Lima container flats

[gavin_t]

Opinions on these?

Was looking to get a rake of containers for my layout and was eyeing up the lovely ones that revolution trains produce.
However I have seen the lima ones pop up for sale secondhand a few times. Now I know they will be no where near the detail of the newer ones but are they passable with a bit of work? Only ever seen them in pictures online so far

[Branchie]

The Lima models are under scale. Go with Farish versions if you can

[ntpntpntp]

Not "under scale" but made to Continental N scale 1:160, and so are the containers so they won't sit together well with 1:148 containers from other brands.  Fit in ok with other Continental models 

Lima in those days (70s - 90s) had quite deep pizza cutter flanges and not always the best running wheels, but should still manage Peco code 55 pointwork ok.

Cheap and cheerful.

[Branchie]

So underscale for a British layout ... 

[crewearpley40]

Gavin. Strong advice. Personally aim for https://www.c-rail-intermodal.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=18_67 ,  or farish 373451 to 373459 range. I can guide where to seek like here ....https://www.hampshiremodels.co.uk/products/lima-484-n-gauge-freightliner-wagon-containers                                         Whether there are any in stock is a different matter but the level of detailling on the ribs on the container and the quality is important to me. I prefer farish but c rail and revolution trains maybe worth investigating

[njee20]

The Lima ones must be 30 years old, you won't find a shop with stock.

The generic Farish flats ones aren't that bad, based on an FFA, you can add buffers etc to make the FGA outers if you're so inclined, as well as reducing ride height and changing container spacing. They're out of production too, so you're looking second hand, although lots come up. Recent ones have blackened wheels etc, early ones aren't quite as well spec'ed. They've been offered with a huge variety of boxes, some of which would suit your time period.

The FSA/FTA are potentially useful too, they were introduced in the early-90s; I believe Arran is talking about adding them in their 'as delivered' black RfD livery.

[railsquid]

The Lima ones must be 30 years old, you won't find a shop with stock.

They do however haunt the second-hand market in substantial numbers...

Here's the sole example I own:


lima-generic-container-wagon_01 by Rail Squid, on Flickr

Lima "pizza cutter" wheelsets have been replaced with Kato ones (themselves an older set cascaded down from another wheelset replacement project), which is a slight improvement in terms of looks and running quality.

Note the chassis is a very simple diecast block with no markings. I have no idea what prototype, if any, it is modelled after. The best that can be said about it is that it is very rugged.

To my eyes it sits very high on the bogies and looks very "spindly". There also a fair bit of horizontal play and it looks very odd going round curves; here it is forming part of my "banana train" (which is the sole reason I own it ):


bananarama-1 by Rail Squid, on Flickr

Finally a comparison with a reasonably modern Tomix container flat (1:150):


lima-generic-container-wagon_02 by Rail Squid, on Flickr

In my humblest of opinions, unless you plan modelling a rake of generic wagons rusting away at the back of some sidings, any of the other options mentioned would be vastly preferable.

[Bealman]

Good pics, squiddy.... would love to see the entire bananarama train! 

[railsquid]

Good pics, squiddy.... would love to see the entire bananarama train! 

Oh go on then:


bananarama-3 by Rail Squid, on Flickr

Offending Lima container flat is just visible at the rear.

[Bealman]

Cool! But no Peco banana van with red roof! 

What's the loco? 

[railsquid]

What's the loco? 

Dapol Class 86 in Banana Network Rail livery.

[Bealman]

But where's

[crewearpley40]

Here Is the lima model https://www.trovestar.com/generic/zoom.php?id=123457      better off looking at alternative leads and links provided unless find any on Ebay. Farish versions maybe better bet

[njee20]

That article makes no sense. There's no way the Lima flat has been produced from 2009-today, it also has nothing to do with the current "Freightliner" company. It also acknowledges its 1:160, but still suggests it's a UK prototype. Bit of an unhelpful guide.

[crewearpley40]

There is an error @njee20 , not ours. I remember being brought 3 way back in 1986 so I put 1985 as the production date. Your correct in saying least 30 plus years. The farish stock are post poole era in comparison and I like those. However arran at c rail and revolution are more realistic up to date in my opinion