N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: Newportnobby on December 23, 2020, 11:30:22 AM

Title: Railcars
Post by: Newportnobby on December 23, 2020, 11:30:22 AM
Following the interesting thread on Railcars by @Haanaya (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=2558) it struck me there may be a market for such small vehicles in N rather than the larger class Dapol 121/122s and Farish AEC units. I've no idea which were the most numerous but Park Royal and Waggon und Maschinenbau have the most entries in my Ian Allan ABC of Diesel Multiple Units, followed by Derby Works, Bristol/ECW and Wickham.
I've had the misfortune to travel on the hateful things on more than one occasion.
It's one that won't attract a mass manufacturer so will probably rely on a 3D print resting on a suitable chassis. Does the collective have any thoughts/knowledge of such despicable pieces of motive power?
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: crewearpley40 on December 23, 2020, 11:32:28 AM
A bus on wheels mick ? I remember those horrid Class 142 units a bus on a railway chassis nicknamed unrepeatable
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: Newportnobby on December 23, 2020, 11:38:20 AM
Quote from: crewearpley40 on December 23, 2020, 11:32:28 AM
A bus on wheels mick ? I remember those horrid Class 142 units a bus on a railway chassis nicknamed unrepeatable

I seem to recall buses were more comfortable, Chris. The railcars I used seemed ricketty things that blew exhaust fumes into the passenger area such that I used to alight feeling slightly sick :sick2:
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: crewearpley40 on December 23, 2020, 11:50:16 AM
For sure. The exhaust was an issue being mounted badly and the high level of noise on older ' jointed ' rails which was a consequence of the direct connection between a poor underframe and even worse suspension giving the 140 and 142 dmu the nickname nodding donkey or bouncing peas in a bucket . The suspension was in line with the body transmitting a jarring, reverberating force across the body. Any idea of strengthening members in the body frame which was mass produced eliminated the cheap cost and added to significantly.
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: Haanaya on December 23, 2020, 12:36:21 PM
There are a few shells available on Etched pixels, under British railways, Diesel DMU's, and Shapeways do a couple of varients, also some nice looking flying bananas and some steam railmotor bodies.  They take a bit of work to get looking good but are an excellent starting point.  There seems to be an almost inexhaustable list of vatiations in the real world.
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: Newportnobby on December 23, 2020, 12:40:14 PM
Thanks Haanaya. The version made by @Shiney Sheff (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=42) in your OMWB thread looks the bees knees to me so maybe he could inform us what chassis he used and what that particular model represents please
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: Haanaya on December 23, 2020, 12:50:00 PM
The recomended chassis is either the Kato 11-109 chassis which gives a wheelbase that is 10mm undersize, or the Tomix KIHA-02 chassis.

I used the Kato, but I couldn't live with the short wheelbase, so I ended up chopping the chassis about so much I literaly ended up with just the wheels and the axle boxes, 2 sections just 9mm long, and then I swapped the motor for a coreless Tramfabriek motor, made new contacts and later today I will be fitting the motor and trial running the little beastie.  I have also elected to discard the etched brass underbody framework detail and re-make it, I tried in 0.65mm brass stock from Eileens Emporium but didn't have the skill to solder that fine, so I have 0.5mm styrene coming and I am going to try with that.  (No, I'm not even remotely nervous about how fragile that is going to be!)

It has really pushed my modelling skills to the limit but I have enjoyed it, makes for a lovely little model.
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: Newportnobby on December 23, 2020, 03:28:23 PM
I look forward to seeing some pics
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: Haanaya on December 23, 2020, 03:38:57 PM
I am intending to try, but have you seen my track record?  Not promising! :no: :no: :no: :no: :no:
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: martyn on December 23, 2020, 04:18:26 PM
@Newportnobby (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=264)

You might be able to renew acquaintances, Mick; I don't think this is that far from you;

https://www.nnrailway.co.uk/portfolio-items/railbus-e79960/?portfolioCats=20%2C18%2C19%2C30%2C31%2C24%2C32%2C25 (https://www.nnrailway.co.uk/portfolio-items/railbus-e79960/?portfolioCats=20%2C18%2C19%2C30%2C31%2C24%2C32%2C25)

It is on loan to the Ribble Valley railway at present.

KWVR have two, one of which is serviceable, the second in long term overhaul.

Martyn
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: Newportnobby on December 23, 2020, 04:24:53 PM
Thanks Martyn. It also happens to be underlined in my Combined Volume :D
I wonder where I saw it :hmmm:
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: GlenEglise on December 24, 2020, 01:44:45 AM
As @ShinySheff, I have had the excellent shell from Etched Pixels mounted on the recommended Kato chassis and built as a Wickham on the ScR. The railcar bodies in 3D are also available from other Shapeways sources.

Wickham and Waggon Und Mascininbau are available 3D prints.
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: Shiney Sheff on December 24, 2020, 07:18:08 AM
As GlenEglise says, you can get the shells on Shapeways, but when I bought mine they did not sell the etched under frame, that's why I bought mine from Etched Pixels.

Bob
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: GlenEglise on December 25, 2020, 12:07:28 AM
Quote from: Shiney Sheff on December 24, 2020, 07:18:08 AM
As GlenEglise says, you can get the shells on Shapeways, but when I bought mine they did not sell the etched under frame, that's why I bought mine from Etched Pixels.

Bob

I bought mine on Shapeways from Etched Pixels and also got the etch.

Regards,

GE
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: martyn on January 06, 2021, 05:12:04 PM
@Newportnobby (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=264) ;

Mick;

This is the railcar onloan to Ribble Railway.

Seen at Sheringham, NNR, 1990.........

Martyn
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/104/447-060121171152.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=104266)
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: Newportnobby on January 06, 2021, 07:16:44 PM
Thanks, Martyn. That a Waggon und Maschinenbau one?
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: martyn on January 07, 2021, 09:06:23 AM
Yes, it is.

See my link in my post #9.

Martyn
Title: Re: Railcars
Post by: Chris Morris on January 07, 2021, 09:45:12 AM
There is something cute about a little railbus. They don't fit in with my layout but they are nice to have. It would be great to see a model of one. Coming up to modern times I scratchbuilt a PPM 50 in G and I know someone has made a 3D print of the same railbus for N which is designed to fit one of the small Japanese chassis.

In my little world the original PPM 50 has been shipped to the USA. In reality it has been fitted with a Diesel engine and has been under test on the Severn Valley Railway.

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