The Forum for Gauge 3 Model Trains

Rolling Stock => Carriages & NPCS => Topic started by: David S on May 17 2015 22:13

Title: Hello and some coach kit questions
Post by: David S on May 17 2015 22:13
Hi everyone

I'm new to the forum and gauge 3.  I've been interested in live steam models for many years and own several locomotives (in gauge 1 (1:32) and 16mm scale) as well as traction engines and stationary engines and boilers.  Gauge 3 is, however, my first attempt at actually building railway models from kits and I have recently completed some 1907 RCH 7 plank wagons I bought from Mike Williams (it was also Mike who told me about this forum) and also relayed my garden railway as a dual gauge (45/64mm) system using GRS track.

Onto my question.  I have a Kingscale 14xx on order but wanted a coach or coaches to go with it.  I thought about buying some GRS B-set coaches but I think they would be a little bit too big for my line as I'm stuck with 7 foot radius curves in some places and think they may look a bit daft going round them.  Anyway I was thinking of a GRS W&U tramway coach kit as an alternative (for a bit of a Titfield Thundebolt theme) and was wondering what people think of these and if they are a good choice for someone with limited modeling experience  :)
Title: Re: Hello and some coach kit questions
Post by: MikeWilliams on May 17 2015 23:50
Hi Dave and welcome!

Have you considered the Walsall GWR 4-wheelers?  Would look nice with the 14XX, depending on what livery and period the engine is.

Mike
Title: Re: Hello and some coach kit questions
Post by: John Candy on May 18 2015 09:34
Dave,

W&U Tramcar kit : Bodies are 100% resin and alright from an assembly point of view.
The buffers are dreadful : The guides are whitemetal, in two halves which have to be glued together, then opened out with a drill.
The bogies are the real weak point : Whitemetal and unsprung/not compensated.
I "beefed up" mine with additional end beams, in the hope that this would provide sufficient rigidity.
I have never run them but left them on a section of track in a cupboard for a couple of years.....what I didn't notice was that one wheelset was off the track.
When I went to cupboard, found the de-railed bogie had twisted!
When I have time, will have to de-solder the bogie parts, straighten and beef up with brass.
If your Kingscale loco were to hit one, I reckon it would demolish it!

Regards,
John.
Title: Re: Hello and some coach kit questions
Post by: AllWight on May 18 2015 10:06
Just like in the film then John ;D

Mark
Title: Re: Hello and some coach kit questions
Post by: hornbeam on May 18 2015 18:45
I'd be interested to know if you have built any of the GRS kits before?

I've not built the coaches in question but have built many many GRS kits both narrow gauge and gauge 3. I think it's fair to say that the buffers and bogies may well be a week point but can be overcome, and maybe doing some strengthing work when building may help. I'd say go for it and if you to hit issues we are all here to help.
Title: Re: Hello and some coach kit questions
Post by: David S on May 18 2015 20:59
Quote from: MikeWilliams on May 17 2015 23:50
Hi Dave and welcome!

Have you considered the Walsall GWR 4-wheelers?  Would look nice with the 14XX, depending on what livery and period the engine is.

Mike

Hi Mike.  They do look very nice and I may enquire as to their availability and price.  I've gone with the lined green BR 14xx so probably a bit late for these coaches but I'd be quite happy to run them together even if the train wasn't 100% prototypical for the period.

I don't think they could have put any less info on their website though :)
Title: Re: Hello and some coach kit questions
Post by: keith Bristol on May 18 2015 21:02
Welcome Dave
Title: Re: Hello and some coach kit questions
Post by: David S on May 18 2015 21:03
Quote from: John Candy on May 18 2015 09:34
Dave,

W&U Tramcar kit : Bodies are 100% resin and alright from an assembly point of view.
The buffers are dreadful : The guides are whitemetal, in two halves which have to be glued together, then opened out with a drill.
The bogies are the real weak point : Whitemetal and unsprung/not compensated.
I "beefed up" mine with additional end beams, in the hope that this would provide sufficient rigidity.
I have never run them but left them on a section of track in a cupboard for a couple of years.....what I didn't notice was that one wheelset was off the track.
When I went to cupboard, found the de-railed bogie had twisted!
When I have time, will have to de-solder the bogie parts, straighten and beef up with brass.
If your Kingscale loco were to hit one, I reckon it would demolish it!

Regards,
John.

Thanks for the info John.  I've had a closer look at the bogies on the GRS website and they do look a bit crude.  I wouldn't mind this if they were strong but if not I may give it a miss :)
Title: Re: Hello and some coach kit questions
Post by: David S on May 18 2015 21:12
Quote from: hornbeam on May 18 2015 18:45
I'd be interested to know if you have built any of the GRS kits before?

I've not built the coaches in question but have built many many GRS kits both narrow gauge and gauge 3. I think it's fair to say that the buffers and bogies may well be a week point but can be overcome, and maybe doing some strengthing work when building may help. I'd say go for it and if you to hit issues we are all here to help.

Hi.  I've never built any of the GRS kits, only a couple of Williams Models 7 plank wagons which I found fairly easy to build once I'd learned the technical names for all the parts.  I may wait and have a look as some of the GRS kits in the flesh at a show before taking the plunge :)
Title: Re: Hello and some coach kit questions
Post by: David S on May 18 2015 21:12
Quote from: keith Bristol on May 18 2015 21:02
Welcome Dave

Thanks Keith :)