.
OVERVIEW
The process of creating the CAD models of the IRL models:
- Selection: A majority of the time, the model created reflected a prototyped that was recently manufactured, had small quantities, or was overlooked by model manufacturers. I found the model through either irl, personal photos/videos, or through other digital/analog content means.
- Research and initial development: Next, after I selected the model (usually a quick decision making process), I then researched the prototype model history, builder, build year(s), road numbers and road names, series, major dimensions, added parts variants (if applicable), and more. This information was aggregated into a single project text/chart display, organizing the information to better assist in the CAD and development process.
- CAD modeling and final iteration (in CAD itself): Then I set about creating the model in CAD, a process that takes anywhere from a couple hours to a couple hundred hours, designing the model using photos, videos, sketches, blueprints/drawings (if available) (all aggregated in the R/D process). During the design process, I kept in mind the final production method (additive manufacturing), ensuring all the details would fabricate accurately. With the intense initial CAD process, including a set of model standards and initial goals, only small final detail modifications had to be made with the CAD model, before arriving at the final physical model (and CAD).
