CarriageShed

See Post No 6.

I think someone's beaten you to it on another forum: http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=18191.0

You didn't specify scale (or restrict it to one scale) so I'll go for any Drummond 4-4-0 in N gauge, something that can run on a Union Mills T9 chassis even if the wheels may be a little inaccurate for the 3D body (it's still better than not having it at all). Let's start with a Class L12 which uses pretty much the same wheel sizes on the chassis underneath it. I guess that, if an N version is being produced, then it's just as easy to produce a larger version too (or primarily) and then shrink down/scale up. Scale need not apply to votes.

Also keep an eye out for spares appearing on a well-known internet auction site. It may take time but something's bound to appear eventually.

I certainly will give it a go... and I'll be more surprised than anyone if it works!

More than you'd probably think, with Gareth Collier being one of the leaders in this field. I model the grouping period but in 1929/1930, which means that most of my stock needs top be pre-grouping. I'm going to have to get the Class C loco in Bulleid black and have it lined so that it matches the early SR goods livery. At least it doesn't need to be repainted into Maunsell green!

I know, but the intended emphasis was on 'us mere mortals'.

And now us mere mortals also have to have a hack at producing one in N...!

It seems to me as a non-3D printer myself that the market is crying out for a small but flexible UK-based version of Shapeways.

Oh well, it was worth a try. I think this little lovely is going to have to go back on the market. Perhaps an early BR-era will be able to make more of it. Thanks for your help

Thanks for such a quick spot. What a shame, though. Even if the details were right, it's not remotely correct for my needs. Could it be altered to fit something similar, do you think? (And it would be handy if I could actually spell 'identification' in the title...)

I've just picked up this GWR van. The model is N gauge but as I'm not generally a GWR modeller I need some help in identifying it, please. The roof vents and roof shape seem to be quite distinctive, so much so that I can at least be sure that it's not a late-GWR Fruit D. Unfortunately that's as far as I've been able to get with an internet browse... 1) Can anyone with the appropriate books and/or knowledge identify the real life van, diagram number, year of manufacture, running numbers, etc? 2) Can you tell me how it would have looked in 1929/1930 (the period I'm modelling)? All help very gratefully appreciated. Peter

Hi Jerry You can get 2mm/N S&D loco decals from Railtec. They'll be much more suitable for this lovely loco. Peter

If you're up to scratchbuilding then there's a 3D-printed Class F/F1/B1 in development. Just add chassis and motor to run.

It's pretty hard work to work out how to get unavailable loco classes in N, never mind actually doing the work itself. I'm only a beginner at this but I've recently worked out in theory how to attach a Union Mills T9 motorised tender to a Fleischmann loco chassis sitting under a Langley S15 body to get an S15 with a watercart tender (there's more needed in that description but it's already too long). Now I'm encouraged to theorise about other mismatches to get fresh classes. The Union Mills T9 itself is rather nice when detailed (rather basically by me for N gauge use here, but the lining which was done by a friend really makes it look the part): Now I'm wondering if a UM tender drive and T9 tender body wouldn't be a good idea to power a Farish 4-4-0 chassis with a 3D L12 print on top. I'm guessing that the biggest problem area would be getting the wheels to pick up power from one side only to suit the tender motor's pick-up requirements...? And apologies for seemingly hijacking the thread. I'm constantly amazed and impressed (not to mention jealous) by anyone who can successfully hack an RTR loco into a new class, so you've piqued my interest. Peter

Drummond's Bug is already available as a 3D print on Shapeways, but I'd certainly see some more Drummond loco types available (in N).

Absolutely beautiful. If only that were available in N gauge for those of us with less modelling ability and time. I wonder if a 3D body print on a Farish chassis would be any good. No doubt someone will be able to say 'no' with good reason!

I get the digital version of RM, but I hadn't got to the letters page yet. It's a good letter though, and I can easily agree with many of your points. I'm also one of those younger people who chose not to drive (all right, 'younger' is relative, and a 'proper' young person may laugh at any claim by me to be that young!), so convenient rail connections for events or trips are a must. LSWR is definitely the region that interests me, although not electric stock unfortunately. I'm modelling around the Bournemouth West area in 1930, so it's steam all the way, and lots of pre-Grouping carriages. I still have hopes of hacking some Farish suburbans into an 'Emigrant Stock' set for 1930, but given the amount of work to achieve something close it might still be better to wait for a decent 3D print to go on a Farish chassis, even if it takes you a year or three to get to it.

Given your liking for coaches of the north right now, you'll probably find the drawings of Hull & Barnsley fifty foot bogie coaches useful in the November Railway Modeller.

You're clearly a 'younger modeller', Si, as determined by Mr Andrews

I really wish that sort of thing was easily available in N...

Ah, yes, in that case it's more a case of toxic elements existing on most forums then. My feeling now is that they should all be approached with caution.

Lovely work by your brother, Andy. It would really be handy if you two could describe how a UM tender was wired to a Peco chassis, just in case, and especially for anyone who may be thinking of doing the same. As for you, Atso: 'A thread on another forum, that I know you are aware of, has caused some anxiety. While the topic was not directed at any of my efforts, the negativity and aggressiveness of one contributor has really shaken my own confidence' I know that other forum very well, and after an initial honeymoon period I was also badly affected by its toxicity a few years ago. My own posts there are minimal now, and very selective. Please try not to be affected by the nasty element that lurks there. Your work is always superb and, like someone else on this thread, I await the day when you can start to include some Southern locos in your output (the earlier the better for me as I model 1929/1930 - Drummond locos please!). I love the promise offered by 3D in N gauge terms and can't wait to see what you get up to with SR locos. Keep up the great work.

Doesn't it just! If I had a pound for every time I'd expected to finish a job in less than half the time it actually took I'd be... fairly well off.

Hah! SR/S&D/LMS in 1930 involves enough work already, thanks! I just need to get the layout finished quickly so that I can get on with the carriage and loco conversions on my workbench.