Regarding the Manufacturing of Train Models

[FGMODE]

I know that for players and buyers, the expectations for train models are relatively high. After all, in the global market, due to its particularity, there are not too many professional manufacturing factories for train models. For most developing countries, this is an emerging industry. For example, in China, it was only after the reform and opening up that HK's Kaida and Sandakan model toy factories entered China and began to cultivate the Chinese train model manufacturing market. Compared to Europe, it was several decades later. In terms of technology, I still have to say that the maturity of some technologies is not too perfect
I joined the train model manufacturing industry in 1995. At that time, it was a completely new industry for us. The knowledge we could use was based on theoretical mechanical design, material application, mold design, and manufacturing. However, these basic knowledge were only applicable to a wide range of manufacturing industries. For the special manufacturing of train models, the accuracy and requirements sometimes exceeded what ordinary people expected
For example, when considering the lighting of a locomotive, we not only need to consider the transparency of transparent glass, but sometimes due to structural and spatial reasons, we will apply the principle of light refraction from geometric knowledge to guide light from different angles, thus increasing the lighting effect. At the same time, if our structure does not allow too many bends, we will also consider the application of modern technology, such as using light sources and fiber optic light guidance. Of course, this fiber optic light guidance structure is mostly used in N-ratio car models. In the selection of materials, sometimes we need to consider spray processing, sometimes we need to consider wear, and at the same time, we need to consider the performance and environmental friendliness of the materials
This is a complex manufacturing world, and when you immerse yourself in this industry, you will find that the manufacturing of a train model sometimes requires a comprehensive knowledge structure and extensive technical abilities, constantly exploring and feeling the lack of knowledge and strengthening one's ability to continuously learn
 

[UnfinishedKit]

That’s a fine looking model. You’ve picked a wonderful industry to work in. 
 

I have my own background in manufacturing, first building a battery factory in Australia then buying batteries, inverters and solar panels for Australia, from China of course. I’ve visited a few times and I’m constantly impressed by the scale, diversity and quality of what being made. I remember visiting one big inverter manufacturer in Hefei and seeing half megawatt central inverters come off a moving production line, one every few minutes so impressive. 
 

I’ve been dabbling a bit getting things made in China (on Xometry so far) for my own modelling. Modelling is really a way for me to let the frustrated engineer and industrial designer out. Next thing is probably some PCBs, I’m working on have AI agents drive my trains from. Inside the cab. 
 

After one these work trips to China I took myself to Chengdu, I love spicy food, Baijiu, pixian doubianjiang, a whilst I visited a distillery and ate some hotpot, what I was really there for was to ride on one of china’s last steam trains up in the hills south of Leshan. Possibly my greatest feat of speaking Chinese was persuading my didi driver that I wasn’t crazy and wanted to go all that way. 
 

I’ll dig out some picture but that was magical day out riding up through the rice terraces behind a tiny aging engine
 

I have to ask if anyone makes a model of it. 
 

I was firing narrow gauge Baldwins in Australia of a similar size at the time but unfortunately I had neither the Chinese or the gumption to as to be shown round the cab. 
 

I think one of these ended up in the UK somewhere. 

[UnfinishedKit]

Yes one did end up in the UK at Ffestiniog - it’s nearly 20 years into its rebuild. 
 

http://c2project.org/index.php?page=home

[FGMODE]

On 2025/4/14 at PM5点26分, UnfinishedKit said:

那是一个看起来很棒的模型。你选择了一个很棒的行业来工作。 
 

我本身在制造业有背景，首先在澳大利亚建立了一家电池工厂，然后从中国购买电池、逆变器和太阳能板供应澳大利亚。我几次访问过那里，我不断被所生产的东西的规模、多样性和质量所打动。我记得我去合肥一家大型逆变器制造商参观，看到一条移动的生产线每几分钟就下来一个半兆瓦的中央逆变器，真是令人印象深刻。 
 

我一直在尝试通过Xometry在中国制造一些东西用于我自己建模。建模对我来说真的是一种释放受挫的工程师和工业设计师的方式。接下来可能会是一些PCB板，我正在做的项目是让人工智能代理驾驶我的火车。在驾驶室内。 
 

在这些去中国的出差之后，我曾独自去了成都，我喜欢辣的食物、白酒和宫保鸡丁，同时我还参观了一家酿酒厂并吃了一些火锅，我真正去那里的原因是乘坐中国最后一批蒸汽火车之一，这列火车在乐山南部的山间运行。我用中文最了不起的成就之一是说服了我的滴滴司机，我不是疯子，真的想去那么远的地方。 
 

我会找出一些图片，但那是一个神奇的日子，骑着一台老旧的小发动机穿过梯田。
 

我必须问一下是否有人制作它的模型。 
 

当时我在澳大利亚驾驶的是窄轨的鲍德温机车，它们的尺寸相当接近，但很遗憾，我既没有中国的背景也没有勇气去要求被允许参观驾驶室。 
 

我认为其中一个最终在英国的某个地方。 

You are great, able to walk so many places independently in China and even talk to Didi drivers in Chinese. This is a very good place. My English level is not good, so I dare not come abroad alone
I hope that next time you come to China, you can come to my factory for guidance. Similarly, I also enjoy food and wine, and we can talk about some train models or other things together
Nice to meet you.