Roller Coaster Train Replicas

[Intamin10]

Lee Holman and I have been speaking about developing scale models of

popular roller coaster trains, and wanted everyone’s opinion.

 

I know some of you are thinking, “Coaster Dynamix already has roller

coaster trains available”, but ours are going to be different.

 

These trains will be exactly replicas of the actual style of trains you

see at your local park. Each will be made to order, and feature whatever

color combination you choose. They will include everything from detailed

seats, to detailed wheel setups.

 

These trains will not be operational, but will be extremely detailed show

pieces that you will love to show off to any of your friends.

 

To get an overall feel for how well these will do, we will first be

releasing the Zac Spin coaster train, by Intamin, AG. The price has yet to

be determined, but will feature a single, double sided train, mounted to

Intamins widely known style of track.

 

The price has yet to be determined, but we do know it will run in the few

hundred range. The image below shows of a 3d model of what the train will

look like when complete. The rail itself will be approximately 8” in

length, and look as professionally made as the models you may have seen at

IAAPA.

 

As soon as the popularity of these is gauged, we will decide whether or

not to continue to develop additional models. Pay attention for actual

pictures of the model, coming soon!

 

 

Here is a link to the process of Stereolithography if you're interested:

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/stereolith.htm

Edited July 29, 2011 by Intamin10

[mightbeawannabe]

Do you have a picture of the actual product? I do see your model is exquisite, but how'll we know how well you will replicate the same quality in reality? That's the question that needs to be answered-

 

Right now it seems like an unsupported claim...but I'm certain they'll be great pieces.

[fpsphil]

If you actually make these a reality, I'd love to buy one for a Intamin launched coaster train.

[Intamin10]

The process is called stereolithography. Its where we take the model file (ie, what you see in the picture) and have it "Printed". Stereolithography is basically a 3D printer.

There will be actual photos of the physical model as soon as the rapid prototyping company is able to get to it.

[LMHConcepts]

The process is called stereolithography. Its where we take the model file (ie, what you see in the picture) and have it "Printed". Stereolithography is basically a 3D printer.

 

There will be actual photos of the physical model as soon as the rapid prototyping company is able to get to it.

 

Here is a link to the process of Stereolithography if you're interested:

 

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/stereolith.htm

[chemical_echo]

While the rendering looks fantastic, and I imagine the model will too, the price just seems way too expensive for what will likely be a desk or shelf piece.

 

I understand the desire of wanting to be able to do custom pieces for each customer's favorite ride, but that just really makes it way too expensive. The method is really cool; I learned a lot about different 3D printers in my engineering degree courses, and got to use a few rapid prototypers, but the costs of using them is fairly large. Can yours (or any) print in colour, or will paitning be something the consumer has to do?

 

Personally, I think you should look at some popular roller coasters and create model trains of those. Even having one of each type of coaster would be a good catalogue of products. If you offer a few different pieces you could (semi)mass produce them and drive the price down. Sure, the quality won't be as precise as a 3D printer, but you could still get good quality and be good competition for CoasterDynamix.

 

Just my 2 cents.

[LMHConcepts]

Its going to be printed on a Raptor. It's an extremely detailed printer. Obviously, you know from seeing the machines, its extremely expensive to repeatedly use a 3d printer.

 

After that, I'm going to cast rubber molds. They get aproximately 25 castings from that. I am trying my hardest to produce it as inexpensively as possible.

 

As for the color of the parts, they will most likely be urethane castings, so whiteish grey. Then each part will be painted accordinang to the order. I have over 5 years experience in the field of rapid prototyping and model making, so I am trying to produce the best piece I can, with the least amount of cost to you, the buyer.

 

I'm starting with one item to judge the direction this is going to take, and then go from there. If I really wanted to, I could make a completely realistic train with a metal frame, foam restraints, ect. But who really wants to spend thousands of dollars on that, lol.

[simon8899]

I don't know about train replicas but in Munich there was an exibition at the town museum about the works of Schwarzkopf and Stengel. The had - non-working - modells of the Olympia-Looping, Thriller and Mindbender.

 

http://mpics.teamone.de/cgi-bin/index.cgi?sort=0&menu=d20011111#PB110004

 

Next to that some crazy guys from the netherlands built a working model of the Looping Star.

 

 

As all of these - including train replicas - would be too big for my appartment. How about this 3-D things they do in blocks of glass? That would fit nicely.

[coasterbear30]

I am totally interested in the concept and the model you are showing looks amazing but I just think that hundreds of dollars for these is way too expensive. I collect the Coaster Dynamix models and even at 33 bucks a piece, I think those are a little expensive. Although, your product looks like a lot nicer, correct product. The one thing I hate about the CD models is that they are not always correct (the Diamondback train is 4 across seating and not staggered and the Kumba train is just a floorless model with a floor added but doesn't look like the real train and the Sheikra train is 10 across and not 8.)

[DLDude]

Dan from CoasterDynamix here.

 

We have thought about doing RP models with more detail. We actually have an SLA model of Maverick with color sitting around somewhere. Though they do look nice, it's VERY expensive and time consuming.

 

I also see you plan on making some molds to semi-mass-produce them. Do you know about draft angles? You can't simply print out a complicated 3D piece and instantly make a mold. You have to think about how the resin will flow in the mold, how to keep air bubbles out, etc, etc. It's very complicated. I would suggest breaking the model up into many parts and molding them separately, then assembling.

 

I think the 3D renders are great, I really do. I hope to see some models released, but I do also think you will have a hard time selling them for more than $100. If people complain that a model with the level of realism as this:

Is WAY over-priced at $30, then you may be fighting an uphill battle.

[6flagsbrad]

^ I definately agree, I would probably pay about $30 at the most for a model like this.

[Thri!!er]

Fantastic job, Intamin10 - big respect for it! : -)

 

I hope, you will do the "Anton Schwarzkopf-Part" with the classic TRAINs and various Track-styles (portable- and themeparkversions) also!!! : -))

 

Regards

Thri!!er

[XYZ]

For a high quality product, I'm willing to pay up to $60, anymore than my parents would think I'm nuts.

[molemaster43]

These look like they would be awesome. I'd totally want a Boulder Dash, Thunderhead, or Thunderbolt (KW).