Model Railroading > A Case of Free 3D files-Wabash, Montpelier, Ohio Depot,

A Wabash railroader's son had the blueprints*** for the Wabash depot and sent email scans to someone to make 3D printer files available at Thingiverse. 3D files are shared for free at Thingiverse. The first three photos are an HO model that he printed on his home 3D printer and built. The second two photos are of one that he printed for his father, Wayne, in N scale. Kevin says he used an early colorized postcard as his color guide for his HO model, including the copper rain gutters and down spouts. Most of the its life, this depot was gray with black window mullions and frames.

The oversized detail is not up to par for my standards, and the draftsman did some funky things with the brickwork, roof and windows. Some 3D files can be modified and if someone is accomplished, they can go in and modifty files or make modified one available in addtion to the originals. And I believe Thingiverse allows that. I may have one printed and see if there is anything I can use, as had planned on a scratch build a model anyway.

***Copies of Blueprints for the Montpelier Station drawn by Theo Link and his firm are available from the N&W Historical Society. Mr. Link and his firm designed St. Louis Union Station and a number of Wabash Depots.

Victor Baird



Edited 7 time(s). Last edit at 09/03/26 14:56 by wabash2800.

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Here is the N scale model that Kevin printed for his dad. Wayne built the model.

Victor Baird



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/26 20:18 by wabash2800.

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Here are some photos of the real station. First up are three very early photos. This structure was built in 1898. It was planned as early as 1893, but held back because of the 1893 Financial Panic. In the last of this three, is that the letter "M" hanging btw the chimneys or just a tensioning device to hold chimney guy wire? I suppose I should look at my copy of the blueprints.***

***Edit: I looked at my blueprints, and it looks to be a hardware item.

Victor Baird



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/26 20:28 by wabash2800.

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Here are photos taken in the 40s to the 1960s. My research suggests the chimneys were removed in the early to mid 1940s.


Victor Baird



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/26 19:38 by wabash2800.

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A few more. Before anyone asks, IT IS GONE. Knowing that the Williams County Historical Society wanted to save it, Norfolk Southern took the wrecking ball to it in the wee hours of February 3, 1984. NS said the building was unsafe. But they allowed the administration building next door to stand, rented out to a nonprofit. Rumor has it that the reason the depot was raised was that NS felt it would have been responsible for asbestos remediation, with the administration building not having that issue. I don't know if that is true. But if that was the issue, the railroad was breaking the law by just knocking it down without any protection from fall-out into the community. Such are big corporations. But I suppose we should be thankful that blueprints are available to the public.

It was one of a kind, designed by a famous architect. The upstairs housed dispatcher and clerk offices, and Montpelier was a division point with lines radiating to Toledo, Detroit. St. Louis and Chicago.

If anyone has any photos, particularly color, please feel free to share.

Victor Baird



Edited 7 time(s). Last edit at 09/02/26 18:33 by wabash2800.

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