Prolific modelling blogger Phil Parker has recently been updating on his experiences with the KBscale track sample kit. His impressions are positive, describing it as good value for money and useful encourage into a new scale.
There have been two posts on the subject so far, and it sounds like there may be more to come as Phil mentions the thought of modelling the Groudle Glen railway in O14…
This link has lots of photos by Geoff Plumb of various British Industrial Systems including the 2′ gauge Leighton Buzzard Light Railway. Many of the photos are in colour and provide a superb model reference whatever the gauge.
This is the track plan of the standard and narrow gauge interchange yard of the Pentewan Light Railway – my long in gestation layout. Only some of this track is built.
The purple block on the plan is a tippler on a raised section of track from which loaded wagons of china clay will be tipped into standard gauge wagons below.
A couple of photos showing progress of the Hudson Hunslet kit from KBscale. The kit will be available in two versions to represent early and late versions of the prototype. Various cab and canopy options will be available at a later date.
This kit features lost wax brass castings for the frames and details with etched brass parts for the engine cover etc. This kit will be 14mm gauge only.
I’ve been making some more turnouts in the last few days (with Peco rail to match my other track). I tried to time how long it took but forgot to keep notes – I reckon each one takes about 4-5 hours spread over 2-3 days.
Whilst I am mainly involved with Signals and Track for Standard gauge Model Railways, I can also offer a track/point building service in narrow gauges.
I can also offer servo operation of points, either for the modeller to install himself or included in the build. If you visit my website, you will see a Youtube video of an 00 gauge point being operated by an onboard servo.
My website address is www.borg-rail.com
Stephen Freeman
Nigel Lawton has released his 7mm scale kit of the 20hp bow-framed Simplex. The loco can be built to 14mm or 16.5mm gauge, and as well as the drive motor includes a second micro-motor to power the distinctive radiator fan. There should also be room to fit a DCC chip, if required. The complete kit costs £105, plus postage.
More details and online ordering are available at Nigel’s website.
Trans d’antan is a French producer of O14 loco and rolling stock kits. The website is mainly in French but is fairly easy to navigate. Some of the kits have English assembly instructions.
The O14 kits and ordering details can be found here: modele-reduit-train.com-La boutique -Echelle Oe Note you need to select the Oe14 option either from this Echelle Oe page or under the individual locos
The following images are taken from their website:
At the recent ExpoNG show, the French modelling group Escadrille St Michel presented their latest O14 layout – Dargil et Laitard. Their specialism is compact, industrial scenes, and this one is a very attractive small brickworks with an attractive combination of fairly modern machinery and rural surroundings.
The KBscale Deutz locos were running very nicely on the day, and there is also a bassy sound system under the layout to add atmosphere.
The RJ Models Chopper Couplers as reviewed in NG&IRM Review 79 are nicely detailed Norwegian or ‘chopper’ type couplers as common on narrow gauge railways in many countries. They are appropriately sized with a head around the same size as a #5 Kadee, and use the standard Kadee coupler mounting box (included) so are easy to mount.
As assembled from the packet, they are difficult to use as the hooks snuggle down in their mating coupler’s slot, meaning a lot of fiddling with tweezers and a bit of frustration thrown in to disengage them. I have modified my couplers to make operation easier.
Note the small loop of steel wire around the top of the hook.
Before removal from the casting sprue, drill a small hole in the end of each hook. I used a 0.6mm drill in a pedestal drill, smaller would be better. If you have already removed the hooks from the casting sprue, no problem, just be careful when drilling.
Next, assemble the couplers by following the instructions.
Once assembled, go to your kitchen and grab a ‘twist tie’, the sort with a fine steel wire in it. Strip the wire from the plastic or paper casing.
Thread the wire through the hole you drilled, and bend around to form a small loop around the top of the hook. Cut wire to length.
Fit coupler to rollingstock. You do need to be very consistent with coupler heights.
Now all you need is a small magnet on a stick or rod and you can enjoy using these scale couplers without frustration. I used a small rare earth magnet super-glued to a bamboo skewer.
RJ Models are available from Bergs Hobbies in Sydney, Australia.
-Mark
