Pater Practicus

3D printed transparent airliner windscreen

Comet model kit with replacement windscreen

New 3D printing adventure - clear resin. Quite a tricky design for the missing windows on the old Comet kit, but third time lucky and I’ve got a pretty good fit.

Part 2 of my flashing level-crossing lights project is out now - with the building and programming of the Raspberry Pi Pico controller hidden away under the signal box: youtu.be/n7_GesFAiSY?...

New video out now: make your own level-crossing light controller powered by a Raspberry Pi Pico: youtu.be/n7_GesFAiSY?... (Part 2 of my flashing crossing sign project).

The Pi isn’t using a decoder - just taking the AC track power and converting to 5V DC input with bridge rectifier and voltage regulator.

Model railway with inspection train having just crossed the level crossing.

Question: how many Raspberry Pis can you see? Answer: none. But, there is a Zero in the train, streaming driver’s eye video over the WiFi, and a Pico hidden under the signal box flashing the crossing lights.

Model railway layout with some small buttons in the foreground.

Remote control for my Raspberry Pi Pico level crossing lights. I’ll disguise the buttons with some sort of track-side equipment in due course.

3 plastic model kits: Bedford truck, Unimog fire engine and Regent double-decker bus

Exactly 7 months since I started the Tower Models Regent bus I now have 3 finished models. Maybe something that isn’t red next.

Scale model fire truck

Scale model fire truck

Scale model fire truck

Scale model fire truck

Unimog fire truck finished. 1/72 scale Ace Models kit, with my own 3D printed rear interior design.

Just trying something out 🤫

1/72 scale, so just slightly bigger than OO.

Scale model fire engine

Scale model fire engine

Generator fitted, roof on, and I think I’m done. 1/72 scale Ace Models Unimog U1300L Feuerlösch Kfz TFL 1000, with my own 3D printed rear interior design.

Scale model fire truck

Sheet of water-slide transfers

First decals on. None of the supplied schemes quite hit the spot with the reference photos I’d found for the interior, but I found some perfect numbers in my transfers tin - from an F-105 I barely remember making.

3D printed compressor painted up and fitted to the Unimog fire truck. Just the generator and a few extra details to go.

Rusty tin with an old Corona fizzy drinks sticker.

Open tin with assorted spare transfers from construction kits

Does anyone else have a tin like this? As a kid, I saved all the spare transfers from my kits - and still have them now. The Corona sticker definitely betrays my age.

Today’s 3D printing lessons are: have a plastic tray in front of your printer and if your previous print fails, have a fish around in the resin for any bits that might have fallen in.

Unimog fire truck’s body fitted and 3D printed interior fitted. All designed in Tinkercad from a bunch of photos found online.

My design for the compressor (I think) for the back of the fire truck printed much better than expected. A few supports still to remove, but nearly there.

Gail holding four Christmas cards

Get your lovely Christmas cards here!
Don’t send boring cards this Christmas. Shop independent and support small creative business.
www.gailmyerscough.co.uk/christmas-ca...

Painted 3D print model fire truck interior

Painted 3D print model fire truck interior

Fire truck interior painted up and looking good. Pleased with the kind of detail I’m getting with the resin printer - much more of my Tinkercad design printing than expected.

Painted parts of a model construction kit

Painted 3D printed fire truck interior

Progress made on the Unimog fire truck kit. My resin 3D print looking even better with a bit of paint.

Model railway level crossing with illuminated signs and freight locomotive.

Stuck for a new project on your model railway? How about making your own level crossing signs - scratch-built, with fully operational flashing lights:
youtu.be/VLVOwCkNOXg #TMRGUK #BSMRGUK

New video out now. Scratch-built level crossing signs - with working lights youtu.be/VLVOwCkNOXg?...

Fire truck starting to look like a fire truck.

3rd evolution of my 3D printed fire truck interior design. Look, even some of my tiny valve handles have actually come out!

Also ready for upgrade to remote switching.

Now you see it, now you don’t. Raspberry Pi Pico crossing light controller cunningly hidden under the signal box.

Flashing model level-crossing signs with train going by.

Up and running. All electrics for the wigwags now neatly out of sight under the signal box and running off track power.

New 3D printed foundations for the signal box to hold the Raspberry Pi Pico and track-power circuitry. At least the signalman seems happy now.

Model railway with Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller circuit board.

Foam-board excavations beneath the signal box to make way for new foundations, under the watchful eye of the signalman.

Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller on breadboard with other components.

3D printer

I’ve managed to tidy up all the wires for my Raspberry Pi Pico level-crossing light controller. Currently printing the base to go under the signal box.