In the previous article, we showed how to create a basic landscape suitable for model railways. However, what about trains, buildings, people and other details that bring the landscape to life? Let us show you how to enhance your model railway with some great techniques and 3D prints.

Model Railroading 101; Model Contests; Prototype Railroading; Model Railroad Videos; Layouts. Gateway Project Railroads; St. Louis Model Railroads. Model Railroad Layouts (A-B) Model Railroad Layouts (C-J) Model Railroad Layouts (K-O) Model Railroad Layouts (P-S) Model Railroad Layouts (S-Z) Greater St. Louis Area Model Railroad Clubs; Layout.

Free 3D railway models for download, files in 3ds, max, c4d, maya, blend, obj, fbx with low poly, animated, rigged, game, and VR options. The 3D Train Studio is an easy to use application for planning and simulation of model railways on the computer. With a set of numerous tracks and components you can create individual railway. Model Train Graphics. This is another type of model railroad software that you will almost certainly find useful for your train layout not so much for planning purposes, but more for creation of signs, decals, old classic advertisements for your buildings or billboards, simulation of brick or stone walls, stained glass, window treatments, wallpaper, etc.

3D printed trains

Trains are the most important part of every model railway. It doesn’t matter if you’re already completing the tiniest landscape details or just starting to build the basics, the trains are always number one. Almost everyone (including us) is usually eager to place their train models on the tracks even without finishing the landscape. It’s also useful in determining whether the tracks are positioned correctly – that should be done before we glue them to the landscape.

To test our tracks, we printed several models of locomotives and passenger cars. Some of them are printed with our Original Prusa SL1 printer and others using the Original Prusa i3 MK3S. Let us introduce you to these models with brief instructions on how to print them.

Locomotive 742 from the Mashinky game

The first and the most detailed model, frequently used in the Czech Republic, is a locomotive 742 also called “Kocour” (“tomcat” in English). The model itself comes from the Mashinky game by Jan Zeleny. It is an intricate and very entertaining computer strategy game, in which players build their own railway empire. This model is impossible to print at an H0 scale using FFF/FDM printers because it contains a lot of tiny details. It is necessary to use the qualities of MSLA printers. We achieved the best results using the Original Prusa SL1 printer with Prusa Orange Resin at 0,05mm layer height. The locomotive can be printed as a static model, however, you can easily modify it and place the electronics inside.

The locomotive 742 is small enough to be placed in the printing area without the need to cut the model. It is better to print these models as a whole: cutting the model and gluing it later requires extra effort (e.g. to hide the seam) and doesn’t bring any real benefit.

When you print train models, we don’t recommend using the automatic supports generation. Instead, place the support points manually. This way you can be sure that all the overhanging parts are supported and there are no unnecessary supports created in places where we don’t want them. It is important to support all of the edges to avoid warping or peeling. Use 0,3mm support heads for tiny and thin parts of the model. Removing supports with 0,4mm diameter might lead to damage to some delicate details. If you are not sure, look at our model (see the photo below). The wheels need to be printed perpendicular to the print platform to make them as round as possible.

When the print job is done, wash the model with isopropyl alcohol, but do not cure it with UV light! First, remove all the support structures using a very sharp knife or scalpel. Once all of the support material is removed, cure the model with UV light. Next, smooth out the supported spots with a rasper or sandpaper and confirm that everything fits properly. If so, the model can be assembled and painted now. The locomotive 742 can be seen in various colors, we chose the most common red base color with a beige stripe.

“Kocour” is finally complete and ready to go. You can see for yourselves that the locomotive looks quite authentic – our thanks go to Tomas Krakora, Jan Zeleny and his game Mashinky for such an amazing model.

You can download the model from PrusaPrinters.org.

EAS freight car

The locomotive itself is really nice, but it should have some cars, too! Let’s print some type EAS freight carriages, also used commonly throughout the Czech Republic for transportation of wood or coal. This miniature is much easier to print thanks to fewer details. This model is also possible to fit inside the printing volume of our Original Prusa SL1 in one piece. It is better to rotate the cargo space part upside down. The chassis and wheels should be printed separately and oriented perpendicularly to the print platform to achieve a perfectly round shape that prevents the car from falling off of the tracks. You can buy the wheels and fit them into the chassis if you don’t wish to print them. The assembly is very easy and intuitive – you need only a few drops of super glue and proper couplers. The EAS cars are usually colored red but nowadays they are mostly corroded and dirty.

The EAS car can be printed not only using the Original Prusa SL1 printer but also the Original Prusa i3 MK3s. However, you should keep in mind that you have to use a 0,25mm nozzle and expect that some details will be lost.

You can download the model from PrusaPrinters.org.

Motorized carriage 810

The freight train is ready to go but how do we transport the passengers? Let’s use the legendary “motorák”, also frequently used on the Czech tracks. We designed two versions for you: A simple motorless carriage (you need only 2 couplers and 2 axles if you don’t want to print them) and a motorized unit with a hole for the Bramos carriage. Keep in mind that the carriage can be bought in the Czech Republic and it might be challenging to find them abroad, though.

This model contains more tiny parts and details than the previous one. We recommend to print it with the Original Prusa SL1 printer. The print and support generation process is the same as for the locomotive 742. Choose the support head diameter according to the detail, manually place the support points and print the model using 0,05mm layers. Windows should be printed with transparent resin and with the flat side facing the printer platform (don’t use supports and pad).

Wash the parts with isopropyl alcohol but do not cure them with UV light! Carefully remove the support material using a scalpel or sharp knife and cure the parts only after this is done. Sand the rest of the support material and confirm that everything fits. Sand the windows with wet and very fine sandpaper (roughness 1500 and higher) and spray them with glossy acrylic clear coat. This way, the windows will be transparent enough so you can see the interior of the carriage. Don’t forget to color the parts before you insert the windows and glue everything together. The motorized carriage 810 is usually colored red with a beige stripe, but reconstructed units can be seen in blue with a white stripe.

You can download the model from PrusaPrinters.org.

Carriages and locomotives for FFF 3D printing

We understand that not everyone has an SLA 3D printer, so perhaps you would like to use your Original Prusa i3 to print some railway models. Fortunately, there are models designed for FFF 3D printing, which are also compatible with MSLA printers. Printing these models is quite easy – in fact, all the pictured models can be printed using a 0,4mm nozzle and 0,15mm layer height.

Models shown above can be downloaded here:

Steam Locomotive T3 scale “0”:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1069482

T334 – diesel train engine – H0 (1:87) scale model:
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/5500

Cement train car – H0 scale (1:87):
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/5503

H0 scale old time baggage train car:
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/5501

Old railway passenger wagon in scale H0:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1112510

Old tank car 1:87 (H0):
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3199283

Russian Passenger Car – Scale H0:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2742465

SZHD/RZHD boxcar 1:87 (H0):
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/5512

Buildings and small detailed parts

The trains are printed and ready, so now it’s time to print the static models. This means human figures, buildings, cars, furniture and an endless number of other models that will give the landscape an authentic appearance. Large static models (buildings) have one great advantage: they can be easily printed using classic FFF/FDM printers. We’ve selected a couple of buildings (see below) and printed them using Prusament PLA Galaxy silver with 0,4mm nozzle and 0,15mm layer height. However, it doesn’t matter what color does your filament have, everything will be printed. On the other hand, various filament colors can be used in a variety of smart ways – e.g. unpainted Prusament PLA Silver can represent cement between bricks.

All models are available at Thingiverse or PrusaPrinters:

Girder Bridge:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3463147

Cattle shed:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3270540

H0/HO Coal Bunkers / Kohlebansen / Lagerplatz:
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/5489

H0 model train platform:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2656062

H0 Train station model:
https://www.prusaprinters.org/print/5470/

Tiny models are a bit more complicated. Small, highly-detailed objects such as human figures, furniture, lamps and objects necessary to complete an authentic landscape appearance need to be printed with SLA printers.

Here’s a selection of several models to get you started:

Customizable woman with coat 1/87 scale (H0):
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2863048

Customizable woman with long coat 1/87 scale (H0) – selfie:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3063503

Bike H0 / HO scale (work in progress!):
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3131722
(The bike size should be increased by 20% to the sides for printing all the detailed parts. The support head diameter should not be higher than 0,2mm.)

Canoe H0 scale remix:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2993121

Sawhorse H0 scale:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2993130

Outdoor furniture set H0 scale:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2994789

Park bench set H0 scale:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2998944

Playground H0/HO scale:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3067351

HO scale container 20ft (piko-compatible):
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3372971

Tree:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1196196

Model railways and 3D printers are an amazing combination. There are many models available on the internet – and often for free! All you need to do is to take your time choosing the right ones. And if you don’t find any suitable model, you can always make your own and share it with the community. Another great thing is that even with the costs for the printer and materials included, you can still save a good amount of money when you decide to 3D print the assets instead of buying them. Plus, you’re getting that amazing sense of accomplishment when you create something cool entirely from scratch!

Multiple commercial brands of model railroad software are available and can be used in helping to plan your layout. These are basically of 6 types:

• Model Railroad Track Planning Software

• Model Railroad Operation Software

• Computer Integration and Control

• Model Railroad Inventory/ Collectors Software

• Computer Simulation Programs

• Programs to Create Designs, Signs, Decals, Brick Walls, etc.

Which type of model railroad software you choose may depend on how much you like to spend time on your computer and what your ultimate goals are. There is a certain fascination in developing your plans on the computer and being very organized in your track planning even to the point of knowing exactly what materials you will need and how much they will cost. Many of these model railroad software programs will allow you to run virtual trains on your computerized layout so you can get an idea of how your railroad will operate when you actually build it.

Perhaps you don’t have the time or space to actually start building a model railroad yet. Using the planning software can provide you with the fun of at least developing your basic plan and design until you have the capability of going ahead with physically building the layout.

Some of the model railroad software is relatively simple and fairly easy to use after a few hours. Other programs are very powerful, but complicated, with high learning curves; but once you master them, you could have a fantastic virtual railroad on your computer that has very detailed graphics and may be a lot of fun to build and operate without ever having to lay your hands on a section of model track.

Model Railroad Track Planning Software

One of the easier model railroad software programs to master is the Track Planning Software available for download to your Windows PC (No Mac version) from the atlasrr.com website and works fairly well for simple layout designs.

Another program reported to be very easy to use with a short learning curve is Anyrail (http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html). It requires Windows Vista, XP or 2000.

XTrkCAD is a free program available for download for Windows, Mac or Linux. (http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage)

Railmodeller (http://www.railmodeller.com/) is an excellent program for the Mac that I found relatively easy to use within just a few hours. The track plans drawn on the track planning page of this web site were all created using this software.

SCARM(Simple Computer Aided Railway Modeller) is definitely worth a look. A lot of work has gone into this layout design software to make it user friendly. It's only for Windows though. No Mac version available (yet).

RR Track for Windows is an excellent program for sectional track users and is easy to use. You can view the layout as a track plan or just the terrain or both together. It has 3D views as well.

Cadrail (http://cadrail.com/) is a more complicated program with lots of bells and whistles and may be more familiar to those who have had some training in computer assisted design. A companion program containing information about the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad can be purchased on their website as well.

Other notable model train software programs include 3rD Plan-It by Eldorado (http://www.trackplanning.com/), and 3D Railroad: Concept and Design √ by Abracadata. Another one worth mentioning is called Train Player (http://www.trainplayer.com/) within which you can obtain over 100 predesigned track plans that you could use or modify for your own railroad.

Wintrack is another great program for PCs developed in Europe. One of the best things about this software is the remarkable 3D image that you can generate after you have completed your track-plan.

For those who wish to build their own tracks and turnouts, Templot is the way to go. This computer program can generate infinite types of templates to use for constructing tracks, turnouts, crossovers, slips or just sections of track to fit in between others, etc. in any gauge, for any period or prototype, for any radius. You can link them together on screen to create your entire layout track-plan; and use them on your workbench to create the tracks you need to complete your layout. This one is for PC users - No Mac version available.

So what is the 'best' track-planning software?

Tough question. Some of the programs have steep learning curves, so you end up spending all your railroad-building time on learning the software. Some are free which is good for simple layouts. The more expensive ones do a better job with elevations, 3D views and more choices from their libraries of tracks and structures. Your choice may depend on what operating system you have in your computer - Windows, Mac, Linux, etc. Overall, you have to decide on which features are most important to you. Here is a link to Model Railroader's forum with several opinions on the subject...

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/228700.aspx

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Operation Software / Hardware for Model Railroads

Easy Model Railroad Inventory by RCL Software (Freeware) is much more than an inventory program. The operations portion of the software is the most useful part of it and is one of the best programs out there for setting up operating sessions. The only problem is that it is no longer supported by it's developer, and it's hard to find.

Layout Command Controlis an enhancement to DCC layouts using circuit-boards and software to improve speed and reliability, and makes operation of multiple locomotives and devices easier. The platform is standardized by the NMRA so that the products made by different manufacturers are interchangeable.

Traxx ID √- Model Railroad inventory/Operations Management Platform. Now you can not only know what your railcar inventory is, but you can know exactly where they are on your layout.

TrainTraxx.com - The Operations simulation software that can be used in conjunction with the Traxx ID hardware to create a complete inventory system so that you always know where your railcars are on the layout due to tags placed on the bottom of each car and detector devices placed under tracks in the classification yards. It can also integrate with JMRI so you know where your trains are and you can operate them with the software. Watch the videos on the their website so you can see how it works.

RailPro by Ring Engineering is one of the easier systems out there to help with model railroad operations. This uses color touchscreens and Direct Radio Technology and essentially replaces DCC systems. It is supposedly much easier to set up and manage than DCC, although it hasn't really caught on in popularity. Here is a video review...

DCS (Digital Command System) by MTH is another viable option for MTH trains, Lionel or any other AC-operated locomotives running on HO, O, S or G scale track, with or without wires. You can operate your entire layout wirelessly from your smartphone - even program up to 90 minutes of automatic train operation. Start up costs are very reasonable and setup is reported to be 'easy'.

Computer Control

JMRIis a program that allows you to connect your DCC system to your computer. It requires separate purchase of an interface module like a Digitrax PR4 if you're using Loconet for connections, or NCE-223 if you're using the NCE system. After it is set up, you can see your entire layout on the computer screen and operate all power blocks and turnouts just by clicking on them. Can be used on both PC and Mac.

CTI-Electronics (Train Brain) - the first fully integrated computerized model railroad control system. For PC only. See the other page on this site showing how this CTI Train Brain worked on Bob Fahrney's computerized layout.

ITrain √- Easy to use computer control with client server technology to allow extra computers to be used as extra overviews or as controllers for different parts of the layout.

Model Railroad Inventory / Collectors Software

Model Railroad Collector √- highly rated inventory/ value pricing program for Windows

Model Railroad Inventory Database √- Purely an inventory program

Train Simulator Software Programs

Trainz √ by Auran (http://www.auran.com/trainz/) has lots of detail and lots of graphics that you can use for either simulated railroad operations, (including learning how to drive trains around on a virtual railroad), or for layout planning to the nth degree. This simulator is now available for PC and Mac. There is even a version for iPad!

Microsoft Train Simulator√ - another simulator program with lots of bells and whistles. Multiple add-ons are available for running many types of trains through different locales and scenery.

Running a Steam Locomotive√ gets rave reviews for learning how steam engines work and how to operate some of the most popular and classic locomotives ever made.

Computer Requirements for Model Railroad Software

Most of these programs have demo versions that you can download and practice with before you buy. I would highly recommend doing this. You may find out that pencil and paper are more to your liking albeit less technologically advanced.

If you decide to purchase one of these high-end programs like Trainz Simulator, Engineers Edition Deluxe, be sure your computer has the strength for it. (Make sure you look at the system requirements for the particular program you wish to purchase and be sure your computer has all of those requirements and preferably more.) Also note that some are available only for PC’s and not for Mac’s. I know Railmodeler and Trainz are available for the Mac. 3D Railroad Concept and Design is only available for PC and the Classic version of Mac OX-10, not for Leopard. All of them have PC versions. Cadrail is PC only.

Keep in mind that many of the above-mentioned programs that are for 'PC only' can be installed and used on a Mac computer if you use Winebottler, Crossover, Bootcamp or Parallels to run Windows within the Mac. Similarly, they can often be run on Linux if you have Wine or Crossover installed. Check the specific requirements for each program before you buy it.

Model Train Graphics

This is another type of model railroad software that you will almost certainly find useful for your train layout not so much for planning purposes, but more for creation of signs, decals, old classic advertisements for your buildings or billboards, simulation of brick or stone walls, stained glass, window treatments, wallpaper, etc. Most of these are produced by Evans Designs.

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