RMweb Gold john new Posted May 15, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 15, 2011 Hopefully dropped into correct forum area - please move if not. I am thinking of using the engine hood part of the body of one of these to make a freelance miniature railway style diesel shunter for an O9 layout. I do have a query though, however stretched and manipulated the Matchbox model body is, was it based even loosely on anything actually made? I ask as my knowledge of non-UK diesel shunter prototypes is limited. It looks like it will mount fairly easily over the Mintrix BR livery (but no British prototype) N Gauge shunter. New cab needed for certain but the hood doesn't look too bad. Edit (1) - photo link added retrospectively - Not got a photo of mine on line but this is a link to one online already http://www.toymart-s...--ab-2354-p.asp Edit 2 - The N gauge shunter may be a Lima one not Minitrix. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
industrial Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Is it possible to see a photo of it so we know what you are talking about. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
halfwit Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 I've always thought that it was a copy of the old Tri-ang Dock Shunter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john new Posted May 15, 2011 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 15, 2011 Paul I wondered if it was just based on the dock shunter model too. unnamed person, pseudonym = industrial A google search for matchbox shunter brings up many, many links and photos. Not got a photo of mine on line but this is a link to one online already http://www.toymart-store.co.uk/matchbox-1-75-24e-diesel-shunter---ab-2354-p.asp Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 (edited) Is it possible to see a photo of it so we know what you are talking about. http://www.matchbox1-75.com/images/shunter_blister.jpg Edited May 15, 2011 by Andy Y Hotlinked imaged changed to link to comply with copyright rules. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john new Posted May 15, 2011 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 15, 2011 I deliberately DID NOT add the photo earlier only a link - see the forum notes about copyright on images. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BernardTPM Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 The Tri-ang dock shunter was loosely based on a Bagnall, but while the Matchbox does bear some visual relationship to the Tri-ang model there are sugnificant differences, such as the angled front to the cab (found on some Rustons, but otherwise not very Ruston!), that make it quite unlike a Bagnall. I'm pretty sure it's entirely freelance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john new Posted May 15, 2011 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 15, 2011 (edited) I have been looking around today on-line at the photos of 0-4-0 diesel shunters I could find to see if I could spot anything remotely like it, or references connecting the model with a prototype, and failed with anything specific on both counts. Therefore I have now come to the conclusion it probably is a totally freelance item, unlike their GWR style pannier tank from the same range, albeit with some resemblance to real items. However that said I have also been through my own photo archive and as well as the sloping cab windows on Ruston's mentioned by BernardTPM in the post above Barclay used the raking window style too. The two photos of mine below are of 0-4-0 Barclay's seen at Dunster (West Somerset Rly) back in 2007 and there are some common elements. Although clearly these Barclay designs are not the prototype for the Matchbox model they give some credibility to the sloping window cab style and other design elements. So as it was used by two builders I may retain that raked window feature now in the conversion job. Also note that although on the real Barclay in the upper picture there is a set of steps below the cab doors (missed off the Matchbox) there is also the off-set rear end set present as per the Matchbox model, so that having a rear end set on the model isn't wrong placement, although at first glance it looks it, it is the other set that Matchbox left off. That they copied design elements from the Tri-ang dock shunter also has some credibility as the 3rd loco in the range looks very like the Tri-ang Nellie/Polly/Connie model. (Who owned the Matchbox range in that time frame?) Thanks also chaps for the answers above, forgot to add that earlier. (Posted edited after original posting - John) Edited November 6, 2022 by john new Photos found and replaced post crash. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john new Posted October 25, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted October 25, 2019 (edited) The above project was not progressed at the time as the layout build it was meant for got put on hold. This blog post though marrying the Matchbox shunter to a Bachman Underground Ernie maintenance unit chassis looks interesting. For copyright reasons only a link is added. link = https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blogs/entry/18275-mb-24-no-5-matchbox-Bachmann/ Edited October 25, 2019 by john new Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctor quinn Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 The way that only the front cab windows slope rather than front and back along with a front hood but nothing at the back reminds me of a Danish Pedershab tractor. 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john new Posted October 25, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted October 25, 2019 2 minutes ago, doctor quinn said: The way that only the front cab windows slope rather than front and back along with a front hood but nothing at the back reminds me of a Danish Pedershab tractor. Not seen one of those before. Interesting prototype to ponder on. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 That looks like either an 'O' seris Bedford, or an Austin K cab.. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 Sloping cab? It has a bit of a look of a Ruston PWM. Never noticed that before. I've still got one of these somewhere. Photo Wiki Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:5182373440_PWM.jpg Jason 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted October 26, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 26, 2019 Radyr PAD. These were diesel electric locos which could be hauled dead to relaying sites at up to 40mph at weekends. I remember 651 in this condition, faded green livery with double arrows. Radyr PAD also had a self propelled 15 ton Booth diesel crane which could also be hauled dead to relaying sites; a very close approximation of this can be had from the Dapol/Kitmaster plastic construction kit mounted on an LNER 8-wheeled tender chassis, which fits as if it was designed for it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobjUK Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 There is also an 0-4-0 Ruston-Hornsby with a sloping cab, quite similar to the PWM in the earlier post See the second photo in this link: http://ukrailways1970tilltoday.me.uk/Lincolnshire_Wolds_Railway_2011_three.html?LMCL=PJgmpN Still differently proportioned to the matchbox one though. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john new Posted October 26, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted October 26, 2019 That last one sets the thought process churning - chop and stick two of the Matchbox bodies together to fit over one of the Hornby 0-4-0 chassis. It would still be freelance but something different. Given the weight of the mazak castings it should have some good haulage weight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan's Goldfish Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 Typical, can't find the picture now, but did once see an image of a Matchbox shunter that had been converted to HOm and was being used to shunt modern Swiss carriages. Very convincing it was too. I've got a few spare metal versions of the Matchbox 'model', if I ever get a suitable 12mm gauge chassis it's one I'd like to try myself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 On 25/10/2019 at 23:28, Steamport Southport said: Sloping cab? It has a bit of a look of a Ruston PWM. Never noticed that before. I've still got one of these somewhere. Photo Wiki Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:5182373440_PWM.jpg Jason Been there ! . Driven that ! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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