Lack of diesels

JMORG · Post by **JMORG** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 8:46 am

It's quite disappointing at the lack of larger, more useful diesels around RTR...

Surely this is a very undeveloped area that the likes of Roundhouse and Accucraft can take advantage of (the market must be gagging for a more "mainline" diesel). I know Accucraft do a range of electrics, but most of them are steam outlined, with only the Baguley being a proper diesel (and Roundhouse's CC is almost the same)!
Does anyone know of a manufacturer who WILL take advantage of this gap in the market?

Si · Post by Si » Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:21 am

I tend not to see much point in buying diesels really. Given that most are just a couple of boxes on wheels, with some detail added here and there

, they aren't particularly difficult to scratch build to a good standard, and scratch building gives the added benefits of allowing you to have exactly the loco that you wanted, plus of giving you an extra dollop of pride in the model.

Johnnie2sheds · Post by **Johnnie2sheds** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 11:51 am

Here at Two Sheds Light Railway we love diesels.......and anything else we can beg borrow or steal!

Have a look at the website to see the collection we have cobbled together.

steamie1 · Post by **steamie1** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 11:53 am

What do you think of Andels models offerings? Or Friograil?

TonyW · Post by **TonyW** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 12:41 pm

DJB Engineering used to make a Festiniog Funkey:

Worsley Works make kits for the Welsh Highland Funkey:
http://www.worsleyworks.co.uk/Image-Pag ... _Funky.htm

Upnor Castle:
http://www.worsleyworks.co.uk/Image-Pag ... Castle.htm

South African Railways Class 91:
http://www.worsleyworks.co.uk/Image-Pag ... lass91.htm

Spule 4 · Post by **Spule 4** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 3:01 pm

IP had some, heavy metal locos too.

I have one I may finish one day, just don't have a lot of enthuisiasm about the kit.

Essel have some as well, and they also have some chassis options if you wish to build your own body, use one from GRS, etc.

http://www.mattharvey.com/esselengineer ... &Itemid=58

I bought some of his bits for some other projects, and there were no problems shipping to the USA.

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 4:19 pm

I've just bought one of these.....................

.............. an AnDel Models Avonside MLM which is a very nice model, but which suffers from a lack of adhesive weight............... at least it did, until I stuffed 6 sheets of lead in the "bonnet" and screwed 6 more sheets under the cab floor! We'll see how it performs NOW tomorrow, hopefully..............

tom_tom_go · Post by **tom_tom_go** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 4:51 pm

Someone needs to make a R/C diesel with 'decent' sound just like you get with DCC in OO scale from the likes of Bachmann. I would quite happily spend 1k or more if this gap could be filled!

Spule 4 · Post by **Spule 4** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 4:57 pm

MDLR:76901 wrote:I've just bought one of these.....................

.............. an AnDel Models Avonside MLM which is a very nice model, but which suffers from a lack of adhesive weight............... at least it did, until I stuffed 6 sheets of lead in the "bonnet" and screwed 6 more sheets under the cab floor! We'll see how it performs NOW tomorrow, hopefully..............

I like that Brian, both the chunkyness and the color suit it well.

(EDIT) one thing that has puzzled me about AnDel's locos is they are RTR, whilst the rolling stock are kits. So color changes, adding weight, sound, etc, is a bit more difficult. But understood that many don't like kits anymore.

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 6:21 pm

I like the chunkyness, but mine's a black one..........

I think also he likes to make 'em - at least he can then guarantee that they'll work!

SherpaPhil · Post by **SherpaPhil** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 11:32 pm

i like the look of the AnDel Moelwyn but would have to have sound fitted !

williamfj · Post by **williamfj** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 12:30 am

MDLR:76905 wrote: I think also he likes to make 'em - at least he can then guarantee that they'll work!

I pledge incompetence!

Could really do with a guilty looking smiley right now!

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 11:24 am

SherpaPhil:76909 wrote:i like the look of the AnDel Moelwyn but would have to have sound fitted !

He was intending to fit sound, but the electronics on the loco interfered with it!

sstjc · Post by **sstjc** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 12:46 pm

I think the problem here is how big the market is. Such chunky RTR diesels come in at quite a price. I'm not suggesting here that they are not worth it just that in ones formative 16mm years most people aspire to steam and such a chunk of money goes a long way toward a second hand steam engine or even the entry level models from Roundhouse and Accucraft. So chunky diesels are not on the shopping list of most people until they are fairly well established in the hobby. Thus this reduces the market.

The small and much cheaper diesels such as available from IP will always have a bigger customer base simply because by comparision they are pocket money level and quick and easy to build and bash.

Therefore I don't see the range of chunky deisels available expanding much from where it is. Having said that there are actually quite a few available from LC, Andel and Roundhouse and if you search a bit there are other small manufacturers. Although I can't find the link at the moment theres one person who sells some nice looking engines through ebay of this style for about £175 if my memory serves...

It would be interesting to know what you settle on.

sstjc · Post by **sstjc** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 12:51 pm

Typical isn't it. Just after I sent the above I found what I was looking for on ebay...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G-Scale-SM32- ... 2577cf4012

IrishPeter · Post by **IrishPeter** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 5:47 am

Finbarr O'Toole and the track gang would like an IC engined locomotive, but as the GSR (owners of the S&CLR) is usually broke they are unlikely to see one. OTOH, there was some speculation that driving one on the Tramway after a liquid lunch in Quiggins Bar might get you pinched for drunk driving! (The lads had had a few in Quiggin's when they were discussing that one!) Instead, they usually get No.3 on PW trains as she will stay on the boil for ages, and will haul three or four loaded ballast wagons and a coach without complaint.

A 45mm gauge Ruston would be nice - something early BnaM-ish - and I would even tackle a simple kit to have one. However, my spare cash is going into completing the trackwork at the moment. The head of Aluminium needs to reach Aussolas before long, and Castleknox before next summer

Peter in AZ

Graff B. · Post by **Graff B.** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:07 pm

Essel manufacture some very good battery loco's. I've purchased a few over the years and they have all been well made and reliable.
Also Roger Hine makes his "Punch" loco which going by his earlier locos (under the Friog name) should be a good

JMORG · Post by **JMORG** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 11:26 am

AnDel's Diesels (I think) look GREAT, and from what I heard are very reliable, and Essel's chassis is second to none (a scratch built tram engine my father made when I was 4 has recently had a new Essel chassic and it's probably our most useful electric).
BUT, they seem to lack in power on our flat, 5' minimum radius curves, layout. I wish someone would do something like:

Uproar Castle anyone?

TonyW · Post by **TonyW** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:59 pm

JMORG:77428 wrote:Uproar Castle anyone?

http://www.worsleyworks.co.uk/Image-Pag ... Castle.htm

SherpaPhil · Post by **SherpaPhil** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 2:59 pm

Nice !!!

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