Westlake Publishing Forums

We started the fire train build using a couple of existing models.

First is the power trail car, that I already showed, that will need a new cover.


Next up is a water pumper car that was built by a friend several years ago and was gifted to me shortly before his passing. It is a hand pump  car and will be used to protect the back end of the train.


Next is a model of Northwestern Pacific's Caboose #6007 that I built years back. With a little modification it will make an excellent crew car for the consist.


And of course the head end power will be provided by this beast. I thought it would be a perfect engine for the fire train because the crew would not have to keep a steam loco fired up and ready 24-7 all fire season. Just run out spin the flywheel and it's ready to go, well that is, if the damned ole rust bucket will start.


Building will start next chapter with the trail power car cover.
Rick
 

Well done.

So you won. No surprise. -- Russ

Thanks for the comments guys, it is appreciated.

Some final shots of the loco.

 











Just for information.
I was able to finish the loco 2 days ahead of the deadline and it received the most votes for top spot in the 2025 Challenge Build, a pleasant surprise as there were a good many great builds last year.


The cars of the Fire Train will be covered next.
Rick

Thanks!
Window frames were laser cut.
I'm not sure who did them.
Possibly Russ?
Either way I hope he can do some more down the road.

The wrenches were done by Lee B. Weiss.

MJinTN

That last picture is great!
Congratulations
MJinTN

Quote from: Peter_T1958 on January 10, 2026, 09:09:05 AMHi Volker
Thank you very much for your offer! Alas, only exporting to *stl files possible...

You can export SAT though.  That will enable import into many programs that would give better control of the stl.

Certainly you could do this through Rhino (which I use).  I've never had much need to tweak Rhino's default stl output, but there are certainly options to do so. EDIT: actually on closer investigation Rhino cannot open SAT only export.  Other programs I've used could though and the web has workflows to get SAT into Rhino.

Pretty easy to have a look anyway.

Hi Volker
Thank you very much for your offer! Alas, only exporting to *stl files possible...

Quote from: Peter_T1958 on January 09, 2026, 10:50:21 AMOk, what remains still unsolved is the irregular curved surface when exported to .stl 

Peter,

does your software allow to export *.stp files? The *.stp should not show those irregulations. If so you may send that to me to convert it to *.stl.

Volker

Beautiful drawing. -- Russ