Ive been on the look out for some coal sector MGR wagons for a while now.
The early farish/bachmann ones seem to be like hens teeth, Just like the mintrix versions.
The thing I cant understand is why are the peco version so exspensive.
I cant fault peco build quality, but why do they still use plastic wheel sets.
Sorry if this has been posted before
Phil
That probably down to the fact the PECO model is made on site at their factory in Beer - higher labour and production costs. But it is a good model apart from the wheel sets. I've measured it against drawings. The farish one is actually a little big in comparison and the hopper cradle is slightly different shape but cheaper, has good detail and look good in a rake just don't mix with PECO.
Carl
You can always buy a rake of cheap ones in royal wotsit and peco 60th anniversary liveries. Then you can offend both royalists and collectors and have fun repainting them at the same time 8)
Trouble is the Royal versions also retail at £13-14 per model :'(
Quote from: apollo45115 on May 16, 2013, 10:24:03 PM
That probably down to the fact the PECO model is made on site at their factory in Beer - higher labour and production costs. But it is a good model apart from the wheel sets. I've measured it against drawings. The farish one is actually a little big in comparison and the hopper cradle is slightly different shape but cheaper, has good detail and look good in a rake just don't mix with PECO.
Carl
Hi Carl,
If memory serves I thought there were two versions of the GF version. The mold of first one (which had the issues you describe) broke after the initial production run and had to be retooled. The second version I thought had these issues corrected. I might be wrong as HAAs are not my field.
Paddy
Quote from: apollo45115 on May 16, 2013, 10:24:03 PM
That probably down to the fact the PECO model is made on site at their factory in Beer - higher labour and production costs. But it is a good model apart from the wheel sets. I've measured it against drawings. The farish one is actually a little big in comparison and the hopper cradle is slightly different shape but cheaper, has good detail and look good in a rake just don't mix with PECO.
Carl
I've got 2 Peco ones and 2 Farish ones, just deciding which to go with and then I'll be selling the other 2.
Having a quick look I think it'll be the Peco ones I keep. Didn't Minitrix also make one?
Yes - the Minitrix one is a lovely model although the coupling distance isn't as good as the Peco one.
My preference on the whole is for the Peco one fitted with 7mm metal wheels. (HAA wagons had 3'6 wheels while HEA's had the smaller wheels). My actual set is of the Minitrix ones as the little layout they are sometimes used on has extremely sharp offscene curves and the Peco ones won't take that.
The Peco CDA (clay) hoppers are also gorgeous wagons especially if weathered.
Alan
Quote from: Paddy on May 17, 2013, 08:53:10 AM
Quote from: apollo45115 on May 16, 2013, 10:24:03 PM
That probably down to the fact the PECO model is made on site at their factory in Beer - higher labour and production costs. But it is a good model apart from the wheel sets. I've measured it against drawings. The farish one is actually a little big in comparison and the hopper cradle is slightly different shape but cheaper, has good detail and look good in a rake just don't mix with PECO.
Carl
Hi Carl,
If memory serves I thought there were two versions of the GF version. The mold of first one (which had the issues you describe) broke after the initial production run and had to be retooled. The second version I thought had these issues corrected. I might be wrong as HAAs are not my field.
Paddy
Hi Paddy,
I do remember that and have to admit I haven't seen the retooled one in the plastic, looks like I'll have to buy one and have a look.
Thanks
Carl
Carl
i have 9 peco hoppers and 5 minitrix. i prefer the peco ones. just need to look for some more going cheap or second hand ones to complete a rake now.
tim
might sell my peco haa wagons to make money to then buy more haa wagons but farish ones that are cheaper. can probably 2 farish wagons per 1 peco wagon. shame that peco wagons are so expensive.
tim
Hi all
Have a look at the well known auction sites or better still the bargin or 2nd hand stalls at model exhibitions I got 5 peco haa's and 1 PGA hopper for about 30 quid I use both types on my layout.
Kind regards
Dave
Hi all,
Cheltenham models had a tray of s/h peco ones in the other day -worth a call
Robert
I did quite a comprehenside review of the Peco MGR hopper when it came out (quite some years ago and before the Farish version) for the now defunct MRM magazine. Relevant extracts are;
The wagon is basically an all plastic affair with separate mouldings for the body, chassis and cradle frame. There is a small metal rectangle to provide a bit of additional weight trapped between the body and chassis which clip together. On each side of the body of the pre TOPs version is a finely printed data panel with readable HOP AB code, tare of 13 and wagon number plus an electrification warning symbol.
The body and cradle are finely detailed while the chassis includes a wealth of details including pipe runs recessed in to the sole bars, handbrake rigging, discharge actuators and axle box springing. Overall the wagon includes some of the finest moulded details that I’ve ever seen on any N gauge wagon. The look of the wagon faithfully captures the character of the prototype and when compared against the real wagon there appears to be nothing major missing or out of place.
The wagon is fitted with Pecos own spring-less ELSIE (easy light lift coupling) rapido style coupler that is common on all their N gauge wagon range. This allows the wagons to be easily coupled by pushing together and with a far closer nearer scale distance than is achieved by the sprung version fitted to Farish and Minitrix stock. Unfortunately, probably as a compromise of needing to negotiate set-track curves with the close coupling provided, the buffers are somewhat rather small and undersized.
There is one other downside issue and that is the use of plastic wheel-sets which are fitted to the wagon. Now that the majority of other N gauge manufacturers are using metal low profile blackened wheels to NMRA standards it would have been an ideal opportunity for Peco to upgrade their wagon range.
In comparison with the Minitirix version - upon close inspection the Peco offers finer moulding and is, in my opinion, a better product. It has more detail and improved fidelity in the under-frame area, increased riveting on the cradle frame, a less pronounced top lip and finer thinner end stanchions, as well as coupling closer together.
HTH
H.
Don't know if of interest but 90mins approx to go.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/N-Gauge-GCU-Weathered-Wagons-4-x-MGR-Wagons-with-Load-Lot-B-/400490672322?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item5d3f1ab0c2 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/N-Gauge-GCU-Weathered-Wagons-4-x-MGR-Wagons-with-Load-Lot-B-/400490672322?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item5d3f1ab0c2)
Quote from: H on May 26, 2013, 05:00:05 PM
There is one other downside issue and that is the use of plastic wheel-sets which are fitted to the wagon..
And of course if you fit metal wheels you can fix the fact that HAAs don't have 3' wagon wheels but 3'7 wheels. You can also fit the disc brake overlays using spares from the Dapol ones (or Hurst ones - which Dapol seem to be rebadging?). Just remember they only go on two of the wheels (one off each axle).
Alan
Can't we all start rubbishing the Peco produced versions, all this good press recently has made the prices on eBay rocket.