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Mainly Trains GWR 4 wheel chassis and thoughts on O gauge

JDaniels

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I bought three of the Mainly Trains 4 wheel coach kits along with the Ratio composite kit and two sets of Shirescenes sides. The intention is to have a superdetailed three coach set.

 

I've completed the three chassis and I have to say they went together reasonably well. If anyone does purchse them I'd make one recommendation. Do not glue the solebar overlays to the floor assembly. It was perhaps my fault in using Araldite past it's "best before" date but I found it best to solder them. It is somewhat annoying that once fitted the solebar has to be filed to size along it's length and this treatment will certainly show just how well it is fixed hence my soldering recommendation. It follows on from this that the white metal spring assembly should be left off till the solebars are soldered or one runs the risk of melting the white metal. A photo of one of the chassis is attached.

 

The kit is very well detailed, in particular the solebar has all the necessary rivet detail and even the gas tank gauge, this was a white dial on the solebar and is prominent in many photos. The Ratio kit as it stands is certainly good above the solebar but underneath it is a little lacking.

 

I haven't made any etched kits for a while but doing this has certainly rekindled my enthusiasm. There's something inherently satisfying in bonding metal securely together in seconds without resorting to smelly and unreliable adhesive. I might even get that kit of "Lady Margaret" some time.

 

Or I might not. Mrs. D and I visited Gaugemaster at Ford last week to pick up the second lot of Code 75FB rail I ordered. It was a little frustrating as I ordered two packs, was told the rail was in several weeks ago, went down to find only one had been delivered. Two weeks ago I was told the second pack was in so we duly went back to Ford. I have to admit though any opportunity to visit Arundel and walk along the river to the "Black Rabbit" is one we are happy to take. We get to Ford and Mrs. D surprisingly says she'll come into the shop. I show her the display of Bachman locos pointing out they are better detailed than most kits you could buy and finished to a standard a professional painter would be proud of. Only problem is that the wheels are too close together. Mrs. D yawns. We wander around and my eyes are drawn to their O gauge exhibit, a Dapol LBSC Terrier in SR green. I have to say I was spellbound, the detailing was unbelievable and the finish superb. The staff kindly brought it out for inspection and even Mrs. D was very impressed, enthusiastic even. It was priced at £ 225 which considering Bachman OO gauge locos are well into three figures I thought was very good value. The wagons that go with it are similarly very well detailed but at £ 44 I thought they were a little expensive when compared with OO gauge offerings. When we got home I had a look at the Dapol website and their gallery shows the Terrier in a variety of liveries, I defy anyone not to look at the version in LBSC Improved Engine "Green" and not be impressed.

 

Whenever I have been to a model railway exhibition I've always walked away thinking that O gauge looks far better than 4mm, the locos move in a manner more like the real thing, it must be the greater bulk. I also think that in 7mm every detail can be shown. To me it's a case of 4mm still being a toy, 7mm a model. I still don't think I'll move up yet, space is a problem, but if Dapol bring out a very small GWR loco (they do a 64xx / 74xx pannier) then I would be sorely tempted. Also, whilst I enjoy making kits it must be nice to be able to buy a superb ready to run model.

 

I'd be interested to hear what others think but would recommend having a look at the Dapol gallery. I also believe Heljan are making some impressive O gauge models.

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ROSSPOP
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Hi there,

 

I would`nt necessarily be worried about needing a lot of space in changing over to 7mm model railways.  Save your pennies if you need to that is .... you can have a lot of fun with one 7mm RTR loco and a couple of wagons and a brake van.  And if you consider DCC sound it will open up another stimulus of enjoyment.

 

Your right about the Dapol Terrier, it is an excellent model for the price.

 

I worry about Heljan though as they are not renouned for the quality of their mechanisms and motors.......

 

However , I would recommend you look at Minerva models who are going to produce a RTR 57XX.

 

Lionheart produce a 74XX but are a little more expensive.

 

 

John

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HymekBoy

Trying to turn a blind eye to O Gauge here.... but that Terrier......perhaps just a display model? Hmmmm... weakening

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JDaniels

Hi there,

 

I would`nt necessarily be worried about needing a lot of space in changing over to 7mm model railways.  Save your pennies if you need to that is .... you can have a lot of fun with one 7mm RTR loco and a couple of wagons and a brake van.  And if you consider DCC sound it will open up another stimulus of enjoyment.

 

Your right about the Dapol Terrier, it is an excellent model for the price.

 

I worry about Heljan though as they are not renouned for the quality of their mechanisms and motors.......

 

However , I would recommend you look at Minerva models who are going to produce a RTR 57XX.

 

Lionheart produce a 74XX but are a little more expensive.

 

 

John

 

Don't fight it, bow to the inevitable and enjoy 7mm.

 

Trying to turn a blind eye to O Gauge here.... but that Terrier......perhaps just a display model? Hmmmm... weakening

 

Thanks for all your comments.

 

Rosspop, you're quite right, I've seen a number of O gauge layouts in quite a restricted space. A small industrial complex for example although I'd prefer a quarry, something a little more natural looking than acres of brickwork. Incidentally the Terrier is available with DCC and sound, clearly quite a bit more expensive. I gather from the guys at Gaugemaster that the sound was matched to the real thing, presumably recorded on the Bluebell railway.

 

Hymekboy, yes I can understand you weakening. I saw the model at Gaugemaster and I'm pretty sure the photos reperesent a production version. I should have realised but I could have sent the link to the gallery, here it is:

 

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/106036127529689486079/album/AF1QipPefRnlkbgIetRxfLJQi0SMqhWLKRyravjJVofx

 

 

There seems to be something of a renaissance when it comes to O gauge, I can understand it though, from my experience at exhibitions an O gauge layout on an 8ft by 3ft baseboard attracts more attention than a 4mm (whether it be OO, EM of P4) layout on the same size base.

 

I will get there eventually!

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jim.snowdon

Go for it. 0 gauge doesn't need vast amounts of space (or money), as well as being a lot more satisfying. I used to model in EM; now I look at the odd bits I still have and wonder how I worked with mechanical mice. There is a small but growing amount of RTR stock that doesn't cost a fortune, and if you want a start, go and build a Parkside wagon kit.

 

Jim

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Richard Jones

Resistance is futile, you will assimilated!

 

I gave in to temptation and bought the Dapol Terrier in KESR blue livery (Bodiam) - currently building a Steam and Things kit for the Pickering steam railcar to keep it company on a small Edwardian era KESR "might have been" layout

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