taw Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Need help / advice on buying commercial N gauge items, as this is a new area for me. Put a request in the 2 mm section but think this was the wrong section. Could some kind soul please advise which section I should be postin in. Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted January 25, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 25, 2014 This would be the appropriate section to pos your questions on. In answer to the question that you posted in the 2mm section regarding wagons and which manufacture, the newer GF and Dapol wagons generally have more detail than those from Peco (many of which are generic wagons painted a variety of liveries). If you're looking on ebay you will see some wagons from lima, these are very old and from a scale point of view can be dubious! There are several kit manufactures out there, some of the products are plastic, where as others are metal (white metal or brass construction). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will J Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Hi Taw, it is a puzzle for somebody new to finescale modelling... as you are probably finding out, the 2mm area is for largely scratchbuilt stuff built to a similar (but fractionally different) scale to off the shelf 'N', 1:152 scale and 9.4something mm gauge rather than N gauge's 1:148 and 9mm gauge track. While in many ways it is a very different world, I'd keep a close eye on the 2mm gauge forum as it is full of great inspiration and the '2mmFS' layouts you see there, and at shows, could be made in the same space in standard 'N'. Forum wise, I think you are in the right place with this thread, how can we help? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
taw Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Hello Will - many thanks for your interest and reply. I was inspired by the 2mm Cornwall layout and intend to model Braunton station, ie from the main gates to braunton gates and the goods yard. I am quite happy scratch building buildingd etc but initially wanted some commercial rolling stock and an engine or two so as not to have to kit build these. I bought a GF brake van SR, but it has rather large plastic couplings so I would like to know if there are any more realistic couplings available, or will I need to make my own? The other adviceI I was after is which make or makes should I go for, ( thanks to Kris for his suggestions ) ie I would like the most realistic commercial items available. Any further suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-CRS Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 What track are you planning on using? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
taw Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Richard to be honest I am hoping someone will advise on that one. I see you are a N gauge specialist, so your advice would be most welcome. Will now have a look at your site. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alibuchan Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Taw, I would start simply. Make use of peco track and just get something small done to find out what your skills are. Where the finescale and 2mm track is good it can become a little frustrating if you hit a stumbling block and are having problems building it. At least if you have got something running you can abandon the part that's giving you grief for an hour to play and then go back to it better than ruining something expensive! For fine scale it may be worth looking at http://www.britishfinescale.com they do fine scale track that all of the ready to run locos will run on. I have brought some track from Wayne and it's good stuff and the range is expanding all the time! There are other couplings available but none of them are very realistic. The standard ones are generally very reliable and should work with each other with no issues. But automatic uncoupling is difficult. You then have the Dapol magnetic knuckle uncouplings, I can't comment on these as I have not used them. Then you have the build it yourself ones. I have used the DG couplings from wizard models I little bit of a fiddle to build but give good operation. If you have any questions ask away. People on here are quite generally quite friendly and willing to help. Hope this helps Alistair Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-CRS Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I would echo Alistair's comments above, get some Peco code 55 and have a play. Rolling stock wise stick with the new stuff blue ribbon from Farish and any of the Dapol stuff. Once you know what you want to model time and place then do more planning. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Revolution Ben Posted January 25, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 25, 2014 Hello Taw, Some suggestions that may assist - I did most of these and they helped me: 1) If you can, go to a couple of exhibitions. Look at the N-gauge layouts and chat to the operators. When we are exhibiting our club layout Horseley Fields we are always happy to answer questions, and I am sure the same goes for other exhibitors. If you see something you like - wagon, loco, scenic - then ask them what it is and make a note. Ditto if you see something you don't like. You'll soon build up a picture of what names you associate with quality. 2) If you don't already have any trains or track, buy a trainset with stock you like. As well as the train you'll get an oval of track, a controller and all this probably for not much more than the cost of the stock on its own. Have a play. See how things look and feel to you. Once you've got used to the scale, how the models perform, and how fiddly they are (or not) you may the decide you want to build your own track, or stick with proprietory track. Either is fine - it's your train set, run it how you want. 3) Couplers - standard N Gauge square hooks are called "Rapido" couplers. They were developed in the 60s and it shows. The one big advantage they have is that everyone uses them so stock from different manufacturers is compatible. But they look awful and don't uncouple. Dapol recently introduced a new magnetic knuckle coupler which is a based on an American design and is a huge improvement. These work with almost 100% reliability in my experience and we have used them extensively in exhibition environments. Most modern models have couplers that snap in and out with a common tongue so switching couplers is easy. There are other, finer solutions but all involve a degree of assembly and adjustment. 4) Ask questions on this forum where people are always happy to help. You might want to consider looking at the N Gauge Forum too, which is just as friendly and helpful. 5) Please post photos of your progress - we all take vicarious satisfaction in enjoying the efforts of fellow enthusiasts! Good luck! cheers Ben A. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted January 25, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 25, 2014 The Dapol knuckles are good (well for me, but I do know others have had problems with them), however trying to fit them to wagons that do not have the correct coupling pocket involves surgery. Track wise I would echo Alistars comments. I would say go for code 55 though, it's stronger and looks better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alibuchan Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Did you see the article on Braunton station in model rail No 191 that came out last month? Might be of interest to you. If not PM me your address and I will send out the pages. Alistair Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Steven B Posted January 25, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 25, 2014 Is there a N Gauge Society Area Group anywhere near you? They should be able give you plenty of help and advice (and let you have a play!) Happy modelling. Steven B Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
taw Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Firstly may I say a sincere thanks to everyone for their input. From the advice given, it will be Peco 55 track, G/F and Dapol rolling stock fitted with DG couplers from Wizard Models. Well pleased I asked. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
taw Posted February 6, 2014 Author Share Posted February 6, 2014 A sincere thank you to Alistair for making me aware of the Braunton article. It answers all the questions, and even gives the layout and a list of the Peco track part numbers. This has saved me hours of work. I am fortunate also, as having spent most of my spare time by the steps of the signal box in my youth, that I can still recall it as it was 50 years ago. From the Caen street box, you could see all three sets of gates, Caen St, Braunton Gates and Georgeham. The double tracks divided the top half of our farm from the lower orchard, now the bowling green. Happy days indeed. Thank you all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas G Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 I'd recommend joining the N Gauge Society as you get a Members' Handbook that discusses all the basics of N Gauge modelling. And then you can access the N Gauge Society Shop that has a large range of N gauge products. Douglas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpendle Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 3) Couplers - standard N Gauge square hooks are called "Rapido" couplers. They were developed in the 60s and it shows. The one big advantage they have is that everyone uses them so stock from different manufacturers is compatible. But they look awful and don't uncouple. I have to disagree Ben. I find that Rapidos will uncouple quite easily, trouble is it's at random locations all over my layout and for no apparent reason John P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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