Restart - Looking for help with UK OUtline

If you are not fussy about perfect proportions, the Thomas range can be given back head detail etc. and de-faced with a smoke box door. Far more robust than any cheap toy train set and have a reasonable range of locos and rolling stock. The only issue is, they are a standard gauge prototype scaled approximately 1:22 running on 45mm track. Much larger than correctly scaled Gauge 1 models in 1:32 but will fit in OK with most other products in G scale and 16mm scale (ignoring prototype gauge).

The below link shows a converted de-faced Thomas and Percy.
Thomas ! - What have they done to you ? - G Scale Central
 
maxi-model said:
If buying this loco 2nd hand, as you in all probability will (there might be some new/old stock still around), avoid the 1st editions, made around 20 years ago. The 2nd editions made about 6-7 years ago are the ones to go for as they have brass gears and better detailing. To confuse matters they are both merchandised under Bachmann's "Spectrum" branding, though both editions fall far short of the standards set by their 1:20.3 (Fn3) scale stablemates. But I started with one of these all those years ago and it put a smile on my face. From small acorns......Max
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Ironically only the first version was sold as Bachmann 'Spectrum' marked underneath the locomotive and on the box.
The far better 2nd version was boxed as Bachmann 'Big Hauler'.
The easiest way to tell the difference between the 2 versions is the first one has flat pressed side rods and the 2nd version has cast side rods with detail.
Both versions are the same as far as scale goes which is not the claimed 1:20 scale. More like 1:22 or so with a larger cab etc. The dome height difference is very apparent compared to prototype. They look fine with the smaller L&B Accucraft rolling stock.
 
Paradise said:
Ironically only the first version was sold as Bachmann 'Spectrum' marked underneath the locomotive and on the box.
The far better 2nd version was boxed as Bachmann 'Big Hauler'.
The easiest way to tell the difference between the 2 versions is the first one has flat pressed side rods and the 2nd version has cast side rods with detail.
Both versions are the same as far as scale goes which is not the claimed 1:20 scale. More like 1:22 or so with a larger cab etc. The dome height difference is very apparent compared to prototype. They look fine with the smaller L&B Accucraft rolling stock.
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Excellent, I will be on the look out for them. This seems like a really good way to go.
 
Based on your location, they should come up for sale from time to time. The online discount dealers were selling them for less than US$100 at saturation which may reflect their resale price too. You won't get a new unused one for that now but being a UK prototype, they probably aren't as popular with most people in the USA and there should be plenty there considering the population.
 
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Another thing is, the Accucraft L&B coaches are quite long and not exactly cheap. If you are pressed for space and/or funds, the Bachmann Emily 3 axle coaches (Thomas range) go quite well with Lyn.
You will have to work out your preferred couplings for your fleet if mixing different brands but all doable.
I once tried putting regular Bachmann metal wheels on an Emily coach so it sat lower to the ground to look more narrow gauge. It seemed to work OK although that changes the coupling height but could be modified. Either omit the centre wheel or grind off it's flanges to a flat non tapered tread so it doesn't fail on corners.
A short string of brake-coach-brake would make a nice compact passenger consist. A hodge podge mix of standard gauge and narrow gauge, in a similar scale on 45mm track. Perhaps a weird approach but it can all come together.

 
Paradise said:
Another thing is, the Accucraft L&B coaches are quite long and not exactly cheap. If you are pressed for space and/or funds, the Bachmann Emily 3 axle coaches (Thomas range) go quite well with Lyn.
You will have to work out your preferred couplings for your fleet if mixing different brands but all doable.
I once tried putting regular Bachmann metal wheels on an Emily coach so it sat lower to the ground to look more narrow gauge. It seemed to work OK although that changes the coupling height but could be modified. Either omit the centre wheel or grind off it's flanges to a flat non tapered tread so it doesn't fail on corners.
A short string of brake-coach-brake would make a nice compact passenger consist. A hodge podge mix of standard gauge and narrow gauge, in a similar scale on 45mm track. Perhaps a weird approach but it can all come together.

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Bit of a cringeworthy review but the point made about Lyn and the Coaches is a very valid one and nicely shows how things can look and feel right when put together. If using such this combination I would hack off the double buffers from the coaches putting a single one back in in the middle to represent Narrow Gauge practice. As an aside the other 4 wheel Thomas coaches that do not have a Clerestory would also go nicely with Lyn.

Oh the other way round you may wish to replicate the double buffers on Lyn in effect turning it into a standard gauge engine.
 
dunnyrail said:
Bit of a cringeworthy review but the point made about Lyn and the Coaches is a very valid one and nicely shows how things can look and feel right when put together. If using such this combination I would hack off the double buffers from the coaches putting a single one back in in the middle to represent Narrow Gauge practice. As an aside the other 4 wheel Thomas coaches that do not have a Clerestory would also go nicely with Lyn.

Oh the other way round you may wish to replicate the double buffers on Lyn in effect turning it into a standard gauge engine.
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Jon, I am with your first suggestion, single buffer :)
 
Yes. On the Southwold Railway. They had six wheel open wagons as well.carriage.jpg

Rik
 
A later picture of the Southwold coaches after they enclosed the end balconies. I think the Isle of Man Railway also had some six wheelers in the early days.

35487902035_1602fd607f_b.jpg

Rik
 
Paradise said:
Just wondering. Did they have any 3 axle narrow gauge coaches in the UK? :think:
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Another question might be were there any clerestory roofed ones. There was certainly one on the Corris Railway, perhaps other lines also.
 
dunnyrail said:
Another question might be were there any clerestory roofed ones. There was certainly one on the Corris Railway, perhaps other lines also.
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I'm 90% certain I've seen some pictures of clerestory coaches on Irish NG railways. I have a feeling the 3' gauge coaches on the Ravenglass & Eskdale were clrestory - but i might be mistaken.

Rik
 
ge_rik said:
I'm 90% certain I've seen some pictures of clerestory coaches on Irish NG railways.
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Yes, flicking through my copy of Coakham's book on Irish NG Rolling Stock I see that the West Clare, Cavan & Leitrim and Clogher Valley had clerestory coaches (there may be more)

ge_rik said:
I have a feeling the 3' gauge coaches on the Ravenglass & Eskdale were clerestory - but i might be mistaken.
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No evidence the Ratty had them though

Rik
PS Darned tablet spell checker wanted to change 'clerestory' to 'corsetry' which seems to throw up some interesting adverts on the forum
 
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The English NG railways sometimes tended to go for toplights (fanlights above the windows) like the Southwold stock and the Rye and Camber Tramway - cost probably triumphed over style ;)

Otherwise, they just went for dark, gloomy and presumably smelly, as with the Ashover carriages :confused:

I have photos in a couple of the Middleton Press books relating to standard gauge carriages where they describe the reason for all the slam doors being left open at a terminus - deodorants were not used, and shirts were washed probably only once a week - collars were removable (and cuffs were 'turned' when they frayed).
 
I mentioned previously that I had bought some Accucraft IoM 4 wheel coaches and an E van to go with the Bachmann Lyn.
Here's a picture.

DNhEIMT.jpg


Nice thing about modelling British narrow gauge in the US, only I know these don't really belong together :sunglasses:
 
ge_rik said:
I'm 90% certain I've seen some pictures of clerestory coaches on Irish NG railways. I have a feeling the 3' gauge coaches on the Ravenglass & Eskdale were clrestory - but i might be mistaken.

Rik
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Yes you are right, I was thinking just England and Wales.
 
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