RateTheFreight

Afternoon all, hopefully this is the right part of the forum to ask this. I’ve been keen for some time to purchase a US O gauge (scale) starter set of the type Lionel produce with a view to creating a small (think 5 x 3 or 6 x 4) layout (think Christmas style layouts). They don’t look prototypical given the small space and large locos round tight curves but there’s something about them that’s appealing! What would I need to purchase in order to be able to run this set in the UK? I’m guessing the loco is AC so I’d need some kind of converter o DC and an adapter for the US plug? Any help greatly appreciated. Greg

Hello, I’ve seen a few US YouTube reviewers (notably Eric’s Trains) review Menards O scale box cars which are more coarse scale than anything but exactly what I’m interested in. They also seem great value. Does anyone know whether Menards (they seem to be some kind of department store) ship to the UK or anyone in the UK who imports them? It’s an ever growing frustration that there seems to be no one in the UK who imports MTH/Lionel etc especially the modern replica pieces akin to our British coarse scale tin plate. eBay has some offerings but the shipping costs often seem vague and expensive! Any leads welcome. gregory

What a fantastic picture that evokes so much about the era. It was alas well before my time but I wish I’d been able to see it in person. It’s sad in many ways that I never got to see they heyday of the big department stores; most of those left when I was growing up in the late 80’s/early 90’s were a shadow of their former self. My dad did manage to purchase the entire G scale stock of the old department store in Solihull though! There was a fascinating article in the US magazine ‘Classic Toy Trains’ recently about the big layout in one of New York’s department stores. Fantastic stuff!

Evening all, is anyone one aware or a manufacturer who produces RTR Swiss railcars or ‘triebwagons’ such as the De 4/4’s that operated on the Montreux - Oberland - Bernois railway or the Abe 4/4’s? At this stage I’d be interested in any kind of railcar available so welcome any tips. thanks G

Evening all, Does anyone have any images or maps that show the layout of the rail sidings at Chance & Hunts old Oldbury works? I believe there might have been something similar at Wednesdbury too. Thanks in advance. G

Thanks Graham, I’m hoping that means they’d also be at ok on first radius curves? I’m trying to fit the smallest roundy roundy I can get with a siding. They look right at home on your stunning layout! Greg

What’s the minimum radius for these delightful little locos? Greg

Great thread! The Blackstone models look and sound incredible albeit I’d hope so for the asking price. Will they operate on Peco 009 track? (Or Kato n scale if required). Do you know what the minimum radius is for them? Does anyone sell them in the UK? Out of interest, does any other manufacturer sell HON3 models such as these that are a bit more basic/easier on the wallet? I hadn’t realised fruit growing was prevalent in Colorado! Greg

The KFAs had been for tyre turning. G

Think it’s either a route learner or positioning move for later in the week. G

Afternoon all, hopefully a simple question to resolve. Bachmann are adding a couple of variations to their ex WD wagons in oo9 and the ones that principally caught my eye were the ‘express dairy’ van and ICI wagon. Are these liveries based on a historical prototype or are they a flight of historical fancy? Greg

Thanks for the info Colin. Is there any info on why the Baldwin’s weren’t a success at the Penrhyn? Greg

I think I’m going to go down the Kato route in the short term as I have a lot of it. Has anyone tried running the Manning Wardles through Kato points? greg

These look stunning. If I was wavering whether to move properly into OO9 and build a proper layout I’m not wavering anymore! Will these look out of place/scale (I’m not a purist so it’s not essential) if run with the Bachmann WD Baldwin’s? I’m guessing we’re looking at 2020 though before they appear in the shops? Greg

Morning all, I’d been watching some YouTube footage of the Swiss RhB Allegra units (they look attractive imho) and there were some clips of a unit in its 3 car formation hauling a number of freight wagons. Is this a regular occurance and if so what’s the reasoning behind it as opposed to running a dedicated freight service? Or is it more about limited freight volumes? Either way these EMUs seem to be very flexible as I’ve seen footage of them hauling coaching stock too. Thanks in advance. Greg

Evening all, I’ve only just noticed (for want of ever looking properly or realising that they produced them) that Bachmann produced a range of HO scale trams based on the Hong Kong prototype. Sadly it seems I’m well and truly late to the party on these as they seem rather rare with even eBay seemingly not having any. Is anyone aware of any retailers who might have one in stock or another source? As a side, were the models any good? Greg

Thanks for the info, as always I bow to your railway knowledge; very impressive! The more I’ve looked up about the Eaton Hall railway the more interesting it sounds in that it appears to have been commissioned to provide a real service to the estate, I.e. the linking of the mainline railway station to the estate, the movement of goods and stores to the estate and so forth in addition to providing a pleasant means to view the gardens. I saw ‘Berger Hall’ at Warley recently and loved what the owner had done wth it and how the railway looked perfect within the landscape, particularly the section with the small engine shed. The layout was minimal size too which is always attractive to the space starved modeller. Greg

Thanks Kevin, I’d read the Lincolnshire Potatoe Railway book preciously which made an interesting read. Out of interest, with regards to Heywood’s 15inch Railways, were they a hobby or served a formal purpose, ie used to move gardening materials around the estate and so forth? Greg

Hi all, I’m after some advice on the best books out there centred on estate Railways. My interest would tend to be towards the miniature Gauge stuff (think Heywood and 15inch) Railways and their stock, layout, pictures etc but am open to suggestions. Thanks in advance. Greg

Thanks for the detailed reply; you’ve given me the confidence to have a go! Greg

How difficult are Smallbrook’s GN15 loco and wagon kits to assemble? I’m interested in purchasing some but have minimal modelling skills. That being said I like the idea of building something, painting it, adding my own touches etc? I’ve got a number of spare ‘Smokey Joe’ chassis to use too. Greg

The sale doesn’t have anything to do with a withdrawal from the commercial freight market; Colas have long term commercial contracts in addition to SCO work in CP6 and the remaining IM work. Most FOCs (except DBC) lease their locos as there are a number of benefits to doing so. So from someone who actually knows, this doesn’t spell the end of Colas, it’s plans to keep running commercial freight or anything else. Unfortunately that won’t stop those who don’t know the full picture speculating but it is what it is. G

We’re all good now. Despite lack of instructions and it being incredibly fiddly it all works now. Cheers G

Afternoon all, Hoping this is a real simple question to answer. I purchased the Graham Farish ‘Highlander’ DCC train set and have gone to set it up to have a quick play only to be stumped at the first hurdle. The track clips provided for the EZ command controller don’t seem to logically connect anywhere on the track. Unhelpfully the DCC guide contained within the set is aimed at the OO Gauge market and the standard OO Gauge track clips. I’m probably missing something really obvious! Anyone have any ideas? Pic of the clips below. Greg

Thanks all that’s really positive news! I’ll get experimenting with layouts this weekend. Greg