Starting a Dublo Collection

[sagaguy]

It gets worse once you realise that you don`t have to stick to Dublo because with a bit of work,other makes can be converted to run on 3 rail.Trix,Airfix & modern Hornby in some cases are not too difficult.Hornby 2BIL,Trix,Triang,Lima o/h locos ,Hornby 9f with a dublo 8f plunger tender chassis, an Airfix Royal scot.

 

                              Ray.

[Il Grifone]

1 hour ago, Nearholmer said:

Yes, I was wondering whether there might be a mirror thread called ‘Stopping a Hornby Dublo collection’, which I hazard might be a more difficultly thing to accomplish.

 

Why would anyone want to do that? 

 

Trix made a few 'Schools' class 'Dover' * based on the 4-4-0 chassis as used in their Compound and 'Hunt' D49. Perhaps they had some paperwork or something to unload? Hence 'V' rather than '5'. I wondered why at the time - I didn't even realise they'd made the 'Schools'....  https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ACYBGNRUZoX46h6_IHY4pfDUBIIxRRvYtA:1579795389726&q=trix+schools+class&tbm=isch&source=univ&client=firefox-b-d&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiI0Za4jJrnAhVFnVwKHas2CAMQsAR6BAgIEAE&biw=1303&bih=666

 

* These are very rare and sought after. Like the Compound and 'Hunt' you could tell what it was supposed to be the wheel arrangement and number. 

[gtis]

Hi all 

here is all my loco collection all Hornby Dublo except Hornby Triang Pullman and a mainline western 

Neil

[2996 Victor]

On 22/01/2020 at 19:55, DavidCBroad said:

Going back almost to the start. The Wheel hangers are usually available from a couple of specialist dealers on line.  

The body and coupling rivets have a shouldered boss which takes the coupling, it is thicker on the plastic couplings than on the metal ones, but it does mean you have to use the correct rivet. The alternative is to use a small bolt, maybe 8BA, countersunk downwards with a Romford 1/8" axle bush filed down to take the coupling and a nut on the bottom, but its ugly. 

EDIT   Peco do a plastic rivet for their kits but its not much use for HD though you can drill through the top part and use it in place ofthe filed down axle bush. See pics

 

Hi David,

 

many thanks for the additional infor, especially the rivets - one wonders whether there is any mileage in having some made to the original pattern. See also below for @Il Grifone's link to eBay.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Edited January 24, 2020 by 2996 Victor
eBay link for coupling rivets

[2996 Victor]

On 22/01/2020 at 22:47, Il Grifone said:

 

Wrenn coupling rivets are still available on eBay. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?item=153796198835&_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=wrenn+coupling+rivets

The hole in the Dublo coupling fits on the component in Airfix kits, whereas the Peco version jams and needs reaming out. I have used 4MA cheesehead screws, but flat head screws are available from China and can be used as pivots. The casting will need drilling and tapping (a steel screw will cut its own thread in zinc alloy  ). If necessary a spot of locking compound will lock it in position. The coupling should be free to move horizontally without appreciable vertical movement. I always check that they will drop under their own weight if the vehicle is held on its side.

I assume the Dublo one must be 5/32" diameter (Meccano was an all imperial world). Dublo screws are all BA apart from the use of Meccano screws which are 5/32" Whitworth. (Body and cylinder assembly fixings for example(Buy the latter if required as Meccano parts not Dublo.)

 

Some Wrenn transfers are still available as are reproduction Dublo transfers.

 

Hi David,

 

thank you very much indeed for the info and the link - I'll probably get a stock in! Presumably, they're a straight swap for the originals. Are the same rivets used for bogie pivots?

 

Brass BA pan head screws are still available as well, but a thread would need to be tapped for these, of course, and thread locking fluid is widely available from fixing suppliers.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

[2996 Victor]

On 22/01/2020 at 23:08, Sarahagain said:

Just in case the information is required...

 

The Hornby Dublo containers are a shaped solid wood block, covered in a printed paper wrapping.

 

There were / are overlays available, of variable quality, to re cover the blocks.

 

I have done some myself, after getting some from the internet, and thinking that I may be able to do better...

 

Mine, if stuck to card, can also make up into a cardboard container!

 

There is a small screw eye in the roof to allow lifting by a crane.

 

As said above, the sheer weight of the container, and the wagon sides, are all that retain the container.

 

Tractors...

 

Oxford Diecast have made a blue Fordson tractor, similar to the Dublo Dinky one, but more to today's standards.

 

There have been at least two versions of the Oxford blue tractor. With wide spaced front wheels, and with narrow spaced front wheels...

 

 

 

Hi Sarah,

 

thanks for the additional info on the containers - any photos of the ones you've done? With the tractors, will both fit the low-sided wagon?

 

Kind regards,

 

Mark

[2996 Victor]

On 23/01/2020 at 00:00, sagaguy said:

The first rule of servicing HD motors especially the vertical motors is don`t take it apart,ok if you have a remagnitiser but the magnets will lose a lot of their strength if the magnet is removed from the pole pieces,1/2" motors seem ok as well s ringfield motors but they have a few performance problems of their own in some circumstances.Taking wagons & bogies apart!.Not much point really if the wheels are ok,a tiny drop of oil on a pin on the axle ends & all pivots,if you can see it,you`ve probably put too much on.Metal couplings sometimes need bending back to shape,check out Ron Dodds videos on you tube.One last thought for tonight,don`t use neo magnets,if the motor is weak,it probably needs an armature rewind & remag.

 

                         Ray.

 

Hi Ray,

 

thanks for the advice on the motors, although to be fair I'm not confident with motors, so would probably seek a specialist to check over any that I have.

 

Thanks also for the pointer to Ron Dodd - I'll have a look over the weekend!

 

On 23/01/2020 at 00:07, sagaguy said:

Finally,just to prove that other makes will with simple modifications ,will run on HD3 rail.Trix Transpennine unit.

 

                             Ray.

 

That looks rather special! I'm planning on sticking with HD, but who knows if that'll last for long! 

 

All the best,

 

Mark

[2996 Victor]

On 23/01/2020 at 06:59, Wolseley said:

I bought a "Bristolian" set a few years ago, with the intention of maybe adding one or two locomotives and maybe a handful of items of rolling stock.  I now have 45+ locomotivs and I haven't counted how many coaches or goods wagons I have.  A "slippery slope" indeed.......

 

I don't see anything wrong with repainting or modifying locomotives or rolling stock as most of what Dublo made was made in large numbers, so is not rare (there are a handful of exceptions though) and playworn and, consequently relatively cheap, items are not too hard to find.  Also, the monetary value of it is mostly well below that of new equipment, so it's not like you're reducing the value of a rare antique.  Here are a few I've modified:

 

 

 

 

 

And, if you want still more variety, there's always Trix Twin - the later 3 rail models have wheels that are compatible with Dublo.  Models that come to mind are the ex-GWR 0-6-2T, Warship diesel, Britannia and Standard Class 5 (Trix called it a Class V for some strange reason).

 

 

 

Hi @Wolseley,

 

many thanks for the photographs - the City and the Duchess are stunning! Also, the N2 and the rake of tank wagons are superb! May I ask what your techniques are for stripping old paint and refinishing? Thomas brought a smile to my face, as well!

 

Thanks again and very best regards,

 

Mark

[2996 Victor]

On 23/01/2020 at 11:05, sagaguy said:

The problem of course is that once you start collecting,it`s difficult to know when to stop,no more true than my collection.A Marklin electric turntable is the latest addition.I do spend a lot of time converting Dublo locos into items that Meccano never produced,ie.City locos into names that were never produced,designing overlays for coaches that Meccano may have introduced given time but it was not to be.The trouble is that once you`ve seen one Montrose with red & cream coaches or a 2-6-4 with suburban coaches,you`ve really seen the lot.

 

                             Ray.

 

Hi again, Ray,

 

I see exactly where you're coming from with regard to refinishing locos and stock. My personal view is that, provided the item in question is not a rarity or in perfect original finish, and provided it is a fairly common item, then why not? Its no different than, say a current Hornby loco, with the current trend for realism meaning varying the names/numbers, adding weathering etc - in fifty or sixty years time you'll be hard pressed to find one in original condition!

 

The coach overlays are particularly interesting - any GWR ones among your collection?

 

All the best,

 

Mark

[2996 Victor]

Dear All,

 

I meant to add earlier my thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread, and to express my sincere gratitude for all the sage advice and suggestions from those wiser than me!

 

So far, my journey into the world of Hornby Dublo has been a fascinating one, and I have no doubt that that will continue!

 

I've received another five wagons from an eBay purchase, and I'm really pleased to say that they are absolutely delightful, a joy to behold! Several are, as far as I tell, in mint condition! Even the boxes are a work of art!

 

Best regards,

 

Mark

[Ruffnut Thorston]

Hi Mark.

 

No photos of containers available on this device. I'll have to see about getting something sorted out...

 

Both of the Oxford Diecast tractors fit ok on the HD low sided wagon.

 

For variety, Oxford make models of several small tractors, including the Ferguson, and Field Marshal...

[2996 Victor]

1 hour ago, Sarahagain said:

Hi Mark.

 

No photos of containers available on this device. I'll have to see about getting something sorted out...

 

Both of the Oxford Diecast tractors fit ok on the HD low sided wagon.

 

For variety, Oxford make models of several small tractors, including the Ferguson, and Field Marshal...

 

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for the extra info - I've always had a hankering for a real Fergie T20, so a model one might have to do! Or a Field Marshal - my Dad would recount how he drove his Uncle's FM during his school holidays

 

Kind regards,

 

Mark

[sagaguy]

4 hours ago, 2996 Victor said:

 

Hi again, Ray,

 

I see exactly where you're coming from with regard to refinishing locos and stock. My personal view is that, provided the item in question is not a rarity or in perfect original finish, and provided it is a fairly common item, then why not? Its no different than, say a current Hornby loco, with the current trend for realism meaning varying the names/numbers, adding weathering etc - in fifty or sixty years time you'll be hard pressed to find one in original condition!

 

The coach overlays are particularly interesting - any GWR ones among your collection?

 

All the best,

 

Mark

Hi Mark,no GWR  overlays i`m afraid.If you are a member of Facebook,mosey along to the Hornby Dublo Enthusiasts page,in files ,i`ve put quite a few different overlays of Dublo nevawassas for you to download & print free of charge.As an example,the Maroon EMU overlays & the completed unit.

 

                     Ray.

[gtis]

Hi ray

is the Airfix royal Scot got a Märklin skate fitted to the loco or is it tender driven

neil

[Wolseley]

9 hours ago, 2996 Victor said:

May I ask what your techniques are for stripping old paint and refinishing? Thomas brought a smile to my face, as well!

 

Thanks again and very best regards,

 

Mark

 

It depends on the quality of the finish before I start.  Sometimes I strip the body back to the bare metal using the strongest paint stripper I can get from the local hardware shop (which takes two, sometimes three, applications to get it all off), other times I touch up the chips and go over the touched up bits once the paint has hardened with fine emery paper or a Swiss file to even up the surface.  When I paint them sometimes I brush paint (with a sable #4 and #6) and sometimes I spray paint them.  Then the transfers are applied, followed by a final spray with semi-gloss clear.  The paints I use are generally Humbrol acrylics or Tamiya spray acrylics - not because of any preference for them, it's just that they're the best of the limited range of paints available here.  If I was still in the UK I would probably be using nothing but Precision Paints.  I know that there should be compatibility problems when spraying acrylic semi-gloss clear over the transfers, but I spray it at a distance and very thinly and wait a day before giving it a second coat and I've only once had a transfer wrinkle up on me.

 

As far as the photos I posted go, the Duchess, N2 and Thomas the overweight Tank Engine were brush painted, and the City and the tank wagons were sprayed.

 

Thomas started off (obviously) as a Dublo N2, then I bought a Thomas face as a Hornby (present day Hornby company that is) spare part, filed off the smokebox door and drilled a hole so that the face slotted into the front of the body.  My grandsons love that one.

 

Regards.

 

Jim

[sagaguy]

5 hours ago, gtis said:

Hi ray

is the Airfix royal Scot got a Märklin skate fitted to the loco or is it tender driven

neil

It`s a tender drive loco with the skate under the loco & wired through to the motor.Powerful little beast!.

 

                     Ray.

[Ruffnut Thorston]

Hi Mark.

 

Tractors.

 

We had a Grey Fergie, petrol / paraffin, on the smallholding we lived on some years ago now.

 

It was great, unless the engine stopped when running on paraffin!

 

I have always loved the sound of the big single cylinder Field Marshal tractors.

 

We used to go to vintage transport shows....all sorts of lovely sounds from the older engines.

[Wolseley]

As far as GWR coaches are concerned, I thought that my GWR liveried N2 (it's a replica made from a cheap playworn BR N2 rather than a rare and expensive genuine one) would look better with coaches than with goods wagons, so I got my hands on two badly rusted Dublo SD6 suburbans and a pair of Airfix B-Set coaches, shortened the Airfix coaches by almost 2cm and fitted the bodies to the Dublo chassis.  The result was quite effective, although I don't have any photos at the moment, as I still have to finish painting the roofs.  Here's my GWR N2 though:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 25, 2020 by Wolseley
correcting typo

[Il Grifone]

15 hours ago, 2996 Victor said:

 

omis

 

 

That looks rather special! I'm planning on sticking with HD, but who knows if that'll last for long! 

 

All the best,

 

Mark

 

That was my intention too....

 

Tri-ang need fitting with a proper coupling (Peco* still list them), but Trix (post war anyway) already have a compatible coupling. The trip pin**  is a different spacing however so they won't uncouple. i have bent a few out. New wheels are required on the earlier stock. You can fit Dublo but they are larger diameter. I have fitted Rivarossi (supply is the problem here - their US freight cars can have theirs switched for NMRA wheels and then you have 4 sets). (Beware another slippery slope....). Rivarossi wheels are a tad tight on B2B for Dublo track, but a thin washer between the two stub axles cures that. There used to be a Peco conversion set for Tri-ang vehicles with a (rather rubbish) version of the Peco coupling to fit in the Tri-ang Mk Ⅱ mounting with a mounting to convert the Mk Ⅲ (even more rubbish - I could could never get it to work properly and just fit the metal type) and nylon wheels in the two Tri-ang sizes, but good luck finding them now. They do turn up now and again (unless I spot them, in which case they get 'griffed').

 

Trix locomotives have the chassis live to the centre rail (the common return for the Trix Twin system), so the couplings need insulating. There is a neat plastic version.

 

* The Magni-Simplex type will couple with the metal Peco couplings, but not the Dublo type as the 'head' is too large.

** I have never known what to call this (dropper?, striker?) so have settled for Kadee's term.

Edited January 25, 2020 by Il Grifone

[Wolseley]

1 hour ago, Il Grifone said:

New wheels are required on the earlier stock. You can fit Dublo but they are larger diameter.

 

I have fitted Dublo wheels to a couple of rakes of Trix Crimson and Cream coaches and Trix Pullmans without any problems.  I never noticed the difference in diameter before (the monster flanges on the Trix wheels probably make the wheels look bigger than they are), but I just measured a Trix "steamroller" wheel and it came out as 10.3mm against Dublo's 12mm.

 

On the subject of changing wheels, I have converted three Tri-ang streamlined Coronations to 3 rail (dead easy - the tenders have the old Dublo chassis complete with mounting points for Dublo "plunger" style pickups).  The only problem I found is, that without the benefit of magnadhesion, Tri-ang locomotives of that era are rather gutless things, and can barely shift more than one or two Dublo coaches without slipping violently.  I am in the process of modifying a rake of four Dublo LMS coaches to run on Lima short axle (24.5mm I think) wheels running in Alan Gibson brass pinpoint bearings.  It's taking a while, as it involves filing some metal off the bogies and I have too many other projects on the go at the same time, but the one that I have finished rolls very freely.  Hopefully at the end of the process I will be able to have my streamlined Coronations pull a four coach train (anything longer looks a bit ridiculous on my layout, as it is only 8'x4') with ease.

[sagaguy]

33 minutes ago, Wolseley said:

 

I have fitted Dublo wheels to a couple of rakes of Trix Crimson and Cream coaches and Trix Pullmans without any problems.  I never noticed the difference in diameter before (the monster flanges on the Trix wheels probably make the wheels look bigger than they are), but I just measured a Trix "steamroller" wheel and it came out as 10.3mm against Dublo's 12mm.

 

On the subject of changing wheels, I have converted three Tri-ang streamlined Coronations to 3 rail (dead easy - the tenders have the old Dublo chassis complete with mounting points for Dublo "plunger" style pickups).  The only problem I found is, that without the benefit of magnadhesion, Tri-ang locomotives of that era are rather gutless things, and can barely shift more than one or two Dublo coaches without slipping violently.  I am in the process of modifying a rake of four Dublo LMS coaches to run on Lima short axle (24.5mm I think) wheels running in Alan Gibson brass pinpoint bearings.  It's taking a while, as it involves filing some metal off the bogies and I have too many other projects on the go at the same time, but the one that I have finished rolls very freely.  Hopefully at the end of the process I will be able to have my streamlined Coronations pull a four coach train (anything longer looks a bit ridiculous on my layout, as it is only 8'x4') with ease.

Agree with the Triang Hornby Coronation,no haulage capacity at all unless i pair it with the three Hornby Coronation coaches that i have.I don`t think i`ve seen any metal couplings damaged beyond repair,on the other hand of course,i wouldn`t buy the stock if they were.Plastic couplings on Wrenn loco tenders,wagons are easy to replace.I tap the hole 6BA,cut a piece of 1/8"id brass tube close to the thickness of the coupling & use a 6BA screw with a washer to retain the coupling,if it droops,hold the collar in the coupling & file down,repeat until you get a non drooping coupling but is free to swivel.Talking of Trix,here`s my A.H.Peppercorn converted to 3 rail.A word of caution though,although i knew that that it had a live chassis,i got caught out when i didn`t realise that the front bogie wheels were not insulated although i`d ordered all the conversion parts from the TTRCA but,youv`e guessed it,i didn`t order the insulated bogie wheels.How i got over that is another story but it runs well. A better pic of the never issued Maroon EMU & a 2EPB built from a spare EMU chassis & a pair of Dublo SD coaches.

 

                               Ray

 

[sagaguy]

1 hour ago, Wolseley said:

 

I have fitted Dublo wheels to a couple of rakes of Trix Crimson and Cream coaches and Trix Pullmans without any problems.  I never noticed the difference in diameter before (the monster flanges on the Trix wheels probably make the wheels look bigger than they are), but I just measured a Trix "steamroller" wheel and it came out as 10.3mm against Dublo's 12mm.

 

On the subject of changing wheels, I have converted three Tri-ang streamlined Coronations to 3 rail (dead easy - the tenders have the old Dublo chassis complete with mounting points for Dublo "plunger" style pickups).  The only problem I found is, that without the benefit of magnadhesion, Tri-ang locomotives of that era are rather gutless things, and can barely shift more than one or two Dublo coaches without slipping violently.  I am in the process of modifying a rake of four Dublo LMS coaches to run on Lima short axle (24.5mm I think) wheels running in Alan Gibson brass pinpoint bearings.  It's taking a while, as it involves filing some metal off the bogies and I have too many other projects on the go at the same time, but the one that I have finished rolls very freely.  Hopefully at the end of the process I will be able to have my streamlined Coronations pull a four coach train (anything longer looks a bit ridiculous on my layout, as it is only 8'x4') with ease.

I repaced the wheels on my British Trix coaches with modern Hornby coach wheels,an improvement in the free running qualities although they were excellent before.I looked into fitting pinpoint wheels into Dublo coaches using Peco brass bearings but drilling out the bogies to take them accuratly was a problem so i didn`t bother to take it any further.

 

                              Ray.

[Il Grifone]

I only ever pin-pointed a WELTROL, but IIRC I filed down the back of the brass bearing itself to fit in the Dublo axle 'bearing' (Or maybe 'waisted' bearings?) and then fitted the wheelsets on short axles. I think they are all different lengths, but were individually pinpointed to fit. It was intended as an addition to my scale collection and runs on fine wheels (Nucro/Jackson 3 hole IIRC ) and then some decent buffers to replace Dublo's puny efforts.

 

Does anyone know if the depressions in the floor above the bogies should be open framing? The only photo of the real thing I could find on the 'net that shows the top has a load of junk covering the relevant area.

 

Somehow I forgot the long wheelbase wagons before. The last two tinplate wagons were ex-GWR, an OPEN C and a MINK D. The underframe has Dean-Churchward brake gear, which is correct for these, but not the SD6 (PAS)FRUIT D that was fitted later on. There is also a double bolster wagon but this is a BR design. The solebars are rather too far apart, almost in line with the sides and painted grey just to emphasise the effect. I never bought one in my youth as I thought it awful. I've made up for it since - I now have several! One may get modified to a plate wagon (remove the bolsters and rebrand) but cutting Dublo zinc alloy is not for the faint hearted.... There is an uncommon variant with a wood load which sells at a premium - It's just a couple of pieces of wood!  {I would have expected nylon couplings however? - as can be seen, black solebars and headstocks would improve it no end)

(usual disclaimer)

  https://www.hattons.co.uk/413261/hornby_dublo_4615dublo_po_flat_goods_bolster_wagon_in_br_grey_with_timber_load_pre_owned_imperfect_box/stockdetail.aspx

Edited January 25, 2020 by Il Grifone

[Il Grifone]

There's a photo of the real thing here https://www.railwaymagazinemodelling.co.uk/2172/tmc-commissions-exclusive-plate-and-bolster-wagons/

 

The metal couplings may be a sign of an early issue seeing the blue box (2 rail should be red!)

[2996 Victor]

18 hours ago, sagaguy said:

Hi Mark,no GWR  overlays i`m afraid.If you are a member of Facebook,mosey along to the Hornby Dublo Enthusiasts page,in files ,i`ve put quite a few different overlays of Dublo nevawassas for you to download & print free of charge.As an example,the Maroon EMU overlays & the completed unit.

 

                     Ray.

 

Hi Ray,

 

Those look brilliant! I've also been over to Facebook as you suggested and I'm now a fully paid-up member of the group - certainly some good stuff on there.

 

Best regards,

 

Mark