jhb171achil Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 Hi folks Just wondered if anyone is modelling any of the narrow gauge Spanish lines in the 1959-75 period? Or, if anyone knows of any models of kits appropriate to this? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brack Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 The Bemo RhB steam locos are the only ones that come to mind. I've often thought they'd be a great prototype, but haven't got further. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rue_d_etropal Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Giles Barnabe did a model of line in Majorca, which was similar, and used British built stock as did many Spanish mainland lines. He wrote a book on the railways of Majorca with some drawings. I gather many of the original drawings are in Birmingham, so there may be others used on mainland Spain there. Those lines were 3ft gauge, some in mainland Spain were 60cm ,I believe and for those the Minitrain models might be suitable as might be many of the kits or 3D printed models available, 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted June 10, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 10, 2019 22 hours ago, jhb171achil said: Hi folks Just wondered if anyone is modelling any of the narrow gauge Spanish lines in the 1959-75 period? Or, if anyone knows of any models of kits appropriate to this? There is a super Spanish ng layout on the exhibition circuit at the moment of the era you mention. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted June 10, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 10, 2019 33 minutes ago, rue_d_etropal said: Giles Barnabe did a model of line in Majorca, which was similar, and used British built stock as did many Spanish mainland lines. He wrote a book on the railways of Majorca with some drawings. I gather many of the original drawings are in Birmingham, so there may be others used on mainland Spain there. Those lines were 3ft gauge, some in mainland Spain were 60cm ,I believe and for those the Minitrain models might be suitable as might be many of the kits or 3D printed models available, Two separate railway companies in Mallorca - one 3ft, one metre-gauge. Not sure, but I think the 3ft has been converted now to metre-gauge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rue_d_etropal Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 (edited) 3ft I think had been converted, but in the period 59-75 it was 3ft gauge. On looking at book on Spain, metre gauge was more common, and gauge less than that was 750mm, which would be suitable for HOe or OO9. Mixture of British and more Germanic looking locos. Oh, there was a 4ft gauge line, using Glasgow built stock(freight only I think). Edited June 10, 2019 by rue_d_etropal spell check Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achil Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 Everything was 3ft gauge. By 1981, the main system had shrunk from Palma - Inca - Arta with three branch lines, to Palma - Inca only. In that year, this line was converted to metre, but the (separate) electric line to Soller remained 3ft, as it does today. In the early 2000s, the Inca line was reopened to Sa Pobla (La Puebla), now to metre gauge, and later the Arta line was reopened as far as Manacor, again metre gauge. This system has subsequently been extended to the university area. So now there is the old electric line at 3ft, Palma - Soller, plus the “main” system (modernised) Palma - Sa Pobla and Manacor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achil Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 I can’t help feeling that scratchbuilding everything is the only way to go! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brack Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 The Rio Tinto was 3'6", just to add to the mix... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellocoloco Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Hi jhb171achil For more info you really need to be looking at forotrenes.com - google translate will help for the most part................try the links below and keep exploring! http://www.forotrenes.com/foro/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34543&hilit=alcoy+gandia http://www.forotrenes.com/foro/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=79449 There are Spanish modellers out there interested in narrow gauge and there is plenty of info regarding the prototypes if you look through the forum. I don't believe there is anything RTR available in Spanish H0n3/m/e, however there have been resin kits in the past and Trenmilitaria are listing some FEVE stock in HOm which may suit the era you are interested in. Others kits have been available in the past but I can't remember who from. Other European models may be suitable candidates for converting to the Spanish scene. As brack mentions above, some Rhb G4/5 type went to FC La Robla and although Mabar announced that their ALCo 313 would be available as RTR HOm to represent the 4 that went to MSP in 1997, it has never been released in that form. http://www.trenmilitaria.com/TM_material_rodante_FEVE_HO.htm Best of luck. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ian Morgan Posted June 20, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 20, 2019 There is a very nice layout doing the exhibitions at the moment, "Ferrocarril San Maria Gandia". It has standard gauge, narrow gauge, with street running, and moving road vehicles. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achil Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 Thank you, folks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brack Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 8 hours ago, ellocoloco said: As brack mentions above, some Rhb G4/5 type went to FC La Robla Also Sagunto steelworks had a G3/4 and several of the 2-4-4-0t mallets ended up in spain via the yverdon-ste croix. But essentially you're scratch building for the most part. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rue_d_etropal Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 It is a great shame that Spanish HO railway modelling has same problem as British OO railway modelling, with track gauge reduced. Obviously the tradition model trade can't offer every scale /gauge combination, but with 3D printing virtually any scale/gauge combination can be produced. Thus if I was thinking of building a Spanish themed layout I would use 1/100 scale(3mm/ft) using 16.5mm gauge track for 5ft 6in gauge, and either 9mm or 10.5mm gauge to represent metre gauge(narrow gauge does not seem to look worse when put on a gauge less than it should be, and 9mm mechanism are easier and cheaper to get than 10.5mm ones). 6.5mm gauge could easily be used for 750mm gauge. For buildings and accessories look to the military wargaming models often referred to as 15mm, but now also saying 1/100 scale. Some older HO scaled buiding kits are also actually nearer to 1/100 scale so could be used and as 1/100 scale is an established scale for archtectual models, there are quite a lot of bits available, including low cost and good quality scale figures. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brack Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 You can (and I have) 3D print chassis blocks too. If you were going to print bodies why not chassis?an etched chassis is also fairly simple to arrange. Wheels are more easily available for H0/00, you just put them on longer axles, scenic stuff is whatever youd normally use. 12mm track for metre gauge is easily available. Making track isn't too hard once you have some gauges, so 19.25mm gauge? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rue_d_etropal Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 Wat might be fairly simple for a skilled model maker, is not necesarily simple for everyone else. Most people can't or don't want to build their own track or chassis, so starting with an established track gauge and changing the scale to suit is my preferred option, especially when that scale is also well served, as is the case with 1/100 scale, thanks to wargamers. 3D printing just makes it a lot easier(especially if it uses a print to order service, as it is not dependent on high cost development that traditional model businesses use. Even low volume resin or etched kits require an upfront cost which might pay off . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brack Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 I'm not a skilled model maker, just I have a go at stuff. The first track I built was 4 rail mixed gauge with points taking the 9mm gauge off it, using plasticard gauges (quick with the soldering iron). Probably not the wisest choice for a start but it did work. Often the fear in our heads is worse than the reality of having a go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rue_d_etropal Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 Sometimes we don't actually appreciate how skilled we are, and just assume others can do what we do. We are not all the same. Some have a good sense of direction , others don't. Possibly linked to ablity to switch between 2D and 3D, as I can do, but others in my family just can't, however much they try. Some have a musical ear, I don't. I think visually, others think audibly. I learn by seeing things, others learn better listening to someone. As a result I don't tend to follow spoken instructions that well. I will solder if absolutely necessary, but I am still pretty hopeless compared to a skilled electrician, and I have been trying for many years. I have tried many things over the years, better to have a go, and do know my limits. It is not just a simple case of trying harder as some seem to think. I can do enough and will work round any problems. As a result I have absolutely no interest in etched kits, unless it is a simple fold up or add on such as nameplates etc. My own background is in IT. I find it easy to build simple websites and prefer to keep them relatively simple, and have tried to get others to do the same, but many just think it is too difficult, when they are happy to type up a dcument with no problem. The difficult part is thinking what to put it the website, but then it might just be that others do seem to find it difficult for some reason. If I find somthing difficult, I look for an easier way to do it or break it down into smaller simpler steps, but some seem to go for the more difficult option, and often fail, so give up completely. Sadly this happens far too often in our hobby. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellocoloco Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 I've toyed with the idea of Proto 87 Iberico - there are a small number of modellers in Spain doing this. I have been collecting Era Vc Spanish outline models for a number of years now - since I met my Spanish wife! Maybe once my son leaves home I might get a chance.........up till then I will marvel at hand laid track when I am at exhibitions and convince myself that its only a fraction beyond P4 and enough modellers make a success of that!!!!!!!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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