Garden Railway Forum

Looking more like "BURPS" of the past now, Peter.
Grant.

That actually does look so much better with some really nice open views when you get around to running some locos with videos Peter.

Another wet day has arrived, so no ballasting today. Meanwhile, I have general tidying to do in my 'Hospitality Shed' in case some of my visitors have a phobia about spiders. I'm sure the spiders would be in greater danger, so I'll do my best to save them.

Save the spiders and you'll go straight to the top of Susie's card list, Peter! I'm deep in the 'you know what' if I accidentally damage one!

Peter Butler wrote: ↑Thu Aug 28, 2025 10:28 am Another wet day has arrived, so no ballasting today. Meanwhile, I have general tidying to do in my 'Hospitality Shed' in case some of my visitors have a phobia about spiders.

That’s me that is

Peter Butler wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 9:24 pm Although I recently posted pictures and description of my Fairground Organ build, I had by-passed another of my road to rail conversions.
Attached are a couple of images showing the 'before' view of the donor vehicle's chassis and, despite it appearing to show a perspective difference in wheel gauge, it is in fact dual gauge as built!

100_1194.JPG

100_1193.JPG

Can you guess what it is yet?.... I'm looking at you, Drew!

I'm still catching up after the busy summer, but I knew that one right away! Mine uses an N20 geared motor and Lipo pack under a raised floor and cheats a bit by not really having an interior below the driver's arms. You've done yours up nicely! I was going to say now you need a Messerschmitt, and then I got to the next page. I can't believe how nicely those back fenders look the part.

What's next, a Subaru 360? Nissan Figaro? There's a guy out in Portland who runs a microcar shop and is always posting about them on YouTube. He's got some sweet cars and apparently a lot of them fit into a residential garage.

Thanks Drew, so pleased you like my conversions.
I have long been attracted to the 'Figaro' and there were a couple running locally until recent years. The 1:18 scale die-cast models I use are always 'bargain buys' for one reason or another, usually because collectors are not interested if the original box is missing. However, the only Figaro I can find is complete, mint condition and boxed, and offered for over £469.00 (UK) (+ post from Japan) so I fear that will not be joining my collection.
Here we would probably not refer to the Figaro as a microcar when compared to the average size of cars on UK roads.

Hi Peter,

I don’t know if this will help. I did a quick search and found it. I don’t think I would be able to print it off for you because I only use pva. A member who has that other kind, can’t blooming remember would be able to print it for you..

NISSAN FIGARO CAR 3D model | CGTrader

https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/car/ ... san-figaro


Remembered…Resin..

Nice find Rod.
Unfortunately I think it would need quite bit of work to get to be printable, whether in filament or resin. The download file is only available as .blend and .fbx. fbx are generally used for gaming type creations and that's what it looks like to me - part of a gaming scene. Blender can certainly convert it to an stl but I doubt that the internal space would be replicated properly and then various details, like the steering wheel for instance, would probably be too flimsy to print well. I'm also guessing that the engine area under the bonnet is just a solid lump i.e no space for motorising.
I could be wrong of course, and if anyone fancies a challenge...??

You guys are amazing going to so much trouble for me. Thank you very much.
Although I expressed interest in the car I don't think it is one I had desired to add to my collection, so please don't go further on my behalf.
The Figaro looks a little like a refined bumping car, and I have one of those.
My model shelf already has a choice of radio cars and motor bogies for me to work on so I'm not short of raw material.
Other suggestions are always welcome.

No trouble for me Peter, and I guess not too much for Phillip either.

Skipping to another subject, during my recent B.U.R.P.S. open day I asked Forum member Simon Wood, who is also one of our Local Area Group, if it would be possible for him to film a short video of Morgan the Organ, as I feel unable to do such magic!
He kindly agreed and together we set up a trip around the line with various locations as backdrops for static and movement recording.
Today I received an email from Simon to say he had sent a link to the video and here it is....

https://peertube.tv/w/s2oueWPpbhhUrWM6tewHYf

I am deeply indebted to Simon for producing such a masterful film which was very quickly recorded without repeats. He has somehow managed to make the journey flow, particularly the very clever editing of the music with the volume fading as it passes in to the distance.
Thank you Simon.

I am reminded of the Pied Piper when watching the organ circling behind the houses and vanishing.

I do hope you enjoy watching this as much as I do.

And very nicely done!

BertieB wrote: ↑Tue Sep 16, 2025 9:21 pm And very nicely done!

Agreed! Including synching the sound to the video.

Rik

Excellent!
Really effective.

Nice video of your brilliant build and I really enjoyed listening to the organ music. Brings back a lot of memories when has a family we went to shows all over the North West and Wales. My dad even bought one for a time but it took up a lot of room in his yard.

Love too see more from it Peter.

A great video Simon, which highlights Peter's wonderful railway and his modelling skills. Peertube looks interesting as an alternative to Utube, but signing up looks a bit complicated. Would you mind detailing which of the options you chose? (Apologies to Peter for going somewhat off topic).

Thanks for the kind comments about the video!

Lonsdaler wrote: ↑Thu Sep 18, 2025 6:42 pm Peertube looks interesting as an alternative to Utube, but signing up looks a bit complicated. Would you mind detailing which of the options you chose? (Apologies to Peter for going somewhat off topic).

I don't want to hijack Peter's thread, so I've made a post in 'off topic' explaining what I think is the best option. (In short: Makertube)

I wouldn't want to do all that rebuilding at 29.

Making a damn good job of it though, looks like it never happened - and I mean that in the best way.

May you get many more years out of it.

Fantastic video