Modelling Hornby Dublo in British N Gauge

[ntpntpntp]

@Paddy  don't think that is Lonestar at all. Never seen that particular building.

Not sure, possibly a very early european kit (maybe GDR made) or perhaps from a cheapo plastic train set?   



[edit] I see what you mean about the similarity with HD though, so maybe it's from a British train set at least?

[CliveH]

Here's a couple I made earlier!

Cheers

[Bealman]

Hi @Paddy , just caught up with this.

Cool!!   

[Bealman]

Those two wagons are very well done, @CliveH .

Looks like we have a like-minded modeller! 

[Paddy]

Hi Folks,

Slide detailing the Hornby Dublo Coronation Class Pacific 4-6-2.



I raised the following question on the A4 slide and wonder if anyone can answer it?

Found a photo on Google of a Farish (Poole) - Kingfisher, BR Green 60024, Late Crest, No side valances but no other details.  Was this released?

Next will be the BR Standard 4MT Class Tank 2-6-4T.

Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Many thanks

Paddy
Dream | Believe | Achieve

[icairns]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but I do have some information about the signal boxes referenced above.

The plastic signal box on eBay that looks like the Hornby Dublo version is definitely NOT a Lone Star item.  The Lone Star signal box was red and white diecast metal as shown in ntpntpntp's post.

According to Donald Troost, who has extensively documented Lone Star model railway products, it is probable that the plastic signal box on eBay was distributed between 1962-64 by a company called Randal & Wood.  They had a product line called "Linda" and had the train models made in plastic in Hong Kong by a company called Blue-Box. 

Randall & Wood "borrowed", shall we say, designs made by other companies, primarily Lone Star.

In Donald Troost's book, the plastic signal box is listed under Linda model #77019 as a white signal box with orange roof and described as a "scaled down Hornby 00 signal box". Comparing the two photos in ntpntpntp's post above, the similarity is obvious.

I have a few Linda products including the Goods Set, the Passenger Pullman Set and the Station.  The similarities between these Linda products and the range of Lone Star items is amazing.  The Linda models that I have include models based on Lone Star's 0-6-0 tank loco, the Princess loco, passenger coaches, flat truck, Shell tank wagon, open wagon and the station.  The "Pullman" coaches were simply plastic copies of the Lone Star main line coaches coloured in cream and brown.

Although the Linda models were similar to Lone Star there were differences.  One of the main disparities was that the steam locos were all 0-4-0's!  The 4-6-2 Princess loco looks particularly strange as an 0-4-0! 

According to Troost, the Randall & Wood range was short lived and may have been terminated as a result of threatened legal action by Lone Star.  The range was taken over and further developed by Blue-Box.

Posted below are a few items from my Linda collection (some still in their original cellophane wrapping).  Note the similarities between the station (in a Blue-Box box, if you know what I mean) and the Lone Star station posted by ntpntpntp above. 

Ian


Linda / Blue-Box Plastic Station



Linda Goods Set (with 0-4-0 tank loco)








Linda Pullman Set (with 0-4-0 Princess loco)

[ntpntpntp]

Yes that makes sense.  I can remember being bought a very small train set as a very young boy in the early 60s - I think it was actually a Santa's Grotto prezzie or something like that.  A couple of the cheap plastic wagons were similar to those shown and survived for quite a while in my toybox.

[Paddy]

Hi @icairns

Thank you for adding your excellent addition.  Absolutely fascinating.

Kind regards

Paddy

[Paddy]

Looks like you were spot on @icairns, see the following:

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/special-auction-services/catalogue-id-srspe10259/lot-ee7b9bc4-107c-44f5-b6e9-a8c800e097c7

Kind regards

Paddy

[Mr Sprue]

@Paddy

One thing that got me scratching my head as I remember Hornby Dublo track had three rails, are you going to model Kato track and replicate this feature to make it look authentic?

Regarding the signal box and other features I just come across this video that may help you further.

Good luck with the project.   

[ntpntpntp]

@Mr Sprue  yeah, as I suggested back near the start of the thread. I actually think Fleischmann track would be a better basis, with something like FineTrax'  code 40 rail used for the centre rail.  It would give the right look but the not interfere with running or cleaning.

[edit] Alternatively the Tomix track might be good, it has a narrower footprint than Unitrack so the sleepers are closer to the edge like HD track.

[Bealman]

You'd have to paint the track yellow to replicate the Dublo tinplate stuff!

[Newportnobby]

I raised the following question on the A4 slide and wonder if anyone can answer it?

Found a photo on Google of a Farish (Poole) - Kingfisher, BR Green 60024, Late Crest, No side valances but no other details.  Was this released?

No sign of it on page 10 of the attached, Paddy

[Mr Sprue]

You'd have to paint the track yellow to replicate the Dublo tinplate stuff!

That's a good point, sod having to do that job! 

[ntpntpntp]

You'd have to paint the track yellow to replicate the Dublo tinplate stuff!

That's a good point, sod having to do that job! 

I reckon a light dusting with suitable umber / ochre mix would help, then over the top lightly with a dark weathering/dirt. 

I'm tempted to have a go if I can find a spare bit of Fleischmann.  I've got some code 40 for the centre rail.  I've got a few bits of old HD track for a guide.   I could sit my Ibertren 3-rail locos on it