Is Graham Farish my only option for R-T-R model of this Railcar?

Maurice · September 19, 2024, 05:52:29 PM

I am looking for a diesel railcar such as used in the late 1950's and early 60's by GWR. I think a nickname for these was the "flying banana".
Here is an example in Wikipedia from Ben Brooksbank. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GWR_railcars#/media/File:Tenbury_Wells_Station,_with_ex-Great_Western_Diesel_railcar_geograph-2389817-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg

Naturally, since this IS an N-Gauge forum, I mean in N-gauge. I have only seen Graham Farish models of these for sale on e-pay(you know who I mean) and none currently, just a shell. Did any other manufacturer produce these in N-gauge?

chrism · September 19, 2024, 06:05:35 PM

Langley do/did kits for an Express Parcels version and a two car passenger version - however, both require a Farish railcar chassis.

ntpntpntp · September 19, 2024, 06:20:06 PM

I had the Langley twin car kit back in the late 70s when it took a cheap LifeLike chassis which was dreadful. Mine ended up with a stretched Minitrix Warship chassis. Heavy whitemetal lumps but with the decent chassis it ran well enough.

Bob Tidbury · September 19, 2024, 06:24:42 PM

B H E did a 3D printed body of the early streamlined Rail Car and the Twin units but I dont think they have any left now and now `Ray has passed away his sons are struggling to keep the business going .
Bob

Chris Morris · September 19, 2024, 07:15:17 PM

The Farish one is very good. If you wait patiently one will turn up as plenty were made. You could try the big secondhand people line Anoraks anonymous or Rails. Try to get one with a flywheel as these are superb runners. The early ones without flywheel were not so good.

Nbodger · September 19, 2024, 07:29:20 PM

How about this one a few items down for £75

https://clarkrailworks.com/collections/n-gauge/british

ntpntpntp · September 19, 2024, 07:33:35 PM

@Maurice I suppose as you're US based they'll not turn up often (if at all) on your native ebay so you will have to look further afield.

Newportnobby · September 19, 2024, 09:16:06 PM

Quote from: Nbodger on September 19, 2024, 07:29:20 PMHow about this one a few items down for £75

https://clarkrailworks.com/collections/n-gauge/british

3rd row down and far right.

I'm sitting on a goldmine!!

Snowwolflair · September 19, 2024, 11:03:07 PM

Shapeways did eight or more variants with valanced and unvalanced bogies. Not sure who the designer was but the ones I have were very accurate and could be mounted on Tomix chassis.

Bob Tidbury · September 20, 2024, 07:43:59 AM

They were on Shapeways by a chap called Ivan ,
Bob

Chris Morris · September 20, 2024, 09:36:13 AM

Quote from: Snowwolflair on September 19, 2024, 11:03:07 PMShapeways did eight or more variants with valanced and unvalanced bogies. Not sure who the designer was but the ones I have were very accurate and could be mounted on Tomix chassis.

I can't remember the reference number but the Tomix chassis fits well and runs very well indeed. This is an early Farish rail car. I got rid of the old chassis which had many issues and dropped a Tomix one in.

Bealman · September 20, 2024, 09:45:58 AM

I have a Farish one with a flywheel, bought from @dannyboy of this parish. Lovely runner.

Farish, parish.... maybe I should start writing limericks!

dannyboy · September 20, 2024, 10:06:53 AM

There was an old man from afar,
Who bought himself a railcar,
It was made by Graham Farish,
In the old Poole parish,
Supplied by dannyboy from another afar.

Best I could do in a couple of minutes.

Newportnobby · September 20, 2024, 10:17:27 AM

I'd suggest not giving up your day job but, as far as I know, you haven't got one so stick to the 'Groaners' maybe

Bealman · September 20, 2024, 10:56:56 AM