Sorry if this is in the wrong place ?
I am trying to increase my wagons (I only have seven new ones and three coaches). Due to funds issues I am looking at used ones. I notice that Rails of Sheffield have loads on eBay. My question is really, the main ones seem to be Lima, Dapol and Farish. I suspect this is 'how long is a piece of string' but not knowing anything about Lima and limited knowledge of the other two; what are any suggestions and/or recommendations of manufacturers. I must admit that as my present wagons are all Farish my leaning is to those. Not too bothered if they are in boxes or not, but must be in good condition with all bits present (what is a coupling spring anyway?).
Thanks
Brian
Depends what sort of wagons you are after, but Peco do a huge range. If you are trying to build up your stock as cheaply as possible, it is sometimes worth looking among the 'job lots' on eBay. You can sometimes pick up a lot of wagons for not much money. All right, some of them may well be rubbish, but they can often be rendered serviceable again by some new wheels, say, or a quick repaint.
cheers,
Chris
As very general guidelines;
Avoid Lima. The wagons are way over scale and the coaches are way underscale. Also the wheels are horribly coarse and may lead to running issues, especially through points.
Farish it depends on how old they are. Current Farish are the best you will get for detail and running quality, but beware of older stock. Pre-2000 ish, wheels were rather coarse (identify by shiny wheels with large flanges) but can be replaced with modern wheels. Couplings have also gone through several styles, and some older ones are again best avoided. Spring couplings are preferred (these have a spring behind the coupling head which keeps the head in the right position, but allows some flexibility)
Dapol are all more recent products so no fundamental issues.
PECO is the other option to look out for if you're looking to build up numbers quickly. Not Farish/Dapol level of detail, but around half the price when new... Wheels are solid plastic which aren't great, but easily replaced with Farish wheels.
If in doubt, post a link before committing to buy and I'm sure someone will offer an opinion.
I'd recommend EBay as well. Don't consider the one or two individual wagons, look to buy a reasonable amount in one lot.
Don't forget to check prices on EBay against retailers prices. Just because its on Ebay doesn't mean it's a bargain.
Some of the retailers frequently have more mundane wagons at quite cheap prices.
Looks like we're talking specifically about British wagons here, so as far as Lima goes I'd agree with @PLD (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=647) the majority did seem to be a bit overscale (with one or two exceptions IIRC, wasn't the Syphon G considered reasonable?), and yet bizarrely their coaches were underscale. Although the wheels are coarse (typical 1970s/80s profile) they will run through Peco pointwork ok including code 55, I've not encountered any problems with my Continental Lima wagons of the same age other than the odd wobbly wheel :)
Quote from: emjaybee on January 31, 2022, 11:29:34 AM
I'd recommend EBay as well. Don't consider the one or two individual wagons, look to buy a reasonable amount in one lot.
Don't forget to check prices on EBay against retailers prices. Just because its on Ebay doesn't mean it's a bargain.
And check eBay prices against other eBay prices - for example, some joker listed a Minitrix "Millom Co-Op" wagon yesterday, for the "bargain" price of £39.99 plus £7.99 postage !!!!
Based on what I've seen others go for, I'd expect to get at least four for that money.
Thank you very much gents. I appreciate the comments about Lima and will stay away. To get what I want (yes, British stock is what I want for now, maybe USA and Canada stuff later) is not cheap. I will probably pay a bit more for Farish/Dapol but will have a look at Peco.
Much appreciated
Brian 8)
P.S. Thanks for the warning about eBay. Fortunately I am switched on with regards to eBay. Once bitten twice shy and all that.
Don't forget wagon kits from the N Gauge Society as an alternative to ready-to-run.
I believe there are now over 70 kits available.
Interesting, not sure about wagon kits though. Quite capable of building them just not sure about the quality (their quality not mine - I think).
Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 12:43:45 PM
Interesting, not sure about wagon kits though. Quite capable of building them just not sure about the quality (their quality not mine - I think).
The quality of NGS kits is excellent. I've built many.
A number of the video posters on Youtube suggest that a visit to a local model shop or train fair could present opportunities for bargin rolling stock.
Quote from: emjaybee on January 31, 2022, 01:24:27 PM
Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 12:43:45 PM
Interesting, not sure about wagon kits though. Quite capable of building them just not sure about the quality (their quality not mine - I think).
The quality of NGS kits is excellent. I've built many.
Funny you just said that, I have just decided to join the NGS. In the process as we speak. Do they do coach kits? Had a quick look but couldn't find any.
Ta
Brian
Ta
Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 03:55:42 PM
Quote from: emjaybee on January 31, 2022, 01:24:27 PM
Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 12:43:45 PM
Interesting, not sure about wagon kits though. Quite capable of building them just not sure about the quality (their quality not mine - I think).
The quality of NGS kits is excellent. I've built many.
Funny you just said that, I have just decided to join the NGS. In the process as we speak. Do they do coach kits? Had a quick look but couldn't find any.
Ta
Brian
Ta
They've done some ready to run parcels and inspection saloons, but no regular coaching stock.
Keep an eye on the forum N'Porium as well. This is a good price especially as postage is free in the UK.
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=classifieds;sa=view;id=4487 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=classifieds;sa=view;id=4487)
Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 03:55:42 PM
Funny you just said that, I have just decided to join the NGS. In the process as we speak. Do they do coach kits? Had a quick look but couldn't find any.
The BR Mk1 horse box (Kit 24) is technically coaching stock, but now available RTR from Farish.
Kit 30 is the Gresley D113 Full brake - the only real coaching stock the Society has offered as a kit. It's based on the Dapol Gresley chassis and is quite simple to build.
For passenger carrying stock you'll need to look at the likes of Etched Pixels, BR Enterprises and Worsley Works. All are much more work than the NGS or Peco kits.
Steven B.
Quote from: emjaybee on January 31, 2022, 01:24:27 PM
Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 12:43:45 PM
Interesting, not sure about wagon kits though. Quite capable of building them just not sure about the quality (their quality not mine - I think).
The quality of NGS kits is excellent. I've built many.
Do you use the poly glue (is that glue sniffers stuff?) or is there an alternative before I order some. Not received my membership number yet though.
Brian
Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 04:58:29 PM
Quote from: emjaybee on January 31, 2022, 01:24:27 PM
Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 12:43:45 PM
Interesting, not sure about wagon kits though. Quite capable of building them just not sure about the quality (their quality not mine - I think).
The quality of NGS kits is excellent. I've built many.
Do you use the poly glue (is that glue sniffers stuff?) or is there an alternative before I order some. Not received my membership number yet though.
Brian
Liquid Poly Cement.
I use two types; Revell in the small dispenser with the long thin tube applicator, and Plastic Magic, which has a brush to apply and is exceptionally thin (which is a good thing!).
Thanks, just ordered some Revell glue. Can I assume that the kits are not pre-coloured?
Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 05:57:59 PM
Thanks, just ordered some Revell glue. Can I assume that the kits are not pre-coloured?
You will be requiring paint, and the decals for each kit, which are also available from the NGS, but are not included with the kits generally.
Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 05:57:59 PM
Thanks, just ordered some Revell glue. Can I assume that the kits are not pre-coloured?
Some of the NGS kits are pre-coloured - or at least moulded in a colour similar to that of the final wagon. The RMC JGA Hopper and Railtrack PNA are two examples.
You will also find that may do come with transfers, including the Macaw B, Salmon and the KSA timber wagon.
The kit pages on the NGS Shop website describes the kits.
https://www.ngsjoin.com/kits-338-c.asp (https://www.ngsjoin.com/kits-338-c.asp)
The description includes a note saying if transfers are included, or if you need to buy them separately.
The kit decals page lists sheets for most, if not all, of the NGS kits:
https://www.ngsjoin.com/ngs-decals-not-modelmaster-26-c.asp (https://www.ngsjoin.com/ngs-decals-not-modelmaster-26-c.asp)
Steven B.
Just bought some used wagons from The Wagon Yard. Prices seem very reasonable.
Hello, I often go to shows and look for the non boxed wagons. So much cheaper and I tend to run them on the railway not in the box. :bounce: