The end of another really fun project I just finished using my Glowforge. This is a train set for my grandson. The track, switches, engines, cars, and inlaid nameplate on the chest were all done using my Glowforge. Project took over 8 months and involved hundreds of cuts and hours of assembly. I designed each engine, car and track section using Inkscape. The engines were designed around the “Jupiter” and “#119” used at the Promontory summit golden spike Ceremony on May 10, 1869 culminating the completion of the first transcontinental Railroad in the United States. The train set is roughly based on an “O” gauge scale and is a hand push version using no motors or electricity. The Chest was designed using sketch up and built using traditional woodworking techniques. The chest has 3 trays for storage of the complete train set and a storage area holding a map to assemble the set along with two articles on the history of the transcontinental railroad. The track has switches that operate and all the cars and engines were hand painted. A really fun project.
Wow that is amazing! What a treasure for your grandson to hand down. The track is awesome but the engines and cars are truly a work of art! Thanks for sharing.
There you go, making Grandpas everywhere feel inadequate
That is one beautiful project that you should be very proud of. When your grandson is an old man he’ll probably still cherish this gift.
Outstanding! The details are fabulous, and adding the history to it makes it even more special. Your grandson must have been/will be thrilled! Thank you for sharing!
This is such an incredibly mind-boggling thing you have made. The entire train set itself as well as the chest to store it will be an amazing legacy for your grandson and all children who follow him in your family. What a lucky young man…and what a work of utter love. Thank you for sharing it all with us.
Amazing craftsmanship and what a perfect family heirloom for your grandson! I’m sure he will be very proud to hand it down to his children and grandchildren!!
Well done. You solved one of the problems with projects like these with that storage box.
We had an elaborate Brio set for son one, that has eventually gotten handed down two generations now. The initial problem was the tracks etc were always underfoot (like shades of legos).
We ended up with a box for gizmos, but I mounted the tracks on a 3x6 chunk of wood that could be slipped behind the dresser when not in use.
I am convinced mounting those tracks are the only reason that set is still viable for the great grand kids.
You have definitely set the bar high with this project. Awesome work.
The train set is awesome, but the storage chest tops that. I’ll bet your grandson gets as much of a kick putting the train away–everything in its own slot–as he does taking it out.
