Creating coaches for Bulls Cross

We wanted to be a bit different with Bulls Cross and make our own coaches and there are many ways to do this - common ways are brass or white metal kits, or plastic kits - but these are ready made in some way we decided to go one step further this time and into the world of 3D printing. Having 3D printed our canopy for the good yard it was time to tackle something a bit harder - a 4 wheel coach (well 3 of them to be precise).

We have designed and built 3x 4 wheel coaches all based roughly on real prototypes that would have run up this imaginary line on the Great Eastern / Great Northern lines of LNER. We have created a 5 compartment 3rd class; a 4 compartment 1st class and a brake 3rd.

These were all designed based on 3 preserved real world prototype coaches and used to guide for design, colours and height. The 3rd class coaches are the same height, the 1st class is slightly taller based on its age.

The brake 3rd is based on coach 853 of the Great Eastern railway - albeit with a simplified molding design (above the doors), and the addition of an extra compartment so its the same length as the 4 compartment 1st class coach. The real coach was built in 1892 and ran on both the Chingford and Enfield branch lines until the 1930's when withdrawn we have assumed it remained in service beyond then on specials and infrastructure trains on those same branch lines. Currently to be found on the North Norfolk Railway.

The 4 compartment 1st class is based on coach 19 of the Great Eastern Railway, built in 1878 the coach had gas lighting added in the 1880's and was widened in 1903 to be of the same width and design as the brake 3rd umber 853. The real coach was withdrawn in 1913 it was based in Stratford and typically ran to Felixstowe. We assumed it continued in service beyond then on specials and infrastructure trains. Currently to be found at the East Anglian Railway Museum.

The 5 compartment 3rd class coach is based on coach 1380 of the Great Eastern Railway and was built in 1892 again this coach was used on the Chingford and Enfield lines until it was withdrawn in 1925, the real coach then because part of a house before being rescued. We have assumed it remained in service beyond then on specials and infrastructure trains. Currently to be found grounded at Elmham station.

Our versions of these 3 coaches were designed in Sketch-up and printed on a Anycubic 3D printer as a set of parts, before being glued together and painted. We have used Dapol wheels and couplings on them as the only "ready to run" components.

Seen above on Bulls Cross ready for service.

Image credits:
- GER #1380 © Copyright Ashley Dace and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.
- GER #19 © Copyright Ashley Dace and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.
- GER #853 © Copyright North Norfolk Railway, Carriage and Wagon Department.