Vanguard 5374

Being cash strapped at the moment, I’m keen to do some modelling that doesn’t break the bank. Hoping this one works out - a Dubs 0-4-0 Crane Tank using a Tomy body, Hornby chassis and other detail bits. I’m sure I could do a better scratch build but this is easy on me right now. Surprisingly the body isn’t too bad for my eyes, the crane is extremely small so a new one will be scratch built for the loco.

Also note some Corris type waggons amongst the Thomas items. I’m guessing Bachmann may tweak the tooling to better suit the prototype loco, in which case if Dolgoch did follow hopefully they would sort the issues present on the Rheneas tooling too.

Between the American OO today blog and the American OO Facebook group, there is quite a lot still happening in the scale today. Like TT120 with the Corgi Diecast locomotives, American OO modellers have been able to use Diecast Lionel items (smaller static versions of O gauge items) to produce 4mm scale US outline rolling stock.

http://worsleyworks.co.uk/TT-120/TT-120_scale_Diesels.htm I don’t know how long it has been available for, but I’m tempted by it.

Some more stock in for conversion, will need new chassis (I’m working on that front) but bodies could be good. The coaches could have good potential for bashing. The Tillig wagon chassis is due to be cut and shut to produce a VDA or ODA wagon, I’m torn between which I would prefer to model first.

Decided to dig out some Tomix items I had purchased for 009 conversion, they’re stated to be larger than normal N gauge models so here is a wagon alongside a Tillig wagon chassis. Not too far out but the rolling stock would need new chassis*, have taken the Percy model apart to see if I can alter the gauge by 3mm and will be trying the same with the Thomas model. Not exactly prototypical but the chassis may be of use for smaller prototypes or just a bit of fun on a layout. * - I am drawing up some replacement printable chassis for these models for Tillig wheels, and will place the files on Thingiverse when complete.

Purchased a Oxford Diecast Transit from Tony’s Trains, transfers on sides and some detailing to do. Guess I’ll have to make a start on building the diorama given I’m doing some modelling again. One of the Depot Fitters vans, we have a welding van too but it’s different and I plan on making it using the Matchbox Transit.

We already have Peco, Heljan and Gaugemaster offering commercial support for the scale, so it's already got more support than the Triang TT3 system.

I’ve got a Mallard in bits (valve gear can be simplified and hidden) which so far has been stripped to just the body. I’m toying with a motor mounted in the tender, driving the driving wheels but with pickup split between the loco and tender. Waiting on Peco trackwork before sorting through wheels and parts for it though.

Amazing to see the difference between 1/101.3 and 1/120. The Triang chassis is from my 5.5mm scale modelling so will remain with that scale for my modelling.

First loco arrived, a Zeuke/BTTB 0-4-0. I’ve already decided on a body for the chassis, and have plans for more to follow. At a rough measurement, wheels are 10mm in diameter and wheelbase is 28mm. Don’t have my callipers to hand so will do proper measurements later on. Whilst I have plans for this chassis, I’m on the lookout for another with a familiar locomotive scaled down and copied, just slightly skewed again to make use of this chassis. They’re cheap and pretty much a TT pocket rocket but they’re not too bad.

Interesting to see both styles of coupling compared, I’m still torn over what I want to use for my stock as I’m leaning toward Peco 009/H0e couplings for ease and availability.

Put a few more scales in, all of which are 5mm and below. TT120 is in the middle, Lime Green. L-R: 1/64, 1/76, 1/87, 1/101.3, 1/120, 1/148, 1/160, 1/220 and 1/450.

Does this add anything of value to anyone? If you’re commenting on my work, I’ve got time for you. If you’re just making remarks for the sake of remarks - why?

It fits in with the rest of the threads here? Don’t appreciate the thread hijack when it is very easy to just create your own thread for your own work? 🙄

Great work Jim but I did start this as a workbench thread for my own projects… Perhaps making a thread for your progress may be a good idea?

Apologies for it being a render rather than physical models, however I feel doing a similar photo shows the difference in scale. Left to Right: 1/76 00, 1/87 H0, 1/101.3 TT3, 1/120 TT and 1/148 British N

Wheels arrived for the Pug, using some Farish wheels which are just a tad too small but otherwise okay. Farish axle is made from brass rod, 1.57mm in diameter. I've found a stockist of this rod so have ordered some. I measure the length of the original axle to be 10.9mm long, so given the track gauge I'll be cutting some new ones to 13.9mm in length. I would have gone through some of the normal wheelset suppliers but I got the wheels at a great price, now to source a motor and design the chassis around it.

I am 30 years old and get nostalgic over the railway scene in the 90's and 00's as I grew up with it, I can remember Virgin stock coming in and mostly seeing EWS and Freightliner freight movements. Nostalgia is different for everyone, don't just assume because it doesn't tick your box it won't do so for someone else. It's a broad era, 1975 is now 47 years ago 😉

It’s a not a Tram, it’s a Alstom Coradia LINT. (Image above from here : https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alstom_'Coradia_-_Lint_27'_single-car_DMU_No._640_010.jpg) Siku make a nice tram type model however.

Some of us are doing just that 😉

I tried to watch a minute of it and can’t stand the guy, immature and annoying sorry. I’d be looking at using a small Chinese 12v motor, direct to the donor farish wheelsets.

Managed to get some driving wheels on eBay (9.1mm diameter) which are just a tad small but otherwise good for doing another TT120 locomotive. They should be 9.5mm or thereabouts but I guess I could just say it’s in need of new tyres. I’ll need to see how to motorise it and get the valve gear built, but it’ll be another nice model to use on future projects.

Isn’t that the real joy of railway modelling, building models instead of just buying it out of a box? Surely we haven’t reached the age where we just do that? I’ve no problem with people who do so but when there is limited support for a scale like this* you have to make do and create to get what you want. There are plenty of things out there to get you started and going in the scale. * - as an on/off 5.5mm scale modeller, there is no ready to run and only a handful of trade supporters yet the scale is a joy to work in.

Two models I've been scaling up to 1/120 for the layout, given the motley collection so far I'll be doing a cliché transport museum, but a Foden steam lorry and Scammell Scarab will be nice to have. The original 1/148 files on Thingiverse were done by slanjonok, and if I falls within the terms of use I'll be uploading printable vehicles for 1/120 on there for home printing.