HOn30 Wood Side Dump Car

Here is my take on the Wood Side Dump Car. This was designed loosely based on several prototype photos and a sales brochure. This model was designed to be printed on an FDM printer with a standard 0.4 mm nozzle and 0.12 mm layer height and utilizes Micro Trains wheelsets and 1015 couplers.

Tips for printing:
Print 1 each of the file and print 2 sets of side frames and end braces. I recommend printing the frame upside down, the body and the bolster right side up, and the end braces and side frames flat on their backs with the details sticking upwards. (I've included a photo that shows how I orient my parts.)

Assembly:
What you’ll need: Printed components, couplers, wheel sets, super glue, hobby knife, small file or sand paper (just in case of fitment issues), and any additional detail parts you want to add.

Start by fitting the side frames into the frame, the beveled sides should face downwards and the tabs should fit into the notches. I find it best to start one end of the side frame then gently bend it and the frame support to make room to seat the second tab. Once it’s seated lightly squeeze everything together. Do this for both sides. Depending on your printer, material, and settings you might need to clean up the holes in the frame with a hobby knife. Next add the center bolster, bend the side frames outwards gently to make room and push the center bolster up from the bottom. It should hug the frame and there are two tabs it should sit between for alignment. Once it is in place gently press the side frames so the notched portion of the center bolster fits into the holes in the center of the side frames. You can add the wheels next, these should press in from the bottom, you may need to slightly bend side frame to start these. Once the wheel sets are seated, you can adjust the side frames to make them roll easier by bending them out slightly. Once you’re happy with how it rolls you can add a dab of superglue onto the ends of the side frames and the connection with center bolster to lock everything in place.

Next check the pivot fitment on the chassis and the body. The pins on the bottom of the pivot should fit into the holes on the frame and the body has a notch to fit over the top of the pivot (the flat side that connects each of the pivots). Depending on the material used and print settings you might need to sand the top of the pivot to get it to fit neatly in the notch in the body. Once satisfied with the fitment glue the pivot to the frame and the body to the pivot. The end braces glue onto the ends of the body. Finally add the couplers into the pockets on the ends of the frame. I used M1 x 4mm screws to attach my couplers.

There are pockets on the under side of the frame over the axles to add weight if desired.

You can also assemble the car by gluing the body straight to frame eliminating the pivot as shown in the early prototype photo. You can choose not to use the end braces too if desired.

Final notes:
I’m really happy with how these turned out, although they can be a bit tedious to assemble. I will be making more rolling stock in the future and possibly even some printable trucks.

This chassis was designed for 36” wheels with a 0.537”/0.54” axle length however 33” wheels can be used as well. This includes Micro Trains and Evemodel wheel sets (both plastic and metal wheels work).

The frame is designed to use Micro Trains 1015 couplers, but any equivalent coupler could be used including Atlas Accumate and McHenry couplers. If there is an interest I can model a hook and loop style coupler as well.

The material used to print this model really makes a difference. I had no issues with the silver PLA I use to prototype; however, the black PLA I used for the final models proved to be brittle making fitting the side frames difficult without breaking the supports on the frame, luckily you can always print more.

The models pictured are early prototype photos, and my personal models that have been printed in black and brown PLA with hand painted details.

If you have any comments, questions, suggestions, or funny remarks feel free to reach out to me. As always, I hope to be sharing more of my models in the future and if you have any suggestions for models you’d like to see in HOn30 let me know.

Best Regards,
Dr. Fixet