^3D render

Finalized

Prototype (left) and Final (right)

(2022)

One of the reasons I wanted to get into 3D printing is because I wanted to make the toys I always wanted as a kid. Some might think I'd have tried to do a Godzilla first, but...well, that's something I'm still working toward. But, if it wasn't abundantly clear, I do actually like Thomas the Tank Engine (and steam locomotives in general). I grew up having a bunch of the old ERTL die-cast toys, but I always wanted to have something more detailed, like functional drive rods and such. Well, thanks to my 3D printer, that can be - and has been - arranged!

I primarily used SketchUp to model them, but the face was made in Blender; on the finalized print, the coupling hooks are made from small pieces of polystyrene (I originally made them part of the print, but they were prone to breaking off). Naturally, I then painted them up by hand. On the proto, I had to mix paint, which is something I'm not fond of when it comes to painting 3D figures, due to inconsistency. But on the final, I was able to find the perfect shade of blue and use that. Also, as you can see from the mock-up render, it can be made with a smokebox door instead of the face!

I'm so glad I got that printer.