Iron Genesis Models
@irongenesis.bsky.social
This account is focused on early railways, and modeling them. Author of The Locomotives of the West Point Foundry. Check out my models on 3DPTrain here: https://3dptrain.com/pages/seller-profile/iron-genesis-model-works
One wonders what an adult Calvin would think.
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 AM
One wonders what an adult Calvin would think.
And some shots showing details. It's an interesting build.
November 22, 2025 at 12:05 AM
And some shots showing details. It's an interesting build.
Henry Ford's replica Rocket, built in 1929 by Robert Stephenson & Co. It has not been operated since Henry Ford's death. I took these photos while visiting the museum to do research on the DeWitt Clinton and its replica.
November 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Henry Ford's replica Rocket, built in 1929 by Robert Stephenson & Co. It has not been operated since Henry Ford's death. I took these photos while visiting the museum to do research on the DeWitt Clinton and its replica.
Just a fun coincidence, I have two photos of the same locomotive, a P&R Q1b 2-6-4T, taken several years apart. The locomotives operated commuter trains from roughly 1903 until the line was electrified in the 1930s.
November 21, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Just a fun coincidence, I have two photos of the same locomotive, a P&R Q1b 2-6-4T, taken several years apart. The locomotives operated commuter trains from roughly 1903 until the line was electrified in the 1930s.
Some details of the "Liverpool" built by Bury for the Petersburg RR of Virginia. This, supposed to be the first Bury type imported to the US, has a history that's become rather muddled up by 19th century story tellers.
This contemporary report from 1833 gives us some useful information though.
This contemporary report from 1833 gives us some useful information though.
![A contemporary report of the performance of the Liverpool, which ran on the Petersburg railroad. The [about] 5 ton locomotive had 9x18" cylinders and a working pressure of 50PSI. It hauled a train of fifteen cars and one coach, weighing nearly 67 and a half tons in 1833.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:sci3fsx52uk7yjwrutgc5m25/bafkreicjq2vwqxduxakpzuushhmkssy4eomuuvejv55dgeg5aytdfqvbm4@jpeg)
November 17, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Some details of the "Liverpool" built by Bury for the Petersburg RR of Virginia. This, supposed to be the first Bury type imported to the US, has a history that's become rather muddled up by 19th century story tellers.
This contemporary report from 1833 gives us some useful information though.
This contemporary report from 1833 gives us some useful information though.
This is where I post from.
November 16, 2025 at 5:19 AM
This is where I post from.
Test print arrived. The coach body turned out beautifully. The chassis however needs some tweaks before it'll be ready for sale.
November 7, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Test print arrived. The coach body turned out beautifully. The chassis however needs some tweaks before it'll be ready for sale.
Adam Savage recently posted a video about using vintage oil cans. Which raised in my mind, a very interesting question: when did oil cans with a flexible bottom for "pumping" the oil first appear?
Near as I can find, this patent from 1846. The internal spring was an unnecessary complication though.
Near as I can find, this patent from 1846. The internal spring was an unnecessary complication though.
November 2, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Adam Savage recently posted a video about using vintage oil cans. Which raised in my mind, a very interesting question: when did oil cans with a flexible bottom for "pumping" the oil first appear?
Near as I can find, this patent from 1846. The internal spring was an unnecessary complication though.
Near as I can find, this patent from 1846. The internal spring was an unnecessary complication though.
This drawing, labeled "DeWitt Clinton" has been something of a mystery. It has been published many times, but it varies in many respects from what we know of the actual loco, and my research indicates it almost certainly a concept for the locomotive that went unused.
October 22, 2025 at 4:42 AM
This drawing, labeled "DeWitt Clinton" has been something of a mystery. It has been published many times, but it varies in many respects from what we know of the actual loco, and my research indicates it almost certainly a concept for the locomotive that went unused.
Some ads for the Oldsmobile Railroad Inspection Car.
October 21, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Some ads for the Oldsmobile Railroad Inspection Car.
You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like. This is the ideal locomotive form.
October 17, 2025 at 7:05 AM
You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like. This is the ideal locomotive form.
A photo I took of a U.S. market Wartburg many years ago. The cars were not popular because the small 2-stroke engine, and because of anti-communist sentiment in the U.S. The importer also sold Skoda cars, with a little bit more success.
I understand the Wartburg was reasonably popular in England.
I understand the Wartburg was reasonably popular in England.
October 15, 2025 at 6:40 AM
A photo I took of a U.S. market Wartburg many years ago. The cars were not popular because the small 2-stroke engine, and because of anti-communist sentiment in the U.S. The importer also sold Skoda cars, with a little bit more success.
I understand the Wartburg was reasonably popular in England.
I understand the Wartburg was reasonably popular in England.
A little paint makes it look great!
October 15, 2025 at 3:49 AM
A little paint makes it look great!
First prints of new products. Customization for your Bachmann 4-2-0. Now available on my 3DPtrain shop. 3dptrain.com/pages/vendor...
October 14, 2025 at 10:34 PM
First prints of new products. Customization for your Bachmann 4-2-0. Now available on my 3DPtrain shop. 3dptrain.com/pages/vendor...
on display in Clovis, New Mexico, this 0-6-0 from 1906. Would make a pretty good model if any manufacturer were interested in making a switcher. A bit outside my era tho.
October 5, 2025 at 4:22 PM
on display in Clovis, New Mexico, this 0-6-0 from 1906. Would make a pretty good model if any manufacturer were interested in making a switcher. A bit outside my era tho.
The general arrangement drawing of Experiment and the model. Some details of the model were filled in using drawings of the Experiment as it was later rebuilt (with a wood burning firebox), as the Brother Jonathan.
September 21, 2025 at 5:08 AM
The general arrangement drawing of Experiment and the model. Some details of the model were filled in using drawings of the Experiment as it was later rebuilt (with a wood burning firebox), as the Brother Jonathan.
This was a fun mini project. Resuscitating a 1950s Varney Docksider. No super detailing on this one, just the basic kit.
Maybe someday I'll do a proper re-motoring and add lettering.
Maybe someday I'll do a proper re-motoring and add lettering.
September 20, 2025 at 7:55 AM
This was a fun mini project. Resuscitating a 1950s Varney Docksider. No super detailing on this one, just the basic kit.
Maybe someday I'll do a proper re-motoring and add lettering.
Maybe someday I'll do a proper re-motoring and add lettering.
Want an HO scale model of the first locomotive to go into scheduled service in the U.S.? I've got a kit of the Best Friend on my 3DPtrain shop: 3dptrain.com/products/igm...
September 19, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Want an HO scale model of the first locomotive to go into scheduled service in the U.S.? I've got a kit of the Best Friend on my 3DPtrain shop: 3dptrain.com/products/igm...
Reminder, that if you want an HO scale model of the first 4-2-0 built, the Experiment of the Mohawk & Hudson, you can get a 3D printed kit on my shop here: 3dptrain.com/products/183...
September 15, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Reminder, that if you want an HO scale model of the first 4-2-0 built, the Experiment of the Mohawk & Hudson, you can get a 3D printed kit on my shop here: 3dptrain.com/products/183...
My 1837 Norris stack for the Bachmann 4-2-0 is now available on 3DPtrain: 3dptrain.com/products/183...
This stack will bring the Bachmann "Lafayette" more in line with its appearance in contemporary illustrations.
This stack will bring the Bachmann "Lafayette" more in line with its appearance in contemporary illustrations.
September 12, 2025 at 10:22 PM
My 1837 Norris stack for the Bachmann 4-2-0 is now available on 3DPtrain: 3dptrain.com/products/183...
This stack will bring the Bachmann "Lafayette" more in line with its appearance in contemporary illustrations.
This stack will bring the Bachmann "Lafayette" more in line with its appearance in contemporary illustrations.
I really like this one.
September 10, 2025 at 7:47 AM
I really like this one.
If you've got a Bachmann Norris 4-2-0, I've got some interesting parts coming up soon.
The correct stack for the Lafayette (as depicted in an 1837 Norris pamphlet). A hinged stack for going under low bridges (used on the Philadelphia & Columbia IIRC) and an early headlamp as used on the P&R.
The correct stack for the Lafayette (as depicted in an 1837 Norris pamphlet). A hinged stack for going under low bridges (used on the Philadelphia & Columbia IIRC) and an early headlamp as used on the P&R.
September 2, 2025 at 4:34 AM
If you've got a Bachmann Norris 4-2-0, I've got some interesting parts coming up soon.
The correct stack for the Lafayette (as depicted in an 1837 Norris pamphlet). A hinged stack for going under low bridges (used on the Philadelphia & Columbia IIRC) and an early headlamp as used on the P&R.
The correct stack for the Lafayette (as depicted in an 1837 Norris pamphlet). A hinged stack for going under low bridges (used on the Philadelphia & Columbia IIRC) and an early headlamp as used on the P&R.
A little more work done.
August 26, 2025 at 3:26 AM
A little more work done.
Project update: Got my first print of the Denver Tramway conduit car from 3DPtrain. Roof did warp very slightly, so I've submitted new files with a strengthening rib along the inside of the roof. This will make it more rigid and locate the roof in the car body. Also, kadees on the John Bull coaches.
August 25, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Project update: Got my first print of the Denver Tramway conduit car from 3DPtrain. Roof did warp very slightly, so I've submitted new files with a strengthening rib along the inside of the roof. This will make it more rigid and locate the roof in the car body. Also, kadees on the John Bull coaches.
I ordered a new coreless motor Tenshodo power truck, so will be revising my model of the Thomas James locomotive to fit (I only had the ancient "spud" version to work with when I made this). Hope to have it on 3DPtrain within a month or so.
August 25, 2025 at 5:50 AM
I ordered a new coreless motor Tenshodo power truck, so will be revising my model of the Thomas James locomotive to fit (I only had the ancient "spud" version to work with when I made this). Hope to have it on 3DPtrain within a month or so.