Why Didn't I know About This Before?

[PatB]

Prompted by a post in the Railway Modelling on a Limited Income Facebook group I went on a search for Occre Models. and found these kits. I found the Adler and the Rocket particularly interesting, along with the Adler's associated coaches. They tick a lot of boxes for me. Large scale, early prototypes with a claimed simple build and not staggeringly expensive, even when you add in the optional tender-drive kit to make them go. Combined with well ballasted LGB track (or homebuilt) they open up the possibility of a Gauge 1 layout in a space and at a cost that would not be considered generous, even for 00.

 

Ok, Adler was a German (but British built) prototype, but, apart from the headlamps I can't see why it wouldn't pass for a generic British 2-2-2 of the period. Ditto the coaches. Rocket is a bit specialised but I can't see that it would be beyond fairly modest skill to bash it into a reasonable Northumbrian representation.  Add some scratchbuilt wagons, or maybe some adapted large-scale narrow-gauge kits in suitably antedeluvian style and you could have some historical fun.

 

I managed to find a Youtube video of a build of one of  the American 4-4-0s and the quality and design looked excellent, particularly for the price.

 

So how come I haven't heard about these before? Given the daft prices that the less convincing (IMHO) Bachmann H0 De Witt Clinton and Norris models seem to be reaching these days, I'd say, on the face of it, that they provide some interesting opportunities and great value.

[Edwardian]

Prompted by a post in the Railway Modelling on a Limited Income Facebook group I went on a search for Occre Models. and found these kits. I found the Adler and the Rocket particularly interesting, along with the Adler's associated coaches. They tick a lot of boxes for me. Large scale, early prototypes with a claimed simple build and not staggeringly expensive, even when you add in the optional tender-drive kit to make them go. Combined with well ballasted LGB track (or homebuilt) they open up the possibility of a Gauge 1 layout in a space and at a cost that would not be considered generous, even for 00.

 

Ok, Adler was a German (but British built) prototype, but, apart from the headlamps I can't see why it wouldn't pass for a generic British 2-2-2 of the period. Ditto the coaches. Rocket is a bit specialised but I can't see that it would be beyond fairly modest skill to bash it into a reasonable Northumbrian representation.  Add some scratchbuilt wagons, or maybe some adapted large-scale narrow-gauge kits in suitably antedeluvian style and you could have some historical fun.

 

I managed to find a Youtube video of a build of one of  the American 4-4-0s and the quality and design looked excellent, particularly for the price.

 

So how come I haven't heard about these before? Given the daft prices that the less convincing (IMHO) Bachmann H0 De Witt Clinton and Norris models seem to be reaching these days, I'd say, on the face of it, that they provide some interesting opportunities and great value.

 

Pat, the second link doers not seem to go where it should

[Talltim]

http://catalog.occre.com/modelismo-ferroviario.html

[PatB]

Pat, the second link doers not seem to go where it should

 

Seems to work for me, going to Occre's railway kits page.

 

I've had a bit more of a poke around Occre's site and some time on Google. Looking more closely at the tender drive unit, It looks as if it might be quite prominent under the fairly open tender chassis. Also, because these are really designed as, primarily, wooden static kits I can see them requiring a few mods if they are to be used as real working models. Replacement of dowel axles with steel rod, adding brass bearings and checking the fabricated wooden wheels for truth. I'd be interested to know what the Adler's tyres are made of and whether they're cast or turned.

 

Nonetheless, I still think these could make a useful basis for some economical models. Even devising a complete drive system and upgrading the running gear a bit shouldn't be beyond human wit or cost the earth.  Such locos don't need to be particularly powerful or robust because, let's face it, the prototypes weren't either. If they can haul three or four 4-wheelers reliably, should they really be expected to do much more?

Edited May 16, 2018 by PatB

[Hesperus]

Looks really interesting,  could you copy and paste the Facebook post for those of us who will never join?

[PatB]

Looks really interesting, could you copy and paste the Facebook post for those of us who will never join?

I'll have a go but I haven't really got the hang of the screen on this new phone so can't promise it'll work.

 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=722896121241839&id=100005643739093