April "Model Rail" mag

[GroupC]

In this month's issue is an N gauge layout featuring an epic model of the Ribblehead viaduct, in its entirety. There's also a review, by "our" very own Ben A, of the new GF Class 31, and very tempting it looks too...

[koyli55002]

Very tempting indeed - and that photo looks like it's of an "O" Gauge model !
And if you're wanting to use up some old Farish Mark 1 underframes ........

[Bealman]

I'll keep a lookout for that arriving in Aus. Sounds interesting!

Thanks for posting! 

[Calnefoxile]

My copy arrived yesterday whilst I was at work, I had a quick scan through it last night and was looking forward to reading the articles on Car Transporters/Motorail and layouts based on Car Factories.

The articles themselves are very interesting, but there is a list what cars are available from UK manufacturers in both 1:148 & 1:76 scales and guess what?? Hardly anything in N:

Pre-War era - 2 models available
1940's - mid-1960's - 12 models available
1960's - 1980's - 2 models available
1990's - present day - 0 models available, yes that is a big fat 0 

In OO:

Pre-War era - 9 models available
1940's - mid-1960's - 56 models available
1960's - 1980's - 21 models available
1990's - present day - 13 models available

Most of the models listed are by Oxford Diecast, they don't seem to have listed the Cararama range and they have not included any Continental ranges because they are 1:160 & 1:87.

Why oh why can't Oxford Diecast reproduce their range in N??? How many of us are stocking their layouts with Continental vehicles because 'British' vehicles are not available, I know the Continental manufacturers are producing 'British' cars like Fords, Vauxhalls etc. but 1: they're to 1:160 scale and 2: they're left hand drive!!!!

Right I'll get of my soap box now, before I burst a blood vessel or something 

Regards

Neal.

[Bealman]

No, please don't do that.... if it's any consolation, I  had a Triang "Car-a-Belle" set in the 1960s....

I didn't  give a monkey's about the two car transporters with the Minix cars with shiny wheels, I  just wanted the legendary Jinty,  which by then was fitted with Synchrosmoke!

[Benn]

1960's - 1980's - 2 models available

Why oh why can't Oxford Diecast reproduce their range in N??? How many of us are stocking their layouts with Continental vehicles because 'British' vehicles are not available, I know the Continental manufacturers are producing 'British' cars like Fords, Vauxhalls etc. but 1: they're to 1:160 scale and 2: they're left hand drive!!!!

Neal.

Yes Neal, it has been a source of frustration for myself too, having a layout set in the early 70s, I've had to populate it with mostly 50s/60s cars of only a handful of types. Luckily cars did last a lot longer in that period so it's almost okay, but it's desperately in need of a Mk1 Escort or Cortina, Transit Mk1, or some decent truck/cab/trailer type set ups. A nice Bedford cab and a trailor would do the trick!

A nice period track crane wouldn't go a miss either, like a Ruston Bucyrus or the like... Wishful thinking that mind.

Cheers,
Benn.

[steve836]

P D Marsh have a reasonable range of cars & trucks in N. Granted they are not as good as Oxford but toward the back of the layout or on a cartic they would pass muster.

[javlinfaw7]

Three different good Mk1 Transits are available through R Parker
Models ,see N'Tastic Shop for pictures

[Ben A]

Hi all,

For layouts set in the present day lots of the very nice Tomytec cars (and commercial vehicles) are suitable and these are to 1:150 scale so virtually the right scale.

However, more dedicated British road vehicles would be nice - I do think decent road container trailers and cement tanks are long overdue...

cheers

Ben A.

[Benn]

The sensible route I guess would be to produce vehicles that compliment  existing wagons and traffic, like Ben says, cement lorry for use by presflos, a flatbed for use with containers along with a suitably heritage mobile crane for lifting them off, a common scene at one time. Some parcels lorries in BR or NCL or the like would also be useful.

[Malc]

So apart from the article about cars, what else is in the mag and is it worth buying?

[Chinahand]

Three different good Mk1 Transits are available through R Parker
Models ,see N'Tastic Shop for pictures

R Parker actually do quite a good range of pre-war and early post war vehicles not just the 3 mentioned. I think I have about a dozen different ones in all, ranging from a Bull-nose Morris to a Bedford WLG Refuse Truck. The casting is generally much cleaner than the P D Marsh or Langley ones and the windows are 'see-through'.