Zenith Model Works

Sam Anderson has been working on new HO scale projects as Zenith Model Works. Above is a Saint Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Swing Motion Arch Bar truck with a 4-foot, 9-inch wheelbase (ZMW 7001). He sent the following details for a new line of HO scale 3D printed freight car trucks that follow prototypes from the 1900-1930 years. Here’s Sam with more details.

Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Swing Motion Arch Bar 5-foot, 4-inch wheelbase (ZMW 7000)

One of my favorite aspects of Pre-Depression Era railroading is the multitude of truck designs found under freight cars. Unfortunately, most model railroad companies can’t afford to mass produce these wide and varied designs. Our modeling options have been quite limited. With the help of Michigan entrepreneur David Kmecik, I am now selling 3D printed resin products under the name Zenith Model Works.

Northern Pacific Swing Motion Arch Bar 5-foot wheelbase (ZMW 7002)
Northern Pacific Standard Arch Bar 5-foot, 4-inch wheelbase (ZMW 7003)

After several months of CAD design, several different trucks are available. Many have multiple variations.

Pressed Steel Car Diamond Arch Bar 5-foot, 4-inch wheelbase (ZMW 7004)
IMAGE: 202109_ZMW_7005
CAPTION: Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Arch Bar 5-foot, 4-inch wheelbase (ZMW 7005) s

This new technology offers a greater level of flexibility than the hobby has ever seen. David’s new 3D printing platform, 3DPTrain, offers model railroaders an opportunity to design and list their own products, putting the means of production in this industry directly in the hands of the consumers themselves.

Andrews 5-foot, 4-inch wheelbase (ZMW 7006)
Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Caboose Arch Bar 5-foot, 2-inch wheelbase (ZMW 7007)

Being a part of the project has been very exciting and it’ll be interesting to see what happens over the next few years. All trucks illustrated here have Kadee 33-inch diameter wheelsets installed. These have an axle length of 1.019 inches.

Kindl Pedestal 5-foot, 2-inch wheelbase.(ZMW 7008)
Ajax Pedestal 5-foot wheelbase (ZMW 7009)

Visit the 3DP Train website to review more products and ordering details.


This is exciting news! Many thanks to Sam Anderson for sharing the images and details.

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6 thoughts on “Zenith Model Works”

  1. Eric, The time you take to keep all of us up to date on many fronts is greatly appreciated. I am especially pleased with your latest presentation regarding Zenith trucks. As I model the first quarter of the 20th century, the older style trucks are a God send. Some time ago I bought some wood beam 5-foot archbar trucks from Shapeways and they are terrific, but prior to Zenith appearing on the scene there was nothing else available along that line. Now the choices are way beyond anything I thought possible.

    1. Thank you for your comment, John! I’m also excited about the Zenith Model Works truck line. Sam has mentioned a few designs in development that will fill more gaps and help us model the prototypes better. These are exciting times for those modeling an earlier era! – Eric H.

  2. I already had purchased a few of the Pressed Steel trucks for my earlier Reading endeavors. Currently I’m working on an XMPh no. 12343A which still utilized this style of trucks on the Reading till 1960! They are a truly welcoming addition indeed.

    1. Thanks for posting, Bill! I think these cars were in captive, on-line service in the 1950s and 1960s. They were able to keep the original trucks since they were not interchanged. Good luck with your build! – Eric H.

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