HO scale Train Water Tower Diorama

[sthone]

This started out as a quick little project to play around with the Hatchbox Wood filament after trying it out on this little wagon I found on thingiverse and after I started I just couldn't stop.

After about a week of design, printing, and painting..... This is the result.

With the exception of the texture on the base and some wire bits and thread everything on this was printed.

Anything that would be wood was printed in Hatchbox (mostly with a .25 nozzle) and then stained with a gel stain and distressed by dry brushing on some black paint. All the other bits where printed in Silver PLA.

The Handcar was also printed in PLA. (the wood deck was painted on this one.)

Details of making the base can be seen HERE if interested.

[sthone]

For those not familiar with HO scale train stuff here is a picture for reference.

I have to say the M2 really amazes me on how fine a detail it can print. I drew up this 1/8" pulley just for visual reference when designing the water tower and decided to try and print it with the .25 nozzle just to see what would happen....

... you can say I was shocked when it actually printed and all the holes where even there. I could actually fed the string in behind the pulley too.

I designed the tower to be like an actual model kit. (you never know there might be a market for something like this )

[jsc]

I thought your models and finishing looked amazing. That was before I came to the picture for scale; that's just mind boggling.

[sthone]

I printed a version completely in PLA with a siingle piece roof and the detail is even more amazing... again the M2 continues to impress me every time I use it.

[Jules]

Amazing! Simply amazing! Great job Steve! Awesome details!

[jimc]

superb job! i love anything aged and distressed. looks awesome

[apk]

Beautiful work. My Dad has been building HO and N scale railroad "towns" for years... I've got to show him this.

[Vprints]

VERY impressive! You may be inspiring me to break down and get some painting equipment...

[sthone]

Thanks for the comments everyone

Beautiful work. My Dad has been building HO and N scale railroad "towns" for years... I've got to show him this.

I'd be interested in hearing what he thinks... I'm not actually a train guy so hearing opinions from an actual modeler would be great.

VERY impressive! You may be inspiring me to break down and get some painting equipment...

You don't need much to start... I use this Cheapy Master Airbrush I found on Amazon and a $40 harbor freight compressor (if you don't mind the noise) and it works pretty well for me.

[moop]

Looks great, I love it.

Did you thin out the stain any? Which stain did you use? I didn't see it mentioned. I love the detail of the pieces!