British outline HO?

FrankHO · Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 11 Location: UK

What is the future for British outline HO? Does anybody know of any suppliers/manufacturers who produce locomotive/rolling stock kits?
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davidbromage · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 7:01 am Post subject: Re: British outline HO?

FrankHO · Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 11 Location: UK

Thanks for the reply David. Unfortunately all the answers aren't there. I am a member of the society and have enquired about purchasing some of the items advertised - the wagon kits are not currently available and Firedrake Productions are no longer it existence evidently. Some of the loco kits are available, but they are a bit obscure, and do not apply to the area of modelling that I am interested in. Others had a limited production run and are no longer produced. My modelling skills are not adequate for scratch building hence my posting. Still there must be others who are interested in the 'outer fringes' of railway modelling, all I have to do is get to meet them or convert the EM/P4 brigade to start modelling in 3.5mm.
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Jordan · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Posts: 1388

steve · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 627 Location: North Yorkshire

[quote]For what it's worth my opinion is that British HO will never become a commercial reality.[/quote]

I think Jordan's absolutely right.

Like, I suspect, the majority of UK-outline modellers my response is, why bother? The space saving claim is the only one with any credence and even that is pretty weak. Why not go 3mm if space is such a problem?

steve (who also models HO American & German)
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ERFG, DEMU, EMGS

Piermaster · Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 7:21 am Post subject:

My Walmington Pier Tramway (WPT) is my second attempt into British HO and that was made easier by Anglicising American stock - The Bachmann San Francisco Cable Car, once stripped of all its American fittings looks very British. The figures and structures on the pier are all HO as there is a much wider range of Period (Edwardian in my case) figures available in HO than OO.

Oh and space saving does come into it, the proportions of WPT look better in HO than in OO.

Dave
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Piermaster
http://www.walmingtonpier.co.uk
It sticks out half a mile!

Jordan · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Posts: 1388

FrankHO · Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 11 Location: UK

Hi Jordan, it looks as if I am where you were a few years ago. Do you have any further details- if you can remember, of names, addresses etc. Thanks in anticipation.
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FrankHO · Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 11 Location: UK

Hi Steve, I appreciate what you say and although I have the greatest respect for any modeller modelling in any 'true' scale, OO was a compromise that was wrong from day one and still is. What I can never get my head around is the rivet counters, wrong 'widget' brigade and the modelling press who find fault with 4mm scale models, but are prepared to overlook the most obvious fault of all!!!
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FrankHO · Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 11 Location: UK

Hi Dave, I have been in touch with Bachmann (U.S.A.) about their 'Thomas the Tank Engine' range and it's suitability to be modified to British outline in HO. I thought that it might be produced in HO as Hornby has the OO license, unfortunately it is made in 'Thomas scale'. I take this to mean that if an existing model that Bachmann produces anywhere in the world is deemed to be a good representation of a Thomas item, they use it. Which does make a sort of sense, as I don't suppose many children who have 'Thomas' bought for them, would notice or worry about the difference in scale anyway. Having said that, are you aware of any items that would be suitable or the name of an American supplier?
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Jordan · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Posts: 1388

Hi Frank. Not sure what you mean about addresses etc beyond the British HO Society? Gaugemaster (Arundel) advertised recently in Railway Modeller a clearout of new Flieschmann HO Warships @ £25 each and Bullied Coaches (can't remember the price Embarassed

) if you weren't aware of it. Certainly beats the 'silly money' prices they were going for recently...

For 3mm Scale the place you want is here:- http://www.3smr.co.uk/
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What is this thing called "Spare Time"...??

FrankHO · Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 11 Location: UK

Hi Jordan, the name/address I was referring to, was of the etched kit maker that you mentioned. If you can remember it or any other contacts I would be most grateful. Ta, Frank
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Jordan · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Posts: 1388

http://www.worsleyworks.co.uk/

Wink

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What is this thing called "Spare Time"...??

1ngram · Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Posts: 12 Location: Aberdeen

I'm a British H0 modeller too and, yes I bemoan the current situation. No it will never rival 00 but then we always knew that. Its a minority interest but, yes, it could be better supported and more could be produced for those of us who want to model in this scale. I particularly regret the disappearance of the few kits the society made available and I hope this will be only temporary. Scratch modelling of wagons isnt difficult and I have also used the bodies from the H0 Lima wagons as a core for quite a few wagons over the years. There are coach sides available as etches too and at least two etch manufacturers are willing to make their existing 00 etches in H0 for you if you ask them nicely. Locos are a big problem. You can get someone to build one for you from an etch but it will cost minimum £400, I've found. RTR is minimal with the Roco and Lima diesels or, in steam, the Bachmann 0-6-0, Terrier, Fowler or Electrotren 2-4-0 plus the Rivarossi Royal Scot.

With the lack of suitable stock large layouts are a non starter but it is possible to have a region and time specific layout. Pick your period. I'm doing the GNSR pre WW1. Two scratch built 4-4-0s, an 0-6-0 from Bachmann and a freelance 2-4-0 from the local distillery serve my motive power needs. Lots of converted Lima wagons with better wheels plus scratchbuilt 3 plank opens (very easy to make using the Lima or Society chassis (I even got one etch manufacturer to make me Scotch Brakes) and a smattering of Aussie stock like cattlewagons etc does me for goods. For coaches the Piko 4 wheel coaches repainted in GNSR colours look the part and though its a pity the Fleischmann 6 wheelers have a clerestory roof, they too can be pressed into service for pre grouping railways.

Buildings are easy. I model in card and you will find that many of the older 00 buildings are nearer H0 but if not then all you need to do is get them photo reduced to the right scale and away you go.
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Ken Clark in Aberdeen

FrankHO · Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 11 Location: UK

Hi Ken, thanks for the information. Have you got the names and phone numbers of the loco kit manufacturers (I presume they are not on the British 1:87 website), also could you be more specific about the Bachmann locos? I thought they only did British outline in OO. Could you also let me know the etch manufacturer who did your Scottish brakes? Ta, Frank
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It looks right because it is right.