Used wagons etc

meddyliol · January 31, 2022, 10:55:08 AM

Sorry if this is in the wrong place ?

I am trying to increase my wagons (I only have seven new ones and three coaches). Due to funds issues I am looking at used ones. I notice that Rails of Sheffield have loads on eBay. My question is really, the main ones seem to be Lima, Dapol and Farish. I suspect this is 'how long is a piece of string' but not knowing anything about Lima and limited knowledge of the other two; what are any suggestions and/or recommendations of manufacturers. I must admit that as my present wagons are all Farish my leaning is to those. Not too bothered if they are in boxes or not, but must be in good condition with all bits present (what is a coupling spring anyway?).

Thanks

Brian

Papyrus · January 31, 2022, 11:02:16 AM

Depends what sort of wagons you are after, but Peco do a huge range. If you are trying to build up your stock as cheaply as possible, it is sometimes worth looking among the 'job lots' on eBay. You can sometimes pick up a lot of wagons for not much money. All right, some of them may well be rubbish, but they can often be rendered serviceable again by some new wheels, say, or a quick repaint.

cheers,

Chris

PLD · January 31, 2022, 11:20:55 AM

As very general guidelines;
Avoid Lima. The wagons are way over scale and the coaches are way underscale. Also the wheels are horribly coarse and may lead to running issues, especially through points.
Farish it depends on how old they are. Current Farish are the best you will get for detail and running quality, but beware of older stock. Pre-2000 ish, wheels were rather coarse (identify by shiny wheels with large flanges) but can be replaced with modern wheels. Couplings have also gone through several styles, and some older ones are again best avoided. Spring couplings are preferred (these have a spring behind the coupling head which keeps the head in the right position, but allows some flexibility)
Dapol are all more recent products so no fundamental issues.
PECO is the other option to look out for if you're looking to build up numbers quickly. Not Farish/Dapol level of detail, but around half the price when new... Wheels are solid plastic which aren't great, but easily replaced with Farish wheels.

If in doubt, post a link before committing to buy and I'm sure someone will offer an opinion.

emjaybee · January 31, 2022, 11:29:34 AM

I'd recommend EBay as well. Don't consider the one or two individual wagons, look to buy a reasonable amount in one lot.

Don't forget to check prices on EBay against retailers prices. Just because its on Ebay doesn't mean it's a bargain.

Some of the retailers frequently have more mundane wagons at quite cheap prices.

ntpntpntp · January 31, 2022, 11:49:07 AM

Looks like we're talking specifically about British wagons here, so as far as Lima goes I'd agree with @PLD the majority did seem to be a bit overscale (with one or two exceptions IIRC, wasn't the Syphon G considered reasonable?), and yet bizarrely their coaches were underscale. Although the wheels are coarse (typical 1970s/80s profile) they will run through Peco pointwork ok including code 55, I've not encountered any problems with my Continental Lima wagons of the same age other than the odd wobbly wheel

chrism · January 31, 2022, 12:01:54 PM

Quote from: emjaybee on January 31, 2022, 11:29:34 AM
I'd recommend EBay as well. Don't consider the one or two individual wagons, look to buy a reasonable amount in one lot.

Don't forget to check prices on EBay against retailers prices. Just because its on Ebay doesn't mean it's a bargain.

And check eBay prices against other eBay prices - for example, some joker listed a Minitrix "Millom Co-Op" wagon yesterday, for the "bargain" price of £39.99 plus £7.99 postage !!!!
Based on what I've seen others go for, I'd expect to get at least four for that money.

meddyliol · January 31, 2022, 12:08:05 PM

Thank you very much gents. I appreciate the comments about Lima and will stay away. To get what I want (yes, British stock is what I want for now, maybe USA and Canada stuff later) is not cheap. I will probably pay a bit more for Farish/Dapol but will have a look at Peco.

Much appreciated

Brian

P.S. Thanks for the warning about eBay. Fortunately I am switched on with regards to eBay. Once bitten twice shy and all that.

joe cassidy · January 31, 2022, 12:40:44 PM

Don't forget wagon kits from the N Gauge Society as an alternative to ready-to-run.

I believe there are now over 70 kits available.

meddyliol · January 31, 2022, 12:43:45 PM

Interesting, not sure about wagon kits though. Quite capable of building them just not sure about the quality (their quality not mine - I think).

emjaybee · January 31, 2022, 01:24:27 PM

Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 12:43:45 PM
Interesting, not sure about wagon kits though. Quite capable of building them just not sure about the quality (their quality not mine - I think).

The quality of NGS kits is excellent. I've built many.

geofff · January 31, 2022, 02:46:59 PM

A number of the video posters on Youtube suggest that a visit to a local model shop or train fair could present opportunities for bargin rolling stock.

meddyliol · January 31, 2022, 03:55:42 PM

Quote from: emjaybee on January 31, 2022, 01:24:27 PM
Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 12:43:45 PM
Interesting, not sure about wagon kits though. Quite capable of building them just not sure about the quality (their quality not mine - I think).

The quality of NGS kits is excellent. I've built many.

Funny you just said that, I have just decided to join the NGS. In the process as we speak. Do they do coach kits? Had a quick look but couldn't find any.

Ta

Brian

Ta

emjaybee · January 31, 2022, 04:08:07 PM

Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 03:55:42 PM
Quote from: emjaybee on January 31, 2022, 01:24:27 PM
Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 12:43:45 PM
Interesting, not sure about wagon kits though. Quite capable of building them just not sure about the quality (their quality not mine - I think).

The quality of NGS kits is excellent. I've built many.

Funny you just said that, I have just decided to join the NGS. In the process as we speak. Do they do coach kits? Had a quick look but couldn't find any.

Ta

Brian

Ta

They've done some ready to run parcels and inspection saloons, but no regular coaching stock.

Newportnobby · January 31, 2022, 04:29:32 PM

Keep an eye on the forum N'Porium as well. This is a good price especially as postage is free in the UK.

https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=classifieds;sa=view;id=4487

Steven B · January 31, 2022, 04:32:23 PM

Quote from: meddyliol on January 31, 2022, 03:55:42 PM

Funny you just said that, I have just decided to join the NGS. In the process as we speak. Do they do coach kits? Had a quick look but couldn't find any.

The BR Mk1 horse box (Kit 24) is technically coaching stock, but now available RTR from Farish.

Kit 30 is the Gresley D113 Full brake - the only real coaching stock the Society has offered as a kit. It's based on the Dapol Gresley chassis and is quite simple to build.

For passenger carrying stock you'll need to look at the likes of Etched Pixels, BR Enterprises and Worsley Works. All are much more work than the NGS or Peco kits.

Steven B.