Hoddy

N gauge Bachmann USRA 2-6-6-2 chassis required for narrow gauge project. Body not needed.

Hi Rob I am trying to locate some Decauville track in 009 but with out success. I require it to complete an item of WW1 French Artillery rolling stock. A rail carrier wagon. This is two Pechot bolster bogies that have a stack of Decauville portable track on their bolsters, as shown in Dr Christain Cenac's book. As 009 track is too deep to look in scale (Code 80 plus the plastic sleeper), I have come to the conclusion that I will have to fabricate the track panels. The Decauville track was flat botton 60mm wide and 60mm high scaled down to 009 it would be about code 30 and I need about 1.5 metres to fabricate a stack of 20 rail panels. Code 30 rail track is not flat bottom but Code 40 is flat bottom rail track and available from two places 1) British Finescale £19 for 10 metres plus £6.50 for shipping 2) The 2mm scale association. £3 for 10 metres but you have to be a member The Decauville track would not be functional so Code 40 rail track with shaped flat brass sleepers soldered to it would look in scale and meet my needs. If you are modelling WDLR kit and want the track useable The WDLR straight track panels were 5 metres long and the sleepers were square ended. A copper clad piece of PCB to the sleeper dimensions and soldered to code 80 rail track should be simple enough to do. A cut through the copper cladding between the rails to insulate them and you can lay them, same as normal commercial track, after painting them. James

Hi Although the Simplex 20hp tractor was the most common tractor used by the WDLR it is the most difficult to build. The Nigel Lawton kit contains the chassis and the body and it is small and not one for novices. The chassis is particularly difficult to get running although Nigel does offer a 'get you running' service for a fee. The Simplex 40hp tractor came in three versions 'Open', 'Protected' and 'Armoured' and there is still a white metal kit available for it by Mosskito narrow gauge although currently out of stock. Also there is a bespoke chassis kit available for the tractor by the same supplier. The chassis requires soldering but I have assembled the body with Araldite. The kit is for the 'Protected' and 'Armoured' versions, either can be built from the kit but the 'Open' version needs careful cutting of the side panels and fabricating of the engine cover and drivers seat, radiator screen and the motor. You will need also to acquire one of the small roco diesels for a chassis (perhaps too complicated for a first build, stick to the 'Protected' or 'Armoured'). Link below https://shop.narrowplanet.co.uk/collections/mosskito-narrow-gauge The other option, that is, if you like 3D printed stuff is Simon Dawson's kits from Shapeways both the Simplex 20hp and 40hp. Don't forget to click on the 1/76 triangle if you are doing 009. Here is the link http://www.rue-d-etropal.com/3D-printing/3d_printed_trains1.htm Of course aquiring a Simplex is the first step, you will also need rolling stock. Simon's site also has a good selection but you will need to source wheel sets and couplings. Here is the link http://www.rue-d-etropal.com/3D-printing/3d_printed_trains2.htm That said most of my rolling stock came from Dundas Link https://dundasmodels.co.uk/webstore/index.php Regards James