Restart - Looking for help with UK OUtline

[Fred2179G]

I will be on the look out for them

The Bachmann "Lyn" is still an obvious narrow gauge loco. As an ex-pat now living in the USA, I have fond memories of the steam trains of my youth (1950s.) The W&L was a 3' 6" railway which had a pair of nice 0-6-0T locos with outside valve gear (unfortunate outside frames too) and I run my Countess with some converted Thomas stock. I think it captures the flavor of a British branch line.

 

[Northsider]

Putting my anorak on, the Manx 6-wheelers were Manx Northern stock, and although adopted into the IMR, weren't ever really trusted: the wooden wheel centres failed on occasion, and the IMR took against them. Jason Kovac of The Train Department produced some beautiful kits of them a few years back that included working Cleminson underframes. As Roger shows, there has been quite a bit of Isle of Man stock available from Accucraft over the past few years: bogie & four-wheel coaches; also open wagons and (possibly still available) covered goods vans from Trackshack/Accucraft; and electrically-powered and live steam locomotives. IP offer cattle and goods van kits, and if you join (no fee) the online IMR15mil group, low-volume kits produced by members become available now and again: wagons and my own (hyper-rare!) saloon coaches.

 

[Fred2179G]

As has been pointed out, if you want main-line standard gauge, then your choice is limited to the horrible Harry Potter loco or some expensive metal small-batch locos.
Accucraft UK has a bunch of coaches and wagons for gauge-1 which, while not cheap, are good scale models and plastic.
UK G1 MK1 | accucraft

On the scale locomotive side, Aster Hobby made many of their locomotives in both live steam and electric versions. While an electric A3 Flying Scotsman is going to cost you $1500-$2000 (Accucraft UK are selling one at the moment: https://www.accucraft.uk.com/news/) you can find a GER 0-6-0 in garter blue for about $500, throw away the steam gear and fit an electric motor. Check out the prices on these electric locos: Electric Trains Catalogue at The Station Masters Rooms. Some are quite affordable - especially at a 1.3 exchange rate!

 

[dunnyrail]

The Bachmann "Lyn" is still an obvious narrow gauge loco. As an ex-pat now living in the USA, I have fond memories of the steam trains of my youth (1950s.) The W&L was a 3' 6" railway which had a pair of nice 0-6-0T locos with outside valve gear (unfortunate outside frames too) and I run my Countess with some converted Thomas stock. I think it captures the flavor of a British branch line.

View attachment 261760

W&L was 2ft 6in gauge.

 

[idlemarvel]

...Nice thing about modelling British narrow gauge in the US, only I know these don't really belong together

Same is true for us Brits modelling German or Swiss narrow gauge, we fret about authenticity but in reality only we know that something is from the wrong era or different line or even country. Just enjoy!

 

[voodoopenguin]

Same is true for us Brits modelling German or Swiss narrow gauge, we fret about authenticity but in reality only we know that something is from the wrong era or different line or even country. Just enjoy!

I am very happy in my almost total ignorance!

Paul

 

[Paul M]

I mentioned previously that I had bought some Accucraft IoM 4 wheel coaches and an E van to go with the Bachmann Lyn.
Here's a picture.

Nice thing about modelling British narrow gauge in the US, only I know these don't really belong together

Until now of course

 

[Flying15]

If you are not fussy about perfect proportions, the Thomas range can be given back head detail etc. and de-faced with a smoke box door. Far more robust than any cheap toy train set and have a reasonable range of locos and rolling stock. The only issue is, they are a standard gauge prototype scaled approximately 1:22 running on 45mm track. Much larger than correctly scaled Gauge 1 models in 1:32 but will fit in OK with most other products in G scale and 16mm scale (ignoring prototype gauge).

The below link shows a converted de-faced Thomas and Percy.
Thomas ! - What have they done to you ? - G Scale Central

Of course if you accept the gauge issue and are willing to construct you can produce British types utilising Bachmann running gear
Here are a few shots of such activities on my exhibition layout Crib Lane Loco Shed

 

[Rhinochugger]

I am very happy in my almost total ignorance!

Paul

Ignorance is bliss

 

[voodoopenguin]

Ignorance is bliss

Still working on bliss, content for the moment with very happy.

Paul

 

[David1226]

You could always go down the route that I took, Freelance British Outline, everything made up, no prototypes to worry about, no rivet counting, own livery and corporate identity, above all totally unique, nothing else like it out there. Of course that route requires being brave enough to chop models about and repaint them, not necessarily for the feint hearted, given the cost of G Scale items and the effect that would have on resale values. I am in the position to know that my railway will not be sold off, it will pass, at the appropriate time, to my Grandsons and live on in their care.



David

 

[carnellm]

Nice thing about modelling British narrow gauge in the US, only I know these don't really belong together

And that will exactly work in my favor!! Especially since British engines were normally smaller than US engines, the entire what belongs with what type thing won't matter much to anyone other than myself.

I like the look of that Lyn.

 

[carnellm]

Putting my anorak on, the Manx 6-wheelers were Manx Northern stock, and although adopted into the IMR, weren't ever really trusted: the wooden wheel centres failed on occasion, and the IMR took against them. Jason Kovac of The Train Department produced some beautiful kits of them a few years back that included working Cleminson underframes. As Roger shows, there has been quite a bit of Isle of Man stock available from Accucraft over the past few years: bogie & four-wheel coaches; also open wagons and (possibly still available) covered goods vans from Trackshack/Accucraft; and electrically-powered and live steam locomotives. IP offer cattle and goods van kits, and if you join (no fee) the online IMR15mil group, low-volume kits produced by members become available now and again: wagons and my own (hyper-rare!) saloon coaches.
View attachment 261761View attachment 261763

You say, "IP" offer cattle and goods vans and such... who is IP? I don't think that I have heard of them?

Thanks,

Michael

 

[Paradise]

Products | IP Engineering

 

[Fred2179G]

I like the look of that Lyn.

Be aware that there are 2 versions of the Bachmann "Lyn" plus an Accucraft version. I have an original/early Lyn with big flanges that bounce over the frog of any slightly scale point. They seem to have gear problems.

I think there was a later version with a better gear train though I would not know how to tell them apart.
Both versions claim to be Bachmann "Spectrum" models (?) which are usually 1:20.3, but these are clearly 1:22.5.

The Accucraft "Lyn" is an accurate 1:20.3 (or 1:19 SM32 ? ) and thus a little larger.

 

[dunnyrail]

You say, "IP" offer cattle and goods vans and such... who is IP? I don't think that I have heard of them?

Thanks,

Michael

If you are seriously as interested in UK equipment as you say a membership of the 16mm Society may work in your favor. Although they are predominantly for 32mm gauge there are many 45mm members including myself. The 4 times a year mag is worth the subscription alone and there are many traders that advertise UK stock in it’s pages.

Narrow Gauge Railways in your Garden - Association of 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers

Join our growing membership of 4,500 worldwide, modelling narrow gauge railways in 14-16mm/foot scale, often in the garden and using real live steam locos.

www.16mm.org.uk

 

[tac foley]

If the OP cares to PM me I will send him a couple of 16mm Association back numbers. Also, if he cares to take a look at the many thousands of movies on YouTube he'll get a better idea of what to ask about. My own channel, tac's trains, has live steam Gauge, and 1/20.3 and 16mm - most everything that can run on 45mm gauge track [sorry, 32mm-ers].

 

[RogerK]

Michael

There were 4 different versions of the Bachmann 2-4-2 tank locomotive. The Southern Lyn versions were sold out about 2 years ago, but there are few of the others still around. In particular, there is a green and black version that some have modified into a passable version of the Lyn. Star Hobby in Maryland appears to have one in stock on their website.

Might get you started. Also, the body shell for the Lyn is available from Bachmann on their Large Scale Parts page. They occasionally have sales on their parts.

Roger

 

[Northsider]

Products | IP Engineering

Sorry, I was assuming too much! Thanks, Paradise!

 

[Martino]

I didn’t see anyone mention it, but Garden Railway Specialists (GRSUk.com) produce a range of British outline stuff for 45mm track. It’s very much narrow gauge although I have a Peckett saddle tank that is quite industrial standard gauge in look, although 45mm. They also do coaches and goods stock.