Garden Railway Forum

Busted Bricks wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 5:15 pm For the money you really can't go wrong with a loco kit from HGLW.

http://www.hglw.co.uk/Locos.html

tom_tom_go wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 4:07 pm Hi and welcome.

No experience of the seller, however, at that price you cannot really complain if it does not meet your expectations.

IP Engineering are a well known supplier of budget garden railway stock:

https://www.ipenginnering.com/

No, I haven't spelt the web address wrong that is what they are currently using.

Peter Butler wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 4:12 pm I have some experience of these kits, one which I built for a friend and another I was asked to finish by fitting RC gear etc. (I sent that one back to its owner!) In both cases I wasn't impressed with the kits, not that they are poorly designed and printed, rather that they are made of flimsy, lightweight material which will last about a week! The build itself is also not simple and edges are exposed and unfinished.
Elsewhere, others have noticed the colour change when exposed to daylight.... that's where a garden railway is usually sited.
Save your money for something more substantial, or just buy a chassis and build your own body, by far the best option.
Try to get something with metal (not plastic) wheels and four wheel drive. 3v motors (as usually supplied with budget chassis) have no pulling power whatsoever and can't be improved by adding much needed weight.
I am currently building a PDF (3D printed) Hunslet kit and it is very well designed and manufactured and just needs battery to finish. You can have a 12v motor as an option which will give extra power and longer running. It does however need a lot of preparation for a nice paint finish, but worth the effort.
I'm sure there will be other (more useful) advice given so carry on saving for a while.

Busted Bricks wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 5:15 pm For the money you really can't go wrong with a loco kit from HGLW.

http://www.hglw.co.uk/Locos.html

ge_rik wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 6:46 pm

Busted Bricks wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 5:15 pm For the money you really can't go wrong with a loco kit from HGLW.

http://www.hglw.co.uk/Locos.html

That would be my recommendation as well. Easy to build and robust with a decent mechanism.
I wrote up my build of one of their locos here.... https://riksrailway.blogspot.com/2018/0 ... t-and.html

I've also added Deltang RC and an Acme soundcard

.


Rik

ge_rik wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 7:16 pm PS
If you don't mind using your phone or tablet as a transmitter, you could cut costs the control system by using one of these http://locoremote.co.uk/




Rik

metalmuncher wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 7:28 pm I second the recommendations for IP Engineering and HGLW - we have laser cut kit locos from both on our line and are very happy with them.

Phil Sharples also does a few laser cut loco kits, e.g: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sm32-Sm45-16 ... 3340227699

BorisSpencer wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 9:06 pm +1 for HGLW excellent budget kits, and a massive +10 for PS models, loads of lovely simple to build kits which you can improve upon with your own detailing.

The PS kit linked above above will not disappoint. It won't pull a rake of loaded tippers, but will manage adequately pulling half a dozen of Phil's wagons.

FWLR wrote: ↑Thu Feb 13, 2020 8:39 am HGLW, PFD Models, IP engineering and Phil Sharples are all excellent producers of nice inexpensive kits and are all really well produced. There are also smaller producers for rolling stock that are also very good.

You really get want you pay for, though with care, all of the sellers kits can be a model to be proud of.

Good luck in your journey in garden railways. It's a fantastic hobby and you won't go wrong with all the valuable knowledge and expertise on the forum. And there are some excellent Blogs on here, you have already perused ge_rik's Blog. I would advise reading has much as you can of his Blog, he as more or less made it easy for new and experienced 16mmillers to build and run their garden railways.

PS. There are other Bloggers on here...

JMORG wrote: ↑Thu Feb 13, 2020 5:37 pm Hope I'm not too late!
I have experience with Swift Sixteen, IP engineering and PDF models. All 3 are good, PDF models now supply metal frames and motion with their models (I'd check before buying, it makes a difference).
Of the 3; Swift Sixteen provides the highest quality model although the kits are slightly more expensive; Robs Tin turtles are definitely comparable to a Roundhouse Little John though!
IP provide good quality wooden, plastic and pewter models at a relatively good price. Ivan is very helpful and prompt.
PDF is also a good choice, I have a Fairlie kit that's currently being made. 3D printed parts will require a lot of work though to get a good finish! Peter has a Facebook group if you have Facebook (I don't anymore but I used to be part of it, it was a good group).
If you have a slightly larger budget; Essel Engineering...