Garden Railway Forum

Yesterday saw results, with the first of rolling stock for Gorun Nova and the planned 'Flying Circus' be ceremoniously dumped in my front porch. Basically the matching set of 5 x 4wheelers from  Ebay set, I think I got a good bargain here


Lined up to attention
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Two in convoy with Guards van
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Showing the fact they actually have detailing/seats inside. I may extend this though and include padding, and carpeting.
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The build: a Lima O gauge chassis, plastic wheels and all. They roll freely but my concern is that the flanges may be too shallow - remember Great Star and the Multiple Derailments? Yea. Then again, £25 all in all for 24mm wheels from I P Engineering isn't too bad. That will be considered after trails though. If the plastic wheels run fine, they can stay.
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Just some shots with the WIP Gorun Nova now to see how the train looks.

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I'm rather pleased with these coaches actually. They came cheapish [though Ebay was giving me a hard time!], they are sound structurally, have been well looked after and for their integrity are quite light. This is good as it means a Mamod locomotive can stand a chance of pulling them and not be worn down. Coupling wise, adding long links to the coupling should resolve any problems in that field.

Although my locomotive is to Mamod like a wolf in a fleece is to sheep...

Lastly, they work.. They look really good together, like a train designed and built for a single railway which pleases me no end.
Further updates as they come - your thoughts chaps?

Ditch the mamod buffers & couplings, fit centre buffers & then add some more details and they will be sorted in my mind. As you say you may have issues with the plastic wheels. Personally I would ditch them for metal ones anyway as I dislike plastic ones. Check the journal size first as ip ones may not fit and opening them out is tricky if the chassis is one piece. A fair price for them though, I remember paying 30 to 40 quid each for appalling mamod wagons & coaches (many of which still fester in sidings on the line), these on the other hand actually look like rail vehicles.

The rake looks good Just needs some lettering to make it your railway I use plastic wheels on my peco sm32 line with no problems so I would suggest try them, if they work leave them on.

Why is the steam dome so offset on your wolf?

Had I not been out bid on them and won one or two ( ) I almost certainly was going to remove the couplers and fit center ones, and possibly change the wheels.
I must admit, they will look very good in a full rake outside

Personally I actually find their slightly - only slightly! - "toy-like" look rather endearing, but since you're going for a more detailed look with your Mamod than it will look better if the coaches match in terms of couplings etc. I'm sure they'll make a very attractive rake whatever you decide - I must admit I am very partial to balcony-ended vehicles!

Pendo Pilot:51074 wrote:Ditch the mamod buffers & couplings, fit centre buffers & then add some more details and they will be sorted in my mind. As you say you may have issues with the plastic wheels. Personally I would ditch them for metal ones anyway as I dislike plastic ones. Check the journal size first as ip ones may not fit and opening them out is tricky if the chassis is one piece. A fair price for them though, I remember paying 30 to 40 quid each for appalling mamod wagons & coaches (many of which still fester in sidings on the line), these on the other hand actually look like rail vehicles.

The Mamod bufferbeams I'm in two minds about. For one, more expense aside from 'possible crucials' such as wheels and chains and transfers. Secondly, as they are, they look very Talyllyn-esque, which matches my loco's wheels for one thing and secondly, as a TR chap, I find it endearing. However if functionality is reduced, then we shall see.

The wheels are to be tested when I go to Tywyn next - if they derail, off they come!

As for Mamod coaches...*shudders* They want average £42 + p&p for one these days. While sturdy due to metal costruction, they look awful and are rather cheap-seeming. The only upside they have is opening doors - meaning one could put one's pet guinea-pig or hamster in as a pasenger!!! Otherwise, I vowed to stay clear. Saw a rake of 3 on Ebay last year- £50 or so. Not interested though. Thankfully I bided my time.

Sir Clothem Cap:51075 wrote:The rake looks good Just needs some lettering to make it your railway I use plastic wheels on my peco sm32 line with no problems so I would suggest try them, if they work leave them on.

Why is the steam dome so offset on your wolf?

As said above SCC, the plastic wheels will be trialled first. No need to mend something that isn't broken, and for what's an economy project only essentials are required. The dome....I hadn't noticed!! It was only resting on the boiler, it's not secured yet, won't be til I paint and cure the boiler!

ste234:51076 wrote:Had I not been out bid on them and won one or two ( ) I almost certainly was going to remove the couplers and fit center ones, and possibly change the wheels.
I must admit, they will look very good in a full rake outside

As said, couplings and wheels are going on trial first. One reason I was happy to bid highish on them - the whole rake is much better than simply one or two.

MuzTrem:51077 wrote:Personally I actually find their slightly - only slightly! - "toy-like" look rather endearing, but since you're going for a more detailed look with your Mamod than it will look better if the coaches match in terms of couplings etc. I'm sure they'll make a very attractive rake whatever you decide - I must admit I am very partial to balcony-ended vehicles!

They are an attractive rake as they stand, but I do know a little work will be needed on them. Why the passion for centre couplings though, chaps? I know a lot of narrow gauge such as the FR had the true, but I also have a prototype for retaining the buffers etc - providing they can couple upto and retain coupling to other stock and locomotives!

Balcony ended coaches were what caught my eye - inspired by the WLLR's own stock, I sought to emulate that too. Now on the 'needs doing' list is matching the plum colour and making little gates to go on the side of the balconies to allow for standing up while the train in motion. Thus:

Wheels - if plastics fails. £25.
Couplings - if set fitted don't work- £??
Transfers - £??
Gates - paint and plasticard - £10

Progress as and when done.

I got the local vinyl cutter to do my lettering. simple and effective enen on the mamod engine sides. much cheaper than transfers

Are you able to get inside them? I assume you can, seeing as how you're talking about more internal detail. If you CAN get inside, glaze them - they'll look SO much better!

MDLR:51089 wrote:Are you able to get inside them? I assume you can, seeing as how you're talking about more internal detail. If you CAN get inside, glaze them - they'll look SO much better!

Im not certain but they look glazed to me Brian Or else ive convinced myself I can see a light reflection of the window in some of the pics

Will likely need to carefully remove the roofs. And they are already glazed.

Some work will need doing on these beauties mind...
Coaches No's -

1 - 1 small window to re-stick & one balcony wall to repair top & bottom

2 - Restick loose side windows, nothing major

3 - Replace one end of glazing. Glue one balcony wall into place. Restick one wall of glazing.

4 - Glue top of one balcony wall.

5 - No damage.

WHEELS: To be tested on Llechfan ASAP. Possible replacement: IP Engineering 20mm width
BALCONY GATES: To forge from plasticard when and soon as possible. I suspect a paint match will be needed.

I've also decided to fit one band of gold trimline to both sides of each carriage.

I am also looking out for TR transfers - all I want is numbers, 1-5, and two of first-second-third-guard. Anyone know decent transfer sellers?
Cheers

Anyone know decent transfer sellers?

DJB

They don't do TR, but what DJB do will suit. Cheers NM!

dougrail:51693 wrote:They don't do TR...

Yet.

TonyW:51704 wrote:

dougrail:51693 wrote:They don't do TR...

Yet.

i swear therre was TR crest transfers at their stand on saturday

Ah but I don't want crests. I just want the 1st-2nd-3rd, No1-5, and a Guard-Luggage set. You chaps telling me they do TR ones now, brand new?

I sent in all the artwork to DJB for all of the vintage coach lettering and numbering

How long ago was that then SirHaydn?

I should think just before xmas

Very tempted to give them a call tomorrow and ask them about TR transfer sets...

Thanks for the info gents, muchly appreciated.