As this forum is growing, I am seeing more and more layouts being featured. Amongst all the interesting scenic work, or construction techniques, the trains take centre stage - some of which really have caught the eye. I was wondering, what is your most interesting train? It may be a one-off scratch build, or a conversion, or a particular combination that grabs the attention...
My offering is this rather unusual model, produced by Kato. It is a KTT set, which operates in Hong Kong using Swiss built Re 460-type locos. Kato produced them in half sets; you actually need two to produce a full eight-coach rake with top and tail locos. The quality is a little mixed, with the loco basically a Lemke model, whilst the carriages are a little more rudimentary...their knuckle couplings can be fiddly. Still, it raises eye-brows when I tell people that I have a Chinese N Gauge train.
In this picture the set is running along the section of track behind the freight yard on our Japanese layout. This area has now been reworked and this track now runs beneath the hillside...
(http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd417/Claude_Dreyfus/IMG_1298.jpg)
i dont really have anythink to unusual...i got afew resprays from mercig that aint available off the shelf thou.
:NGaugeForum:
I got this from a mate of mine when I first started, the best I have come up with is that it is from a French model firm from the 70`s :-\ other than that the little devil is a mystery
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i155/davidclough2453/lts13.jpg)
cloughie
I am not sure whether you would class it as unusual but I have the Limited Edition Farish Pannier in London Transport livery if that counts.
Cloughie, your mystery model was first produced in 1969 and was made by the Yugoslavian firm of Mehano.
Spookshow doesn't think much of them and gives them a D rating. http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/mehano147.html
My most unusual loco is the Glaskasten (Glass case) shown in one of my other posts.
I have a couple of oddities:
A single-car class 101 bubble car:
http://chris-fletcher.fotopic.net/p52330325.html
(yes, I know, you can see the join)
Also a Portuguese local train, a reasonable (albeit unpowered) likeness of the 1200-hauled trains which used to potter along the Algarve line before being replaced by 1400s and finally 100% DMU operation.
http://chris-fletcher.fotopic.net/p52330120.html
My most unusual carriage is a Roco DB coach in four liveries, ranging from DB green to the latest red/white IC livery. Not unique by any means, but certainly unusual.
poliss you are my new hero :thumbsup: as people have been telling me it is a kermit and I am not to keen on kermits at the best of times
cloughie
Mine have to be these two formations
MkIII DVT (VT) + 3x MkIII Carriages (VT) + Class 60
and the other one due to my Class 67 kicking the bucket last month
W&S MkIII DVT & MkIII's + MKB Blue Tiger Diesel Locomotive.
Will have to post a video of these working in action! ;).
:NGaugersRule:
Hello all! I just recently found this forum and having looked around a bit, I like it here! :wave: So this is my first post!
My most unusual train is getting to be quite popular, its that train which can't tell if its from the future or the past, but its certainly unique:
(http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv96/quinntopia/P1160102.jpg)
That wouldn't look out of place in Buck Rogers or something like that, great picture :thumbsup:
Heres mine, not that out of the ordinary.
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t262/mikebillabong/official%20pics/DSC_0015.jpg)
Its about 3 or 4 years old (at least) but it still far better than anything we get here. You can shut the power off at full speed and it will only slow down gradually.
When I shut the power off quickly, it's usually because I want my train to stop quickly!! (cos i've done something stupid like sent it down the wrong track ::))
Aye, being a Kato user myself. When using one for the first time, I had a few overruns and a couple of crashes as the driveline is connected to a clutch system that gives the gradual speed up/slow down sequence ;). I usually shut off the power when the locomotive is about a loco length from the siding from a fast-ish as then it just glides to a stop just a few mils short of the buffers. With the Kato locos, you have to "learn" how to drive them. Once you master the distance they need to stop, they are fairly easy and fun to use ;).
as im switiching to digital soon, im hopeing i can make all my other locos mimick this one. That said Ive no idea how I'll go about DCC'ing the Kato!
QuoteAye, being a Kato user myself. When using one for the first time, I had a few overruns and a couple of crashes as the driveline is connected to a clutch system that gives the gradual speed up/slow down sequence Wink. I usually shut off the power when the locomotive is about a loco length from the siding from a fast-ish as then it just glides to a stop just a few mils short of the buffers. With the Kato locos, you have to "learn" how to drive them. Once you master the distance they need to stop, they are fairly easy and fun to use Wink.
D306...that's interesting...I was thinking that I had my speed table/settings in my digitrax decoder set up all wrong for this locomotive! Good to know...I'm thinking that they're may be a way to compensate for this a bit by using the speed table (not that I know how, just something to think about the next time it soars off down a dead-end siding!).
This website for fine tuning decoders might help. http://www.nmra.org.au/gndu/EasyDCC/Decoders.pdf
DecoderPro might work with the Multizentrale.
The Rocomotion software that comes with the Multizentrale might be able to do the same things, but I've just had a very brief look at it so can't be certain.
I have little experience in the DCC field as I have only ever tried it on the OO gauge railways. I use the traditional DC system on my N gauge layout for the reason is that most of the older Tomix models are a pig to install DCC into. Not only that, some older Kato locomotives I have in my fleet have very limited or no space inside to fit a decoder :(. But I am not too fussed really as I am happy with old system as my Gaugemaster Series D can handle almost anything I run on the track unlike my old Lima lump that threw more fits than I can remember!
Also with my layout only being 6 feet by 4 feet, its not big enough to justify going DCC as thats more beneficial to larger layouts unless some of you here run a fleet of sound fitted trains or have a large depot on the layout where more than one locomotive will share the same lane. But thats another matter! ;). On a positive note though, the newer Kato locomotives and units are DCC friendly and they have a "slot-in" decoder to allow "plug & play" operation.
But while I am on the subject of locomotives, I am planning on getting a Kato EF510 in the JR red livery next as thats a nice locomotive ;). I might as well throw in another Class 60 while I am at it too.
I have a re-paint grafar class 37 in GIF livery, these being hired out from EWS to Spain on infastructure works, its a good runner too, excellent paint job.....
(http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab256/OWL729/traincollection021.jpg)
Hi All,
Here is a Union Pacific U50 loco it came from the factory some years ago Kato chassis'd with a Con Cor body i converted it to DCC with a TCS M1 decoder & it has a rear red light directional front lighting of course also good weight chassis it happily pulls a 12 ft freight train all day long if asked. ;D the Union Pacific turbine loco shares the same chassis.
(http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii377/upnick/N%20SCALE%20ROSTER/CON-COR_U-50.jpg)
That U50 reminded me of something...big trains...REALLY big trains...in fact O Gauge trains. I think I have the strangest. Yes, its O Gauge, Lionel style 3 rail...this was my original passion before I got smart and switched to N!
But the locomotive there in the middle....anyone know it? ;)
(http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv96/quinntopia/phantom.jpg)
Its called "The Phantom", and its a fantasy locomotive made by Lionel back in 1999. It was so unusual and cool, it got me interested in trains for the first time in 25 years!
Must be quite a collectors piece Q, looks like it came out of one of those early 1950's sci fi programs
I think I've seen it in James Bond! ;) ;D.
It really is a a cool locomotive....has all sorts of weird sounds as well (It has Lionel's 'proprietary' digital system)! Its actually the one piece from my O Gauge collection I've kept (sold off the rest to get funds for my diversion to N!)
This is mine, a one off GT 3
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll200/bobcat58/DSC00010.jpg)
I built a model of 13001, one of the master and slave 08s that used to propel wagons over the hump at Tinsley yard. built by converting a pair of farish 08s. They are also electrically connected, so never stall on any kind of pointwork. They will pull pretty much anything you put them on. I thought I had a photo of them, but apparently not.
Not N gauge, but I also built a 4mm static model of the Bennie Railplane. This was an electric powered monorail, which propelled itself by a propellor at each end. It was invented by Scotsman George Bennie, and he built a quarter mile demonstration track at Milngavie near Glasgow. Unfortunately it didn't get any takers, due to the fact it requires hundreds of tons of structural steelwork for every mile, and the second world war happened and kinda ruined it. Bennie had invested a lot of his own mony into the test track, and died a poor man. The test track and car survived into the 1950s before being broken up. One crazy scheme I have in my head is to make a working model of it in N gauge. The whole track could be built to scale on an 8' long board!
(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg247/dieselmechanical/Bennie-1.jpg)
If this seems familiar, its because it was in the 'show and tell' pages of Model Rail once. I won a Dremel for it!
Not my most unusual train but saw this today :
Knitted Flying Scotsman!
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n9/moodyblue2/knittedflyingscotsman.jpg)
Is this the future surely Knitted trains would be quite cheap! ;D
A knitted train..........Are you trying to pull the wool over our eyes Symon. :smiley-laughing: :thumbsup:
Quote from: Dock Shunter on April 14, 2011, 11:30:51 AM
A knitted train..........Are you trying to pull the wool over our eyes Symon. :smiley-laughing: :thumbsup:
Very good! ;D
More details here, it's not quite N gauge being 3ft long!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-13066505
....not my most unusual train.....
but I have just seen an amusing etched brass set of inlays....
for Road Kill !!!!!
( don't think my grand daughters would appreciate that one!)
My chipfat frier powered generator for the 'croc' used because I have no 3r rail or overhead power. Still work in progress but just being tested in towing the forums containers whilst on their UK tour
(http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff474/jonclox/N%20gauge/005.jpg)
2 friendly terriers bouble heading the tourist special gondula train..........it has now progressed to 2 gondulas and the mines staffs 'works train'(http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff474/jonclox/N%20gauge/045.jpg)
Very good Jonclox. I like your wagons and Gondula......are they kit built?
Quote from: Tank on April 24, 2011, 09:20:56 AM
Very good Jonclox. I like your wagons and Gondula......are they kit built?
The gondulas came from http://www.osbornsmodels.com/bachmann-us-19396-jackson-sharp-open-sided-excursion-car-10560-p.asp They were complete items but the running gear and couplings wernt suitable for my track etc. so I used :GraFar: flatbed wagons (373-926) and mounted the gondulas on that after slight
hacking :-[ carefull modifications.
Well Certainly unsual is my Japanese Kiha 71 "Yufuin No Mori" which is an architect designed train for use running out to a spa town.
(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l539/grumbeast23/IMG_1291.jpg)
(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l539/grumbeast23/IMG_1317.jpg)
While its not quite as unusual as the Nankai 50000 I think its still pretty neat (and a beautiful model to boot!)
Graham
Graham, I just love that train, saw it at model rail Scotland, but way out of my price range (note to Tank, can we have an Envy emoticon ;))
Thanks Lawerence,
I fell in love with it when I watched this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q6wYm565T4
Get a load of the interior!.. I so badly want to ride it (now that is seriously out of my price range too!)
I save for 3 months to get it with my pocket money from the missus :)
Graham
Stunning! :camera: :camera:
Ironically, considering all of the Incorrect and non-prototypical application of paint schemes to any old model...I wonder why Trix or Fleischmann never got around to doing a version of this? Certainly would classify as unusual -although prototypical- by any definition!
(http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv96/quinntopia/x996a.jpg)
This is a photo either before or after this locomotive was sent to the states (the background is in France)....note the lack of buggers and the coupler! :o
Hi All
Again probably not the most strange thing you can run but certainly is
for a WCML modeller is my SNCF 22200 electric repaint into one of the batch
used for the channel Tunnel and currently runs alongside my class 92 :Class414:
Quote from: fisherman on April 15, 2011, 09:29:01 AM
....not my most unusual train.....
but I have just seen an amusing etched brass set of inlays....
for Road Kill !!!!!
( don't think my grand daughters would appreciate that one!)
I have a set of these. It also includes a roadkill lawyer on the sheet...
Quote from: quinntopia on May 03, 2011, 04:32:21 AM
This is a photo either before or after this locomotive was sent to the states (the background is in France)....note the lack of buggers and the coupler! :o
Was the photo taken in August, 'cos the French go on holiday then :smiley-laughing:
This is my most unusual loco :music:
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj53/porkie1978/policeclass37.jpg)
;D I recognise that 37! How many tickets has it given out?!?! Is that an LED on the roof?
I got the Tama train from Tomytec recently. Tama is a station pet cat who became a celebrity by being named stationmaster in the remote village of Wakayama. the rail line and town enjoyed a tourist boom, and a little two unit train and a tram got the special decoration.
(http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac147/Jonathan_Clapp/tamaden3.jpg)
(http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac147/Jonathan_Clapp/tamaden5.jpg)
more here (http://www.jnsforum.com/index.php/topic,3130.0.html)
Fantastic train Jonathan! Only in Japan eh?
Graham
:smiley-laughing:
Yeah tank...
Its a sub miniture flashing led. Runing through a bridge rectifire so that it flashes going either direction..
My most unusual loco is this...
(http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee442/djmikeymike2011/DSCN2665.jpg)
It's an Arnold Bay s 3/6 according to the instructions, I think it's about 40 years old, but runs really well ! ;D
Cost me £10 ! :smiley-laughing:
You can go off people. I've been after that loco for years. They usually go for over £100.00, maybe £200.00!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARNOLD-2530-LOCOMOTIVA-VAPORE-4-6-2-BR18-3-6-SCALA-N-/250376983150?pt=Modellismo_Dinamico&hash=item3a4ba1926e
A set of drivers alone can sell for £7.66 and that's without postage! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARNOLD-2530-Ersatz-Antriebsachse-Vierkantaufnahme-S-3-6-/130487560096?pt=DE_Modellbau_Modelleisenbahnen&hash=item1e61aa27a0
Most unusual train has to be this Southwest trains/Southern hybrid spotted recently
(http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k540/PendythePendolino/SWTSouthern.jpg)
The above picture looks incredibly real.......so I'm guessing they're not models?! ;) ;D
Sadly no-one makes Electrostars or Desiros (SWT) - wish they did! So it is real life. What impresses me about Southern and SWT is that their electric trains always seem to be gleaming.
Pendy - I tihnk that if the OHL Desiro sells well (350) then there is a good chance that Bachmann/Farish will do an SWT version.
For the electrostar I have been looking at doing a conversion based on a 3d printed plugin front end and detailing parts with vinyl sides to go on a 3 car Farish 170 chopped down to size (needs to go from a 23m chassis to 20m). But don't hold your breath waiting!
Cheers, Mike
I've already contacted Mercig with regards to repainting one of the London Midlands 350's into a SWT 450 ;).
OK, not one of mine, but an unusual use for a Farish 08 shunter seen in a jewellery shop window in Edinburgh.
....and yes, that probably is an N-Gaugement ring in the wagon.
(http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu73/fletch5535/jeweller.jpg)
I just noticed the jeweller even has his own name on the wagons - nice one.
Great idea!
I was modelling this train which is known as "Palace on Wheels" in India. It is like a five star hotel running in the state of Rajasthan. It has got shops, resturants, entertainment rooms and many such rooms in it. Each wagn acts as one of the above rooms. Although getting together the train was easy but the detailing of every wagon took a lot of time but I am glad that it came out nicely. I can share pictures if any of you are interested.
Quote from: malfoy on December 11, 2011, 03:52:59 PM
I was modelling this train which is known as "Palace on Wheels" in India. It is like a five star hotel running in the state of Rajasthan. It has got shops, resturants, entertainment rooms and many such rooms in it. Each wagn acts as one of the above rooms. Although getting together the train was easy but the detailing of every wagon took a lot of time but I am glad that it came out nicely. I can share pictures if any of you are interested.
Yes please!! I believe you are the 1st on the forum to model Indian Railways :thumbsup:
Quote from: malfoy on December 11, 2011, 03:52:59 PM
I was modelling this train which is known as "Palace on Wheels" in India. It is like a five star hotel running in the state of Rajasthan. It has got shops, resturants, entertainment rooms and many such rooms in it. Each wagn acts as one of the above rooms. Although getting together the train was easy but the detailing of every wagon took a lot of time but I am glad that it came out nicely. I can share pictures if any of you are interested.
Hi
I like others i'm sure would love to see pictures of the ''Palace on wheels'' :thumbsup:
http://www.palaceonwheels.net/ (http://www.palaceonwheels.net/)
Here's my contribution, its not very authentic considering Some of its British, others American and even some German too. But I got the last piece of this custom set today (the missile on flatbed) and just wanted to show off this little gem. Sorry for pic heavy, will remove a few if needed.
(http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/hellsguardian316/Steam%20Pictures/DSCF1439.jpg)
(http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/hellsguardian316/Steam%20Pictures/DSCF1440.jpg)
(http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/hellsguardian316/Steam%20Pictures/DSCF1441.jpg)
(http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/hellsguardian316/Steam%20Pictures/DSCF1442.jpg)
(http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/hellsguardian316/Steam%20Pictures/DSCF1443.jpg)
(http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/hellsguardian316/Steam%20Pictures/DSCF1444.jpg)
(http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/hellsguardian316/Steam%20Pictures/DSCF1446.jpg)
:NGF:
The Loco is a Merchant Navy class, the coaches are German from Roco, the Flatbeds, crane, missile and proberly even the Army box vans are American, the BP tanker is British, I assume the tanks and vehicles are also American as these were bought in the same job lot as the boxed vans.
Like i said, it isn't authentic for a British layout but I just wanted a Army train :thumbsup:
Very nice mate. :thumbsup: Always good to see an army train, no matter what it's made up of. :)
The next train to arrive at Red Square is.................... ;D
Quote from: newportnobby on February 20, 2012, 08:16:22 PM
The next train to arrive at Red Square is.................... ;D
You can actually do Moscow by sleeper from Paris .. all one train ! Some day I may have to try it
Well done Dave it looks a mighty impressive train.
Now build a layout to run it on.
Cheers Marc, I'm keeping my eye out for more Depressed Flat beds and Army boxed vans to increase the size and the construction of the layout is due to start in 2 months time if all goes well :beers:
Good luck to you have you got a line diagram yet.
I was talking to someone the other day who has designed an automatic route setter for his layout. The thing just runs itself.
Layout in the garden has a fully working signal box.
Quote from: EtchedPixels on February 20, 2012, 09:47:56 PM
Quote from: newportnobby on February 20, 2012, 08:16:22 PM
The next train to arrive at Red Square is.................... ;D
You can actually do Moscow by sleeper from Paris .. all one train ! Some day I may have to try it
How does that work with Russian guage being different to western European guage? Surely its two different trains where the gauges of Russia meet the standard gauge of Europe ???
I don't actually know. It's one "train" for ticketing purposes and signage but I don't know if they change the coach, the bogies or it's got those magic regaugable wheels ?
I don't have any unusual train. :'(
Quote from: Arrachogaidh on April 04, 2013, 11:14:01 PM
Quote from: OwL on March 30, 2012, 10:57:00 PM
Quote from: EtchedPixels on February 20, 2012, 09:47:56 PM
Quote from: newportnobby on February 20, 2012, 08:16:22 PM
The next train to arrive at Red Square is.................... ;D
You can actually do Moscow by sleeper from Paris .. all one train ! Some day I may have to try it
How does that work with Russian guage being different to western European guage? Surely its two different trains where the gauges of Russia meet the standard gauge of Europe ???
Bogies were changed in Poland. I understand that coaches with variable gauge bogies are either now in use or on order.
Changing bogies of passenger cars european-to-russian gauge. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2plrM6dOcTQ#)
My most unusual train that I have knocking about is a modern Dutch Railways 1600 Serie mainline loco sitting alongside 1930s LMS.
I've even got the coaches shown in the pic below.
http://www.nsfsc.com/_fileupload/Image/E-loc_1600-1800_79124360.jpg (http://www.nsfsc.com/_fileupload/Image/E-loc_1600-1800_79124360.jpg)
An old holdover from living and modelling overseas! It's got fantastic pulling power too.
Don't forget the Military rail thread on this board
its where the rivet counters salute each other!
Nick R
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/railwaygun/ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/railwaygun/)
My most unusual train conveys a troop of yeomanry cavalry to their summer exercises in the pre-grouping period on a very minor railway. It consists of:-
Locomotive
1 1st class six wheel carriage (officers)
2 3rd class four wheel carriages (other ranks)
2 horse boxes (officers' chargers)
4 cattle wagons (other ranks' horses)
1 sheeted open (fodder)
1 carriage truck with horse drawn wagon
1 van (ammunition)
1 four wheel full brake
Needless to say it runs as a special. :)
Delfin
Interesting train, Delfin.
What loco(s) do you haul it with please?
Quote from: newportnobby on April 20, 2013, 09:19:58 PM
Interesting train, Delfin.
What loco(s) do you haul it with please?
The layout was a fictional railway loosely based on the Brecon and Merthyr railway. The locomotive was a japanese 0-6-2 modified to look vaguely Welsh. I have since scrapped the layout, but retained the stock as I fancy trying again with something more ambitious representing a part of the line rather than just a station. However, it is in queue behind some North American modules (almost finished) and a proposed SNCF layout.
Unfortunately the locomotive itself has ceased to work, so I will have to source new motive power should I build another pre-grouping layout. I expect it will go ahead as I find the pre-grouping railways of South Wales endlessly fascinating.
The cavalry were from the agricultural area of Glamorgan travelling to the large territorial army exercises which took place in the Aberystwyth area before the first world war.
Delfin
Thanks for that :thumbsup:
I seem to recall Dr Al had a GWR 56xx for sale a while ago (0-6-2T).
Dunno if he still has it but it may be worth a PM to him
Quote from: newportnobby on April 20, 2013, 09:32:53 PM
Thanks for that :thumbsup:
I seem to recall Dr Al had a GWR 56xx for sale a while ago (0-6-2T).
Dunno if he still has it but it may be worth a PM to him
Thanks for letting me know, I have a 56xx, but they are not suitable for pre-grouping layouts as they were introduced by the GWR after the grouping in 1923. However they are useful for a bit of kit-bashing.
Problems in sourcing suitable locomotives was one of the reasons I scrapped the layout. It is unreasonable to expect manufacturers to produce much for that period, although one of the white metal kit companies did do some Rhymney Railway stuff I seem to recall.
Delfin
The 56xx was basically a GWR build of the pregroup tanks. Langley do bits to convert the generic farish tank to various welsh 0-6-0 / 0-6-2 types