Feed Water Heater Builder’s Plate

This stamped builder’s plate from a steam locomotive feed water heater was rusting away …

… until Shead Custom Design painstakingly recreated it using 3D Printing, so that a replacement could be cast in bronze and restored to its original location. All casting and metal work by the New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society. Approximately 6 ¼″ L × 3 ½″ W.

The original builder’s plate.
3D model of the plate, ready to be printed.
3D printed builder’s plate pattern. The clear material makes the relief difficult to see, but it works just as well!
Replacement casting in bronze from the 3D pattern.
The final replacement, polished and stamped.