N Gauge Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ancient Hermit on July 19, 2015, 07:34:00 PM

Title: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Ancient Hermit on July 19, 2015, 07:34:00 PM
Hi all,

Was just wondering, as it's 9mm between the rails as I understand it.  :hmmm:

It's not easy to search for on here as HOe is just 3 letters! At least I've not found much so far?

Can much be done with it?

I'd imagine that with larger scale bodies and N gauge track then there would be quite e bit of scope for making one's own designs given a useful donor chassis is to hand.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: pontybermo on July 19, 2015, 07:49:31 PM
I have dabbled in the past. It's the European equivalent of 009.

009 uses 9mm gauge track to represent lines of 2'3" gauge or thereabouts in 00 scale so you can run 009 alongside 00 with no problems.

HOe is the European equivalent but to 3.5mm scale representing gauge of 2'6" or thereabouts. Both are compatible and HOe models don't look too stupid alongside British outline models. Some of the Lilliput stuff could be used to model the Welshpool & Llanfair.

If you're thinking about it I recommend looking at the 009 society website. They have pictures and links to model in both scales.

Just to add more confusion, the Americans use the same scale and gauge as HOe but call it HOn30. That's HO scale, n for narrow gauge and 30 for 30 inches-again 2' 6".

Hope that helps.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: pontybermo on July 19, 2015, 07:55:43 PM
For more HOe Google Egger-Bhan or Eggerbahn for some fun models from the past that can still be picked up on eBay.

For some 009 inspiration, go to http://www.buccabury.co.uk/ltr/ (http://www.buccabury.co.uk/ltr/) - this was a great inspiration to me when I was building my 009 layout.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Bealman on July 19, 2015, 11:49:20 PM
Yes, definitely check out the 009 Society site and you may also want to Google the Craigcorrie and Macalistair Railway by Dutchman Ted Polet, which is a superb piece of work.

I  also dabbled in the scale back in the 1970s, building a 3' x 2' rabbit warren layout, which were all the rage back then.
[smg id=23110 type=preview align=center width=400]
[smg id=4569 type=preview align=center width=400]
And don't forget, of course, the pioneering work of the late P.D. Hancock with his Craig and Mertonford Railway, much of which happily is still in existence (see RM mag April 2015 and book reviews on this forum). It is worth looking at his work from a historical viewpoint alone.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: jonclox on July 20, 2015, 11:09:27 AM
I actually use  00-9,   HOe points a fair amount  on my layout if I cant find anything suitable in N standard gauge.
To keep the grandchildren (and me  :-[ ) amused I`m running a few 00-9 locos on my Ruleoneshire layout.
The loco/ wagon/ coach  bodies are nearly 00 gauge and appear to be running on narrow gauge tracks
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Bealman on July 20, 2015, 01:01:34 PM
Peco and Railway Modeller magazine (both the same, after all) are currently pushing a 009 Renaissance  with some really great looking products.

Very tempting!
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Bealman on July 20, 2015, 01:30:24 PM
That does indeed look very compact and it seems to be quality unit, but maybe a bit on the tubby side (widthwise) for N?
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Newportnobby on July 20, 2015, 01:50:19 PM
Quote from: Bealman on July 20, 2015, 01:01:34 PM
Peco and Railway Modeller magazine (both the same, after all) are currently pushing a 009 Renaissance  with some really great looking products.

Very tempting!

Think you'd have to have pots of dosh to afford the latest Peco offerings e.g. about £37 or so for a coach and I've heard tales of the paint rubbing off very easily.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Ancient Hermit on July 20, 2015, 11:31:41 PM
 :thankyousign:

One and all,

I have learned a whole bunch of interesting stuff thanks to you lot!

Some fantastic links there too.

I'll be storing all that info for future use, some serious diamonds in there!  :)

I had some slightly wacky ideas of my own involving cut and shut jobs on OO UK Diesel loco bodies, and Kato tram chassis, but I shall not sully the forum with those, as I'm sure a lot of you would simply wince at the very mention of them, and quite rightly too in all probability! However I like to try stuff sometimes, and if it's not been done before, then that seems to get my thoughts running in odd directions like that!  :)

It's nice that this place is N Gauge, and not 150/160 only, as the forum is the best I have seen, and it is nice to see 9mm between the rails being the really big thing above all else. That and rule one makes it as good as it gets in my book!  :)
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Ancient Hermit on July 21, 2015, 07:53:47 PM
Hi all,

I just discovered Minitrains BrigadeLok today, now that one got my attention.  ;)

I'd never have found it (and some others) if some of the terms used for naming these scales hadn't been revealed in this thread. I had no idea of the proper terms to search for in previous efforts.  ::)

I'm also a bit struck with the rabbit warren type layouts too, unusual and rather interesting style that one.  :hmmm:
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Bealman on July 22, 2015, 12:25:43 AM
My rabbit warren was inspired by the Railway of the Month for November 75 (I think) RM called Averbinear Bayfore (named after a traveler on the line, who, after his umpteenth circuit, exclaimed : "Have I been here before?"

Don't forget that you can also put a narrow gauge feeder onto an N gauge layout using Z gauge track and mechanisms! If I recall, Peco used to do some kits, but I don't know if they still do.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: pontybermo on July 23, 2015, 02:56:21 AM
The Minitrrains BrigadeLok looks great. I'm very tempted by their American outline stuff. They now do a Forney I believe.

Also, don't forget Bachmann have got a WW1 Baldwin coming out this year along with some wagons to go with it.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Ancient Hermit on July 23, 2015, 08:52:18 AM
I spent a couple of days looking into this Minitrains business, and quite easily came up with  fairly simple design to run on.  :)

It was possible to use Peco or Roco track; sadly the Roco stuff was subject to an unattractive pricing model in my view. So, I researched the Peco further, and the horror story which met my eyes about the live frog and how to work with them put me off, because I am not clever enough to use such a design in reality. Bear in mind I presently use Kato and am used to a very different price/performance/hassle experience.  :unimpressed:

My only hope might be that the Minitrains BrigadeLok could cope with the smaller radius curves in Kato (not smaller than 150mm, but that's pretty small already of course), and then I could design a layout with enough interest in it for me to go for that. I suspect the loco might struggle being 0-8-0 as far as I can tell, oddly the wheels are not to be clearly seen in all the photos I could find, and the wheels lurked behind the outside frames more or less the whole time.  :hmmm: I'd live with the sleeper sizing if I had to, but it would have been a compromise at best.  ::)

Using Kato small radius would then allow me use a 60" x 18" board and that would fit my home really quite nicely, I could maybe trade off to 60" x 24" for the Peco, but the technical thing appears a major problem which I'd be quite unlikely to have enough experience to solve.  :doh:

So with a slightly heavy heart it looks like it's back to planning for the Kato Alpine stuff for me. I did like the increased scale of 009/HOe as (for my ageing/failing hands and eyesight) it was rather appealing. I have to say the prospect of the Alpine is still appealing though, albeit a bit of a size challenge in terms of manual dexterity and vision by comparison, that and modest home size seem to be totally at odds with each other for me! I will find a way eventually. ;)
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Bealman on July 23, 2015, 09:03:31 AM
The live frog thing of Peco 009 points is not really difficult, , and while strictly speaking, 009 ain't N, there are plenty folk here who could help. Having played with 009, I know I'd be happy to help!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Ancient Hermit on July 23, 2015, 09:50:27 AM
Quote from: Bealman on July 23, 2015, 09:03:31 AM
The live frog thing of Peco 009 points is not really difficult, , and while strictly speaking, 009 ain't N, there are plenty folk here who could help. Having played with 009, I know I'd be happy to help!  :thumbsup:

:thankyousign:

That's a really kind offer indeed. I'd not want to stretch the forum too far off it's mission, I do know we are told it's called N Gauge because the N stands for Nine and that's how many millimetres there are between the rails, however I am sure some would not be overly impressed if we went there.

(edit) I'm not sure 009/HOe actually has a home forum, or at least any place it does truly belong. It's a shame really. I think there are so many inventive people here and with a good fun and friendly atmosphere that it would be nice, but accept that it's not very likely to be here either.(edit over)
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Bealman on July 23, 2015, 10:31:30 AM
Let's wait and see... but, as has been posted, the 009 society is definitely worth a look if you are serious about going down that route.

Also, live frog wiring in 009 is no different to live frog wiring in N. There is heaps of info on this forum already that is relevant.  :thumbsup:

George
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Ancient Hermit on July 23, 2015, 10:44:54 AM
Quote from: Bealman on July 23, 2015, 10:31:30 AM
Let's wait and see... but, as has been posted, the 009 society is definitely worth a look if you are serious about going down that route.

Also, live frog wiring in 009 is no different to live frog wiring in N. There is heaps of info on this forum already that is relevant.  :thumbsup:

George

Yes, I quite agree the 009 society is absolutely the right thing to investigate, and a natural counterpart to the N gauge Society. However there is still a need for a good forum or subsection in one; but heck that's an awfully complicated looking business from where we are standing right now.  :hmmm:
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: jonclox on July 23, 2015, 10:45:59 AM
Quote from: Ancient Hermit on July 21, 2015, 07:53:47 PM
Hi all,

I just discovered Minitrains BrigadeLok today, now that one got my attention.  ;)

That's the one that caught my eye. Its a fantastic little runner and theres now a 'watertank' wagon to drag behind it.
I`m lucky in that I require very little stock as its a 'fun' alternative to N gauge and wont get used a terrific   amount.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: jonclox on July 23, 2015, 10:48:38 AM
Quote from: newportnobby on July 20, 2015, 01:50:19 PM
Quote from: Bealman on July 20, 2015, 01:01:34 PM
Peco and Railway Modeller magazine (both the same, after all) are currently pushing a 009 Renaissance  with some really great looking products.

Very tempting!

Think you'd have to have pots of dosh to afford the latest Peco offerings e.g. about £37 or so for a coach and I've heard tales of the paint rubbing off very easily.
I picked that coach up on a well known auction site and paid far less than that for it  :thumbsup: but yes that's a lotta dosh
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Ancient Hermit on July 23, 2015, 10:49:26 AM
Quote from: jonclox on July 23, 2015, 10:45:59 AM
Quote from: Ancient Hermit on July 21, 2015, 07:53:47 PM
Hi all,

I just discovered Minitrains BrigadeLok today, now that one got my attention.  ;)

That's the one that caught my eye. Its a fantastic little runner and theres now a 'watertank' wagon to drag behind it.
I`m lucky in that I require very little stock as its a 'fun' alternative to N gauge and wont get used a terrific   amount.

Do you actually have one? I'm intrigued to know a little more about them, and the reality of owning one, hence the question! :hmmm:
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: dodger on July 23, 2015, 12:57:13 PM
Quote from: Ancient Hermit on July 23, 2015, 08:52:18 AM
Using Kato small radius would then allow me use a 60" x 18" board and that would fit my home really quite nicely, I could maybe trade off to 60" x 24" for the Peco, but the technical thing appears a major problem which I'd be quite unlikely to have enough experience to solve.  :doh:

So with a slightly heavy heart it looks like it's back to planning for the Kato Alpine stuff for me. I did like the increased scale of 009/HOe as (for my ageing/failing hands and eyesight) it was rather appealing. I have to say the prospect of the Alpine is still appealing though, albeit a bit of a size challenge in terms of manual dexterity and vision by comparison, that and modest home size seem to be totally at odds with each other for me! I will find a way eventually. ;)

Glad you have reached a stage where you can start planning. It looks as though I have found a 42" x 18" space. Now comes the difficult part,

See how Farish and Dapol cope with Kato 216 mm (8 1/2") curves.
Go for Kato Swiss stock.
Go for Kato Trams and use them for a fictitious Alpine private railway.

Give me something to think about.

Dodger
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Ancient Hermit on July 23, 2015, 01:51:00 PM
Quote from: dodger on July 23, 2015, 12:57:13 PM
Glad you have reached a stage where you can start planning. It looks as though I have found a 42" x 18" space. Now comes the difficult part,

See how Farish and Dapol cope with Kato 216 mm (8 1/2") curves.
Go for Kato Swiss stock.
Go for Kato Trams and use them for a fictitious Alpine private railway.

Give me something to think about.

Dodger

Well, the 18" is the hardest part I found, and it rather suggests the Kato Compact series track. They seem to have curves in 3 sizes and the larger pair of those 150 & 183, will allow the Glacier stuff and the Allegra to run. After than it's about the width of baseboard you can manage. I was surprised how big a space it becomes given those two radii. The 216mm does just fit, but it's perilous close to the edge in many places! The really tiny 117 is more or less trams only as far as I can tell.

Good luck, it's not super easy in a small space, not many of us have the limitation, which overall is probably a fine thing for the greater good; I'm finding it is quite challenging if you are stuck with it though!  ;)

Hope it helps. :)
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: jonclox on July 23, 2015, 02:21:09 PM
Quote from: Ancient Hermit on July 23, 2015, 10:49:26 AM
Quote from: jonclox on July 23, 2015, 10:45:59 AM
Quote from: Ancient Hermit on July 21, 2015, 07:53:47 PM
Hi all,

I just discovered Minitrains BrigadeLok today, now that one got my attention.  ;)

That's the one that caught my eye. Its a fantastic little runner and theres now a 'watertank' wagon to drag behind it.
I`m lucky in that I require very little stock as its a 'fun' alternative to N gauge and wont get used a terrific   amount.


Do you actually have one? I'm intrigued to know a little more about them, and the reality of owning one, hence the question! :hmmm:

Its a very nice, sweet runner. Its only been run the once about 2 weeks ago, so isn't fully run in yet.
It was one of the very few locos that ran through  an exceptionally tight curved set of points that I had (now binned)
Hunt around before committing to buy as prices can vary.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Ancient Hermit on July 23, 2015, 04:12:13 PM
Quote from: jonclox on July 23, 2015, 02:21:09 PM
Its a very nice, sweet runner. Its only been run the once about 2 weeks ago, so isn't fully run in yet.
It was one of the very few locos that ran through  an exceptionally tight curved set of points that I had (now binned)
Hunt around before committing to buy as prices can vary.

:thankyousign:

Thanks for the heads up  on the prices!  :)

Do you have any idea how small a radius it can cope with? :hmmm:

If I can get it to work down at the 150mm mark, I'd very likely go there. If not then one of their even smaller locos probably can get down there from what I have been able to see so far on youtube. I just like the look of the Brigade. 150mm is to keep my home happy, the Brigade is to keep my eye happy! :)

I don't even have a SWMBO, so it's just about practicality rather than anything else.  ;)
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Komata on July 23, 2015, 07:28:33 PM
Ian

As already suggested (and with no disrespect meant to this site or its members BTW), try the narrow Gauge Railway Modelling Online site (Type in NGRM in Google search).  They would probably be able to answer most of your questions and are usually very helpful and keen to assist.

Have fun. 
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: dodger on July 23, 2015, 08:24:46 PM
Quote from: Ancient Hermit on July 23, 2015, 01:51:00 PM


Well, the 18" is the hardest part I found, and it rather suggests the Kato Compact series track. They seem to have curves in 3 sizes and the larger pair of those 150 & 183, will allow the Glacier stuff and the Allegra to run. After than it's about the width of baseboard you can manage. I was surprised how big a space it becomes given those two radii. The 216mm does just fit, but it's perilous close to the edge in many places! The really tiny 117 is more or less trams only as far as I can tell.

Good luck, it's not super easy in a small space, not many of us have the limitation, which overall is probably a fine thing for the greater good; I'm finding it is quite challenging if you are stuck with it though!  ;)

Hope it helps. :)

Yes 216 mm is a bit large for an 18" wide board so I am going to 183 mm, but I still cant decide on a Kato Tram or Allegra unit. It will probably come down to which I can get.

Dodger
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Ancient Hermit on July 23, 2015, 09:19:59 PM
Quote from: Komata on July 23, 2015, 07:28:33 PM
Ian

As already suggested (and with no disrespect meant to this site or its members BTW), try the narrow Gauge Railway Modelling Online site (Type in NGRM in Google search).  They would probably be able to answer most of your questions and are usually very helpful and keen to assist.

Have fun.

ok, sounds like a plan, I went over there to see what it was all about and the front door is quite certainly closed, and they want me to sign up first, so what's it like over there? :confused1:

I generally like to look a place over before handing over e-mail addresses; ok, maybe that's just me being picky, but what should I expect to find there? :hmmm:
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: jonclox on July 26, 2015, 11:01:26 AM
Theres a good deal of information at
http://www.buzzrail.co.uk/static/steam.html (http://www.buzzrail.co.uk/static/steam.html)
It looks like a good museum for narrow gauge locos etc.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Ancient Hermit on July 27, 2015, 08:52:58 AM
Quote from: jonclox on July 26, 2015, 11:01:26 AM
Theres a good deal of information at
http://www.buzzrail.co.uk/static/steam.html (http://www.buzzrail.co.uk/static/steam.html)
It looks like a good museum for narrow gauge locos etc.

:thankyousign:

Just a few miles from me, first time being houe bound has felt that frustrating, seems they now have a BrigadeLok too!  ;)

Oh well.  ::)

Ordered a Kato tram chassis now, and shall have a go at making my own small radius friendly loco I think. Maybe the bigger scale will be a little easier for me to deal with. Mind you the shorter loco might balance the whole thing out to the point of making little or no difference in the end, we shall see!  ;)
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Bealman on July 27, 2015, 09:07:30 AM
I must admit that sratchbuilding houses and structures is easier in 4mm scale, particularly the older yer get.

But you can run 9mm track through your village!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Ancient Hermit on July 27, 2015, 09:15:57 AM
Quote from: Bealman on July 27, 2015, 09:07:30 AM
I must admit that sratchbuilding houses and structures is easier in 4mm scale, particularly the older yer get.

But you can run 9mm track through your village!  :thumbsup:

Also found the 009 forum that others suggested to be very inspirational too. Mind you they all seem to know what they are doing over there, and it seems like it might be rude to interrupt all that creativity with newb questions though. <shrug>  :uneasy:
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Bealman on July 27, 2015, 09:28:13 AM
Well, all I can say is, if they have adopted the philosophy of this forum, ie, there's no such thing as a stupid question, we're all mates here, there shouldn't be a prob!

Give it a go!  :thumbsup:

George
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: marco neri on July 27, 2015, 10:05:53 AM
 :hellosign:
My H0e collection......it's all about most two important narrow gauge Austrian railways ..Zillertalbahn and Mariazellerbahn...(all in DCC)

(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag324/Marco_Neri/image.jpg1_zpsrvg6i1vc.jpg) (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/Marco_Neri/media/image.jpg1_zpsrvg6i1vc.jpg.html)

(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag324/Marco_Neri/image.jpg2_zpsyt19dhvs.jpg) (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/Marco_Neri/media/image.jpg2_zpsyt19dhvs.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Agrippa on July 27, 2015, 10:07:48 AM
Impressive !
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Bealman on July 27, 2015, 10:20:47 AM
Very cool.  :thumbsup:

Of course we could get our wallets out and enter Bemoland on TT track....
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: marco neri on July 27, 2015, 10:26:15 AM
Quote from: Bealman on July 27, 2015, 10:20:47 AM
Very cool.  :thumbsup:

Of course we could get our wallets out and enter Bemoland on TT track....

...Hi.. :)
..do you wanna see my Bemo collection??... 8)
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Bealman on July 28, 2015, 12:07:22 AM
Yes please, if you open up a thread in general discussion, I  (and others, I'm sure ) would love to see your Bemo collection.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: marco neri on July 28, 2015, 10:27:54 AM
Quote from: Bealman on July 28, 2015, 12:07:22 AM
Yes please, if you open up a thread in general discussion, I  (and others, I'm sure ) would love to see your Bemo collection.

..ok
Title: Re: Does anyone here do HOe?
Post by: Bealman on August 08, 2015, 03:07:43 AM
The latest edition of the Gaugemaster email newsletter "Right Lines" has a good article by Martin Lovell outlining the Roco HOe range.  :thumbsup: