Many of you might know about Spurweite-n (https://spurweite-n.de/) database that currently counts nearly 44k entries. With the caveat that it is only available in German, it is of course very much focused on continental European models – not to say German - though containing a significant amount of references for other countries.
Do you know about the Trovestar N scale model train database (http://www.trovestar.com/generic/group.php?Collection=4)? This was launched in 2016 and already counts more that 54k entries. The database currently contains mostly North American models, as well as a significant number of Japanese models and a few continental European ones.
The originality of this database is that anyone can contribute, a bit like Wikipedia. This explains why the database has grown so fast in the last 3 years, compared to other similar reference database sites.
The site also allows to create personal collections, free of charge.
I'm actually an important contributor to this database – though not the owner.
This database is really meant to reference every and anything that is N (from 1/144 to 1/160).
Except for Oxford Diecast cars and trucks, we actually have no British rolling stock in N gauge (1/148) and consider adding some. However, we'll need contributors to help us.
I have noticed two reference database web sites related to British N gauge:
http://www.ngauge.org/ (http://www.ngauge.org/)
https://www.modelraildatabase.com/ (https://www.modelraildatabase.com/)
Both these site are well done, so this might be enough for British N gauge modellers, this I cannot say. However if you feel that additional references would be needed, I would be delighted if you'd think about using the TroveStar database for that.
If you are interested and want to know more, please email me.
Cheers,
Just as examples that might be of interest to the British N gauge modelers:
- Kato Class 66 (http://www.trovestar.com/generic/index.php?Collection=4&Body+Style=KAT-DE-Cl66&Brand=Kato%20Lemke) (continental European companies)
- Oxford Diecast (http://www.trovestar.com/generic/index.php?Body_Style=&Brand=Oxford+Diecast&Production_Type=&Manufacturer=&Road_or_Company_Name=&Series_Name=&Model_Type=&Collection=4)
There is already a comprehensive list of Oxford Diecast, and Base Toys/BT models in all scales on the Modelbuszone webpages, plus buses from amyriad of other N scale producers.
This link takes you to the Oxford section, but more lists appear under the "everything else" tab.
http://www.modelbuszone.co.uk/oxford/index.html (http://www.modelbuszone.co.uk/oxford/index.html)
Quote from: AlanUS on September 13, 2018, 03:08:20 PM
Just as examples that might be of interest to the British N gauge modelers:
- Kato Class 66 (http://www.trovestar.com/generic/index.php?Collection=4&Body+Style=KAT-DE-Cl66&Brand=Kato%20Lemke) (continental European companies)
They're great models and as a modeller of continental European rail I run them, but the scale is noticeably different to British N class 66s by Farish or Dapol when put alongside the Kato models. I'm not sure if many British modellers would seriously consider them.
I try not to feature my CJM 59 on my layout at the same time as a Kato 66.
Dapol 66, Kato 66, CJM 59
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/69/5885-130918161548.jpeg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=69004)
Just looked up my one and only Kato Class 66 on the Trovestar site - just about any and every detail I could require for the model is there. As ntp says "great models", I think my Kato Class 66 is one of the best runners I have. :thumbsup:
Quote from: woodbury22uk on September 13, 2018, 04:11:42 PM
There is already a comprehensive list of Oxford Diecast, and Base Toys/BT models in all scales on the Modelbuszone webpages, plus buses from amyriad of other N scale producers.
http://www.modelbuszone.co.uk/oxford/index.html (http://www.modelbuszone.co.uk/oxford/index.html)
:thumbsup: Thanks for the tip. Not pretending that TroveStar database in exhaustive - we know it is not - just trying to figure out whether we should put some effort to extend it to British N gauge, or if everything about this it is already existing elsewhere.
Quote from: ntpntpntp on September 13, 2018, 04:17:24 PMI'm not sure if many British modellers would seriously consider them.
:D As I wrote earlier in another post, the opposite is true from a continental Europe perspective. However, some modellers already highlighted that they do not care, as long as the two versions do not seat side by side.
:) Just starting with British models. Tried with stuff that is not necessarily referenced elsewhere, though not being uncommon.
So :bounce: Lima BR Mk.1 coaches (http://www.trovestar.com/generic/index.php?Collection=4&Body%20Style=LIM-PA-Mk1-CK).
Started by this one as it happens that I have one of these old Lima sets on display in my home office; I knew it was from Great Britain, but as the loco is inoperative, I did not paid too much attention until now.
Please don't hesitate to let me know if I've written anything wrong - though I did a bit of research.
Quote from: AlanUS on September 16, 2018, 08:10:47 PM
:) Just starting with British models. Tried with stuff that is not necessarily referenced elsewhere, tough not being uncommon.
So :bounce: Lima BR Mk.1 coaches (http://www.trovestar.com/general/item/callback.php?Action=ItemBacklinks&Collection=4&id=147606).
Started by this one as it happens that I have one of these old Lima sets on display in my home office; I knew it was from Great Britain, but as the loco is inoperative, I did not paid too much attention until now.
Please don't hesitate to let me know if I've written anything wrong - though I did a bit of research.
FYI the link leads to a login page, is there a public link available?
Quote from: railsquid on September 17, 2018, 08:02:53 AM
FYI the link leads to a login page, is there a public link available?
:sorrysign: The following is a public link: http://www.trovestar.com/generic/index.php?Collection=4&Body%20Style=LIM-PA-Mk1-CK (http://www.trovestar.com/generic/index.php?Collection=4&Body%20Style=LIM-PA-Mk1-CK)
Had no time this week to continue on this, but there will be more soon.
I'm finished - I hope - with all Lima and Minitrix Mark 1 coaches that I could find. Still missing a few Wrenn and Hornby-Minitrix references, but these are essentially re-numbering of the same models.
http://www.trovestar.com/generic/index.php?Collection=4&Prototype=147606 (http://www.trovestar.com/generic/index.php?Collection=4&Prototype=147606)
Just added the Hornby-Minitrix versions:
http://www.trovestar.com/generic/index.php?Collection=4&Brand=Hornby-Minitrix (http://www.trovestar.com/generic/index.php?Collection=4&Brand=Hornby-Minitrix)
Could not find better images, but my prime intention was to show the packaging. The Minitrix entries have better images.
Not sure how long Hornby-Minitrix lived. I have a catalogue from 1980 and I found references to catalogues from 1973 up to 1985.