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Marbelup Models
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25.01.2022 Here are a couple of pictures of the XBC bauxite hopper in Sn3.5 scale, which was completed in early December 2018.
23.01.2022 Just a reminder that Marbelup Models does not accept enquiries or orders received via Facebook Messenger. Please send any enquiries via regular email to [email protected]. The reason is that Messenger doesn't provide comparable facilities for searching past messages.
21.01.2022 I have just updated the list of "in stock" models after a bit of a stocktake. Note there is one DB locomotive kit available and a few HO scale iron ore wagons. https://marbelupmodels.blogspot.com//marbelup-models-avail
20.01.2022 The Marbelup Models 3D-printed XBC bauxite wagon has recently made a trip across the Tasman Sea, as did the majority of the real XBC's in the 1990's. It is pictured here in operation on a NZ Sn3.5 layout built by modellers from Invercargill, next to a more modern NZ coal wagon. At least a couple of the ex WAGR wagons are still in coal service, and the underframe of another has been kitbashed into a work wagon, complete with crane, by the Oamaru Steam & Rail preserved railway.
20.01.2022 I just posted some information on the WA Sn3 Blog about coupler heights for Sn3 models. See wasnmodeller.blogspot.com//kadee-coupler-heights-for-sn3-s
19.01.2022 Here are some photos of the XB bauxite wagon in Sn3.5 scale after its quick paint job. I still have to add vacuum and air piping, so it is not finished yet. I included simulated weld lines on the outside of the hopper which are subtle but visible. The vacuum brake components will be painted black eventually.
18.01.2022 If you have purchased a Marbelup Models DB locomotive kit, you may be interested in this modification to reinforce the underframe - https://marbelupmodels.blogspot.com//db-loco-underframe-re
13.01.2022 After a lull of several months, the 3D design for the XBC bauxite hopper in Sn3.5 scale is complete, and a test print is on order from i.Materialise in Belgium. Due to the lack of large horizontal surfaces, the XBC should be relatively immune to the printing problems experienced with i.Materialise earlier this year. The 3D design for the unique bogies, which were cut down from the original XB bogies, was completed some time ago. The XBC 3D design doesn't include most of ...the air piping for the brakes and discharge doors, as this would be too fine and fragile to print. Keen modellers can add the air piping details with brass wire if desired. Even without the extra piping, the model should provide a good representation of the original. Despite being built in 1963 (as XB's). the last of the XBC wagons remained in service until recently. The prototype photo of a single XBC in a bauxite train was taken in October 2016. For details on the prototype, see http://westralia.uk/xb_wagon.htm
12.01.2022 The first test print of the XW wheat wagon in Sn3.5 scale arrived this morning from i.Materialise in Belgium. So far, I have just removed the main support structure and test fitted bogies and couplers. There is quite a bit of support structure inside, due to the flattish profile at the top of the body, but that doesn't need to be removed and will be hidden when painted. I plan to paint it yellow with the very large W.A.G.R. lettering as per the 2nd photo on Andy May's XW page - http://westralia.uk/xw_wagon.htm The etched brass roofwalks and ladders are still in production in Melbourne, so I won't be able to complete the assembly for a while.
12.01.2022 The etched brass parts for the WWA wheat wagon arrived and the test model is now finished ready for painting. As this is an HO scale model, it won't be available for general sale. The design has been completed for the etched brass parts for the XW wheat wagon in Sn3.5 scale and a test etch is on order.
10.01.2022 Because the Hollywood Foundry mechanisms are no longer available, I have been looking for an alternative mechanism to suit the R and RA Class locos. The Black Beetle self contained drive bogie is available with correct wheel spacing and almost correct wheel size, and a single axle from a Dummy Beetle provides a 3rd idler axle for each bogie. Some small 3D-printed parts provide a pivoting connection for the 3rd axle to allow some sideways movement for curves. I have been working on the design over the last 2 weeks, and my custom made Black Beetles arrived today which has allowed me to assemble a working chassis to prove the concept.
09.01.2022 I have finished the artwork for etching roofwalks, ladders and brake wheels in brass for the WWA wheat wagon in HO scale, and ordered a test sheet.
09.01.2022 Due to ongoing quality issues with 3D prints from i.Materialise in Belgium, Marbelup Models is not accepting any new orders for 3D-printed models, for a while at least. In general, small parts like bogies are printing very nicely, but some larger models are causing problems. i.Materialise claim the problem is inherent with their Standard Resin material which was introduced about a year ago, although most early prints were very good. Some prints are still very good, but th...e quality is quite variable. The main problem occurs with models having largish horizontal surfaces, which sometimes print with a pronounced "bulge" of up to 0.8 mm. This seems to be due to the viscosity of the 3D print resin when in liquid form as the model is being printed, but it is strange it occurs to varying degrees or not all all, even for prints of the same model. People who have paid a deposit for DB locos but not yet taken delivery of their kits have been notified by email and it should be possible to fulfil their orders if they wish to proceed, as the DB is less affected by the current problems and most parts have already been printed.
08.01.2022 I have just completed the 3D design for the XW wheat wagon in Sn3.5 scale, and ready to order a test print from i.Materialise. The artwork for the etched roofwalks and ladders still needs a bit of work to finish off.
06.01.2022 I have started work on the XW narrow gauge wheat hopper. For the first time, I am working on Sn3.5 and HOn3.5 versions at the same time, as I think it will be easier to do the required changes as I go rather than waiting until I finish one version. I am actually drawing both in S scale, and the HO model will be scaled down as a final step (as I have done temporarily in the screenshot). The main difference is that wall thicknesses and size of small details have to be made l...arger, so they will print properly when scaled to HO. Also, bogie and coupler mountings have to be customised for each scale. For the HOn3.5 model, I am proposing to use the Wuiske Models QR Standard Modern Freight Bogies, unless anyone has a better suggestion. The wheel size is a fraction too large, but they should look the part. See: https://wuiskemodels.com/catalog/product_info.php See more
06.01.2022 Marbelup Models has made the decision to focus 100% on Sn3.5 scale. There will be no further development or production of models in other scales.
05.01.2022 Here is the first print of a WAGR SA bogie sheep wagon in Sn3.5 scale. This one is for my own layout and they won't be available for general sale, unless someone really, really wants one, as they are quite expensive. This one is printed in i.Materialise Gray Resin, to avoid the current problems i.Materialise are having with their Standard Resin, which adds to the cost. I have also had printed a sheep load with extra sheep, compared to the SXT, due to the longer internal l...ength of the SA wagon. At this stage, I have only done a rough cleanup and assembly, and I still have to add the wire bars on the sides, handrails, etc., before it will be ready for painting. The bogies were originally designed for the WMC/WMD wagons, and have been 3D-printed by Cassidy at Westrail Models as a test of the capabilities of his 3D printer. Unfortunately, large wagons like the SA are too big to print on Cassidy's 3D printer. For info on the SA sheep wagon, see http://westralia.uk/sa_wagon.htm
04.01.2022 I have revisited an earlier product, to take advantage of the option to 3D print "sprued" parts at i.Materialise. These are roofwalks for DC 4-wheel vans, in Sn3.5 scale. Although the Marbelup Models DC van has integral roofwalks, other modellers have expressed an interest in the roofwalks on their own for use with cast resin kits, such as those available from GA Models. The new design has 5 roofwalks on a common "sprue" and will sell for around $30. The first printed par...ts should be available mid-January. In contrast with injection moulding, in which the sprue is used to inject molten plastic into the mould to form the required part(s), the "sprue" for 3D printed parts serves only to hold the smaller and potentially more fragile parts together, and protect them during production and shipping. Use of a sprue also reduces the cost for small parts, as there is a fixed cost (5 Euros - approx $8) for each item printed, as well as a cost based on the volume of material in the print. See more
03.01.2022 I have finished the 3D design for the WWA wheat wagon in HO scale, and ordered a test print from i.Materialise in Belgium. The roofwalks, steps and brake wheel will be etched brass, and I still have to finish the artwork for the etching so I can order those parts.
03.01.2022 The first test print of the WWA wheat hopper in HO scale arrived today. It took less than 1 hour to remove the supports and fit bogies and couplers. I won't have the etched brass roofwalk and ladders for a week or so, so I won't be able to finish the model straight way, but everything looks good so far. The strange ribs on the sides are actually on the inside and won't be visible when painted. Their purpose is to allow the sides to be thinner, for the most part, to save material, which reduces the cost by approx. 30%. There are 4 bulkheads inside which add strength, e.g. when handling the model. The same technique was used on the WW wheat hopper and it has proven effective in terms of providing a strong model at minimum cost.
