Announcing the all-new 3D-printed 'W' Series Victorian Railways Country Carriages

Each kit features a separately printed body and underframe, combined with a precision laser-cut internal floor and compartment dividers. Supplied with highly accurate 3D bogies, metal wheels, decals, paint masks, window glass and optional working diaphragms/vestibules. These next-generation kits represent a major leap in detail and quality, with fewer parts and significantly reduced assembly time—offering outstanding value for money.

Kits will be released once packaging is finalised.
Pricing: $72 per passenger car or $200 for a set of three.

BWs shown above with operating vestibules between carriages

Released in the last year

 Sorry to all my followers that I haven't updated this page but have added updates to the website and Facebooks pages. Below are the kits that I have released. Please visit my webpage for more details and happy modelling Chris.

 Locos Locos Locos

The trouble with VR N scale is locos with mechs are not available so we have little option in running our roster.

Well, that has all changed! The latest release of 6 locomotives (5 T class - H class) allows modellers to run a larger roster even if powered mechs are unavailable. How’s that?  Each kit comes with a dummy rolling chassis that allows the builder to complete it to run on your railway and when in the future you obtain a mech you can easily convert it! For a special introductory offer, these are available at $100.00 per kit

The kits include 3D printed body and bogies with metal wheels, decals, number boards, horns, handrails, etched grill work for the body and brass wire.

T320 –T346 requires Atlas VO 1000 mech to motorise

All the other T’s and H’s require a Bachmann S2/4 to motorise

Where to get them

 Heaps of new products coming or landed now

Recently I released 11 new products with more to come https://www.spiritdesign.com.au/Whatsnew.html

Several brass kits have been updated to 3D versions, which will allow more builders to easily complete their rosters as the 3D prints are 1-piece bodies with only a few components to glue on.

This has allowed 6 versions of the T class including T413 dynamic braked unit and the Y class.  What's more, I have now developed dummy units so all the above will be available with running chassies.  So, if you can't find a mech or can’t convert one these kits will allow your roster to expand with little effort and a reduced financial investment.

The dummy versions of the T's and Y's will be compatible with the DC and DCC systems you have. These will be available before Christmas as I'm printing the bodies and laser-cutting the other parts needed to complete the kits

 Well, things are finally happening again. I have a number of projects (15) that are coming to completion very soon. These include 3D versions of some wagons and carriages plus a new range of wagons, scenery items and bogies. A number of brass locos will now be 3D printed with add-on see-through grillwork to match the previous brass versions

Happy modelling - Cheers Chris

3D happenings

 Available shortly will be the earlier version RY/HZ/IZ/GZ 3D print plus brass shunter steps and metal wheels. The RY is 4 inches lower than a GY. Common to anyone modelling up to the 1980s. It has riveted/welded features plus an integrated underframe that accepts Micro Trains 1015 couplers

Also, a number of my current Way and Works buildings will also be available as 3D printed and only need painting to finish. The current range of laser-cut buildings will also be available as ongoing kits for those who still like the wooden appearance.

Recently I bought a new resin printer which gives greater details to the models produced and I have been updating the H220 kit to reflect the new detail available. After months of working on the gardens of the new house, I can finally get back to finishing this kit.

 

Up and running again but different from before

Over the last couple of weeks, I have spent countless hours cutting components for kits that have low or no stock.  However, I can’t make some at present due to no parts or availability of the raw materials. I will be making slow progress on as many back orders as possible in the next month so hang in there.

Because of retiring and having, no income I have decided not to wholesale to shops anymore. All my kits will only be available from myself or when I visit club meetings.  As I run out of printed instructions, these will be available to download via the web and will not be printed anymore to save the environment.

Finally, after many years of holding prices firm, unfortunately with power price surges and raw material costs up I have reluctantly put some kits up by a few dollars, which I am sure you will understand considering the current circumstances.

Going forward I intend to spend my time modelling, researching, and writing about the S class and Spirit and producing kits for Spirit Design, so I going to be a busy boy!

Happy modelling 

Chris

After the move

Currently, I'm trying to rebuild after a longer than expected absence, but I still have heaps to do on the house move including the garden as the dust and dirt coming in are driving us mad. SpiritDesign will take a back seat whilst this happens.

New products are being devised and some products will be out of stock as the components I need are no longer made, and I must look for an alternative. This sadly affects the carriage series of kits as I can't get the roof material anymore and will look at making it myself or switch to a hybrid kit using both 3D printed and laser bits.

Note that since moving I no longer have a PO box - all communications will be via the contact page on this website or via Facebook etc.

My packaging will be going online to save the environment going forward, but instructions are available for download on the website.

Tinkering

The older you get the more you realise that it takes way longer to fix issues when you have an accident or two.  Recently I tore the tendons in my shoulder and strained the others on the opposite side.  Needless to say, it’s a slow recovery but I believe I should get full movement without pain within the next 2 years.

Just to show that I have still managed some things I have been tinkering with a mech which is spot on for H220.  Trial 3D models below.

Also at the same time, I did an S class unstreamlined with original tender, streamlined tender and a C class.

Forging ahead slowly

I have several new products finally coming together. I have spent some time trying to finish things off around work and normal family life in these COVID times.

Long wheelbase T vans are at the casters now (see photo) and will be available in plain and with signage as an optional extra. Initially, Tancred Bros and VIMA will be available and then followed by William Angliss meats.

Arriving from the etchers will be T3, 4 and 5 series commonly known as the low nose, H and the high cab with later series long hood style. Sorry, but the low nose T and H are already pre-ordered and I’ll have to get more soon as I can get more decals.

Also arriving in the etch will be a very limited number of W’s to fit the terrier mech that will be re-released by Dapol later in the year.  The kit will feature 3D body, etch parts, decals and laser cut items.  Yes, there is room for a decoder and weight!

The website will be updated soon with new SOH figures as I have been steadily increasing the no of kits held.

Happy modelling during these COVID times

Chris

Everything at once

I have to cool my heels whilst I spend some time restocking for orders I’m trying to fill as I have in my hot little hand eches for the Ys, flat top Ts and high nose Ts.

 Also, I have the trial eches for the later series Ts and along with the W class.

Happy modelling Chris Pearce

New kits now and on the way

Self-isolate and build kits instead

I'm slowing getting some kits together at last as my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is easing up a bit but still there. 

First to be released is the Victorian Railways QR in a 2 pack. It is a laser-cut card/timber kit with a heavy brass weight. $55.00.  It is relatively easy to build over an hour or so. Just supply bogies (Archbar available for $6.50 a pair), shunter steps and couplers. 

The QR’s were some of the first bogie wagons on the VR system.  Construction started in 1890 and continued up until 1930.  This kit is based on the 3-door version which covers the number range 1-376 and 407.

Originally, they were equipped with spindly bar frames that and eventually changed over to the more familiar later series bar frames.  Others had plate frame bogies as well as the normal roller bearing that was available.  Being a go-anywhere wagon they could be seen over the entire VR system until their usefulness dwindled in later years but found a new lease of life as works trains conveying sleepers and gravel.  Towards the end of their life, they received the four-letter coding VOWA but not the many received the check digit.  With the 1980s upon the railways and wholesale scrapping of older wagons, the class met that same fate as many other older and obsolete wagons the Victorian Railways deemed of no use.

The next kit that will be available is the bogie LL/LF sheep wagon. Construction is very similar to the L wagon kits produced previously.  These will be available as a 2 pack and as various types of bogies were used I will leave it up to the modeller to chose their own. Couplers and shunter steps will be needed also.

LF construction started in 1928 and a total of 50 were built.  There are two compartments to each wagon allowing a different consignee to fill an end each.  The bogie version of the L wagon allowed it to utilised on freight around the state and 10 were fitted with BX fast passenger bogies and classed LP.  They were in use up to the mid-1980s and received the four-digit coding VSAY.

They spent virtually their entire life moving from country towns in block trains to Newmarket and Brooklyn processing plants. Between 1931-33, the entire fleet was converted over to auto couplers. Early in the 1970s, a live sheep deal with Saudi Arabia saw a large number of trains transhipping to Portland for overseas travel. By 1986 very few wagons were left in service as wholesale scrapping had already begun and with livestock trains finally ceasing in October 1986 the remaining units were scrapped.

Remember to stay safe and self isolate. Why not build kits instead! Chris

This year 2020

With a couple of days off I have managed to finish the masters for the long wheel T van yeah!!!  These will be off to the caster in the New Year.

In addition, toying with my new printer I have been printing AE’s, BE’s and ABE’s as a single unit.  Did the same for the W cars as well.  Showed these off at the VNSC meeting the guys were suitably impressed.  The carriages will be printed as a one-piece with laser cut flooring to strengthen the model and to stop the resin warping.

Currently writing up instructions for laser cut QR wagons and LF sheep wagons.

One wagon I consider essential to my fleet is the RY wagon.  Here are some of the first renderings. I have also completed a couple of prints that look good except for the stepping on the raised door bumps.  Will rotate the wagon and print on a slope to see if that fixes the issue.

Happy modelling Chris Pearce

Been tinkering

Hi all,

a while between posts I know but I seem to miss this blog page when posting on the webpage, FB, newsgroups, etc.

I have been playing around with some LF's for Wallan. If enough interest I will release them as a 2 pack kit.

Anyway happy modeling
Chris

Left field

It’s no secret that I’ve always wanted to build a Victorian Railways S class 4-6-2 and Spirit of Progress in N scale. 

It took another step forward in the creation of a later series S class tender bogie and making the SOP carriage bogie a while ago. This is the same bogie that was under the QH and QS wagons as well.

Whilst I work on multiple projects I also try to do some things that I want to do for my layout Wallan

Victorian Railways ZL kit update

For those wanting a ZL kit there is a delay as Peco stopped making their NR112B underframe that was used to complete it. 

Consequently, I have re-evaluated the kit and have decided to produce the more common 6-wheel version and include a 3D underframe as part of the kit.

Each kit will come with 1 ZL lasercut etch and a 3D printed chassis and 6 wheels.

Currently I’m revising the instructions to cater for the changes. Photo courtesy of Paul B. Photos shows old chassis style

Pushing for more detail

I've only had the printer for a week now but I'm pushing it and myself to see what I can achieve with it. It's not even at its best setting yet but I'm happy with the print of the E car bogie which even has the VR on the horn guides.

Microtrains on the left and my printed E car bogie on the right.

Tried printing an ABE which again looks great.

Trialing the new printer to see what its capable of

A mate sent me some N Scale STL’s to use and try out. I had a successful failure print (so to speak) in that the pilot area did not quite take because of a lack of supports. Very happy though. One thing the details like doors need beefing up so they stand out prouder etc.

Will get some paint on them soon so I can the detail easier but it looks superb and it's 
not even at its finest resolution yet!

One very happy camper!  Prototyping should now be quicker.