N Gauge Forum

Which railbus would you like to see made rtr in n gauge?


I included some prototypes which didn't run in service so far as I recall - just added in for fun.

You get three votes so select your top 3!

I think maybe a first gen option could be v popular in n gauge for branch lines and micro layouts, and preservation layouts.

If I missed any options just let me know and I can add them.

As an aside what happened to the AC Cars railbus shell that was behind the sheds at Loughborough GCR for many years?  I often went round the back of the sheds to look at all the bits n pieces stored there.


Cheers



Tim

There's some merit in all the first generation apart from the Bristol/ECWs...

The AC Cars and the W&M being the longest lasting and having preserved examples are the most obvious types to do, though the Park Royal had the wider geographic spread and considered by many the prettiest (least ugly)
The Wickham also offers the option of the one-off track-recording car ...

The Leyland National based LEV series, could be done as a spin off from a narrow bodied Pacer (class 141)...

Is it worth adding the missing Pacers to this list?
Class 140 (single prototype built)
Class 141 (20 built)
Class 143 (25 built)
Class 144 (20 built)

A three car (DMS-MS-DMSL) WYPTE Class 144 would find a home in my stock box.

I think only the A.C unit was seen on the WR around Oxford but I'm happy to be corrected

How about the Parry People mover as used on the Stourbridge branch line.

Only 3 built, and how many folk model the Stourbridge branch?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_139

Quote from: Newportnobby on November 06, 2023, 04:20:24 PMOnly 3 built, and how many folk model the Stourbridge branch?

Post privatisation, probably very few as their no RTR class 139...

Most of the railcars listed only managed five being built, with many of them only having one or two. Makes the class 139 almost numerous! (and more common than a LMS twin!).



Steven B

Quote from: Steven B on November 06, 2023, 05:00:26 PMMost of the railcars listed only managed five being built, with many of them only having one or two. Makes the class 139 almost numerous! (and more common than a LMS twin!).



Steven B

Indeed which is why when I suggested a 1st generation railbus to Revolution Trains they were not especially bought into the idea...

thanks everyone for the votes and replies!

i think ac cars and w und m would be the most sensible option from a commercial perspective.  as pld pointed out there are preserved examples.

I only included 4 wheel railbuses in the vote. i can't remember why now tbh.

class 141/143/144 would be a good shout though. maybe in a few years when pacer nostalgia hits someone will make a 143 or 144. efe rail released a oo version I noticed although not their own tooling as I understand it.

cheers


tim

Quote from: bluedepot on November 06, 2023, 08:39:49 PMmaybe in a few years when pacer nostalgia hits someone will make a 143 or 144. efe rail released a oo version I noticed although not their own tooling as I understand it.

The EFE 143/4 are using the RealTrack models (D&E Videos/DC Kits) tooling - As I understand it, EFE (? Bachmann / Kernow?) basically funded a new run of RT's production.

RealTrack, have never shown any significant interest in N Gauge, so I don't see any real prospect of an N version from that direction...

The Derby units (basically a single car lightweight) were frequently seen around Bletchley and Buckingham but they are 8 wheelers

Newportnobby ,
I Like unusual stock and thats why I mentioned the Parry People Mover .
I have actually seen one when we did an exhibition at Stourbridge we just missed having a ride in it , It wasnt doing a return trip so we wouldnt have been able to get back to the car .
Bob

It's certainly unusual, Bob.
A bit like the road equivalent of a bubble car

I think this poll is 100% just for fun as I can't imagine any manufacturer is going to create a RTR version of such small classes. It lends itself more to a 3D body and a motorised chassis if one is available

The 139 are just bouncy ride castles! There is a 3d print body IIRC and a few years back was in a display case at Warley show.
There even was a narrow 2 foot gauge one on the Ffestiniog on trial but it was not watertight and I got the job of hauling a tarp over it!  The std gauge one is not much better and the sad kennel they have at SBJ is equally depressing!
Viz poll the Park Royal and Wickham get my vote.
Robert   

Should add R3 voted for - only me! It worked Severn Beach for a while and then slunk off to NIR and is now at Portpatrick and County Down Railway- for sale it seems. An Rtr in both styles and hope to regauge to 10.5mm
Robert

Quote from: PLD on November 06, 2023, 11:32:07 AMThere's some merit in all the first generation apart from the Bristol/ECWs...

The AC Cars and the W&M being the longest lasting and having preserved examples are the most obvious types to do, though the Park Royal had the wider geographic spread and considered by many the prettiest (least ugly)
The Wickham also offers the option of the one-off track-recording car ...

The Leyland National based LEV series, could be done as a spin off from a narrow bodied Pacer (class 141)...

I always thing the W&M ones look the most "grown up" because they actually have proper buffers and drawgear, although quite what they would be capable of pulling I am not entirely sure  :hmmm:

I will admit I have no call for one, even though I know they ran on some lines in Northern and South west Scotland.

it seems like these are too niche for commercial production then really, although maybe they could sell them on just being cute / unusual??  people seem to buy odd and not v long lived prototypes just for fun.

i saw an n gauge class 139 ages ago. 

thanks pld didn't know all that about efe rail and realtrack.

hope everyone is having a good week


cheers


tim

"Only 3 built, and how many folk model the Stourbridge branch?"

Well -

(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/137/3123-081123133539.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=137039)

And when the students are on their way home...
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/137/3123-081123133942.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=137042)

Someone has made a 3D printed 139 which fits on a Japanese chassis.

A past member of our model club (Wyre Forest) worked as an engineer on the 139 and made an n gauge model of it which you probably saw running on Kinlet Wharf.

Chris

As seen on post #18

Chris

Quote from: PLD on November 06, 2023, 10:17:23 PMThe EFE 143/4 are using the RealTrack models (D&E Videos/DC Kits) tooling - As I understand it, EFE (? Bachmann / Kernow?) basically funded a new run of RT's production.

RealTrack, have never shown any significant interest in N Gauge, so I don't see any real prospect of an N version from that direction...

Has the link between the Railtrack and EFE class 143/144 been proven? Comments on RMWeb by Railtrack suggest they believe that it't not their tooling that EFE are using (yet there's enough similarities between the two models to suggest if it's not the same tooling, then the tooling's been remade from the same CAD.
https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/177172-efe-rail-class-143144-pacer/

Apparently the factory involved was stung by the collapse of DJ Models (with their mermaid, shark and class 17 also now available via EFE).

Realtrack have produced a PCA cement wagon in N, although several years after it's release it's still available to buy so I suspect it may not have sold that well.


Back on subject, the 1950/60s rail buses would make for interesting (& cute!) models which I'd guess would be popular but I'd question how well/reliably a 4-wheel chassis could be made to run in N. The other downside is the relative lack of liveries compared to other first generation MU's (and Pacers!).


Steven B.

Quote from: bluedepot on November 08, 2023, 01:15:37 PMit seems like these are too niche for commercial production then really, although maybe they could sell them on just being cute / unusual??

Quote from: Steven B on November 08, 2023, 01:50:15 PMBack on subject, the 1950/60s rail buses would make for interesting (& cute!) models

Did someone say cute?
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51867457453_d41781936c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n2mh4P)
Arnold 2920 VT 89.9 railcar (https://flic.kr/p/2n2mh4P) by Jim Easterbrook (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jim_easterbrook/), on Flickr

Not a UK prototype, so irrelevant to this thread, but I like it.

Voting has now closed!

The winner was the Waggon und Maschinenbau railbus!

In second was Park Royal!

I actually think a railbus might be commercially successful in n gauge.  They are novel and would have a cute factor.

They may pose a technical challenge too far though because of being 4 wheel and tiny and needing a see through interior unobscured by motor or DCC decoder. 

Thanks for all your comments and votes!


Cheers


Tim

Quote from: bluedepot on November 13, 2023, 07:41:41 AMI actually think a railbus might be commercially successful in n gauge.  They are novel and would have a cute factor.

They may pose a technical challenge too far though because of being 4 wheel and tiny and needing a see through interior unobscured by motor or DCC decoder. 

They don't usually need to haul anything, or not much, so a small motor is enough. The Arnold 2920 manages to keep everything below the window line.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51867377011_933a0866b8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n2kS9T)
Arnold 2920 VT 89.9 railcar (https://flic.kr/p/2n2kS9T) by Jim Easterbrook (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jim_easterbrook/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51876864411_66e024776e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n3buqK)
Fitting DCC decoder to Arnold 2920 (https://flic.kr/p/2n3buqK) by Jim Easterbrook (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jim_easterbrook/), on Flickr

After taking these photos I fitted a DCC decoder just above the motor. It is visible through the windows so I painted it black.