Hi all,

I see a few of these on ebay and thought they would be good for the kids to get involved in the model railway with me. Will the Tomix trains run on a peco set track, code 80 n gauge layout or do they require special track and / or power supplies.

Thanks in advance

Quote from: RizUK on September 25, 2013, 03:08:09 PM
I see a few of these on ebay and thought they would be good for the kids to get involved in the model railway with me. Will the Tomix trains run on a peco set track, code 80 n gauge layout or do they require special track and / or power supplies.

The Tomix Thomas will be ok on normal N gauge track, but does struggle a bit with 9in radius (so i've heard). Having seen one I will say it's way over scale and may strike platforms and other lineside stuff...

Anybody done a scale, home built (ie, not the Tomix one) Thomas ?

I've been looking at these too, just for the pure fun of it.

I have had one of thse for some years.  Has no trouble on 9 inch curves.  A little over scale but I would only expect a problem if you are very meticulous on platform clearances.  And an excellent runner.  Very useful at shows when smaller kids are watching!

I once picked up a Henry plus 2 coaches second hand.  They were so large they hit the automatic colour light signals on the club layout.  It only had sufficient clearance on one of the four running lines.  I sold it.

Riz I have seen these running at shows and the feedback is very positive.  If it is 'just to get the kids interested' (honest guv  ) might I suggest you pick up some Kato track, lots cheap on flea bay, and 'help' them to build their own little layout.  It will run on this track no problems as both are Japanese brands and scaled similarly.

Hi,
Rather poor quality piccie of Norvic Junction at the Warley NEC Show in 2011:
[smg id=7154]
Usual excuses relating to the ambient lighting 
Useful comparison with N stock in the foreground.

Regards, Gerry 

Hmm, it looks rather good. Might be tempted with one of those ... For the kids of course.

I have had a Tomix Thomas for over ten years now (may even be 15!) without any track compatibility issues. He is always hugely popular at shows and highly recommended.

In terms of scale, he is based on the dimensions of the original TV show so essentially correct from that point of view...just not in proportion to anything 'scale' sized. As he is quite big, be mindful of clearances, bridges, platforms etc. Sadly he is barred from my little terminus layout as the gap between platform and track is too tight.

For something more 'prototypical', Thomas is said to be based on the LBSCR E2 tank. Langley do a kit of one of these little tank engines, if anyone is interested...

Hi,

Quote from: RizUK on September 25, 2013, 08:45:42 PM
... For the kids of course.

I have yet to invest in my own TtTE models "purely for myself of course, forget the kids"  but have this as part of the outfit sold to motorise a static Japanese Thomas Land EMU - 1/150 scale:
[smg id=7157]
the graphics are really very good
I had mine from Plaza Japan, which, since it passed-by UK duty and collection fee (a bit of a hit-n-miss gamble  )cost about two-thirds the Osborn's Models price:
http://www.osbornsmodels.com/tomytec-225065-fuji-kyukou-type5000-thomas-land-train-2-car-set-one-power-11593-p.asp
You can get the unmotorised unit for a reasonable cost:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/N-Gauge-1-150-Tomytech-Tetsudo-Train-Collection-Fuji-Kyuko-5000-Thomas-Land-JATO-/261146330994?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item3ccd88c772
I notice there's another ebayer selling what appears to be just this for a mere £143.14 plus shipping plus duty...
and if "the kids" really are involved maybe run it as a colourful GWR autocoach setup with a tank engine in the middle perhaps - maybe just remove the pantograph... 

Regards, Gerry.