Just browsing Ebay and it appears that Minitrix gets much better prices than those we normally purchase.
I have no knowledge of Minitrix, is it a superior make?
Regards, Peter.
My own feelings are that Minitrix locos are fairly bullet proof but inaccurate
I once opened up my Minitrix Ivatt and it was like a Swiss watch inside - what a contrast with the old Farish Poole locos, which looked just like scaled down 1950s Triang! A superb slow runner. Visually the British Minitrixes (Minitrices?) are a compromise, though, being built on and adapted to Continental chassis, and the valve gear is inauthentic and overscale.
Quote from: petercharlesfagg on April 22, 2013, 08:38:41 PM
Just browsing Ebay and it appears that Minitrix gets much better prices than those we normally purchase.
I have no knowledge of Minitrix, is it a superior make?
Regards, Peter.
Depends on the item and period.
A lot of the Minitrix UK outline is seen as "collectable" so goes to the collector market, who will may silly money for some of the models. Mechanically they were very good quality models, accuracy wise varied. Some of them were pretty good for their day, others like the Warship, dock tank and 27 were ..erm not.
The better ones are still not in detail terms up to modern standards but they generally (Ivatt 2MT sometimes excepted) run very well and as they do things like 9" curves which some of their current replacements will not so have their place.
Alan
I agree with what everyone else has said. I won't part with my Minitrix locos because despite their inaccuracies they run very well and as has been mentioned are virtually bullet proof. I had a couple of dreadful Ivatts but the Pacifics are very good indeed.
If you are thinking of buying them bear in mind that the Britannia was first produced in the '70's the older ones have solid wheels on the front bogie. The boxes they come in give a good indication of age, the first models came in polystyrene trays with cardboard lids, later versions had a clear plastic box.
Regards
Veronica.
When were the plastic boxes introduced? My A4 is of that type and I keep trying to work out how old it must be. I'm guessing around 1984. I also have a couple of the cardboard boxed variants (Green 27 and Red German diesel loco)
I would guess that the plastic boxes were introduced in the 80s but I'm terrible with dates. For anyone with Minitrix locos to repair here is a useful website
http://www.jfheath.co.uk/ngauge/index.shtml (http://www.jfheath.co.uk/ngauge/index.shtml)
Regards
Veronica
Absolutely love the British N Gauge Minitrix locos. As someone pointed out previously the chassis and some of the model accuracy is a little "flexible" but in terms of build quality we have only recently got back to these levels IMHO.
HOLLERTON JUNCTION did have a lot more but even I had to do some pruning over the last couple of years. At present, 13C has the following Minitrix locos on shed:
Fowler 2F 0-6-0T
Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T (41234 & 41272)
Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 (46400 & 46406)
A3 4-6-2 "Flying Scotsman"
Standard 7 4-6-2 Britannia (70000, 70004, 70013 & 70036)
A4 4-6-2 "Sir Nigel Gresleey" & "Mallard"
All are the latest post Hornby Minitrix models in plastic cases and mint. All run very sweetly and the haulage capacity has been improved on the Ivatt 2-6-0s.
The wee Fowler 0-6-0T is amazing as it runs perfectly even across dead frog Setrack points and pulls far more than its size would suggest.
Paddy
Hi
I am a great fan of Minitrix, especially since I really have no idea about what detail is correct and my main layout requirement is a loco that runs well at slow speeds even over bumpy insulfrog points and can pull a decent load. Many newer models struggle to provide all these requirements and no modern Dapol or Farish steamers come with working lights!.
However, when the old timer Minitrixes are placed alongside the more modern models the inaccurate details and incorrect scale can plainly be seen.
My Minitrix collection is at least 30 years old with some dating back to 1976.
If you were looking for great slow running, a heady top speed, superb slow running over points, mechanical reliability, metal gears, all wheel pickup, steamers with lights and wire handrails and great pullers, nothing came near them in those old days. The only problem I have faced is getting spares. Some of my Minitrix motors require worn out bushes to be replaced but I am yet to find a supply. Can anyone help?
I also have noted that recently second hand prices on eBay have come down to about two thirds of what they were two years ago. This is probably due to many being replaced with accurate models of A3s, A4s, 9Fs etc from Farish and Dapol that have been released during this period.
So now seems a great time to buy these British outline Minitixes!
Cheers
Mac.
Since we are talking about Minitrix here is the story of how I got my Flying Scotsman in 1999. Gaugemaster got in a batch of new locos and if I remember correctly they cost about 80 pounds. That was the most I had ever spent on a loco.
As I didn't want to entrust my purchase to the local posties, a friend in England (who will remain nameless in case he ever wants to go to Ford again) offered to take delivery of the loco. It was to be sent by courier and when it didn't turn up he contacted Gaugemaster who in turn contacted the courier company who said they couldn't deliver the parcel because the only vehicle they had at the depot at that time was a pantechnicon. My friend is no shrinking violet and insisted they delivered it anyway, so my Minitrix loco arrived by pantechnicon!
Things got worse as when the loco was tested, it wasn't a very good runner. My friend decided to take the offending loco back in person and breezed into a very busy shop. He then insisted that the rather disgruntled staff get out the ENTIRE stock of Scotsmen (at least twenty) and a test track, he then proceeded to test every loco until he found one that ran to his satisfaction!
I was talking quite some time later to one of the local Marklin agents who told me that when Marklin took over Trix they found a room full of what looked like new locos which didn't appear on the list of stock, it was assumed that they were returns from all the retailers. The Gaugemaster Scotsmen may have come from this stock which would explain the odd poor runner.
Regards
Veronica
:NGaugersRule:
I had a break from railway modelling for around 8 years due to various family commitments. During that time my collection of Lima(!), Grafar, and Minitrix loco were stored in their boxes.
It was noticable that the Minitix locos were the ones that needed the least aid to come back to life. Some of the Grafar, and all of the Lima seemed to be beyond help.
OK they don't have the most accurate dimensions but Minitrix has the best mechanics.
I find there is an art to resurrecting Lima locos - although I'd suggest "why bother" is a valid question to ask first.
Before you apply power to a long disused one turn the large cog or the motor bogie by hand a fair amount, clean out any old oil you can and carefully relubricate with modern oil. It should begin to turn a lot more easily. Once it's doing that take out the gear to the wheels and gently run the motor a bit. If it won't go very carefully poke the back of the brush springs and see if that'll jump start it.
Keep a very careful eye on the temperature as you do this. Farish ones will tolerate a certain amount of heat and sticking when they are being unclogged (not that this is a good idea!) but the Lima ones have little tolerance and will happily go up in smoke.
The large gear on the bogies also occasionally splits. Fortunately its very easy to find supplies of cheap failed Lima models :D
Alan
If it wasnt for Minitrix, then quite frankly i wouldnt have stuck with British N Gauge!
For the time (mid-late 1980's) the models totally led the N Gauge British market. I still have the large logo blue Class 47 that i bought many years ago, with working lights back then! (something that has only been standard with other manufacturers in tbe last 5 years)
All of my mimitrix items both rolling stock and locos i will keep, and due to build quality will probably outlive me!
Detail compared to current models is not that great but then again who cares? I want to run trains not gawp at a stationary loco's 148 times smaller than the original! Lol.
If you buy a minitrix, you wont regret it.
Quote from: OwL on April 24, 2013, 05:37:08 PM
If it wasnt for Minitrix, then quite frankly i wouldnt have stuck with British N Gauge!
If you buy a minitrix, you wont regret it.
Ditto, I tried N Gauge in the early 70's with a Grafar pannier tank. Nothing I did would make it run reliably, dead frog points (probably only option in those days), stall!. Even on plain track it would shed the coupling rods...
Eventually a friend popped around with a Minitrix 27(sic) and a steamer, I think the Class 2 tank. Both ran like a dream, which is why I am on here today!
My friend the Flying Scotsman tester also had a bash at British N with an early Farish pannier, it drove him bonkers so he changed to German N never to return.
I can't understand the silly prices people pay for them at all - especially the playworn versions.
Old 00 models by the likes of Hornby and Triang were also put together to be tough as nails, but many of these are now consigned to the bargain bins at swapmeets. Their slow speed control is vastly inferior to modern alternatives.
It's worth pointing out also that these have been around for literally decades, with the duds and "poor" runners being thrown away or stripped for spares - hence the surviving population is not a true representation of how they first appeared on the market.
Their varying quality and low detail was also contributory to the niche which N gauge was pushed into for many years, which in my view set the UK market for N in a bad place 1985 - 2000.
Paul A.
I've yet to see the dapol A4's but the minitrix mallard I thought was pretty well detailed. The 9F looked like a terrible model from memory though.
Excellent subject! Although a novice, My impressions are, after servicing my 3 Docktanks, that The Minitrix Dock Tank loco's are Well made and of a good, simple, design and quality. Typical German approach to a manufactured item. Well worth the £30, or so for a good 'un. i have just stripped a G/F 57XX and a "pool" version for servicing and unfortunately the Minitrix is far superior, IMO. There are times when i wonder , exactly, whom lost the last war? We certainly seem to have lost the peace and can't keep up, let alone get in front, as we once were manufacturing. And, as has been said, earlier, regarding model accuracy V reliability, And, as the bishop said to the actress, "A good performer is far better than an attractive model with no traction!" regards Rodders
Quote from: 1whitemoor on April 24, 2013, 07:09:14 PM
I can't understand the silly prices people pay for them at all - especially the playworn versions.
Their varying quality and low detail was also contributory to the niche which N gauge was pushed into for many years, which in my view set the UK market for N in a bad place 1985 - 2000.
Paul A.
Wow! Are you refering to minitrix with these comments? To be honest they dont all go for silly prices........ As someone has already pointed out, they can have a big standing on the collectors market hence potential silly prices. This does depend on the model though. Like nowadays, some models fetch more attention than others....... Deserved or not!
With reference to the Minitrix quality, i think that you are the first person i have heard calling this into question! We are talking of models that for many years during the 80's-90's shone the light for British N, (despite being made in West Germany!!) having features like lighting for diesels and buffer beam detailing and real scale forward pony trucks for steamers.
The home grown answer (Graham Farish Poole) was behind both technologically and aesthetically in more ways than the minitrix at the time, and undoubtedly lead to people modelling in different gauges because the models looked crap and ran poorly.
If anything, Minitrix gave British N Gauge a hope of survival and certainly slapped down the gauntlet for new N gauge standards for many years to come......
Quote from: OwL on April 25, 2013, 12:50:03 AM
Quote from: 1whitemoor on April 24, 2013, 07:09:14 PM
I can't understand the silly prices people pay for them at all - especially the playworn versions.
Their varying quality and low detail was also contributory to the niche which N gauge was pushed into for many years, which in my view set the UK market for N in a bad place 1985 - 2000.
Paul A.
Wow! Are you refering to minitrix with these comments? To be honest they dont all go for silly prices........ As someone has already pointed out, they can have a big standing on the collectors market hence potential silly prices. This does depend on the model though. Like nowadays, some models fetch more attention than others....... Deserved or not!
With reference to the Minitrix quality, i think that you are the first person i have heard calling this into question! We are talking of models that for many years during the 80's-90's shone the light for British N, (despite being made in West Germany!!) having features like lighting for diesels and buffer beam detailing and real scale forward pony trucks for steamers.
The home grown answer (Graham Farish Poole) was behind both technologically and aesthetically in more ways than the minitrix at the time, and undoubtedly lead to people modelling in different gauges because the models looked crap and ran poorly.
If anything, Minitrix gave British N Gauge a hope of survival and certainly slapped down the gauntlet for new N gauge standards for many years to come......
Let's face it though, the level of stagnation which poor looking and running models brought to N gauge during those years did put the gauge back in terms of potential sales, regardless of manufacturer. You always get the old addage when minitrix is brought up on this forum of "if you get a good one etc etc" but the simple truth is that there are bad ones out there (or now in landfill), which were not up to scratch.
With regards to Grafar vs. minitrix, it's pretty hard to imagine a british n gauge scene if Farish hadn't ploughed on, but the loss of minitrix would not appear to have damaged the hobby too significantly.
Paul A.
Quote from: simonprelude on April 24, 2013, 08:49:52 PM
I've yet to see the dapol A4's but the minitrix mallard I thought was pretty well detailed. The 9F looked like a terrible model from memory though.
I have the Minitrix attempt at a 9F - looks like their Britannia body on top of a German steam loco chassis? At least they got the right number/arrangement of wheels... :D
But it still runs well, right down to barely noticably crawl.
Quote from: simonprelude on April 24, 2013, 08:49:52 PM
I've yet to see the dapol A4's but the minitrix mallard I thought was pretty well detailed. The 9F looked like a terrible model from memory though.
Superficially the A4 is ok from a distance and they run fine but in the detail they are a compromise, as are all Minitrix.
For example driving wheels are way too small, the trailing truck the wrong type, the body/cab shape is somewhat questionable.
However for their day they were pretty good, and better arguably than the equivalent contemporary Farish.
And yes, I have an A3 and A4 both of which I bought way back then, now reside in their boxes 99% of the time.
Regards
Roy
Quote from: EddieA on April 25, 2013, 06:11:34 PM
Quote from: simonprelude on April 24, 2013, 08:49:52 PM
I've yet to see the dapol A4's but the minitrix mallard I thought was pretty well detailed. The 9F looked like a terrible model from memory though.
I have the Minitrix attempt at a 9F - looks like their Britannia body on top of a German steam loco chassis? At least they got the right number/arrangement of wheels... :D
But it still runs well, right down to barely noticably crawl.
I sold my two Minitrix 9Fs a couple of years back when Dapol released theirs. I had both the black and "Evening Star" versions and even I have to admit their resemblance to a real 9F was limited. Still the finish and build quality was superb and boy did they pull. The Dapol 9Fs look really good and "Evening Star" has the corect double chimney but in terms of robust design and running they cannot match their Minitrix counterparts.
May be one day Dapol will revisit their 9F and apply all they have learnt since to deliver a top notch model.
Paddy
Quote from: Roy L S on April 25, 2013, 06:44:18 PM
Quote from: simonprelude on April 24, 2013, 08:49:52 PM
I've yet to see the dapol A4's but the minitrix mallard I thought was pretty well detailed. The 9F looked like a terrible model from memory though.
Superficially the A4 is ok from a distance and they run fine but in the detail they are a compromise, as are all Minitrix.
For example driving wheels are way too small, the trailing truck the wrong type, the body/cab shape is somewhat questionable.
However for their day they were pretty good, and better arguably than the equivalent contemporary Farish.
And yes, I have an A3 and A4 both of which I bought way back then, now reside in their boxes 99% of the time.
Regards
Roy
Hi Roy,
I have Minitrix Mallard and Sir Nigel Gresley locos and agree with what you say. However, when running and from normal viewing distances the look good. Mind you, I also have a couple of Farish A4s (Bachmann versions) and I like those as well. They lack handrails, glazing etc. but for some reason they work for me. It could be their resemblance to Hornby Dublo!
The Dapol A4s look good and from what I have read run well too. For some reason I have not upgraded though so I must be happy with the older models for now.
I also have a Minitrix BR Flying Scotsman and love that model too. It is streets ahead of Farish's A3 IMHO which is just a lump. Even Bachmann's new chassis and improved paint job cannot help that one. Pig with lipstick.
Again I have not bought any Dapol A3s although the Flying Scotsman in the new train set is appealing...
Paddy
No experience with Dapol as yet, though I am tempted by the look of their new A4s. I can wait though.
The minitrix models are generally superb little engines. The plastic sliders on the valve gear and the plastic crank pins are getting old now, and are becoming quite fragile. The valve gear sticks out a bit too far, and can catch on platforms - you need to leave a bit of extra clearance - particularly for the 9F. As far as looks go, I know they are not accurate, but for an impressionist modeller like me, they are perfect. Take one apart, and take a farish apart and you instantly notice the difference. The Minitrix Britannia, Scotsman, Gresley, and Mallard for example, all have metal axles running inside brass bushes. The bushes are clamped firm and the designed movement of the axles inside the bush is there to enable the loco to negotiate the very tight Minitrix first radius curve. And I know the 9F doesn't look anything like, but it is still a superb little engine.
Some of the models are a pain, but with patience you can take all of these apart and clean them up and make them run like new again. Its a pity that the vast array of spares that Minitrix also used to manufacture, are no longer available.
Compare this with the farish locos. The plastic mouldings are held together with plastic tabs - designed to make it easy to assemble, but almost impossible to get apart without the correct tools or breaking something. They run so smoothly though, much better than the old Minitrix locos, and are now designed to take DCC chips. But I do get the feeling that when my Farish locos pack in, they will have to be replaced. I still mend my Minitrix locos.
Two things I'd like to get my hands on.
a) A modern Minitrix loco. I'll have to save up for a long time though, they are 2-3 times more expensive than anything else on offer, but if MArklin have retained the same build quality of their predecessor, they are probably worth it. Pity there are no British locos in their range though.
b) A Dapol A4 - Just to test one out.
Quote from: silly moo on April 23, 2013, 02:19:38 PM
I would guess that the plastic boxes were introduced in the 80s but I'm terrible with dates. For anyone with Minitrix locos to repair here is a useful website
http://www.jfheath.co.uk/ngauge/index.shtml (http://www.jfheath.co.uk/ngauge/index.shtml)
Regards
Veronica
Thanks for the referral - I do keep adding bits every now and then.
I reckon the plastic boxes came in around in the early 1980s. Certainly the Mallard that I bought first appeared in the Trix catalogue in 1980. My version was in a Hornby Minitrix case. A couple of years later, Hornby stopped marketing, and my then new Scotsman, also in a plastic case, was badged by Trix, the manufacturer. Not Hornby.