Lionel harry potter coach conversion

BritishGScaleModdeler

BritishGScaleModdeler

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A while ago now I purchased two Lionel 'G scale' Harry Potter sets and another set of coaches (total of 6 coaches) They were the correct track gauge but terrible out of scale to gauge 1 which I normally model. The only parts that were near to gauge one are the windows!

I know the earlier versions released by Hornby were not 45mm gauge but the newer ones are.

This got me thinking, I wondered if I could convert them so that they could be used with some of my gauge one engines!

I've cut up 6 coaches, stuck them together and enlarged them in every direction, I've ended up with 2 standard, 1 buffet and 1 guard end. I've also constructed and made interiors for each coach.

The first of the 4 coaches is nearing completion, while the other 3 are at varying levels of the assembly line!

I stuck the newly constructed roof on tonight of the first coach and also added interior lighting.

To go from essentially toys to what they are now is such a transformation, they haven't come up bad have they!

The original coach minus chassis dimensions : 7.4cm wide, 28cm long and 8.2cm tall.

New dimensions: 56cm long, 10.7m wide, and 9.2cm tall
 

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BritishGScaleModdeler said:
I know the earlier versions released by Hornby were not 45mm gauge but the newer ones are.
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Have to say I thought it was the other way round with the early Lionel badged ones being 45mm gauge and the Hornby ones the wider gauge?
 
dunnyrail said:
Have to say I thought it was the other way round with the early Lionel badged ones being 45mm gauge and the Hornby ones the wider gauge?
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My understanding as well. I believe the 'Hornby' ones were only sold by Hornby, not even rebadged and were the left over stock from Lionel who had been selling the wider gauge (sort of an old gauge 2) for a while.

Paul
 
BritishGScaleModdeler said:
No definitely the later ones were G scale. I have both versions, the earlier ones I converted to 45mm gauge

Regards
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Interesting, where did you buy the later ones as the only sets I can find for sale (Amazon, model shops etc.) specifically say "This set is not compatible with Lionel G Gauge or any other G Gauge track systems". Do you still have the box?

Paul
 
voodoopenguin said:
Interesting, where did you buy the later ones as the only sets I can find for sale (Amazon, model shops etc.) specifically say "This set is not compatible with Lionel G Gauge or any other G Gauge track systems". Do you still have the box?

Paul
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Paul after more research we are both indeed right, Lionel did make an initial batch of G scale Hogwarts sets but then they were reproduced by Hornby in UK and had a 2"gauge. Hornby then changed them to 45mm but only a very few limited ones were made before they stopped making them. It wasn't difficult to convert them, just sanding off a few millimetres off each wheel which I did with a belt sander, I have one in green and one repainted in maroon. Custom name plates made with 3d printer in both locos
 
BritishGScaleModdeler said:
Paul after more research we are both indeed right, Lionel did make an initial batch of G scale Hogwarts sets but then they were reproduced by Hornby in UK and had a 2"gauge. Hornby then changed them to 45mm but only a very few limited ones were made before they stopped making them. It wasn't difficult to convert them, just sanding off a few millimetres off each wheel which I did with a belt sander, I have one in green and one repainted in maroon. Custom name plates made with 3d printer in both locos
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I bought my first set from the USA and it was the 50mm one. This was at the time that Hornby announced that you could pre-order a set from them however their initial promotion said they were G scale. I recognised the box as the one that Lionel sold the 50mm version in and wrote to Hornby saying that I thought they were wrong. I had a reply after a few weeks thanking me and the mention of G scale was quietly dropped from their promotion before the actual Hornby release date in the UK. They were selling it at about £150.00 but by then I had received mine from the US for just less than £50.00 including shipping.

Paul
 
voodoopenguin said:
I bought my first set from the USA and it was the 50mm one. This was at the time that Hornby announced that you could pre-order a set from them however their initial promotion said they were G scale. I recognised the box as the one that Lionel sold the 50mm version in and wrote to Hornby saying that I thought they were wrong. I had a reply after a few weeks thanking me and the mention of G scale was quietly dropped from their promotion before the actual Hornby release date in the UK. They were selling it at about £150.00 but by then I had received mine from the US for just less than £50.00 including shipping.

Paul
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I seem to remember the last ones that Hornby produced were full G Scale but I read on a post somewhere else that they put all the left over 2" gauge stuff in the newly 'G scale' printed boxes, many people were buying them up but they were not the stated G scale as suggested on the box.

I got a second hand one from Gumtree which was 45mm track gauge and did come in a Hornby box. I think I paid about £30 for it.

The one I got most recently cost me £25 and was in a Hornby box but wasnt G scale even though it had it printed on the box . Its a luck of the draw I suppose but like I say very easy to sand down and they look absolutely fabulous painted up and weathered.
 
Never mind the gauge those reworkings are amazingly good. I'm still seriously impressed.

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BritishGScaleModdeler said:
Paul after more research we are both indeed right, Lionel did make an initial batch of G scale Hogwarts sets but then they were reproduced by Hornby in UK and had a 2"gauge. Hornby then changed them to 45mm but only a very few limited ones were made before they stopped making them. It wasn't difficult to convert them, just sanding off a few millimetres off each wheel which I did with a belt sander, I have one in green and one repainted in maroon. Custom name plates made with 3d printer in both locos
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Ok I wrote an email to Hornby complaining but only got a mealy mouthed typical reply, I would have happily paid to get a roght gauged one. I forumed it at the time.
 
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