RMweb Premium Moxy Posted October 11, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 11, 2017 Going through my files today I found a disk full of pics from the 5.5mm AGM in 2006, and here's a selection of the best in 5.5mm scale. Upnor Castle and the FR and WHR Funkeys are from Andrew Wilson, the Airfix Dapol railbus is from Alan Catlow, Andy Hyde's 'Dinas" (the one at Blaenau Ffestiniog) is shown in its early days, the 3' freelance diesels are from the late Dave Scott's 'Beccadale Haematite Mines' layout, and there's some of Francis Stapleton's work shown. I forgot who owns the original Gem Linda, Taiiesin and Prince. Thanks to Andrew Wilson for the original pics. I did have the pleasure of operating 'Beccadale Haematite' on a couple of occasions, and although I am not sure if I was at that AGM, I would like to add some comments if I may. No 11 'Titan' is built on a Bachmann 03/04 chassis turned end to end so the drive crank is at the front. The rest of it Dave imagineered from plasticard. The Dapol railbus of Alan Catlow's (painted in IOM livery) is IIRC 00n3, rather than 5.5mm scale. I think Alan removed around 4mm from the width. Can't remember anything about the chassis though. The unnamed Sentinel VBT of Dave Scott's (the photo after 'Phobos') is 009. It is much lower than 'Phobos' to its right, different couplings and I am pretty sure that looks like a Kato tram chassis under its skirts. Regards Moxy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted October 14, 2017 Author Share Posted October 14, 2017 I did have the pleasure of operating 'Beccadale Haematite' on a couple of occasions, and although I am not sure if I was at that AGM, I would like to add some comments if I may. No 11 'Titan' is built on a Bachmann 03/04 chassis turned end to end so the drive crank is at the front. The rest of it Dave imagineered from plasticard. The Dapol railbus of Alan Catlow's (painted in IOM livery) is IIRC 00n3, rather than 5.5mm scale. I think Alan removed around 4mm from the width. Can't remember anything about the chassis though. The unnamed Sentinel VBT of Dave Scott's (the photo after 'Phobos') is 009. It is much lower than 'Phobos' to its right, different couplings and I am pretty sure that looks like a Kato tram chassis under its skirts. Regards Moxy Hi Moxy, correct on all accounts. With Dave Scott's loco, the couplings give it away, and probably dates from the Chelthwaite & Beccadale Railway in 009, which was a work of art in itself, and featured the very best in freelance locos and stock. Yes, Alan Catlow's railbus is in 00n3, but he brought it along to 5.5mm bashes on more than one occasion. He also made up an 00n3 single cab electric loco (I think it may have been from Branchlines), but wrote an article for the 55 News (5.5mm Association's newsletter) suggesting it's suitability for 5.5mm scale. Regards, David. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted October 25, 2017 Author Share Posted October 25, 2017 Going through my records, I've found more pics. This time it's 'Fairlie overload' time. The first one is an original Gem kit from Gem. This is the company's official photo. Notice that the right hand safety valve lever was missing, so was drawn in in biro! The rest are from 1995, when Malcolm Savage supplied the first etched chassis for Double Fairlies, and here they are, together with his original Earl of Merioneth, plus a new version, and models of James Spooner (brass boiler) and Merddin Emrys (lower boiler flare. They are all running on Alan Catlow's Towyn Wharf, at an exhibition in the North West. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted October 25, 2017 Author Share Posted October 25, 2017 Alan Catlow's Towyn Wharf in 1995 at an exhibition in the North West. I acquired the layout at the end of 1996. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted October 25, 2017 Author Share Posted October 25, 2017 (edited) More of Andrew Wilson's work in 5.5mm scale. The TR stock has an MSM Corris coach kit, the Stanton coach is scratchbuilt, the GVT coach is a Worsley Works scratch aid, and the TR brake van is a Gem original. Andrew's original Prince (several decades old is shown. Lastly the mythical FR 'double bugbox' No.13. This came from a pic published in FR magazine no.1 (1958) as a proposal to convert the bugboxes to bogie coaches on Hudson chassis. Who says there's a prototype for everything? Edited October 25, 2017 by detheridge 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hiesler Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Some photos of the 5.5mm Scale Association stand at ExpoNG 2017. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Dava Posted October 29, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 29, 2017 5.5mm scale has an enduring and particularly British [or Welsh] charm about it. Having said that, there are lots of 3D models being designed by Henrik Laurell for 0-12 & 0m, some of which would work on 5.5mm http://laurell.today/ I started modelling in 014 a year or so ago so just have the satisfaction of an extra 2mm on the track gauge and a bit on the scale. And hardly any whitemetal items. Dava Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted October 30, 2017 Author Share Posted October 30, 2017 How about this beauty seen at EXpoNG, described as '12mm gauge, 5.5mm scale' on the 009 secondhand sales stand? A snip at '£250 or offers'! Still, that's only marginally more expensive than the Heljan ones in 009......... :-) 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 Here's the latest in 3D printing for 5.5mm scale from Tyneside Models, Fiftyfifth (George Williamson), Coast Line Models and Mountaineer Models (Max Heisler) and Recreation21 (rue_d_etropal) all at Shapeways. Mostly Corris, with a WDLR wagon body and even a watee powered wagon! 3D is obviously the future for 5.5mm? 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hiesler Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 So David doesn't need to post any more of my pictures, here's the rest of my range:Festiniog Railway Wagon No. 118https://www.shapeways.com/product/5MQG2UAYY/fr-wagon-no-118-5-5mm-scaleFestiniog Railway Wagon No. 130https://www.shapeways.com/product/GZAJMEPZL/fr-wagon-no-130-5-5mm-scaleFestiniog Railway Wagon with open doors. As it is a static item I have also included fixed wheels. I have yet to paint this one!https://www.shapeways.com/product/377JS23NM/fr-waggon-open-doors-5-5mm-scaleFestiniog Railway Disc Signalhttps://www.shapeways.com/product/KM86QML4P/fr-disc-signal-5-5mm-scaleFestiniog Railway Double Fairlie bodyhttps://www.shapeways.com/product/E6GBWT56S/festiniog-railway-double-fairlie-5-5mmThis is not a finite list however...Cheers,Max...(Heisler is not my last name) 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 (edited) So David doesn't need to post any more of my pictures, here's the rest of my range: Festiniog Railway Wagon No. 118 DSC00060 small.jpg https://www.shapeways.com/product/5MQG2UAYY/fr-wagon-no-118-5-5mm-scale Festiniog Railway Wagon No. 130 DSC00669 small.jpg https://www.shapeways.com/product/GZAJMEPZL/fr-wagon-no-130-5-5mm-scale Festiniog Railway Wagon with open doors. As it is a static item I have also included fixed wheels. I have yet to paint this one! DSC03329crop.jpg https://www.shapeways.com/product/377JS23NM/fr-waggon-open-doors-5-5mm-scale Festiniog Railway Disc Signal DSC01756small.jpg https://www.shapeways.com/product/KM86QML4P/fr-disc-signal-5-5mm-scale Festiniog Railway Double Fairlie body https://www.shapeways.com/product/E6GBWT56S/festiniog-railway-double-fairlie-5-5mm This is not a finite list however... Cheers, Max...(Heisler is not my last name) I think you may be killed in the rush for the Fairlie, Max! Fabulous to see that, and congratulations. * Update: Max has posted elsewhere that this is the version for LT/Tal/Earl of M, and is based on the original Gem kit with improvements to the firebox and the coal spaces, which weren't on the original. David. Edited November 1, 2017 by detheridge Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 Steve Jones' latest pics of Headford, slated to appear at the Rainhill exhibition on Nov.25th 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 A Feldbahn Gmeinder 20/24 diesel from T3 design - Trains Trams Trucks at Shapeways. It's 12mm gauge but 1/45 scale. https://www.shapeways.com/product/JYYCJK65R/feldbahn-gmeinder-20-24-spur-0e-f?li=shareProduct Will it fit 1/55 scale? Yes it will, as Francis Stapleton has discovered. Comparing it to the Corris Railway's bruiser O&K diesel, it's convincing! 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted November 20, 2017 Author Share Posted November 20, 2017 High quality scenic work in 5.5mm by Francis Stapleton on 'The Wharf', originally built by George Williamson 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 More great modelling from Steve Jones on 16.5mm gauge. They both use Bachman HO Porter chassis. Steve says that both locos are designed to be 'crossover' locos which are large enough to run on his Irish layout but small enough to run on his Welsh one. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 (edited) Some people claim that there's not a lot available for 5.5mm scale. To help disprove this, here are some of the latest 3D items from Shapeways in 1/55, plus details of animals from the 28mm scale wargaming fraternity. The Corris wagons and coaches are from Tyneside models on Shapeways, the WDLR Simplex 20 hp and D class bogie wagon are by Recreation 21. Barrels and pallets in 1/55 (plus much more are from Sector-17 https://www.shapeways.com/shops/sector17 The 1/55 motorcycles are from Honest 'arry's motors: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/honestharrysmotors and the two FR coal wagons are from Max (Heisler)'s Mountaineer models. The animals are advertised on the Wargames, soldiers and strategies page on Facebook Many thanks as ever to Francis Stapleton for the pics. No excuses to detail your 1/55 layout! Edited November 27, 2017 by detheridge 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 If you ever want a 5.5mm Gem Prince to go around 6 inch radius curves, here's Francis Stapleton's solution: pivot the drawbar on the tender half way down. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Smith Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 5.5mm scale (55:1) is talked about in US narrow gauge circles as 16.5mm track can represent 3' gauge which was the predominant gauge apart from several 2' systems in New England. This gets over the 0n30 compromise. Some of the Bachmann On30 locos are apparently nearer to 55th scale than 48th but I am not aware of any other deliberate trade support here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 5.5mm scale (55:1) is talked about in US narrow gauge circles as 16.5mm track can represent 3' gauge which was the predominant gauge apart from several 2' systems in New England. This gets over the 0n30 compromise. Some of the Bachmann On30 locos are apparently nearer to 55th scale than 48th but I am not aware of any other deliberate trade support here. There used to be a site 55n3.org (unfortunately now defunct) by HMinky (Howard Minkwitz) that had a terrific amount of detail in how to model 1/55 scale using American prototypes and influence. He also showed conversions of Bachman On30 models and how relatively straightforward it all was. Some useful info here: http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/3116 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted December 3, 2017 Author Share Posted December 3, 2017 Francis Stapleton has been busy again with an older layout in 5.5mm, Warren Road. It's being dusted off and checked over before further work. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cp409067 Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 * Having no previous awareness of "Warren Road" I very much like the look of it. Thank you for posting the pictures. May I ask if I am correct in assuming it is 12mm gauge rather than 16.5mm? CP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted December 5, 2017 Author Share Posted December 5, 2017 * Having no previous awareness of "Warren Road" I very much like the look of it. Thank you for posting the pictures. May I ask if I am correct in assuming it is 12mm gauge rather than 16.5mm? CP Yes indeed. Francis has admitted to having NINE layouts in 5.5mm scale. One is the late Dave Scott's Beccadale Haematite Mines, which is 16.5mm. The rest AFAIK are all 12mm gauge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted December 8, 2017 Author Share Posted December 8, 2017 Francis Stapleton has been busy again - this time with figures from https://www.modelu3d.co.uk/ who supply them in 5.5mm scale. Price around £4.25 each and they're from the Pendon range. They come in red, and the white ones are after cleaning up and priming. The last pic shows one of Francis' layouts 'Rheadr' which features genuine Corris slate for the scenery! 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted December 20, 2017 Author Share Posted December 20, 2017 A heads up from Barrie Johnstone that his amazing layout Pen-y-Craig will be at the Stafford MRE on the 3rd and 4th February 2018. Enjoy! 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Francis Stapleton has been busy again - this time with figures from https://www.modelu3d.co.uk/ who supply them in 5.5mm scale. Price around £4.25 each and they're from the Pendon range. They come in red, and the white ones are after cleaning up and priming. The last pic shows one of Francis' layouts 'Rheadr' which features genuine Corris slate for the scenery! Must be damned painful standing on those spikes! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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