3DSubway Revamped: A New Era for Our Subway Shells
(The website is currently undergoing reconstruction with the newer updated shells and pricing system, we will be announcing the new shops page soon)
Three years ago, I launched 3DSubway with a passion for bringing realistic, customizable subway models to the community. Since then, I’ve received a tremendous amount of feedback—both positive and constructive—which has helped shape the future of this business. I want to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to share their thoughts. Your voices were heard.
Over the past year, I carefully reviewed all the suggestions and identified the Top 5 most requested improvements:
Top 5 Community Requests:
Reduce the pricing of shells and cars
Minimize the visibility of diagonal lines on the shells
Improve the coupling between cars
Modernize the truck system
Simplify the mounting system
✅ What’s New at 3DSubway
I’m proud to announce that major updates have been made to address each of these requests:
5. Simplified Mounting System
The previous cross-bar mounting system has been replaced. We've adopted a four-point diagonal holder system, making it easier to mount the shell to the chassis and attach motors. This new method is inspired by the MTH approach and improves overall compatibility and ease of use.
4. Modern Truck Compatibility
The new chassis design is now fully compatible with MTH truck systems, allowing for a more authentic NYC subway appearance and giving builders more flexibility with customization.
3. Improved Car Coupling
We’ve shortened the distance between cars, resulting in tighter and more realistic couplings. This, along with the truck updates, gives your models a more prototypical and polished appearance. (This also includes reducing the gates size to help bring them close while also strengthening the gates)
2. Significantly Reduced Shell Lines
In 2023, we experienced quality issues due to a new manufacturer whose machinery produced excessive diagonal lines. We’ve since ended that partnership and now work with a new supplier using much higher precision equipment. The diagonal lines are now dramatically reduced. While they may still be faintly visible at certain angles, they are far less pronounced than before. Fully eliminating them would require machinery exceeding $30,000—something that isn’t currently viable—but we continue to look for ways to improve further.
1. More Affordable Options
Pricing has been one of the most discussed topics. After extensive internal review and community input, we’ve optimized parts of the production process through automation, allowing us to lower costs.
To better meet different budgets, we are introducing a new line of shells labeled “Low Quality” (name subject to change). These offer slightly reduced finish quality at a 30% lower price point, making the hobby more accessible while maintaining structural integrity.
My Final Thoughts:
I truly appreciate the continued support and feedback from everyone in the modeling community. These updates are a direct reflection of your input. My goal has always been to improve the quality, accessibility, and realism of our subway shells—and I believe this update is a significant step forward.
As always, I welcome your feedback as we continue to evolve.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
— Amir
Founder, 3DSubway
