Atlantic 3279 wrote:By the way, is it only "grumpy old me" who is getting thoroughly bored with BRM's month after month after month virtually cover-to-cover content of garishly coloured N gauge diesels and DCC obsessed projects (usually how to fit a gizmo into yet another diesel, or how to make layout construction ludicrously expensive by using yet more gizmos)? Distinctly dodgy "train-set" layouts seem to be appearing now too, and are they making a push to dislodge the "narrow gauge monthly" crown from the head of Peco publications? I'm sure a recently retired member of their office staff would never have allowed this situation to develop had he remained on duty.....
I haven't bought BRM in a very long time, for many of the reasons you've mentioned above. In addition, I grew tired of the tone of the reviews of new models. I've only regularly bought Model Rail for a long time now.
What do you get when you cut an avocado into 6.022 x10^23 pieces?
What lovely models - we will all have our favourites but the K3/1 has that touch of the unusual among all those fenestered cabs.
I also have a soft spot for the Lima J50 but I didn't realise the Perseverance had done a chassis for it. Or was it the N2 one suitably butchered?
Now there's a possibility - I have always thought that it must be possible to to salami-slice an Airfix/Mainline/Dapol N2 into an N1. Boiler (no 7) is the same, wheels are identical (5'8" and 3'8") as is the wheelbase (other than for the prototype N1). I might even consider a Hornby carve up as the new chassis is so much better than the original. But I also happen to have two Little Engine N1s still in their boxes...
Be gentle! Returning to the hobby after more than 20 years away...
All thumbs wrote:I also have a soft spot for the Lima J50 but I didn't realise the Perseverance had done a chassis for it.
It was a basic set of frames for the J50 to which I added one of the same firm's compensation sets. With a 16x14x30 flat-can motor, carefully meshed 40:1 open gears and some lead inside the spacious boxy body, as well as the "all wheels on the track" grip and pick-up, it certainly pulls well and runs very smoothly.
As recently announced elsewhere, Chris Parrish / Perseverence seems to have recently returned to actively offering / supplying kits and parts.
Last edited by Atlantic 3279 on Tue Dec 13, 2011 2:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Most subjects, models and techniques covered in this thread are now listed in various categories on page1
Dec. 2018: Almost all images that disappeared from my own thread following loss of free remote hosting are now restored.
Atlantic 3279 wrote:......As recently announced elsewhere, Chris Parrish / Perseverence seems to have recently returned to actively offering / supplying kits and parts.
It will take a long time for Chris to restore things. Don't wait up.
Also, for those interested, he appears to have no plans at present to reintroduce the Westward range of loco kits.
Atlantic 3279 wrote:......As recently announced elsewhere, Chris Parrish / Perseverence seems to have recently returned to actively offering / supplying kits and parts.
It will take a long time for Chris to restore things. Don't wait up.
Also, for those interested, he appears to have no plans at present to reintroduce the Westward range of loco kits.
So long as the GCR bogies appear with the GCR coaches.....
I read somewhere (don't quote me) that you could use a Mainly Trains J52 chassis backwards for a J50. I filed that away as I have a JE detailing kit put aside for one. Anyone like to comment?
jwealleans wrote:I read somewhere (don't quote me) that you could use a Mainly Trains J52 chassis backwards for a J50. I filed that away as I have a JE detailing kit put aside for one. Anyone like to comment?
I think that's an urban myth - the J50 wheelbase is 7'3"+9'0", the J52 is 7'3"+8'3". The J50 is identical to the N1/N2, the J52 to the J3. The J52 is also the same as the GW 57xx so on paper the Bachmann Pannier chassis has the potential to underpin a J52. For those who also read the dark side (and many do...) there is a thread Hybrid J50 & J83 in the 'Modifying & Detailing RTR stock' forum which suggests using a Bachmann Pannier chassis under a J50. To my mind, 3mm is 9" which is significant - the oringinal Lima chassis for all its faults at least has the correct wheelbase!
I also have a spare Jackson Evans J50 detailing kit put by so I do wonder whether a Perseverance chassis represents a way forward. Again, I think I have one tucked away but it was so long ago when I bought mine that Rod Neep ran Perseverance. FWIW, Ace Products and DJH both offer J50 kits in 4mm, and Mainly Trains and Walworth Models cover the J52. No personal experience of any of these.
HTH
Be gentle! Returning to the hobby after more than 20 years away...
All thumbs wrote:FWIW, Ace Products and DJH both offer J50 kits in 4mm, and Mainly Trains and Walworth Models cover the J52. No personal experience of any of these.
I have an etched Connoisseur models kit of the J50 squirreled away in the loft. Looks a nice kit if you can find one on S/H market for a sensible price.
All Jim's 4mm kits are nice if you can find them. I had a 7mm one built up under the counter when you came to see me at Wakefield and that is equally nice. It's the 'find one at a reasonable price' bit which is hard. I reckon a Lima body, Gibson frames and this J/E detailing kit are the way I'll end up going.
But we're way off Graeme's thread here - he'd better step in and save us with another piece of plastic wizardry, I reckon...
Impressive builds! I just have some questions about your W1 build. I have visited the website where you can find the trailing wheel assembly for the chassis, and I am wondering on where to make my cuts on the frame for it to work and which tools would be the best for the job?
jwealleans wrote:All Jim's 4mm kits are nice if you can find them. ....It's the 'find one at a reasonable price' bit which is hard. ...
All of Jim McGeown's 4mm production now commands unbelievable prices on eBay. Last example I saw (months ago) was the unbuilt N7/3 kit. Original price: £42. eBay closing price: £108.
(and many do...) there is a thread Hybrid J50 & J83 in the 'Modifying & Detailing RTR stock' forum which suggests using a Bachmann Pannier chassis under a J50. To my mind, 3mm is 9" which is significant - the oringinal Lima chassis for all its faults at least has the correct wheelbase!
