There are some interesting plans available for free download here:
http://modelengineeringwebsite.com/Model_T_railcar.html
They look to be very detailed drawings and can be downloaded in PDF format (just click on each page to do so). There seem to be five pages in total. Not everyone's cup of Tea perhaps but nice to see something different in 2.5". It's scaled at 1:22.5 and there is a 45mm gauge version for those who prefer it (nobody here I hope!)
I'm not planning one myself anytime soon - but I think I'd stick with the simple mudguard version rather than the one drawn with luggage panniers. The photos provided also look helpful.
IanT
those look very similar to the Ford, Shefflex and Wolesley Siddley Railmotors introduced by Colonel Stephens on his Light Railways in the early 1920'.
Very interesting; somewhere I have a badly assembled Brandbright version of something similar this this. I have thought many times about converting it to Gauge '3', but it is well down the ' future projects' list.
Ian the Gauge '3' Pirate
p.s. Anne aka 'She who Must be Obeyed', broke her hip on Friday, so I may not be able to make the AGM if the hospital discharge her before Saturday (Full attendance permission granted if she is still in hospital).
Please give Anne out best wishes Ian.
IanT
I've noticed that a second set of plans have now appeared on this site. I had assumed that it was down to the builder to adjust the gauge for the first plans but these new ones do seem specific to G3.
http://modelengineeringwebsite.com/Model_T_railcar_2.5.html
I've not compared the two drawing sets in detail but this railcar does have the mudguards fitted (rather than panniers) which as I commented earlier, I think looks much neater.
Regards,
IanT
If anyone builds one of these can they please do an article for the G3 Society Newsletter
tx
Ian
Another design has just been published on the MEW site by Julius de Waal - so maybe we are in for a 'series' ?
It is for a 45mm (1:20.3 scale) version of a Donegal Railbus No. 4 but Julius states that a 2.5" (G3) version "will follow". These are very nicely drawn designs and freely downloadable as PDFs.
You will find the 45mm 'Donegal' drawings here:
http://modelengineeringwebsite.com/Donegal_Railbus_4.html
Regards,
IanT
For anyone interested, the 2.5" gauge version of the Irish Railbus plans can now be downloaded as PDF files from here:
http://modelengineeringwebsite.com/Donegal_railbus_2.5%22.html
Regards,
IanT
Thanks for the info Ian.
This G3 Soc member may well take up the challenge of building one of these handsome vehicles.
Will make a good stable mate for my Fowler Railbus that has plagued GTG's through the last year or so.
Ideally will run in multiple so turning at the terminus is no longer a problem. The driver will appreciate it as he gets a crick in his neck when driving in reverse.
Got to finish "Kinder Scout" first though.
Cheers
Dave
454
You should note that Julius has scaled the whole design Dave - so it's at 1:14.1 on 2.5" gauge.
It would really be necessary to 're-set' the scale to 1:22.6 and adjust the model's gauge "outwards". Quite apart from any hassle in changing the drawing scale (although it could be re-drawn in CAD) - I'm not sure the change over to standard gauge could be done in practice (or at least that it would look quite right). I like the idea though... I've always had a fondness for the Irish rail-buses and they would work well on a Light Railway (Colonel Stephens etc.)
Regards,
IanT
Ian,
When (or if ) I build it the design will be similar but scaled to match my Fowler. It will be subtly different but recognisable as the same if you see what I mean. It will not be authentic but will fit in with the theme. It will please me but I guess it will wind others up good & proper. It will share all the characteristics of an Irish one & a K&ESR one also, & possibly a NER one also or even a French one. At the moment I am not sure what to make it from & have considered bashing it out of tinplate as I recently acquired some to play with. Have been tuning in to "Tinplate Girl" on the internet. It is an inspiration & has given me some ideas to manage this material choice.
The plans are sufficiently detailed to make quite a respectable model.
Dave
454
There were other Model T Fords running on standard gauge, though not railcars so far as I am aware. So, re-gauging should be possible.
Mike
Looks like I made an error. This is the Ford I was thinking of, and its not standard gauge. Sorry.
Several of the Colonel Stephens group of railways employed pairs of back-to-back bus-style conversions, some Model T Ford conversions, others Shefflex products.
Kent & East Sussex, Shropshire and Montgomeryshire and Hundred of Manhood and Selsey are three standard gauge lines which immediately spring to mind.
John.
A pair of Sunstar (1/24th scale) Bedford OB's back to back would make an interesting, if unconventional railcar. Pity Col. S. wasn't around to try this.
Robert. 492.
Julius does seem to be providing a small series of Railbus designs. The latest 45mm version of a Donegal Railbus (the larger one) has just been published. It's 1:20.3 scale again - and a 2.5" version is promised too. You can find it here (all downloadable in PDF format as before)
http://modelengineeringwebsite.com/Donegal_railbus_7_45mm.html
Regards,
IanT
The 2.5" version of the No 7 Railbus is now available here:
http://modelengineeringwebsite.com/Donegal_railbus_7_G3.html
As before (with the other 2.5" gauge version) please note that the scale used is 1:14.4
IanT
It looks like a stretched limo! I did download the previous 2.5 version and have filed it away in my 'may do later' folder. The scale of 1:14.4, does this mean that it's a little over scale?
Regards
Jon
Just a wee bit Jon! :)
IanT