For hundreds of years, trains have captured the imagination. From the earliest steam engines and the many types of trains built afterward in the 19th Century, to today’s advanced high-speed trains, trains have been an insatiable source of inspiration for engineers, hobbyists, and adventurers alike, as well as providing a wonderful opportunity to use the many advances that technology has made available in creating 3D models of trains. As a hobbyist, an aspiring model railroader, or simply someone exploring the practice of train simulation, you will find that learning how to create a 3D model of a train digitally allows you to express creativity on a level not possible in previous generations.
In this article, we will cover everything from the basics of train modeling to the detailed designing and detailing of a train, through to preparing a train to be used in a simulation or 3D printing it. By the time you finish reading this guide, you will have a sound working knowledge of how to bring your digital trains to life and an appreciation for the long and fascinating history behind these great machines.
A Brief History of Trains and Their Models
The first successful steam locomotive was “Rocket” invented by George Stephenson, which began use in the early 1800′. As early as the late 19th & early 20th centuries, train use shifted from being primarily for cargo or coal transport to being symbols of technology & progress, so much so that model trains became available for the public to replicate their favourite locomotive in miniature.
The transition from mechanical designs of model trains to digital 3D modelling mirrors the evolution of technology over a century; current hobbyists can create train models very precisely, including numerous intricate details that would not been feasible when creating models by traditional means. Thus, being aware of this evolution provides a greater appreciation for your 3D modelling experience.
Understanding the World of 3D Train Models
The 3D model of a train is a digital representation of a train that can be used for several purposes, such as building a railroad, playing games, building digital train models, and constructing actual model railroad layouts. A digital 3D model of a train offers new opportunities for experimentation, including how the design may appear, and making changes to the original design, which could not be accomplished by previous generations of hobbyists.
While it may seem like a lot to take in for someone new to 3D modeling, there has never been a better time to start. 3D modeling software and basic tools are widely available. Based on the model they want to create, many popular varieties of modeling software exists, including Blender, Autocad, Tinkercad, and Fusion 360; all allow users to develop their unique 3D train models from beginning to end.
Why You Should Learn 3D Train Modeling
3D design of a train is not only a fun way to create something new; however, there are many different ways for hobbyists and professionals to take advantage of this knowledge, from creating and designing train simulators to designing and developing railroads and creating their own models. For beginners, creating just a simple project will help prepare them to move on and begin building detailed train models that will be utilized in either digital or physical environments (such as digital models that may be 3D printed).
For model railroaders, this information and skill set provide an excellent resource. By using a digital model of your railroad, you’ll be able to try different layouts and visualize how to place your track and trains on your model railway by creating a digital model prior to creating an actual model using real materials. Saving time is one of the greatest benefits of creating a digital model before building a physical one, so you can be sure that the results of a physical build will be what you were expecting when complete. Consider how cool it would be to create a 3D representation of a Victorian steam locomotive or a 1930s-style electric train!
Getting Started: Tools and Software
Before you begin modelling a 3D train, the first thing that you will want to do is choose the best 3D modelling software for your particular skill level and goals. One of the most commonly used free programs by beginners is Blender. It has many features that allow you to create a detailed 3D model without having to spend a lot of money on expensive software like Autodesk Revit, etc. If you are looking to create a lot of technical drawings for engineering purposes or if you want to create highly accurate designs of railroads, you might want to look into using AutoCAD or Fusion360 instead. If you are just beginning your journey into making 3D models and don’t need many of the more advanced features, Tinkercad is a great option, as it is easy to use.
No matter what program you end up using, remember that the most important thing is to start out by doing something small. Don’t attempt to create a fully detailed train on your first try. Just focus on creating simple shapes as you learn how the program works, and then increase the difficulty as you improve your skill level.
Step 1: Understanding the Train Structure
To be able to use your software effectively, you will need to know how trains are typically built. When creating a train in 3D, you will be dealing with a few types of objects: the locomotive, carriages, wheels, doors and windows, and various roof details. You can learn about proportions and design elements by checking out pictures of real train cars and other models online.
By understanding what materials comprise the train you are building, it is also easier to decide how to create a workflow for your modeling software. Start by building the body’s main component; then add wheels and everything below, followed by windows, lights, etc. You can even include nostalgia from days gone by, such as the riveted steel plate of steam trains in the early days or the streamlined forms of diesel engines from the 1930s.
Step 2: Creating the Base Model
Use your selected 3D software program to create simple geometric shapes for the entire train. When creating the body of the train, create cubes for the wheels, create cylinders, and for windows, create planes. At this point in the development process, your focus is not on creating a perfect model but on creating a model that has the correct proportion and layout to establish the foundation of the train model. Additionally, even experienced model railroaders typically create simple block models as an initial model and then refine the final train model digitally into an intricate and detailed representation of the train.
Your focus should remain on symmetry and accuracy in all model components. This means that the wheels of the train will be placed in a balanced manner, and that the proportions of locomotive to railcars for all models should be as accurate and realistic as possible. The steps taken during the early stages of “becoming a good train designer” will ultimately yield a quality model that can be enjoyed by all. Remember to learn about the design of early trains and how engineers presented their models back in the early days of railway history.
Step 3: Adding Details and Refinements
When your train 3D model has a completed main structure, the next step is to add additional details to complete the appearance of your train model, including the addition of windows, doors, headlights, roof features, and other small details. Do not feel overwhelmed with adding too many details at this point; your main focus should be to create an easily recognizable and visually realistic representation of the train.
If you’re a hobbyist who uses 3D CAD for modelling, these added details will also help to make your train simulation software more user-friendly, as the models can be imported directly into these simulation systems for use with your virtual train layouts and train operations. It is through these simulated environments that you can recreate an accurate representation of the train’s historical details, such as a vintage chimney, intricate cabin windows, and classic train signs.
Step 4: Applying Materials and Textures
Once the shape of the model has been created, it’s necessary to create an aesthetic appeal to it. To accomplish this, you will apply different materials, colours, and textures to create a realistic experience of your digital train model. It is suggested that beginning modelers experiment with basic colours such as red, blue, or green before progressing into more advanced textured surfaces and metal finishes.
This will help improve your skills in 3D modeling as well as prepare your train 3D model for use in renders, presentations, or even for producing your model through a 3D printer. Texturing a model to a higher degree of quality lends the model a professional appearance and will impress both fellow modelers and your peers within the model railroading community.
Step 5: Testing and Simulation
When your 3D Model of a train is finished, testing it in a virtual world or train simulation should be done. There are many train simulation software platforms available on the internet that offer the ability to import Digital Models of trains into their respective program, to allow testers to verify that they function as expected, and make adjustments where necessary. This stage is critical for people who work on railway designs and for those creating interactive train simulations.
Testing allows you to see how your train behaves; whether the wheels line up with the track correctly, how well the additional features (i.e., doors, roof, etc.) work when they are opened and closed (if any of those features exist), and allows you to see where your skills in 3D Modeling can be enhanced.
The Role of 3D Train Models for Model Railroaders
As a model railroader, creating a 3D representation of your train layout is much more than simply creating a digital model; it’s also your reference on how best to arrange tracks and what kind of space will be needed for them. In addition, it provides a realistic view of how things will look prior to actually building them in physical format, so that you have a better chance of making all your layouts very accurately without making mistakes and thus saving a lot of valuable time in the process.
People who only build physical models are able to take advantage of using digital models in order to have the chance to experiment with their creativity and try out new things that they may not otherwise be able to do in real life. An example would be being able to recreate historical railroad lines or manufacturing a “vintage” train while using modern digital modeling technology.
The Future of 3D Train Modeling
The use of 3D train modeling has gained significant momentum in the recent past. Digital 3D models are being used in a variety of areas, such as education and the design of existing railroads and train simulations, to name a few.
With the advancement of 3D CAD, 3D software, and simulation technology, today’s aspiring 3D modelers can create incredibly realistic models of trains that rival those made by professional modelers. The most important thing is to begin with basic techniques, be persistent in practice, and gradually explore more complex methods. In other words, this is the era of digital trains! Today, the same tools that can create a model of the steam engine from the Industrial Revolution can just as easily create a digital model of a futuristic high-speed train on the same computer software.
Conclusion
Even if you’re inexperienced with 3D design, you can create your own 3D train model. If you have access to the right software and a basic understanding of modeling 3D objects (such as trains), you can develop a realistic train model for multiple purposes: layout creation, simulative train models, or print-ready files.
When starting your first 3D train model, it’s best to keep it simple and get the details right before adding more complexity. Whether you’re creating a model as a hobby or for a business, learning how to create 3D train models will take you down an exciting path of creativity and technical growth. Once you download your 3D modeling software, you can start working on creating your first train model right away. During the process, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the rich legacy of trains and how that has influenced so many engineers and hobbyists over the years.
FAQs:
Q1: What is the easiest software for beginners to create a 3D train model?
Beginners will find Blender to be the best choice as it is free, flexible, and easy to learn how to use. Tinkercad is an excellent choice to use for simple models, but AutoCAD and Fusion 360 will work best when creating custom train designs.
Q2: Can 3D train models be used in train simulations?
When you complete your digital model of a train, you can import the model into a train simulator to create your own layout, practice moving the trains around the track, and to refine your design before creating physical models.
Q3: How long does it take to build a 3D train model?
The time needed to complete a model depends on how complex your model is. A basic beginner model could take a couple of hours to create, while a more finished model will take days to create and includes both texture and detail in the design. However, the more you practice creating 3D objects, the faster and more efficiently you will be able to create them.