Cost of OO against 16mm
- listerboy
- Trainee Fireman
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Cost of OO against 16mm
I had some time to kill today so I had a look at the various model railway magazines. What struck me was how expensive OO has become! Granted 16mm kits are cheaper, and have to be built, but the majority are easy to assemble.
I appreciate a RH Lady Ann isn't exactly cheap, but it's a proper live steam loco!
I appreciate a RH Lady Ann isn't exactly cheap, but it's a proper live steam loco!
Re: Cost of OO against 16mm
I quite agree, the further up the scales you go, you often find you get more bang for your buck.
Having said that, the stuff that hornby etc are producing is incredibly good these days. The detail is amazing compared to only a few years ago. I can see why the bottom has fallen out of the OO kit loco market when you can buy off the shelf something that would take a very long time and much skill to produce.
Having said that, the stuff that hornby etc are producing is incredibly good these days. The detail is amazing compared to only a few years ago. I can see why the bottom has fallen out of the OO kit loco market when you can buy off the shelf something that would take a very long time and much skill to produce.
If at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer!
- tom_tom_go
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Re: Cost of OO against 16mm
I sold all my OO stuff years ago but when I bought my last one it was DCC with sound for well under £200 and now the same loco today (same tooling, motor and ESU) is £250+
Re: Cost of OO against 16mm
I guess the fact that everything is made in China and the fall in the pound won't have helped the price of 4mm. I have been toying with the idea of a 4mm China clay layout. Reading up I see Kernow models produce a Tiger tanker that was originally targeted at £35 but hitting the street at £49. As Tom said a loco with sound will set you back a tidy £250. However, the detail on the modern stuff is leaps and bounds upon my old Lima rebuilds of the 80s.
I have to say prior to looking again at 4mm I had always thought that they were on a par but beginning to feel that you can get more bang for your buck with 16mm (or 7/8 )
Given I prefer to build rather than operate, is the price of stock a barrier to me. Perhaps I should build the clay layout and give it to my nephew (railway hoarder)?
I have to say prior to looking again at 4mm I had always thought that they were on a par but beginning to feel that you can get more bang for your buck with 16mm (or 7/8 )
Given I prefer to build rather than operate, is the price of stock a barrier to me. Perhaps I should build the clay layout and give it to my nephew (railway hoarder)?
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Re: Cost of OO against 16mm
What interests me is the availability of the L and B in 009 and now WD locos like the Badwin 4-6-0 and 2-6-2 ready to run! Its just about 4 decades too late for me having moved on to 16mm years ago. Having said that the 009 prices are pretty hefty but probably reflects the microscopic Narrow Gauge market.
John
John
- Killian Keane
- Trainee Fireman
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Re: Cost of OO against 16mm
Not to mention the forthcoming ready to run quarry hunslet in 009cncmodeller wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2018 6:02 pm What interests me is the availability of the L and B in 009 and now WD locos like the Badwin 4-6-0 and 2-6-2 ready to run! Its just about 4 decades too late for me having moved on to 16mm years ago. Having said that the 009 prices are pretty hefty but probably reflects the microscopic Narrow Gauge market.
John
Blokes with tea can build anything
Re: Cost of OO against 16mm
I know - I could be tempted back into mini narrow gauge again with a Hunslet!Not to mention the forthcoming ready to run quarry hunslet in 009
Where did I put that uncoupler?
Re: Cost of OO against 16mm
I don’t think I would ever go back to the smaller stuff, mainly because of my eyesight, but also because it is getting so much more expensive and the CEO does not like me hoarding to much stuff….I have a garage full of useless stuff in her eyes…
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Re: Cost of OO against 16mm
I agree with all that's been said here up to now. I still do a bit of 4mm. Mainly commissions. Sometimes small projects that take my fancy. Although steam is my main interest I have some class 86's and a 90 to detail and repaint. I no longer plan on a 4mm scale layout as I once did.
Most of us probably start off in the small scales and move up (as we grow up?) to the bigger scales. I've found that although ready to run 16mm stuff is more expensive per item, I need much less than in 4mm so in the long run could end up cheaper.
As I enjoy building, at the moment my 16mm work is focused on scratch building wagons which I aim to do for less than £20 each. (the price of wheels, axle boxes and couplings). Not because of cost, but for the pleasure and satisfaction. I should start a thread!
Ian
Most of us probably start off in the small scales and move up (as we grow up?) to the bigger scales. I've found that although ready to run 16mm stuff is more expensive per item, I need much less than in 4mm so in the long run could end up cheaper.
As I enjoy building, at the moment my 16mm work is focused on scratch building wagons which I aim to do for less than £20 each. (the price of wheels, axle boxes and couplings). Not because of cost, but for the pleasure and satisfaction. I should start a thread!
Ian
Ian
Re: Cost of OO against 16mm
OK I might. If I do it won't be anything revolutionary and ther'll be nothing that hasn't been done before.
Ian
Ian
Re: Cost of OO against 16mm
Always interesting to see how others build and what tricks they use (that can be borrowed )...
Re: Cost of OO against 16mm
Any "tricks" will have been borrowed and probably posted before.
Ian
Ian
Re: Cost of OO against 16mm
That’s what we all do isn’t….borrow ideas, no matter what scale we run.
Even smaller or bigger scale ideas can be used vice versa.
Even smaller or bigger scale ideas can be used vice versa.
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Re: Cost of OO against 16mm
Agreed. That's what I was trying to say. But you make the point much better.
Ian
Ian
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