Langley VS Backwoods

[TrainzBrainz23]

Which is better? The Langley Miniatures Fairlie of The Backwoods Miniatures Fairlie?

The Langley Double Fairlie is £138.65 and is white metal.

The Backwoods Double Fairlie is £110 and is brass.

I have no experience with brass, so I’m thinking about going with the Langley Miniatures Fairlie.

Ted Polet has said some of the Langley kits are poorer quality than today’s standards.

I’m on the fence about the subject, so I want some outside help.

[Wellyboots]

Unfortunately Backwoods Miniatures are no longer trading, there's a thread  here;

 

 

and a message on their website explaining the reason;

 

http://www.backwoodsminiatures.com/

 

Regards

 

[Steamport Southport]

The Backwoods narrow gauge range has been taken over by someone else. I don't know who though.

 

Of the two. If you are a beginner then I would go for the Langley model for ease of build. They really are simple to build. Only about a dozen parts.

 

They are a bit cheaper at Dundas Models.

 

https://dundasmodels.co.uk/webstore/

 

But if you look for second hand you might find a bargain. I picked up an unmade Langley Prince recently for about £15, plus a similar price for the Fleischmann chassis on eBay.

 

As an example of prices for used Bachmann GP50 chassis. £26 to £30 for "Like New" ones.

 

https://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklist/1000517/1000589/1000635/0/bachmann_usa_n_gauge_diesel_locos/prodlist.aspx

 

 

 

Jason

[mcowgill]

Or wait a couple of years for the Peco/Kato ready to run version? 

 

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/146262-katopeco-announce-fr-locos-in-009-confirmed/

 

The Langley model is an old model and the diesel loco chassis doesn't do it any favours as the wheels are very undersized compared to the prototype, it also has a tendency to go banana shaped if you're not careful during construction.   

 

The Backwoods models are like hens teeth and go for silly money when they surface, one went for £340 on eBay a few days ago.  Working examples are few and far between, having built some of the others in the range and knowing the work done to them by those who've got them working they're not the easiest of kits to build and I wouldn't recommend one as a starting point in etched kits.

 

Martin