British Wagon Recommendations

[scottmitchell74]

I've reached a point in my hobbies where I'd rather have a small amount of great performing wagons -vs- a whole bunch of mediocre performers.

Being in the USA, trial-and-error isn't an option. I've got to make any purchases count because of postage and tax.

So, I'm relying on the wisdom of the crowd to set me on the right track.

Mostly era 3,4,5... but as I'm a devout Rule 1 practitioner anything cool or interesting is okay.

[Bealman]

Wagons of what period?

[scottmitchell74]

Wagons of what period?

Corrected for clarity. Thank you Bealman. Do I remember you're an Ozzie, or at least reside there?

[Bealman]

Thank you. Permanent resident, still British.

[Newportnobby]

I think you're asking the impossible. All our models are hand built. My wagon may be perfect but yours could be rubbish. (One man's meat is another man's poison)
I'd suggest maybe the best way is to put an ad in the Wanted section of the Classifieds stating what you want and your QC stipulations.
As a general rule I've not had any issues with Peco, Dapol, EFE or Farish but binding issues with Rapido and NGS. I would say 95% of my wagon stock is 4 wheeled
Peco can suffer random uncoupling. Likewise mixing manufacturers within a rake can cause the same issue but an application of 'Tacky Wax' can alleviate this

[Steven B]

In general there's not a huge overlap of models (unless you want a generic van or open wagon). If you want a 6 wheel milk tank you need to buy the Dapol model. If you want a bogie ballast wagon you'll probably end up with the Farish model.

Farish - generally bomb proof.

Dapol - ditto.

Peco - older models can suffer from droopy couplings if not correctly put together (RTR and Kit). The newer models with not-quite-NEM pockets are a lot better.

Rapido - Very nice models but the Conflat P's suffered from a manufacturing fault which lead to the wheels binding on the chassis. Probably worth checking any bought have been fixed before being posted to the US. I've not heard of any issues with the OAA SECR wagons or Iron minks.

Revolution - haven't done many steam era models but those they have done have generally been good models. The first batch of Class B tanks was criticised for being too heavy with many modellers removing or reducing the weight in the tank barrel.

N Gauge Society - RTR models commissioned from Bachmann and Dapol have all been OK. The ferry van suffers from poor running - I've yet to see a definitive solution to the problem.

Sonic - generally OK, but some have mentioned issues with the recent vanwide. Later VEA version OK in my experience.

Older models from Farish, Dapol and Peco are lacking in detail compared to the newer manufacturers such as Rapido and Revolution. I would say that Dapol have yet to do a steam era model to the same standard as they have with their models of more recent prototypes.

What you will have a problem with the coupling heights - despite there being a standard some interpretations are better than others. This often leads to consistent uncoupling. Turning vehicles around, or moving them elsewhere in the train is the usual solution unless you want a new hobby of refitting coupling pockets.

[EtchedPixels]

Most of the stuff is fine, especially newer stuff. Peco tends to be cheaper but also comes with nasty plastic wheels.

NEM couplings are good if you want to later do hands off shunting.

In terms of reliability the only real issues I've had are that pretty much all the container wagons with their tiny wheels and top heavy model design need well laid trackwork, and the longest wheelbase vans sometimes hate set-track crossovers.