Minitrix locos

jonclox · February 20, 2011, 10:47:52 AM

Just noticed that a supplier Ive dealt for some time is stocking Minitrix locos. Although Ive known the name for ages Ive no idea of their quality.
Can anybody advise me please before I commit my pennies

cupoftea · February 20, 2011, 10:56:55 AM

I have one Minitrix loco - a class 27 diesel. It is quite a few years old but still runs like new and pulls like, well, a train. If the modern Minitrix offerings are as good as the class 27 you will be buying a very reliable little machine.

Detail wise it is of the standard of some years ago and is not as detailed as modern offerings. Having said that it looks good on the track and is very reliable.

jonclox · February 20, 2011, 11:01:14 AM

Thanks cuppa..(no sugar in mine thanks)... thats encouraging

Adam1701D · February 20, 2011, 11:11:27 AM

The Minitrix UK locos are generally shoehorned onto a German chassis, so they are somewhat loose with their accuracy, particularly the Class 27 and Warship. Since these were pioneer locos for the UK market from the 60s onwards, I'm happy to forgive this and they are very impressive runners.

I've got a Warship from the mid-70s that still runs well - it's one of the originals with the buffer cowling turning with the bogie. OK, it no way compares for detail against the new GF model but I like it!

porkie · February 20, 2011, 11:32:20 AM

I have two mintrix loco's.
Class 47 in railfrieght grey.
The flying scotsman.
They are both great little loco's. The 47 has working headlights as std, and when you think about it, mintrix pulled out the uk market in the 80's. As already said the chassis are excilent compaired to what farish had to offer at the same time, although the bogie details may not be correct. As for whats avilable today, they are proberly one of the best manufactures around. Most are dcc ready just plug n play decoders and all have working lights.

jonclox · February 20, 2011, 11:38:46 AM

I suspect that my questioning their quality/finish/etc. of today dates back to me remembering the rather 'loose' quality of Trix in the 1950/60 and their link with Tri-ang 'toys'.
Just learnt a wee bit more about their history from ....... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trix_(company) which has encouraged me a bit.
Anyway any help from you guys is much appreciated

Lawrence · February 20, 2011, 01:58:37 PM

Captainelectra has a good point, their European stuff is generally very good quality (that is their main market), but there does seem to be some shortcomings with their British stuff. Having said that I only have American & Japanese stock so I can only go by what others have said

jonclox · February 22, 2011, 03:43:51 PM

Update...........
I took the plunge and ordered a 'krocodile' (12128) and it arrived today. I must say that I`m impressed by the quality of the build and by the way its running thanks for setting my mind at rest and getting me trust them

Claude Dreyfus · February 22, 2011, 10:22:04 PM

I always liked the Minitrix class 47... Once upon a time I had a fleet of eight; now I am down to one, which was the first one I bought. It was the Railfreight example, which had been repainted into a sort of hybrid green livery. Not a bad job, but at the time it was only £35.00 at a time when these were regularly fetching £80.00 - £100.00 each. It was a lovely runner, so suited me at the time; despite the fact it was too wide, the bogies were wrong...indeed the whole roof design was pretty much wrong for the era and type of 47 being depicted. Also the buffers were way too small. I didn't care; it was a 47, and one better than the Farish example.

Back in 2002 I had a module on the West Sussex N gauge Society area group layout, which I took to the 35th anniversary show. One the items offered by the society was an etched set of name-plates with crest. A ficticious name for an unprototypical loco; well why not...it was wrong anyway, so the additional name would make no difference.

It is still used, still runs beautifully and still draws positive comments...

SymonC · March 30, 2011, 07:58:24 PM

I have 8 Hornby Minitrix locos.

2-6-0 Ivatt (BR Black)
Britannia
BR Type 2 Bo-Bo Diesel (Green) x 2
Class 42 Warship (Blue)
2-10-0 9F in BR Black
2-10-0 Evening Star
A4 Sir Nigel Gresley LNER blue

All are still superb runners and most have working lights.

michael · March 30, 2011, 08:01:54 PM

mine have always been very reliable and far superior to anything of the same age, there probably comparable (in terms of running) to modern farish. I have started to replace mine for modern farish but only as I have dcc in mind.

OwL · March 30, 2011, 08:19:19 PM

My very first loco was a minitrix bought for me new back in 1990. This was the world famous 4472 Flying Scotsman. Although 21 years old this is one of my best loco's and best runners. It still holds it's own against any modern steamer.

I also own a minitrix 47, again an excellent loco. German Engineering in British form, excellent! I also have some modern Euro outline and this is good gear too.

Old or New dont hesitate to part with your pennies in regards to Minitrix.

longbridge · March 30, 2011, 08:48:09 PM

I only buy second hand these days and Minitrix is one of the brands I have on my short list, regardless of age they are very nice runners and very easy to maintain.

Seawise · January 31, 2013, 09:57:23 AM

Minitrix 2.6.0.loco, one of the slide bars on the motion linkage has broken, anyone had similar experience and where can I get spares?

Regards

Chris

scotsoft · January 31, 2013, 10:41:44 AM

Hi Chris,

You could ask www.brlines.com they have limited Minitrix spare parts but may just have the part you need.

Failing them, the query you have posted may jog someones memory to have to look in their parts boxes.

cheers John.