rue_d_etropal

photos I have seen made me thing the green was actually paler, or maybe that was light shining. Trouble is that without suitable coaches in LSWR livery it will either have to run as preserved, or pulling wagons. Any way, I wonder if they have considered another version. One was bought by the army and used at Longmoor, and whilst there was modified at Swindon, with typical GWR safety valve cover! If it was also in Longmoor blue livery it would make an interesting colour alternative.It ran on olther army lines, but no mention of livery. Quite a few Longmoor locos could be(and some have been) done from r2r locos,

For USA theme there are loads of laser cut kits designed for wargamers. Mind you you don't have to model American to get big locos on 2ft gauge. Look at the Decauville Mallet 0660 which were used in Morocco, and one even returned to France and was converted to a tank engine. It was one of the locos on my list to design for 3D printing. I suspect I won't be building a working model that soon, as the chassis is tricky. Also my interest in 5.5 is mainly metre gauge(squeezing it onto 16.5mm gauge track). I am building something in 1/19th though(SM32) but will be WW1 themed, but probably get away with a simplified chassis for that. For small scales, even 5.5mm/ft, tender drive might be an option.

for all those who critisise ebay, please stop. if you don't want to use it don't, but it provides a good service for those who have bought too much and now need to sell off excess. In the past I would take stuff to model shops, and price you would get was very little. That I think might have changed, just check out pre-owned at Hattons. Any auction is based on supply and demand. Get two people who really want something and price goes up. Simple, and ebay is just an easier(and cheaper) way to sell. There are some rogues , but you will find them everywhere. I have more problems with people who think they are right, and because you can get free postage from China, everyone here should cut costs of postage(ebay now take a commission based on total price including postage, and not everyone has a post office near by). Once something is posted, it is out of my control, but I still get grumbles from those who don't understand the system. Ebay used to charge an insert fee for everything, unless it was only 99p, but they found far too much stuff went too cheaply and they were not making enough money. They then introduced free insertion but upped the commission , so prices got were higher, and often more realistic, and everyone was happy except the moaners who never are.

nice. Was talking to friend about the real loco. Not sure what colour it is in now, but I think there is more interest in these locos now. As for HO . Bachmann tried to go other way and had their OO 280 Austerity in Dutch livery. It was not popular, but I think there would be a market for other HO WW2 locos, in particular all the Austerities, 2-8-0, 2-10-0 and 0-6-0, as well as the Stanier 8F. Then of course the Deans Goods loco, especially as it as 'exported' in WW1 and WW2. I suspect many will be tempted by the planned loco from ROCO S160 in HO . For military modellers, OO/EM/P4 is nearer to 1/72 scale. Luckily we do have the Jouef/Rivarossi/Hornby HO version of the USA tank, although it is in original condition. To add to the controversy over HO versus OO gauges. The old Greenley book I have has a picture of an American OO model which is 19mm gauge!

It would be nice to see a printed template. Product number does not give any clue to whether it is Electrofrog, Insulfrog or new Unifrog.

in the final days of GEM, or certainly when they still had a stall at Manchester exhibition, I was told they had planned to develop a 3ft gauge range in 5.5mm/ft, as it was spot on for 16.5mm gauge. Unfortunately the advancing OO9 killed off interest, so the project was dropped.

Echo that, good to find 5.5mm here. My interest is more with metre gauge, which is close enough to 3ft to enable me to use HO and OO track and mechanisms. Having said that I did resize my 3D printed WW1 models to 5.5mm/ft, but don't plan to build anything, except possible a short line alongside the metre gauge. Using 9mm gauge to represent 18in or 50cm gauge is something I am considering as N gauge mechanisms are readily available very cheaply. One thing that tempted me to the scale was the availability of very near to scale models from wargaming companies for 28mm . Not true scale, but some useful items I have bought ready for when I actually start on layout.

For anyone modelling OO9 the future is very bright. Bachmann have obviously realised this and with help from Peco are producing some very interesting models. Expect to see more of those so called 'rabbit warren' layouts at exhibitions, and probably comments from narrow gauge purists on that.

The Bachmann Thomas derived loco did continue after the other Junior locos were introduced.It was sometimes in the Junior trainset.The new locos were far superior, but still basic and cheap, and at least you could take bodies off the chassis easily. . I think Bachmann have now dropped the Junior range.

Some of the OO models definitely originate from Mainline range, eg the LMS bogie coach. Possibly either modified molds or molds which are now not suitable for proper range. This would explain crude molding on wagon. The first two locos, Thomas and Percy, were definitely modified into 'proper' locos, so no problem with licensing there. Maybe as a brand new range the OO9 ones have had all the dots dotted and t's crossed , so they can't be modified. Same might have happened for the later OO models. Just wish Hornby would drop their models, as the only one that was really of any use for 16.5mm gauge narrow gauge was the Bill/Ben chassis, which is currently not available, and the license be given to Bachmann. It is not as though the models can not be bought in UK. Only thing is Bachmann would probably then up the prices. As modellers, we can see our way round these little problems, so rocking the boat is not necessarily a good idea.

Daniel, The NGRM might be worth signing up for, but i don't sign up for anything I can't see, although I think it as viewable without logging in initially. I also think to encourage more narrow gauge modelling it needs to be viewable. Then when it looks OK, and someone feels comfortable with joining they can. I also prefer to talk to more than just a relatively few people who are already narrow gauge fans. Much of what I do and talk about is useful beyond narrow gauge. As for the TR locos being measured up, it has also been suggested it was not actually Bachmann.Possibly could have been a company contracted to measure up. I think the comments about licensing for molds is correct. Just been looking at the OO range, and some of those models would transfer to 'proper' models easily especially the 6 wheel, and 4 wheel coaches. Much is fom old Mainline molds, but surprised they have not done a proper GER tram loco. Again they might not be permitted to change design, although it did not stop them with the Thomas and Percy locos.

The original Triang clerestory coaches were used by many well known modellers at the time, and can easily be adapted for railways other than GWR. Sometimes wonder why Trianf and Hornb have only produced them in very limited number of liveries, but the far too short 4 wheeler has been produced in far more. This can be further extended by fitting an alternative non clestory roof. Interestingly the Wild West coach Triang produced was same length and its clerestory roof offers another version. Now for a better short coach the Bachmann Thomas range 6 wheel clerestory coach has a lot of potential. For all those purists, a very small minority compared to the vast majority in the hobby, man of which buy wonderfully detailed pre-grouping locos but have no coaches in suitable livery to run behind them, then producing or repainting these clerestory coaches in a range of pre-grouping liveries would be popular, If only Hornby had designed their longer clerestory coach with moulded detail, not printed. Another option is the panels sided version of the Mk1 coach originally produced for the Caledonian single wheeler. It would not be that difficult to replace bogies and change underframe detail if you want. Personally I prefer the short clerestories because they are short so can make a layout look less crowded so looking bigger. I have noticed that prices for old Triang and Hornby versions of the clerestory coach vary in price a lot.

Just a pity you have to log in to see anything on NGRM. Sorry but to get better publicity for narrow gauge modelling make it viewable without being a member. I have noticed number of people posting to online forums has gone down over past few years, so making it more difficult does not help. On the Bachmann models, I have been told most of the Talyllyn locos were measured up. Also from what I have seen, it is not that difficult to convert them to more realistic models. Given costs these days, much better to have something that works very well at a reasonable price than nothing, and looking at prices Bachmann are charging for well detailed OO models, I think they have got it right for OO9. Peco have come up trumps as well. I don't model OO9 at the moment, but anything narrow gauge is a good thing for the hobby. Not everyone wants to run Flying Scotsman or has the room to do it justice.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but an alternative might be the Caillet system, as featured in latest special from Narrow Gauge Society. Although normally human/animal powered, there is a drawing of a proposed loco, and the system was tried out in Britain.

as long as there are enough people to buy something then it should be commercially viable. That is still the case even for items that interest a very small percentage of modellers, and most OO modellers are happy with code 100 flat bottomed and HO spaced sleepers. In fact most are so happy, you don't tend to hear them, so they get ignored. The shift from coarse to finer scale rail has been over a longish period, and is very gradual. Interesting just had a look in Don Boreham's book about narrow gauge modelling, and he makes a comment about spiked finer rail causing problems with wheel, and the benefits of paxolin strip then becoming easier to get hold of. Much has changed since he wrote those words but I think having trains that actually work properly is most important thing, unless you just want something to look pretty on a shelf. On the subject of OO standards, it is worth while looking at some of Greenley's writings. I do remember noticing that OO in America was being pushed as 19mm gauge. What really bugs me is that given OO is 2mm+ under width that the wheels are more rigid so models require larger radius curves, and this can make a trainset type layout, which traditionally was how most of us started, just too big for many homes. I have seen old Fleischmann tender locos happily going round tighter curves. It is OK providing something for the very small minority of people wanting it, as long as it is sustainable for that company. Will be interesting to see what take up of this new track there is. Still think r2r EM gauge would have more potential, as it is close to broader gauges in HO, so covers two different markets for one price of development. Then again Peco should, I hope, have done the research and not just listened to the noisy few.

the original Bachmann model with twin motors would have been easier to modify, but would not be easy to convert to DCC. Just wondering if some of the Bachmann tram chassis might fit.

Modifying the model as it is not beyond average modelling skill, and therefore better all round as is. Did I not read that the cab was a separate piece, so a new cab with detail could easily be produced like the other 3d printed parts. Bachmann know people use their models as basis for others, and might actually build in features to make them more attractive for this. The Underground Ernie range was DCC ready, which some marketing person might have seen as a potential bonus, but I think main reason was that one of the team involved saw the potential as they were a DCC narrow gauge modeller. Sadly the person is no longer around to ask. The original Bachmann Thomas and Percy locos were also released as 'proper' locos, so obviously no legal problems there. They were part of first DCC set, which I tried out. Neither were that well designed as chassis and body could not be split easily. Bachmann then went on to produce the much better designed, but still very basic saddle tank and diesel locos in their Junior range. not sure if it has been mentioned but I did notice a second OO9 loco in Bachmann USA catalogue.

if it had been a crash with a lorry it was not have had as much news attention.

Brian, nice photo of Milan .Is that metre gauge, as it does nook narrower than standard. Would be a nice challenge to build that layout, with points and crossings.

It is all very interesting, but i still find many don't understand the retail market fully. An average model shop has to make a very large investment in stock to open, and it is not surprising many shops close when the owners retire. I have suggested over past few years that groups of modellers should club together and open a shop. It is now easier with crowdfunding. This might just result in more real model shops. The alternative is either no shops, having to deal directly with manufacturers or wholesalers., or more 'home based' businesses at exhibitions. When it comes to comparing running costs, there is a lot to consider. Location in even a small town can mean big differences in rental cost, and to be fair, we modellers are not that fussy about location . Obviously a nice clean shop helps. I could rent a small , fully enclosed indoor unit from my council in market hall, for about £40 per week. Not much room for storage, but that could be solved easily. Oh, that includes business rates and all services. The big cost would be the stock. I think that some who trade from home, could actually find this a worthwhile option to take, but they do need to have the money to buy the stock. Many councils have similar deals as they often have difficulty getting tenants. I think railway modellers would find such a shop very hand, and trade is not as dependent on passing trade. If I had the cash, and was a few years younger, I might be tempted myself, having run a shop before. As for Hornby, maybe current situation explains what is happening with their international range online. Since finding it, I have been checking it daily, and today noticed some prices had been cut by a good amount, tempting me.

Colin, I keep raising the question of drawings , In fact Chris Leigh made the point that finding anyone to do them was the big problem these days. Many of us remember one of the best features of Model Railway Constructor was the scale drawings. As my main interest has been in French railways, I have subscribed to the French magazine Voie Libre for many years . It is a specialist spin off from Loco Revue (often thought of as the equivalent of Railway Modeller in France). Unfortunately Voie Libre is only a quarterly magazine, but each copy has equivalent of 8 pages of scale drawings(I have to think as it is folded over, and to get to inside pages you have to unstaple it) . They are lucky to have someone who can do scale drawings on the team. Voie Libre now has both French and English language versions,, and does not restrict itself to French prototypes, although most of the drawings are French prototypes. There is normally a review of the Swanley narrow gauge exhibition, and it has a mix of articles about railways from different parts of the world. As far as I know, no-one has complained about there being non-French railway articles. I also subscribe to Continental Modeller, and that quite often has scale drawings(but is dependent on contributors supplying them). I would rather there was a combined CM and RM, but can understand why not, given how some readers think. There has been a long running series of articles on building models of buildings, and not detracting from some of the UK modellers, the articles are far better produced. Just a pity that because some prefer foreign stuff to be somewhere else that only way to get them is to buy a 'foreign interest' magazine. The only improvement might actually be some scale drawings of the buildings, but then you can't have everything.

John, I assume that if you are a subscriber, you have access to the online version, and I would be concerned if that was water damaged! Concerning scale plans of layouts, that is probably dependent on the writer of the article. Not everyone is as good at doing plans as others, and the ones I suppl for exhibitions are usually very basic.I would suggest to anyone who has a layout, to produce a detailed plan themselves. I would think that some plans are done as part of the design phase of a layout, but as many of us know, we don't all keep to the plan and modify things when we find out an alternative idea is better. It does not bother me too much that scale plans of layouts are not included, I am far more interested in scale drawings of railway related items, and there are far fewer of those these days.

With reference to the quality control comment, I don't think it actually means that, but as a result of some people wanting even more detail on models, and therefore costs going up a lot, the only way a manufacturer can reduce cost is to sacrifice a bit of quality control. So in a round about way it is the consumer's fault as they want something better but at the same time don't want to pay the full price for the upgrade, so they get a compromise. If a consumer is prepared to accept fewer bells and whistles(odd that term should have more relevance here), then it should be possible to put better quality control into the product, so that it might not quite as good looking, but at least it works. I think that if this had been done then there would be fewer problems with models, and possibly more arriving in shops, rather than waiting years for a new model to be designed. Current models might be near professional built quality in design, but to get them to professional build quality , it is necessary to pay a lot more. I know many grumble at high prices now, but they got what they asked for. For me what Mainline was producing 30 years ago was actually good enough, just let down by poor motor design. If you wanted extra detail, then as a modeller(not a collector) you could add the details. One of the models from that time is one of my favorite locos, the Collett Goods. When it was last in production, retail price was about £65 , and that was only a couple of years ago. Detail had improved over the years, even the motor was better than original, but it was not DCC ready. Now it is to be re-released, I presume now DCC ready, and body is same I presume, but rrp is now over £100. Is that progress?

Got latest issue today. As usual an excellent magazine with a good article about the health benefits of the hobby. Again showing they are thinking outside the box, something far too many in the hobby don't do. In the article it does say the writer had tried to get the attention of experts investigating dementia etc, but no joy. Trouble I think is the commonly felt opinion that we are just a bunch of overgrown spotty teenage train spotters, none of which apply to me, although I was once a teenager, did have some spots, but was never a train spotter. So model railways can now not only be seen as art, but are also good for our health. Wonder if i could get it on prescription. Thing is we tend to do things ourselves, not ask for funding, although sponsorship from companies is always welcome, but more importantly we are not helping some consultant up the career ladder, or even worse helping politicians get to where they want to be. I know this is late, link to contents list might be useful. It is very useful when Chris Leigh does it for Model Rail, so if OK for one, OK for all http://www.pecopublications.co.uk/Railway-Modeller-April-2016.html Just a pity the link stops working when next magazine is issued.

I would suggest anything that has not been done in past 30 years. As modellers it is not that difficult to modify most locos if it actually bothers you. That is why I am not so happy about Deans Goods loco, the GWR Metro tank in various versions would be a better one. Another would be a GER/LNER E4 2-4-0 loco. GER livery would be colourful enough for display only people. Instead of the Mk 3 coaches I would suggest any pre-prouping coaches, possibly generic so could be produced in various liveries. So many pre-grouping locos and nothing to pull.