Hi all,
I thought the title would get you looking :D :D
On a serious note I have just purchased a job lot of trackside buildings. They include engine sheds, coal station, signal boxes, and various other bits. The problem I have is it was stated it was N Gauge. Some of which is ok, but have my doubts about the rest. I am no expert on N Gauge buildings as I do not have that much. I am thinking most of it may be Z Gauge. Below are the original pictures of all the buildings.
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b538/UPINSMOKEUK/_57_zpsfdae03c7.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/UPINSMOKEUK/media/_57_zpsfdae03c7.jpg.html)
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b538/UPINSMOKEUK/_571_zps2fd9d041.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/UPINSMOKEUK/media/_571_zps2fd9d041.jpg.html)
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b538/UPINSMOKEUK/_572_zpsed58bf53.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/UPINSMOKEUK/media/_572_zpsed58bf53.jpg.html)
If anyone can help, all I need to know what height is the average signal box, engine shed etc. I am trying to make sure I am not making a mistake before I get back to the seller. I have taken a few photo's below next to an engine and rolling stock as a guide. If you could have a look and let me know what you think please.
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b538/UPINSMOKEUK/20141015_222324_zps0df9340e.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/UPINSMOKEUK/media/20141015_222324_zps0df9340e.jpg.html)
Engine Shed and the N Gauge engine will not fit and I have another shed like this, also other buildings of similar size.
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b538/UPINSMOKEUK/20141015_221932_zpsba116b8b.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/UPINSMOKEUK/media/20141015_221932_zpsba116b8b.jpg.html)
Signal Boxes look too small against the wagon.
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b538/UPINSMOKEUK/20141015_222002_zps5befde6e.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/UPINSMOKEUK/media/20141015_222002_zps5befde6e.jpg.html)
This looks ok to me.
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b538/UPINSMOKEUK/20141015_222502_zps1a1e0b9d.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/UPINSMOKEUK/media/20141015_222502_zps1a1e0b9d.jpg.html)
Engine only just clears footbridge.
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b538/UPINSMOKEUK/20141015_222027_zps38d45e64.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/UPINSMOKEUK/media/20141015_222027_zps38d45e64.jpg.html)
This does not look too bad but not that sure.
Its a pity if some is not what it should be as I would like some of the items. It was all described as N Gauge. Just hope you are able to help me.
Hi there, That engine shed looks like a Ratio Kit, I have one of those from years ago. I have noticed you have raised your track quite a bit,I think you just need to raise the the buildings level with the track. Others will confirm I think I am correct.
Quote from: lil chris on October 16, 2014, 12:11:35 AM
Hi there, That engine shed looks like a Ratio Kit, I have one of those from years ago. I have noticed you have raised your track quite a bit,I think you just need to raise the the buildings level with the track. Others will confirm I think I am correct.
Thanks for you input I am using kato track so that how it comes. Are Ratio Kits smaller than say Metcalfe as I have a Goods Shed by Metcalf and that is much bigger that the Engine Shed.
That is all N gauge stuff. Some of the buildings are from the early Peco range - and that includes the engine shed.
Others, such as the signal box and water tower are from the Hornby-Minitrix range of the 70s & 80s. The water tower on legs and the Southern style concrete footbridges are Ratio kits.
I have several such buildings (heavily kitbashed) on my own layout.
As lil Chris says, the solution is to mount the buildings level with what I presume is Kato track.
Yup, definitely the Kato track which is the "issue", not the buildings. I had a similar issue with a shed I bought recently, so I used different (in this case Tomix) track inside.
Kato sell adapter pieces which allow you to interface with non-Kato track.
As other have said, the Loco Sheds are PECO (as are the goods sheds) If you put PECO track in the shed the loco will fit easily. The problem is the Kato Track or more precisely the 3ft deep (so called) ballast layer. You need to raise the Shed 3ft to match.
When you have the shed at the right height the doors will just clear the top of the rail. - Think about it if they are any lower they wont close so what is the point of them??
Yes, all looks N gauge to me and yes, you will probably need to raise your buildings up a bit so that they don't start being significantly lower than the track. Remember that in N a few millimetres makes a big difference.
I agree with the above, those are N gauge kits are assume they are at the same height as normal set or flexitrack. If you raise the track on underlay or have built-in ballast (such as Kato), you will need to raise the buildings to match.
With regard to your other question, yes, the Metcalfe buildings are more generously proportioned compared to plastic or resin kits. They are not out of scale as often, there was no standard size for these buildings. Something worth bearing in mind though.
This is the only issue I have found using Kato track - everything needs to have its base raised to match. The profile for Kato is somewhat higher than standard Cork & Peco which work well with these models.
There may also be some difference in Scale size as UK is based on 1:148/150 where as US is 1:160. This is sometimes reflected in the kit manufacturer.
Difference in scale..... good point, but those items are for British N.
Thanks guys that's a great help. All I have to do is decide what I want to use now.
Quote from: PLD on October 16, 2014, 07:55:49 AM
As other have said, the Loco Sheds are PECO (as are the goods sheds) If you put PECO track in the shed the loco will fit easily. The problem is the Kato Track or more precisely the 3ft deep (so called) ballast layer. You need to raise the Shed 3ft to match.
When you have the shed at the right height the doors will just clear the top of the rail. - Think about it if they are any lower they wont close so what is the point of them??
How did I miss that :doh: :) it makes sense now thanks.
Quote from: Karhedron on October 16, 2014, 08:42:11 AM
I agree with the above, those are N gauge kits are assume they are at the same height as normal set or flexitrack. If you raise the track on underlay or have built-in ballast (such as Kato), you will need to raise the buildings to match.
With regard to your other question, yes, the Metcalfe buildings are more generously proportioned compared to plastic or resin kits. They are not out of scale as often, there was no standard size for these buildings. Something worth bearing in mind though.
I agree with what you say about Metcalfe kits. I do like these I have now several of there shops and terraced houses. Also in the process of building a station. I may just go with their kits and pick the best of the job lot and sell the rest thanks.
Quote from: railsquid on October 16, 2014, 04:23:50 AM
Yup, definitely the Kato track which is the "issue", not the buildings. I had a similar issue with a shed I bought recently, so I used different (in this case Tomix) track inside.
Kato sell adapter pieces which allow you to interface with non-Kato track.
Thanks for that, I may look at something similar. :)
One other question as I am so thick what is the round building in the first pictures as am not sure myself. :NGF:
The round construction looks like a non UK (? N American?) water tank to me but happy to be corrected.
Dave G
Agree with Daveg the round building is a US water tank.
I saw that you are building " a Station" assume Metcalfe, however you will also need to raise the level on which the platform sits if you are using kato track. Otherwise your passengers will be queueing up at A&E...
Keep us informed.
Jerry
Quote from: daveg on October 16, 2014, 03:15:44 PM
The round construction looks like a non UK (? N American?) water tank to me but happy to be corrected.
Dave G
That's what I thought when I saw it.
Quote from: daveg on October 16, 2014, 03:15:44 PM
The round construction looks like a non UK (? N American?) water tank to me but happy to be corrected.
Dave G
Looks like the one from the Bachmann series, but definitely US style.
Who said it was a Peco kit...... correct, dont ask me for the blue peter badge though.
Found my old shed and even the box, must have made this in the mid 1980's.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/38/thumb_17458.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=17458)
By the way my kit had a base which fitted over peco track, seems to be a door missing too, although there seems to be another door in the box.
Quote from: Jerry Howlett on October 16, 2014, 03:42:20 PM
Agree with Daveg the round building is a US water tank.
I saw that you are building " a Station" assume Metcalfe, however you will also need to raise the level on which the platform sits if you are using kato track. Otherwise your passengers will be queueing up at A&E...
Keep us informed.
Jerry
Your quite right I am building a Metacafe Station, I did not think of that :doh: :confused1: But then I don't think of a lot of things before I do it :D for instance buying a job lot of buildings that really are not as good as I expected. Oh well will pick what I want to keep and the rest back on the Bay. I now think that I will concentrait on using Metcalfe unless there are other kits I should look out for. As for the US style water tank will have to find someone who is modelling a American layout.
Thanks everyone for their input much appreciated. :thankyousign: :NGF:
Those buildings can be made to look quite respectable. I'm on phone at moment but will post some pics when I get home.
That American water tower.... it need not be thrown away, it could be converted to something else in a lineside industry, for example.
Anyway, talking of conversions, here are the promised pics. Many years ago, I also bought a whole heap of stuff second-hand, as the price was too good to resist. I also believe in never throwing anything away, as I reckon you find a use for it sooner or later!
Here's a Peco shed and wonky Ratio water tower plonked on bare baseboard in what will become an industrial area:
[smg id=17464 type=preview align=center width=400]
That is a Hornby-Minitrix water tower in the background, minus it's tank! That's 'cos the tank is perched on top of a Heljan kit-bash:
[smg id=17470 type=preview align=center width=400]
Another H-M tower is elsewhere on the layout:
[smg id=17467 type=preview align=center width=400]
[smg id=17468 type=preview align=center width=400]
[smg id=17469 type=preview align=center width=400]
A Ratio footbridge:
[smg id=17465 type=preview align=center width=400]
The building in the timber yard is a Hornby-Minitrix engine shed sliced in half, painted, and embellishments added:
[smg id=17471 type=preview align=center width=400]
[smg id=17472 type=preview align=center width=400]
The little shed on the left is from a Pola kit of an American prototype, by the way (I'm sure you can find a use for that American tank!!)
The Peco signal cabin can brush up quite well:
[smg id=17473 type=preview align=center width=400]
[smg id=17474 type=preview align=center width=400]
....and the very same H-M signal cabin that features in UPINSMOKE's pics, but with Ratio slate roofing on top and carved Milliput on the bottom (it has a grain-of-wheat bulb inside too, but it decided not to work for this photo):
[smg id=17466 type=preview align=center width=400]
Anyway, I hope this has calmed some of your fears that you may have made a wrong purchase! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
George
Quote from: Bealman on October 16, 2014, 11:39:15 PM
Those buildings can be made to look quite respectable. I'm on phone at moment but will post some pics when I get home.
I agree, both the Peco and Ratio buildings are perfectly good although the Peco one benefits from a lick of paint rather than the coloured plastic. Here are a mix of both products on my WR BLT "Chew Magna" and I think that they look the part.
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee199/Karhedronuk/CIMG6326.jpg)
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee199/Karhedronuk/CIMG6329.jpg)
Cool!
All right I get the picture :doh: :-[ I am not thinking again. I can see now that they all can be put to good use. Being a newbie to all this I just don't see the bigger picture. I do get rather impatient with it all, I suppose I just want to get things done without to much hassel. I realise now that this project is a marathon not a sprint.
I will spend more time thinking about what is possible with patience and a slower pace to it all. I know I am trying to rush things and want to be able to just buy the right buildings and plonk them down on the layout without too much effort and just play trains :D :D
I can now see that this is not what its about, and I must be a little more patience in the future.
Oh and thanks guys :greatpicturessign: it has helped a lot on what can be done with a little more thought.
And if its in good nick you can probably flog the minitrix one to a collector....
In a hurry to get down and run trains is natural and I do sympathise; been there meself.
However, you now have it right! You'll get loads more pleasure and satisfaction from the hobby by taking things just a bit more steady and doing a bit of research/rummaging/asking around for info.
Take your time. The NGF and Google are your friends (nothing compares to the NGF but other search engines are available ;)) and we are all here to help but by doing that bit or rummaging you may find you get to know a few extra bits of info and develop a set of handy website links.
I found that buying (a few :no:) used books on the region and locos that interest me really helpful.
For me, there's a load of electrickery I've got to get in my head so Brian Lambert's book will be well read. In case you've not got quite that far yet, here's a link to his website: http://www.brian-lambert.co.uk/ (http://www.brian-lambert.co.uk/)
Apologies if I'm preaching to the converted. :)
Enjoy!
Dave G
QuoteIn a hurry to get down and run trains is natural and I do sympathise; been there meself.
Haven't we all ! That's partly why I switched to Kato Unitrack. At least I can have a small run around and play whilst working towards the master plan.
Quote"LORD give me patience....................and I want it NOW !!"