07.Hornby O Gauge Coach Wheels

thingiverse

I recently stumbled upon an old 1950s Hornby tin plate engine in a charity shop for a price too good to pass up. The sight brought back memories of the engine my siblings had passed down to me years ago, and I recalled the countless hours spent oiling its motion, quartering its wheels, and re-pinning its broken spring. As a kid, I used to fix other kids' trains, which typically meant freeing them from seized states with some well-placed oil. Occasionally, however, I'd be tasked with removing tank engines' backs for better cab access or loosening smoke box door tags to inspect the boiler inside. It's no surprise this engine was missing those parts and perhaps it was just karma. Now, I'm faced with a decision: wait for an affordable body to pop up on eBay and salvage its components, or design my own using 3D printing? The results from my ongoing restoration project offer some clues. I've been working on replacing wagon wheels and even complete tenders, piecing together a series of prints that will gradually expand over time.