iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

Here's a first test of a silicon mold for some 3D printed parts. The mold came out good but I'll need to redesign the original part so it can be poured from the top rather then vertically. But we are getting somewhere, and I hope to work on some locomotive shells soon (these are TARDIS windows btw)

At the top of the screen is a 3D printed master model for my Shalka TARDIS window panes. Underneath is a Translucent silicon model of the master part. The window panes are all connect with a sprew like struction like you would find on a Injection molded part.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

My first experiment with Resin cast, making some NEM couplings. First thing to note is the TPU filament did not react with the resin so it's a viable idea. However I will need to remember to use a solution to stop the resin sticking to the mold.

2 halves of a mold made by 3D printing them in TPU flexible filament. The mold is for a single NEM coupling. The parts are stuck in the mold and cracked as they were not cured enough. A lot of overspill is on the mold.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Another update at the #3Dprinted clockwork Porter locomotive. I'm really happy with how the locomotive's looking so far. Now the main bulk of it is properly screwed together it is built like a brick, very sturdy feeling in the hand. I promise I'll show it running soon XD #modelrailroad

Right side shot of the 3D printed Porter, compressed air locomotive. Still a work in progress but the new iteration has red window panes, cab roof and cylinders fitted without the valve gear. Buffer beams are all present. Details like handrails, steps and front lights are missing. The right side has a larger cylinder than the left side. Printed into a black livery.

The left side of the locomotive. This side is almost the same at the moment, once details are added it will be different, but the cylinder on this side is a lot smaller as is prototypical.

Front shot of the loco, giving an idea as to the size difference in the steam cylinders. Also it displays the front of the cab better with the red window panes.

Back of the locomotive, displaying the back buffer beam and cab with a large window.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Another update on the #3Dprinted Porter compressed air locomotive. I think i'm on the home stretch with the project. The motor seems to be running very nicely, I'll have some running shots of it soon once I've rebuilt the motor for the final time. It's just the final detail parts. #modelrailroad

A side shot of the 3D printer Clockwork Porter, air compressed locomotive. Still a work in progress lacking a cab roof, cylinders and valve gear, and other detail parts. A key for the clockwork motor within is sticking out of the side of the cab.

Shot of the other side of the locomotive, currently symmetrical to the other side. However it will be different once the details are added.

Front shot of the loco, with a better display of the buffer beam detail and front of the 3 steam reservoirs.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I wasn't looking to be buying new locos and the moment, but when I saw this whole set going for only £33 I couldn't say no. The loco is a Mainline, so it will probably fall victim to the split axle issue. But I fixed my Mainline J72 locos so it'll be no issue. #modelrailway #oogauge

An old Train set box with a transparent front showing the set inside. Made by Mainline. Going from top to bottom is a Mainline Royal Scot locomotive, its tender, 3 LMS coaches, curved track, accessories, straight track and a piece of some sort of plastic. I think it helps put the loco on the track.

A close up on the loco in the box. The loco is a Royal Scot in a maroon LMS livery. It is missing one set of wheels on the front bogie.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I think this is one of those bad late night ideas but I am considering buying this off ebay and trying to do a full restoration XD. I've been getting into watching car restoration and this seemed to peak my interest. It's completely rotten but I think there could be a chance of saving the motor.

Rusted, rotten Hornby Dublo Clockwork N2 model found on ebay. Wheels are life expired, everything is rusted. The cylinders have rotted through and need replacing.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The addition of the timing box has meant I will need to reprint the air tank reservoirs, so to properly the test the loco I am having to bodge the original tanks on with rubber bands. This is the only way to house the weights to stop it falling backwards, I call this Frankenstein's prototype XD

The Porter chassis with the clockwork motor installed. On top of the chassis are the air tanks in an improper position held together with rubber bands.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Working on the clockwork Porter S gauge locomotive still. I got the loco running but it was way too fast, throwing itself off the track. So I've build a little "timing box" that is a bunch of gears to create resistance, now the loco is running a lot slower than it was before. #modelrailroad

Picture of the chassis of the Porter clockwork locomotive. Currently without its air reservoirs. The clockwork motor is bolted to one end, with a timing box screwed on top with a temporary bracket. A rubber band is also temporarily holding the whole motor in the correct position. On the other end of the chassis are a few weights to keep the weight distributed and to keep it on its wheels.

A top down shot of the motor, with the gears inside the timing box on display. These gears to nothing but are geared down to create resistance to slow it down. The gears inside the clockwork motor are mostly concealed under the timing box. The mainspring of the motor is sticking out the back.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

For context, we're talking about very small gears being printed. I've used gear generator but you'll only end up with bumps that lock up and don't mesh.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Yeah, along with printing the body shell at a 45 degree angle, you will save yourself a lot of sanding. Most of the time I don't sand my locos as the finish is pretty good.

Work in progress pic of one of my 3D printed body shells. Gives an idea of how a rounded boiler and saddle tank can look without any need for sanding.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

And 99% of the time when gears lock up it's because the teeth are grinding together. This relates to the tolerances, design the gears so the teeth will not rub. Even if the design looks good, the printer may over extrude and cause the lockup. I've had years to work on this so I hope it helps :)

Wrong way to design tolerances on 3D printable gears. Teeth are grinding against the inside of interlocking gears.

Correct way to design tolerances on 3D printable gears. Teeth are far from the inner part of the gear and so won't rub even factoring in the tolerances of the 3D printer.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Also, when printing the loco, you really want to have it positioned at a 45 degree angle on the build plate, having it sit straight makes the loco's rounded parts look flat as shown in the pic. But the 45 degree angle allows for a rounded shape to be built up, I hope I explained that okay XD

Porter air compressed loco air tanks in my 3D printer slicer software. One air tank is sitting horizontal on the plate and the tops of the tanks are all flat. Next to it on the right is another air tank, but this one is positioned at a 45 degree angle. So the tanks are nice and rounded.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I'm no expert but I think I have a few, the most prominent ones relate to the loco body shell and it's mistakes I see a lot. When modelling your locos, you'll want to increase the amount of polygons on any cylindrical parts (boilers etc) as this will almost always be visible in the final print.

3D design of a steam locomotive with a very low poly boiler. Designed in Blender.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I finally tracked down some S gauge track in the UK, so I'm finally able to give the WIP clockwork #3Dprinted Porter locomotive a test run. I've discovered some issues which I will need to fix before it can run proper, but I hope to record a runaround soon. #modelrailroad #modelrailway

A small line of S gauge plastic track set up along side my 00 gauge layout. On the S gauge track is a work in progress clockwork porter air compressed locomotive. On the 00 gauge is my fireless 0-4-0 locomotive. Front shot to give an idea of the size difference between the gauges.

Side shot of the same setup, with the S gauge track alongside the 00 gauge track layout.

A front shot of the S gauge track without the 00 track next to it. The clockwork porter loco is placed on the track.

A side shot of the same S gauge track with the loco placed on the track. The loco is very work in progress so it has no cab, buffers or extra details.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Originally I wanted to create it with traditional, hand drawn animation. But I struggled and so went with cut out #animation instead. Here's an existing test shot of the hand drawn stuff. (July 2016) #2Danimation

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Recently I've been getting back into #Animation and recently came across this old pilot I started almost 10 years ago (Oct. 2016). This the only finished render I have however a few more shots still exist. (Exposure altered to better see the character). #2Danimation

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I've not posted on here for quite some time, but I been very busy working on this #clockwork H.K. Porter Air compressed locomotive for @gandydancer1961.bsky.social in S Gauge. It's currently a work in progress but the locomotive runs in both directions! #3Dprinted #modelrailroad #modelrailway

Right side shot of the H.K. Porter Air compressed loco model. In a black livery. Currently most of the loco is assembled apart from smaller detail parts. There's also no window panes in the cab, no cab roof, and the cylinders and front buffer beam is not attached.

Left side shot of the loco, similar in design to the right side before the details are added.

Top down, back of the loco showing the clockwork motor inside the cab going into air tanks. A clearer shot of the back buffer is present here.

Top down, front of the loco. Currently all a work in progress so the air tanks lack resolution. The right cylinder and front buffer are placed roughly into position to give an idea of the look of the engine.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

A quick update, I'm in the process of adjusting the design and reprinting. The motor is fitted and able to turn the drive wheels, but it needs a lot of work. Should hopefully run very soon. (The air tanks are not reprinted yet so that's why they've been cut up).

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

I've now started printing the first prototype to try and get an idea of how well the parts are fitting, and I think it's looking good. Hopefully it won't be long before this loco runs :)

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Hi again, sorry it's been a while the mechanism usually takes forever on these models. It took 2 years to develop my old ones XD. However I THINK I have got the windup motor worked out, allowing for both back and forward movement. Next should be printing a prototype and checking everything works :)

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

I found this listing on Ebay, apparently Marklin once made a set that includes a HO chassis that you can build onto with LEGO like bricks. So you design your own engine and can put it on your HO layout, that's such a cool idea!

Box cover for a Marklin Building block train starter set. Front of the box contains an image of a brick steam locomotive with rolling stock on a HO chassis.

Contents of the box. Track, LEGO like bricks, paperwork and the HO chassis for the engine and rolling stock.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

This could be the key to mass producing my locomotive models too. The GT3 alone takes around 8-9 hours per locomotive shell to print, with this technique they would take a fraction of the time.

Production of my GT3 body shell. 6 unfinished shells lined up ,with their extra parts in front of them in ziplock bags.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

I'm currently working on making #3Dprinted molds for my old #DoctorWho Shalka #TARDIS that I designed. Normally this would take upwards of 10 hours to print. But IF, and it's a BIG IF, my experiments are successful I could produce replicas of this model within minutes...

A finished model of the Shalka TARDIS I designed, in scale with the 5 inch figure line. All painted up with the police public call box decals.

A work in progress design for a mold that I can use to produce the window panes of the TARDIS on mass. An outline of the window pane is within a box. On the outside of the box are indents to allow a screwdriver to be used to pry the two halves open. Along the rim of the cast are holes for magnets to be used to clamp the mold together.

A mold for the supports around the outside of the Shalka TARDIS. similarly designed to the window panes with holes for magnets and the indents for the screwdriver.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Hey there, it's been a little longer than anticipated by I think I've finished the initial design for the locomotive. If you're happy, I will start cutting it up and making it able to be printed, and work on making the mechanism for it :)

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Here's a bit more of the locomotive so far. I've just got a bit more to go on the design then and I should be able to start looking into designing a motor to go in it.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

This is still very much a work in progress, but I thought I'd give a little update on my progress. The design is coming along, but with few references I can find I'm having to draw from multiple locos of a similar prototype, hopefully the rough design should be done within the week.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

A bit of progress on the body shell. I've decided to make the Taff Vale A class locomotive, its similar in scale to the N2 and so the Dublo chassis should fit relatively well with some adjustments to the shell. #modelrailway #modeltrain #blender #3Ddesign

Side shot of my work in progress Taff Vale A class body shell. Designed in blender using my Dublo N2 chassis. The design is very much in the works with missing details on the cab, boiler etc.

Front shot of the loco, displaying the smokebox door more. Along with the incomplete buffer beam, of which only one buffer is present.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Here's the first prototype of the (sort of) port of par body shell for the Hornby 0-4-0 chassis. Currently without many details but the parts are fitting together and the loco is running nicely. Should have a finished model to show soon. #modelrailway #modeltrain

Front shot of the port of par body shell on a 0-4-0 Hornby chassis. Currently a prototype without any buffers, smokebox door, chimney or other details. Printed in a green livery with a black running board.

Shot of behind the locomotive displaying more of the side of the cab.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Working on the new body shell for my Hornby Dublo N2 chassis. Just made the chassis reference and now I can start the actual shell. #modelrailway #modeltrains #Blender #3Ddesign

A very rough model of the Hornby Dublo N2 chassis designed in blender.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Once I get an idea in my head, that's it... That's my day XD It still needs rewiring, but I've spent all day modelling a bracket to allow the Terrier to take a coreless motor. Furthermore, the intermediate gear has been retooled to take a standard 0.5 module worm gear. #modelrailway #modeltrains

A Dapol Terrier chassis with the body shell removed. In the place of the old type 7 motor, is a coreless motor held in place with a custom 3D printed bracket I designed. Furthermore the intermediate gear has been retooled and printed to take a normal 0.5 module wormgear which is easy to source. This should help quieten the loco.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

This arrived today, a Dapol Terrier locomotive. The deal of the century at just £18! It's was sold as a non-runner, but after a service it does run. The motor sound to be grinding the gears similar to my Dapol Pug, so it will probably need a new motor bracket to help it sit correctly. #modeltrains

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Currently looking through my books of drawings to see what body shell I want to make for the N2 chassis. I'll probably keep this as an N2, but I want to create some body shells to make available for purchase. #modelrailway #modeltrains

My new Hornby Dublo N2 positioned of a page of drawings for a great western 56xx.

Hornby Dublo N2 positioned of a page of drawings for a LNWR webb tank loco.

My new Hornby Dublo N2 positioned of a page of drawings for a LB&SCR E4 tank engine.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

I've also made small changes to allow for the variations in the design between the two existing locos, Judy and Alfred. Both versions of the loco will be offered for sale on my Ebay once completed.

Screenshot of my port of par locomotive body shell. This version has had the rivets removed from the saddle tanks, and a different design of handrail. This is in line with the appearance of the locomotive "Alfred".

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Here's a little update on the design, I'm almost there, I just need to finish the cab details and it should be complete. This has turned more into a tribute to the "port of par" locos then a scale model due to the larger size, but I'm very happy with how the model has turned out so far #modelrailway

Side show of the port of par locomotive body shell. Rendered in blender. The body shell is designed to fit onto a Hornby 0 4 0 chassis which is why the loco has been scaled up from the real life prototypes. The running board is also elongated at the front to decrease the length of the boiler and saddle tanks, to try and make the overall look more in scale with the originals.

Shot of the back of the loco, with the open cab to display the cab interior. Still a work in progress with only 2 water gauges modelled onto the bulkhead. Buffers and coupling hook are however present.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

I've just opened my newest locomotive to my collection, a Hornby Dublo N2 I bought from @hacksworthsidings.bsky.social . So happy with it so far, It will probably need a service but is running very nicely on my layout. This'll be helpful with a few projects I have planned #modelrailway #modeltrains

Picture of a Hornby Dublo N2, sitting on my test layout. The model is painted into a dark blue livery.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

I'm suddenly having a whole lot more respect for those massive Bill and Ben locos Hornby made XD. This is such a small class of loco, I'm having to make a lot of sacrifices to stretch the body over this chassis XD

A work in progress render of my Port of par body shell. The overall shape of the locomotive has been stretch to try and squeeze it onto a Hornby 0-4-0 Smokey joe chassis. The saddle tank is much longer, the cab is shortened, the running board is higher and the height is a few millimeters taller than it should be.

A side view of the loco showing the stretching of the loco and specifically the saddle tanks. Which have to be stretched to incorporate the motor on the chassis.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

A VERY early work in progress on my next body shell design. One I wanted to do for a long time, it's the Port of Par Bagnall saddle tanks. #Blender #WIP #Modelrailway #modeltrains

Side shot of the Port of Par body shell, rendered in Blender. The model is very early in development, just basic cubes and cylinders making a rough outline of the loco. The design has been stretched to accommodate the Hornby 0-4-0 chassis. Buffers and a rough smokebox door are present.

The back view of the loco, again just very basic cubes forming the cab. Very little detail apart from buffers on the back.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Working on getting even more of my GT3 locomotive body shells #3Dprinted. These take a lot longer then I thought to print so I haven't got as many done as I would like, but hopefully the batch should be done by the end of the week. #modelrailway #modeltrains #00gauge

A line up of 7 3D printed GT3 body shells, and the matching tenders. Printed in a black filament. The locos have been partially assembled. In front of them, are bags containing details parts that will be glued on by the buyer.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

I'm currently hard at work getting these GT3 body shells ready for sale. It's a lot more time consuming than my other items, as these are partially assembled by me. I've just got some documents to go with them on order, and hopefully these should be on sale by next week. #modelrailway #modeltrains

A line up of multiple 3D printed GT3 body shells, in different stages of completion. The front 2 are just the empty shells, 3 are assembled, and one is a completed locomotive with a Triang B12 chassis fitted.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

In aid of the 5th Toy story, I've made the logo befitting of a franchise with so many sequels XD (In the next film, woody goes to space...)

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

#Cults3D have just made it possible to sell designs as a bundle, so I've made a few bundles of my models at a significant discount if you're interested! cults3d.com/en/users/Bro...

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

I've just finished the final prototype for my #3Dprinted GT3 body kit. I think I'm at the point where I can start printing, ready for sale! Here's the newest prototype in front of the older one. #modelrailway #00gauge

The fronts of both my GT3 prototypes, both in a black livery. The newest one has a coupling hook installed, black roof exhaust instead of white, different head codes pattern for a different route, and green wheel on the chassis.

A side shot of the front of the loco, displaying the side vents for the components inside.

Behind the two locomotives , displaying the backs of the tenders. The newest tender has a black corridor installed over a white one on the old.

A high, far shot of the two locomotives. Showing the full length of each GT3.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Now the rough design is done for the E2 and J70, I'm starting work on the 3rd loco that will use the #3Dprinted 0-6-0 chassis. This one is a SE&CR P class. It's very rough but here it is so far. #modelrailway #blender #3Ddesign

Work in progress render of the SECR P class. Designed in Blender. So far, it is a very rough outline of the loco, using basic shapes to construct the design.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

After receiving a shipment of parts, I've been reworking my #3Dprinted 0-6-0 chassis to use metal components over plastic printed ones. Having screws go into actual threads and metal axles will drastically increase the life of the loco, given I plan to sell these #modelrailway

My 3D printed 0-6-0 chassis, turned over with the base plate removed to show the axle boxes. The axles are metal going into white printed bearings separate to the chassis block. Metal screw inserts are present, which will be used to screw the baseplate down.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

I've designed this plinth for my future model kits to ship with. The idea is that, because the kit won't come with a motor, the plinth will allow the model to double up as a display piece as well as a capable runner. #modelrailway #blender #3Ddesign

Render of my 3D printable Thomas model kit, sitting on a small stretch of track attached to a plinth. Allowing the model to be put on display.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Here's a little running session of the GT3 in action, pulling a few of my #3Dprinted coaches behind it.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

After a few reprints, here's another look at my #3Dprinted GT3 body shell. This time installed into my other B12 chassis with black wheels. There's still a few tweaks to make but I think this is almost done. Then it's batch printing and selling. #modelrailway

Side shot of the GT3, with the tender just out of shot. Its in a black livery with white highlighted parts such as the cab steps, window frames and handrails. The buffer beam and buffers are all red.

Front shot of the GT3. The front is fitted with head code disc, not representing a specific route as these were placed for testing. Along the back of the loco, the tender is just out of focus.

Close up shot on the back of the tender, now fitted with buffers and a NEM coupling unlike the earlier prototype.

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Brookster3D @brookster3d.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Also, here's the back of the tender.

The tender of my 3D printed GT3. Unlike the body shell that uses the B12 chassis, this is all custom and uses its own metal wheels. The tender is in a black livery like the locomotive. The white corridor behind the tender is a separate part, printed in a white filament.

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