3D printed landmarks used in Edmonton holiday model train display

An industrious model train enthusiast in Edmonton, Canada is taking the craft to the next level by 3D printing miniature models of local landmarks, including the Canadian Northern Railway Station built in 1905 and demolished in the 1950s. Many of these 3D printed buildings are currently on display at the Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre in Edmonton as part of its winter holiday display.

The maker in question is Dylan Bohaychuk, a member of the Edmonton Train Collectors Association. He has taken it upon himself to create miniature-scale models based on existing (or former) landmarks in the Alberta city to occupy the elaborate model train display at the local shopping center. The process of making these models is fairly intensive: Bohaychuk digitally designs the miniature buildings himself based on blueprints, images and historical records—a process he says can take up to two months. He then 3D prints the 3D models and paints them by hand, which he says takes the longest.

Many of Bohaychuk works are integrated in the Edmonton Train Collectors Association display at the Bonnie Doon mall, which can be visited all year round, from Thursday to Sunday. Notable 3D printed model buildings include the aforementioned Canadian Northern Railway Station, Firehall Number 10, and the Princess Theatre, a cinema that opened in 1915, which has been closed since 2020. He also brought back to life the Edmonton Carnegie Library in miniature, which was demolished in 1968. Global News reports that the display currently has five 3D printed building models, but there are plans to add more.

Bohaychuk and the Edmonton Train Collectors Association hope the 3D printed models will help teach people about the history of Edmonton and its buildings. Currently, the model train display at the mall is decked out for the holidays, with a special holiday train that is laden with presents and decorated festive lights.