Quote from: maridunian on February 24, 2026, 01:45:41 PMHalf a century ago Bachmann, Rivarossi and Arnold produced 0-4-0 locos that were often redeployed under British bodyshells from GEM etc.

Ten years ago Hornby added a Peckett 0-4-0 to their OO range, shortly followed by Hattons launching a similar sized Andrew Barclay.

Who wouldn't want at least one of those in N Gauge?

Sorry, Mike, but my hand is up

Proper mains powered Dremel is going to be the best for longevity, but although I have one (and some other mini-drills I've been gifted) the one I use all the time is still my Parkside (Lidl) rechargeable set.  Had it good a good few years now.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276905739365


I bought a proper 3-jaw chuck to fit it instead of using the supplied chuck as I find I wear out the bras collets. 

To be honest, for cutting rail across board joints I would use a metal-tooth razor saw rather than a cutting disc in a mini-drill.  The saw is easier to get a vertical thin cut.

I use the mini-drill with a reinforced cutting disc when cutting track BEFORE it's laid, as it's quick and simple and I can use the face of the cutting disc to square-off and de-burr the rail end.

Hi all,

Unfortunately my cheapo Rolson Rechargeable Rotary Tool has died after two years dedicated service. May it rest in pieces (in the bin).

So, I'm on the hunt for a new one! Main use will be cutting track across baseboard joints. So, any suggestions? Ideally under £100 

Thanks
Mac

@maridurian

I did a 3D print 48DS for one of the little Japanese chassis plus a little bit of filing. DCC would be interesting to say the least at that size.

(https://github.com/EtchedPixels/3DPrint-NonCommercial/tree/main/48DS has the needed OpenSCAD files to generate the STL to print one)

We've had smallish 0-4-0 chassis even back into the 1970s that ran well (at least on electrofrogs). This probably belongs in the SPAM section but show what was possible with those chassis - and these are DCC converted.

A couple of Danygraig shed locos from Swansea



So they are definitely doable with DCC and modern technology!

The other thing to think about (regardless of region) is what brakes, your brake van has...

By your period, most faster-timed and long-distance freights would be vacuum-braked requiring a 'fitted' brake-van.

BR made it easy to tell which were fitted by adopting the LMS & LNER convention of painting them Bauxite with non-fitted (hand-brake only) vans being grey. - Even the Western (mostly) conformed on that one!

I havent any relevent photos to say whether the ex LMS Stanier type brake vans as modelled by Farish worked on the WR or not, but they were seen on the ex GE section lines in the 60s.

I also have a photo of the Pillbox type on a pick up goods on the Harwich branch, so they also strayed from home areas.

Martyn

Me too, cheers, Martin. Liberal lashings of Rule 1 here, mind you!

As I model the same era and similar location this thread will be of interest to me as well so, thanks, Martin.
Seems the 'pillbox' van was built by the SR and weighed in at 25T as opposed to the BR 20T. This gave a slightly better ride. With shared routes and inter regional traffic there's no real reason why you couldn't have them on your layout

https://www.hattons.co.uk/directory/versiondetails/2651/graham_farish_n_sr_pill_box_brake_van

Quote from: Steven B on February 24, 2026, 07:00:39 PMTh classic GWR Toad were baned from long distance freight trains in 1957 as they didn't have the side bucket look-outs. They'd still be seen on local trains any were popular with engineers as they had a large cabin with one less draughty door than the BR standard van.

Pillbox was generally the name given to the SR brake van that wad similar in design to the LNER/BR standard.

Thank you Steven @Steven B .
So, if I understand correctly, I'm ok to run toads on local or trip freights or engineering trains but on long/longer distance workings I should be running the Standard BR design?

I need to up my compliment of the standard variety a little then 

Th classic GWR Toad were baned from long distance freight trains in 1957 as they didn't have the side bucket look-outs. They'd still be seen on local trains any were popular with engineers as they had a large cabin with one less draughty door than the BR standard van.

Pillbox was generally the name given to the SR brake van that wad similar in design to the LNER/BR standard.