Big coaches
28ten said:
Actually ?550 8) I still think they represent fair value for what they are.
I am itching to get my hands on one
maybe its me, but 7mm just doesnt seem big anymore
Thinking a bit more on this theme, Cynric and anyone else who is thinking about bigger stuff...
If you are used to 4mm with the large range of RTR, bits and kits, or 7mm with the growing range of RTR, and lots of kits and bits, then you might find Gauge 1 a bit of a shock. It might be a pleasant shock in some respects.
Firstly, a lot of British outline stuff is to the "Greenly" scale of 10mm to the foot, rather than 3/8" to the foot which is so close to being the correct scale for the track gauge one wonders why anyone changed it (I am aware of the supposed reasons, but I think it was down to lazy profiteering not anything else*). This is changing, but new entrants to the marketplace have been caught out by talking to diehards in the G1 world, and have regretted going for 10mm scale and tooling up for it. Worldwide, 1:32 rules and since Aster only produce to 1:32 scale nowadays, then the UK is falling back into step. Gradually!
Secondly, some of the manufacturers have been a bit skimpy in their research. As an example, the Gauge 1 Model Co. 16T mineral wagons are 4" short, as the 16'6" over the headstocks has been applied over the bodywork - including the 4" strengthening piece on the end door. In itself, this can be disguised a bit, but the wheelbase is centred on the over-body dimension, so is off centre. Not by a lot, and many do not notice, but once you have noticed, you cannot but fail to notice it forever more.
Thirdly, there is quite a lot of stuff (compared to S scale!) but a lot less than in 7mm scale. Also, you will find W-irons in whitemetal when brass or nickel silver are much more sensible options.
Fourthly, if you want to produce finescale 2-rail models, a lot of people will tell you that they won't/can't run outdoors. Since N gauge works outdoors, with smaller flanges and much, much lighter stock, this is nonsense. You will need to spring or compensate everything, though. In this scale, springing is quite easy.
However, there are more and more kits of high quality coming onto the market, and the scale is of a sufficient size that injection-moulded resin is strong enough for wagon and loco bodies, and the economies of scale suit the likely demand, too. Etchings can be of scale thickness and still be structurally strong. Some of the components (e.g. Ken Martin's screw couplings) are simply sublime.
If you need to have things made for you, this is probably the wrong scale, but if you are interested then the best thing to do is to visit the G1MRA AGM in Woking (you will need a member to sign you in, but the entrance fee is very small) at the end of November, and to have a look around at the trade, and take a view on whether or not you think there is sufficient available to suit your needs.
If you want to make things for yourself, then it is a great scale to work in, something which you can only get a feel for by giving it a go.
You don't actually need many parts to build a model railway: wheels, axleguards (w-irons), axle box and spring castings, buffers, couplings and brakes are about it, and they are all available...
Anyway, for those thinking about a dabble, whilst I welcome growth in this form of self-satisfaction (ooer missus!) I think it best to be open, honest and fair.
Simon
*OK, they made the UK bodies larger to fit the continental mechanisms. It would have been easy - but not as cheap and therefore not as profitable - to have made smaller mechanisms to suit the British loading gauge. The decline in UK manufacturing, and the short term thinking that leads to a lack of investment in our own long-term economic needs, is not a new thing. It goes back at least 100 years.