British Diesel Locos & Shunters - G Scale

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adamski

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Hi All,

Just wondered if anyone can shed any light on whether I might be able to get my hands on a Class 25 or 33 Loco in G Scale.

Thanks in advance
 
adamski said:
Hi All,

Just wondered if anyone can shed any light on whether I might be able to get my hands on a Class 25 or 33 Loco in G Scale.

Thanks in advance
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I'm not aware of rtr models of either of those. Your best bet would be to keep an eye on eBay for a scratch or kit built example. You'd be surprised what turns up. I've just bagged a class 47 in two-tone green.
 
Thanks for your answers so far. Do you happen to know of anyone who does custom builds of these types of loco please? I had an 08 shunter built which is a beautiful model but unfortunately doesn't run on the R1 and R3 curves as I requested, so looking to get this rectified also. The chap who built it used Slater's Plastikard wheels and they just won't negotiate the turns

Many thanks
 
I'm guessing that you're looking for standard gauge (four foot eight and a half gauge) locos to run on 45mm track? If so, as Paul suggests, you're looking for Gauge 1 locos. A trawl round the Gauge One Model Railway Society site and gauge one suppliers nay help. They also have a number of folks who build kits and commissioned locos.

On 32mm gauge track, you'd be looking at O gauge, and I think there's a load of stuff in that scale.
 
Or of course G Scale SG is G3, not sure if GRS do other than the GWR Railcar in G3. Though Backnang had an 08 at the GCR Modelling Event.
JonD
 
Yes you're right JonD! We like to confuse. Depends on gauge and scale Adamski. So, I guess what Jon and I are asking is what gauge do you want to run on and what scale are you planning for?
 
Whilst not totally impossible, generally you're going to struggle to get gauge 1 finescale models to run reliably on G track as you're trying to mix very different wheel standards. You'd need to have someone custom build or modify a gauge 1 model to accept the coarse wheels used for G, assuming suitable size wheels can be sourced. Even if the wheel back-to-back measurement is similar, the flange width and depth are both greater for G as is the tread width, which will likely foul bogie frames or other parts of a gauge 1 model without modification.
 
adamski said:
Thanks for your answers so far. Do you happen to know of anyone who does custom builds of these types of loco please? I had an 08 shunter built which is a beautiful model but unfortunately doesn't run on the R1 and R3 curves as I requested, so looking to get this rectified also. The chap who built it used Slater's Plastikard wheels and they just won't negotiate the turns

Many thanks
Click to expand...
You need to remember that even R3 is a pretty tight curve. The centre axle would need to have flangeless drivers to get around R3s. I have one kit built chassis and one scratch built chassis, neither of which have the same level of 'play' (properly designed in) that you will get with the axles of an LGB or Bachmann massed produced loco, and both have flangeless drivers on the centre axle to get around R3s. I don't have anything less than 8ft diameter.
 
This probably isn't much good if you're looking for a very high degree of scale accuracy, which some posts here suggest is the case - but I'm wondering if the recent Piko DB V36 0-6-0 diesel might not be suitable as the basis for conversion to a British-outline shunter....?

Jon.
 
Good idea Jon especially as the motor block is articulated and will easily manage R1 and R3 curves. Same for the PIKO V60.
 
Also depends on how particular you are A adamski . I have seen LGB V200 repainted as a Warship which was reasonably convincing from a distance. And the LGB Bo-Bo "clanky" looks a bit like a class 73 if you remove the cranks. But finescale modellers will be spitting blood at this point so I will stop now. :-)
 
adamski said:
Thanks for your answers so far. Do you happen to know of anyone who does custom builds of these types of loco please? I had an 08 shunter built which is a beautiful model but unfortunately doesn't run on the R1 and R3 curves as I requested, so looking to get this rectified also. The chap who built it used Slater's Plastikard wheels and they just won't negotiate the turns

Many thanks
Click to expand...
Not sure how the Chassis has been built. But if it was converted to Flexichassis as per Mike Sharmans 3 Point Suspension with some play added by Narrowing the Chassis a Tadge you would probably get it round R3.

Dave Walker does scratch and Kit Builds in G1 and G3, can be seen at sundry Shows around the Country. Best bet is probably NEC Warley in October and up to now has always been at St.Albans in January. Have tried to Google him for you but no luck. Perhaps try the last years Show ads/attendance lists for those 2 Shows.

JonD
 
adamski said:
Hi All,

Just wondered if anyone can shed any light on whether I might be able to get my hands on a Class 25 or 33 Loco in G Scale.

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

I keep a close eye on models this size and know of non yet in this scale.

Just the ticket has the old RJH Gauge One Diesel kits, although non has been released formerly. He has moulds and etches for at least these - but no 25 or 33.
  • Class 37/4
  • Class 45
  • Class 47
  • Class 50
  • Class 52
  • Class 55
  • Class 59
Agenoria Models has the Class 25 in 5" and G3, who may do one in G if you ask him. Highly priced at over £750 - £1200 though! And up to £5000 for the 5" version.

There is a builder who built a 'stylised' Class 25 and Class 20 in G scale but I don't think he made more than one of each.

Then there is also a resin Class 40 in G3 coming next year! :cool:
 
idlemarvel said:
Good idea Jon especially as the motor block is articulated and will easily manage R1 and R3 curves. Same for the PIKO V60.
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Piko now suggest the V60 isn't run on R1. The articulation can foul itself. For me it runs fine around R1 curves but can get itself into trouble on R1 turnouts
 
Okay thanks, I only have a V36 and that works fine on R1 curves and points in either direction. I was thinking of getting a V60 but I'll have to check that out now. I must admit I thought it was the same motor block but g-bits is the expert in these things.
 
Yes Dave, having recently got a V36 myself I also thought it was the same power unit as the V60, just with the nice new chrome wheels.....

The new V36 with my rake of recently-loaded coal wagons, guest-running at a friend's layout:

V36 and coal.JPG

Purchased second-hand at a very low price, already fitted with Piko decoder and sound module - runs and sounds very good!

I still think it would be a good candidate for a simple conversion to a British-look loco, in fact if you were not TOO fussy then you could probably get away with little more than a repaint.....

Jon.
 
Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the delay in replying, work commitments have me super busy at the moment. Thanks so much for all your replies so far. I'll be pursuing these avenues for getting my hands on a class 25 or 33 and let you know how I get on.

Please see photographs of my 08 shunter which I had custom built. As I said previously, the gentleman who built this didn't make it with my R1 and R3 requirements in mind, and so were fitted with Slaters Plastikard wheels and gear box.This unfortunately means I'm stuck with a train I can't use at the moment - it's a beautiful model. Does anyone happen to know of anyone who could help, or how I can solve this problem by fitting a wheel set and gear box to permit it to run these turnouts and curves. I'm also considering fitting a Massoth decoder in to this loco. Many thanks again


photo 2 (3).JPG photo 1 (3).JPG
 
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