3D Printed Thomas Mini Track System

Nigels

Ok, well I was thinking of designing some 'BPT' for the Thomas mini's, but then came across a range of track pieces already designed by someone and uploaded to Thingiverse. These are based on the Brio type wooden tracks rather than the Tomy ones, but they have been re-sized to suit the Thomas mini's and there is a good range of parts available. With this in mind I'm currently test printing some of them to see if they print as well as the graphic illustrations look.

So here's the parts range;

So far I've printed a few items, these things take time, but they are looking good, I'll add more pics as I print more parts and eventually when I have enough I'll see if I can put together a small layout 🙂

https://i.postimg.cc/XvchtY9s/IMG-20190414-125713410-HDR-2.jpg[/img]

Finno

Looks awesome. Assume you tested the dimensions etc.

Nigels

I'm in the process of doing that, hence why I'm printing some sample pieces, but visually the look perfect in terms of dimensions 🙂

Nigels

Here's some more printed parts to whet your appetite;

The bridge completed (well the standard one, there are also 'extension' options for a longer bridge - see later when I print them 🙂

Two sizes of dual straight pieces - first one 50mm long (₂"), second 75mm long (₃")
https://i.postimg.cc/G2sxJ9LM/IMG-20190415-161312215-HDR-2.jpg[/img]
https://i.postimg.cc/c1wcvK5C/IMG-20190415-201451058-2.jpg[/img]

First of several different cross-overs
https://i.postimg.cc/prbY0xyP/IMG-20190415-161338512-HDR-2.jpg[/img]

A support pillar used with two 'rising straights' that make a large rise.
https://i.postimg.cc/Z5VHJ1sL/IMG-20190415-161351766-HDR-2.jpg[/img]

A few connectors (used to join the track together - as per the bridge parts above)
https://i.postimg.cc/fbPv9YNt/IMG-20190415-161500566-HDR-2.jpg[/img]

Nigels

A few more shots with a couple of mini's to give some scale to the track and also to illustrate it is perfect for the mini's 🙂

leylandvictory2

they don't have tracks that have male connectors on them. Too bad the minis don't come with rolling stocks.

sunhuntin

there are trucks and things in the minis range, except there arent plain grey ones yet. the only "standard" ones are annie and clarabel, the others all fit within the various decorated themes.

the tracks look great, nigel! just the right size

Nigels

Leyland, these are based on the Brio track system, so you have sockets both ends of the track piece and separate connectors that snap in place, if you look at the bridge sections you'll see them connecting the pieces.

Yes they do look pretty good Sun, printed with a non gloss filament they would look even better as the gloss tends to exaggerate the layers, but then again those are pretty close shots so that gives more detail than you normally see unless you look real close.

chrisjo

Which printer are you using for these Nigels?

Nigels

I'm using my CR10s, but only at 0.2mm, so not high res, I'm also only using a budget filament as these are test prints. Changing the filament and res would improve them dramatically.

Nigels

Ok, so continuining on today here's the bunch of parts I've printed since the last post. These are primarily switches (or points if you are UK based), although there are a couple of straight pieces and two with a sort of 'dog-leg' curve in them. These last two are quite interesting and I don't recall seeing similar pieces in PlaRail but I can see a good use for them 😃

Nigels

An interesting update for you, earlier I noted that I was only printing at 0.2mm and on 'budget' filament, but even so I was surprised at the apparent rough finish and the 'stepping'. So I decided to load one of the models into an editor to examine it a bit closer. It turns out the 'stepping' and a lot of the other apparent 'roughness' is on purpose as that's how the models have been designed by the author, see below for an example;

Super

Looking good Nigels

Nigels

Thanks Super, as well as test printing various pieces (there are nearly 60 different designs in the pack) I'm also doing so to confirm the weight of each piece. This way if anyone wants a small layout I can produce a fair price to print the set based on the particular parts they want 🙂

So for example if they only wanted a basic oval it would come in at 'x', but if they wanted that plus say a cross-over, some extra straights, maybe the bridge it would be 'y'.

If I do offer this it's not to make a big profit or anything, but just something I do for my good friends on here 🙂

Nigels

OK, well I've been continuing to play around with the various track pieces, but having tested quite few I've now decided to switch to printing ones with a view to creating a small layout. I've also changed to a different filament (Creality branded) which is also quite coincidentally nearer to the normal 'Tomy Blue Plastic Tracks' 🙂

Here's a couple of pics;

Some straights, 90 degree curves and some generic accessories (connnectors, 'on' ramps, buffers and column supports).

A pair of 'points' that could be used to create a siding or a passing loop

Finally here's picture of one of the original prints (cheap filament - Dark Blue) and one using the Creality filament - both were printed using the same settings... and illustrate how much difference filaments can make, both are standard PLA formulations, just one is better than the other...

Super

Wow, those look great Nigels. I had no idea that there was that much difference in using different filaments at the same resolutions produced such different results. I can only imagine what the better filament with higher resolution would look like. Fantastic work Nigels.

Nigels

I know, amazing isn't it, but you have to try different filaments regardless of cost, sometimes you find some real gems at a good price. You also don't necessarily always get what you pay for either, sometimes the more expensive ones are not as good as the cheaper ones...

Nigels

Ok, after a bunch of printing (between other projects), I've got together a suitable selection of rails to build a small layout which I will be doing in the next week or two, here's a picture this shows the following;

4 x Radius 1 curves (makes a circle)
8 x Radius 2 curves (makes a circle)
5 x Shorter straights
4 x Longer straights (can't remember the exact length and I'm not home to measure them at the moment lol)
2 x Different 4 way crossovers
1 x Straight Cross-over track
1 each Left and Right Points - Could be used for sidings or a passing loop

There are still plenty more types of track to print including dual lane straights/curves, other types of points including curved points and three way switches, as previously posted also bridges etc... I will be printing more of all types as time goes by and expanding my track set to go with my mini collection. I'll soon be offering these for sale as well if anyone is interested, watch the trading zone or PM me if interested.

Super

Wow, those look amazing Nigels. 🙂

Nigels

Thanks super, I'm pretty happy with them using this filament,nicely they are almost bpt coloured as well 😃