Narrow gauge railcar

[hoovernut]

I am lucky enough to operate a 0-16.5 , 7mm layout called "Creek Gone & Rattleswick and i would like to build a railcar to operate on his layout. I have had a look around the internet but so far i have drawn a blank and wondered if anyone had an idear where to look. the layout is located somewhere on the midlands/ welsh border close to a river estuary and in the steam era. Im have thought about scratchbuilding but my skills are a bit shakey so a model kit would be better for me. thanks in advance for any guidance.

 

[Phil Traxson]

I am lucky enough to operate a 0-16.5 , 7mm layout called "Creek Gone & Rattleswick and i would like to build a railcar to operate on his layout. I have had a look around the internet but so far i have drawn a blank and wondered if anyone had an idear where to look. the layout is located somewhere on the midlands/ welsh border close to a river estuary and in the steam era. Im have thought about scratchbuilding but my skills are a bit shakey so a model kit would be better for me. thanks in advance for any guidance.

 

 

The only 0-16.5 one I know of is the Sentinel Steam railcar that I produce, see EDM Models, Port Wynnstay pages. But it is a large model even though it is based on a 2' 6" gauge prototype.

 

Phil Traxson

Port Wynnstay Models

[Oldddudders]

I am lucky enough to operate a 0-16.5 , 7mm layout called "Creek Gone & Rattleswick and i would like to build a railcar to operate on his layout. I have had a look around the internet but so far i have drawn a blank and wondered if anyone had an idear where to look. the layout is located somewhere on the midlands/ welsh border close to a river estuary and in the steam era. Im have thought about scratchbuilding but my skills are a bit shakey so a model kit would be better for me. thanks in advance for any guidance.

If you were prepared to buy RTR plastic, of a US prototype, Precision Craft Models made an On30 (same gauge) Rio Grande Southern Galloping Goose a few years back. You sometimes find one on ebay, with or without sound. Pics here http://www.us-trains.de/index.php?id=/10999/7/0/1099970205.php

 

Somewhat cheaper, Bachmann make an On30 railbus which is more often available. RMWeb advertiser NGTrains is here http://www.ngtrains.com/Pages/Bachmann/Bachmann.htm

 

Both these models - and all On30 stuff - are to 1:48 scale, not true 7mm, which is 1:43. Spot the difference!

[PhilJ W]

Do you mean by steam era it has to be steam? If not Alphagrafix produce several narrow gauge petrol/diesel railcars in 7mm scale. These are card kits that can be motorised and detailed.

[Giles]

 

Branchlines do this charming Ford Railbus.....

[Mike Bellamy]

Again promoting both EDM Models and Port Wynnstay (but not steam powered), have a look at the conversion carried out by Tim Allsop (tim@dy) to a Bachmann ON30 railcar using Port Wynnstay Festiniog 'Bug Box' coach sides to make a replacement passenger compartment and trailer. Half way down this page http://www.ngtrains.com/Pages/TVG/wigan.htm

 

You can also get a replacement passenger compartment from Mount Blue shown near the bottom of this page http://www.ngtrains.com/Pages/MountBlueModel/stock.htm

 

Steam 'era' but petrol powered example here http://www.colonelstephenssociety.co.uk/Ford%20Railmotor.html and it seems that 'Steam and Things' from Australia plan a 7mm kit http://www.steamandthings.com/fpage44.htm as well as the similar machine from Shropshire and Montgomeryshire http://www.steamandthings.com/fpage52.htm

 

Ixion Models (again from Australia) are introducing a 'Coffee-Pot' railcar as shown here http://www.ixionmodels.com/coffee_pot.htm

 

Hopefully you are now spoilt for choice

 

Mike

[Huw Griffiths]

Ixion Models (again from Australia) are introducing a 'Coffee-Pot' railcar as shown here http://www.ixionmode.../coffee_pot.htm

This model seems to be attracting a lot of interest on narrow gauge forum sites - and the shots of the test build look very good.

 

(For what it's worth, I believe the prototype was actually built in the UK!)

 

The main problem is the cost - about £250 a pop, according to one post on NGRM.

 

I know that the current issue of Narrow Gauge Down Under (#38 - July 2010) includes a load of drawings and other stuff for a freelance, shortened, On30 version, which could be adapted to fit in (for O-16.5, blow up by 111.6% on a photocopier).

 

 

Otherwise, you're probably looking at adapting US outline On30.

 

 

Backwoods Miniatures do a "Mack AC Railbus" conversion kit for the Bachmann railbus.

 

Other manufacturers offering similar kitbash fodder include Boulder Valley Models. (I quite like the look of their projected "Wandering Woodchuck" kit.)

 

Perhaps at this point, I should stress that I've never had dealings with these companies, so I don't know what they're like.

 

 

A number of American forum sites include threads describing how people have fitted cabs / bonnets from cheap diecast trucks to On30 stock - the Bachmann tramcar seems to be a favourite for this treatment.

 

I can also remember a variation on this theme, from an American "G scale" magazine about 10 years ago - fitting a cab to a RTR coach body and using a powered chassis. I've often wondered about doing this myself, but have never had the chance. If I were to get round to it, I'd probably use a Bachman On30 coach (or try to build something similar) and a cheap diesel or electric bogie chassis (something like an Underground Ernie unit might be a good candidate).

 

 

So much for what's available - and what I (or anyone else) would probably do. There are loads of options - you've really got to decide what you're happy with.

 

 

All the best,

 

Huw.

[shortliner]

It might be worth contacting http://www.gardentra.../#Announcements and inquiring if they still have any Gnomy Carriages - they had when they were at Perth - Those are very "convertable" (there was even a bus and a lorry at one time in the range) and it would be fairly easy to bash a suitable railcar from a couple to fit over a cheap USA or Underground Ernie chassis to run as On30 on 16.5mm track - a poke about on ebay may even find some.

I did an article away back in MTI about doing it - I could dig if it would be of use - PM me your email addy if you want it, and I'll hunt!

EDIT - There are some on here http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?LH_AvailTo=3&_nkw=LGB+gnomy&_arm=1&_armm=63&_ruu=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%2Fi.html%3F_nkw%3DLGB%2Bgnomy%26_arr%3D1&_rdc=1

and here

http://shop.ebay.com...-All-Categories

and here http://www.grsuk.com...t.asp?list=LGNO

video here

 

This site may be of use http://on30center.co...y/on30arts.html

[invercloy]

If you're up for a bit of scratchbuliding (it's easy when you take the plunge) then you might find some inspiration here:

http://ngrm-online.com/forum/index.php?topic=970.0

[shortliner]

Tom - you have to be a member!

[Arthur Budd]

This is a shot of the Branchlines railcar set. There are someother shots of the model on the site as well. Note this is the Railcar set and not the small Branchlines Railbus, pictures of which are also on the site.

Branchlines railcar set

 

Hope this helps

 

Arthur

[hoovernut]

thanks for all the responses people im greatful and i will have to check out the sites and see what i can come up with.

[invercloy]

Tom - you have to be a member!

 

Yes, you do... but it's worth it and there's LOADS of narrow gauge info on there that it's just easier to point interested people towards than to type out all over again!

[Greengiant]

I built this one to run on my Whiteoak Light Railway using the Bachmann railtruck chassis and the Boulder Valley Models body kit.

 

 

Martin

[Oldddudders]

I built this one to run on my Whiteoak Light Railway using the Bachmann railtruck chassis and the Boulder Valley Models body kit.

Looks lovely, and betrays very little of its RGS #1 origins. While Boulder Valley are very clearly US in outlook, some of their products do lend themselves to European use. NG was a fairly independent area of railway construction, and procurement of locos and stock was similarly original. The County Donegal railcars also bear some close scrutiny for those with the skills - or a liking for Alphagraphix!

[Bristol_Rich]

Drawings of two Hilding Carllson Railcars here...

 

http://891mm.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/hc1942.pdf

 

http://891mm.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/mv1946.pdf

[Greengiant]

These are two I have on the go at the moment.

 

First is the Port Wynstay steam railcar.

 

 

The second is the Branchlines Railbus.

 

 

And as others have said I recommend the forum at:

 

http://ngrm-online.com

 

Very active with lots of projects on the go.

 

Martin

[Mike Bellamy]

 

Port Wynnstay steam railcar.

 

 

 

Available from Port Wynnstay at ExpoNG Swanley tomorrow - just so that I don't get accused of only advertising EDM Models

 

Mike

 

Edit - they look like Phil's windows in the background as well

[Phil Traxson]

Available from Port Wynnstay at ExpoNG Swanley tomorrow - just so that I don't get accused of only advertising EDM Models

 

Mike

Edit - they look like Phil's windows in the background as well

 

Thanks Mike.

Just a warning to anyone hoping to pick a railcar up at ExpoNG tomorrow, they are 28 days from order to delivery at the moment but I do have a display model on show, and yes the windows on the left are part of my extensive range of windows.

 

Phil T.

[bertiedog]

Any body know where the Branchlines items and kits are purchased from? nothing on the net etc. are they only mail order or attend shows (which I cannot).... there appears to be a "blog" on the net, but it's two years out of date

Stephen.

[Greengiant]

Any body know where the Branchlines items and kits are purchased from? nothing on the net etc. are they only mail order or attend shows (which I cannot).... there appears to be a "blog" on the net, but it's two years out of date

Stephen.

 

sales@branchlines.com

Tel: 01373 822231

 

Hours Mon-Thursday 9.30-1pm and 2-6pm

 

Martin

[JeremyC]

It might be worth contacting http://www.gardentra.../#Announcements and inquiring if they still have any Gnomy Carriages - they had when they were at Perth - Those are very "convertable" (there was even a bus and a lorry at one time in the range) and it would be fairly easy to bash a suitable railcar from a couple to fit over a cheap USA or Underground Ernie chassis to run as On30 on 16.5mm track - a poke about on ebay may even find some.

I did an article away back in MTI about doing it - I could dig if it would be of use - PM me your email addy if you want it, and I'll hunt!

EDIT - There are some on here http://shop.ebay.co...._arr%3D1&_rdc=1

and here

http://shop.ebay.com...-All-Categories

and here http://www.grsuk.com...t.asp?list=LGNO

video here

 

This site may be of use http://on30center.co...y/on30arts.html

 

Below is a picture of a railbus I built from two Gnomy Trams recovered after my sons had finished with them. An end was cut off each one and the two bodies joined together. The roof mounted radiators were made up from the ends of the roof clerestories. Power in this case is an ancient Ks tender drive, which actually runs very well.

 

The photo was taken on the Edinburgh & Lothians MRC's Talybont layout.

 

Railbus built from Gnomy Trams

 

Jeremy

[Mike Bellamy]

Ixion Models (again from Australia) are introducing a 'Coffee-Pot' railcar as shown here http://www.ixionmodels.com/coffee_pot.htm

 

 

The Ixion South Australia Coffee Pot is now available and was on display at the NEC today

 

Details here http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/25782-ixion-coffee-pot-now-available/

 

Mike

[Wheeltapper]

This model seems to be attracting a lot of interest on narrow gauge forum sites - and the shots of the test build look very good.

 

(For what it's worth, I believe the prototype was actually built in the UK!)

 

.

 

I think the prototype was built by the Birmingham Carriage and Wagon Works .

 

There have been kits for Irish and IOM railcars - ok I know they are different gauges but it may be possible to use parts for a freelance construction job. I once saw a K 's LMS Rail Bus kit converted to narrowgauge and that looked quite good.. Do any of the Japanese manufacturers produce anything suitable ?

[Mike Bellamy]

I think the prototype was built by the Birmingham Carriage and Wagon Works .

 

Half right They built the carriage half but all the mechanical and steam bits at the front end came from Kitsons

 

Copied below from the Ixion web site http://www.ixionmodels.com/news.htm

 

 

The “Coffee Pot†was built in England by the Kitson & Company in Leeds, and the Metropolitan Amalgamated Railway Carriage and Wagon Co in Birmingham, in 1905. It was built to 3’6†gauge and entered service with the South Australian Railways in 1906. It was transferred to Commonwealth Railways ownership in 1921, and was withdrawn in 1932. After being displayed at Alice Springs, the “Coffee Pot†was restored, and survives in active preservation on the Pichi Richi Railway in South Australia. It is currently undergoing boiler restoration before being returned to service.

 

 

Mike