Third Time Lucky? - Battledown Flyover

Anycubic Water Washable Resin +

My first attempt at Resin 3D printing this bridge using Anycubic Water Washable Resin + resulted in a very brittle structure that broke apart with the slightest knock.

My second attempt used Nova3D Water Washable Mecha Resin was chosen for its pliablity - a lot more. Firstly, out of the printer it took on a life of its own warping dramatically. I was able to force it back into shape before curing and after that it seemed to hold its form.

After a winter in the garage though I was confronted with this.

Nova 3D Washable Mecha Resin

It had done its warping trick again!

Now, I know I am pushing the technology because there is a lot of long thin plate sections in the bridge design. 3D resin technology is noted for having difficulty with that.

I reworked the design to increase the thickness of plates from 0.33mm to 0.5mm. This may still be too thin. 0.7mm may be adequate but that would not look right in 4mm scale.

I have now chosen Anycubic Water Washable ABS Like 3.0. It is purported to be tough yet still pliable, not as much as the Nova3D, which is very bendy. The first issue I had with the ABS Like resin is that there is no published resin settings that I could find for my Creality Halot Mage 8k printer. That is because the resin is a relatively new product, I believe.

Google AI gave some recommendations, which seem to be the Anycubic resin parameters for their range of printers. I used these and ran a test print using the 'resin xp2 validation' model, which failed badly. I then found compatible settings for the previous Anycubic ABS Like resin (V2) and that gave a good, slightly under exposed, test result. I tweaked the burn time up to 3.5 seconds and test printed again with little difference. Anyway, I decided to stick with this and printed a component for the bridge.

Anycubic Water Washable ABS Like 3.0

The result is encouraging. There was no warp and after curing it held its shape and felt tough with a little pliability. There is some excess resin laid down at the join between crosses and side panels but it is insignificant so, no worries. I'll continue printing more bridge parts and see how it goes.

The reason I want to resin print the bridge is for the high level of detail that the technology provides. There are thousands of rivets in the bridge design that need to be modelled for authenticity. If the bridge fails again then I'll probably scrap this location for a different scene.

Basingstoke MRS Expo 2026 Review

Our annual visit to this show. About 47 layouts and traders to peruse. Traders impressed having bountiful  stock of new and preloved items.  I came away with a brake van and brass tube!

Having been spoilt by the massive Southampton show recently, few layouts appealed at this one.

Here are my top three.

ESSEX BRICK (00)

I choose this crowded scene not so much for the subject or era but for the sheer complexity and heavy dependence on technology that was used to create it.

There is much animation of cranes, boats and trains controlled by computer and electronics. Nearly everything is made using 3D resin printing and it took 3 years to build.

This layout is one of at least four on show that featured a harbour or dock scene, each with as many boats as trains! 

This is a look behind the scenes at the electronics.

The builder has taken railway modelling to another level!

NEWTON HEATH WORKS (7mm scale)

Based on  the ball clay industry on The Isle of Purbeck in the county of Dorset. Fronting this cameo layout is standard gauge track and at the back on higher land is narrow gauge.

The layout is very small for 7mm scale and questions its operating potential. That is solved by the narrow gauge workings where loaded balls of clay are unloaded into standard gauge wagons at the flick of a switch.

I was also told that loaded narrow gauge wagons entering the warehouse come out unloaded!

A small layout such as this lends itself to detailed modelling. Looking closely at the engine shed at the rear and a clutter of internal artefacts are seen, though not visible in this photo.

FAIRWOOD JUNCTION Westbury (00) 15 feet long

Somewhat surprised I offer this as my 'Best in Show'. Surprised because there is no station, no goods yard, no town and its modern image! (my era of choice is 1960s steam)

It is just a four track railway in open countryside. It is closely modelled on a prototype, which is my preference. Even the backscenes are photographs of the real location. The landscaping is attractive and very well modelled.

This is one for the train spotters

Card Kit of the Week

 A different model displayed here every week.

Weighbridge and Office (click for details).