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Re: O14 mainstream - was: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced
开云体育Building O14 track and turnouts is not difficult. I’ve always found it one of the more enjoyable parts of the hobby, but I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.However, RTR O14 track and turnouts seem a little unlikely - partly because of the tooling costs for what is inevitably a niche market, partly because of the disparities in size and design between “skips with everything” industrial trackage on the one hand, and the more sophisticated p.way used on common carrier lines such as the L&B or the Rheidol on the other. The most difficult/tedious parts when scratchbuilding a turnout are the crossing nose + wing rail assembly, and the switch blades. The closure rails and check rails are simply standard stuff cut to length, as are the crossing timbers. Might the answer thus be to supply pre-assambled crossings and pre-planed switch rails, to suitable crossing angles, and perhaps in Peco code 65 for industrial lines and Kalgarin code 82 for big brother? ?A properly thought-out stretcher bar assembly that allows the switch toes to pivot would also help; soldering switchblades up solid to a bit of PCB is asking for trouble later on. The only other things needed would be some photo-copied templates, ?strips of PCB for sleepers and crossing timbers (it’s the width that matters - the trackbuilder can cut it to length as needed as needed), and a roller gauge for each rail size, setting out both track- and check gauge. (Using a roller gauge designed for another rail profile is a no-no, says he from bitter experience!) This would require little in the way of tooling or up-front investment, and should therefore be do-able for a cottage industry supplier. Moreover, the same components could also be used for 16.5mm gauge, thus widening the potential market to include those modellers seeking a more realstic alternative to the Peco track. (I’m not knocking Peco, who have done a grand job in making 7mm narrow gauge accessible, but their track is a bit “samey”.)? Some of the above, e.g gauges, ?is already available on the Light Railway Stores site. Add the missing such as the crossings and switch rails, and O14 track and turnouts would be within reach of anyone who can pick up a soldering iron.
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Re: O14 mainstream - was: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced
My compromise with O14.
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I use Sn3 Fast Track turnout jigs. Expensive, yes, but I have a key to the back door which helps... Shinohara Sn3 flextrack for unseen areas. Very hard to find now but I think I read in a Scalelink bulletin that someone has bought the tooling? Cheers, CP Mark, |
Re: O14 mainstream - was: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced
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Mark,
I agree with what you are saying.? I've some S scale track components sat next to me right now which I bought to try and make up a reasonable representation of the Penrhyn Bullhead rail I grew up knowing on the Ffestiniog.
I'm not talking about tooling up every track variant, just a generic left and right hand point with flexi track.? I'm not thinking existing O14 modellers are the target audience.? What I'm proposing is getting the starting position for the mass market closer
to scale.? Which I believe would have knock on benefits for?
Anyway, these discussions are proving my point.? There is no group to drive this project forward, even though I'm sure if it were to come to market it would be a run-away success.? Just think how popular an oval of track with an O14 quarry Hunslet would be!
Thanks,
Rich
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Mark via groups.io <mark_noble@...>
Sent: 01 October 2021 13:52 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [o14] O14 mainstream - was: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced ?
Kevin, I agree. I’m a self confessed rivet counter and model in 014 as I like to get as close to the prototype as possible. This includes the track, which, of course I’m having to build myself, in my case using Karlgarin code 100 rail to
represent modern day WHR / FFR. The issue anyone like Lionheart has making the investment in manufacturing RTR track representing 2 foot gauge is which standard to choose as it varies so much. Considerations are not only rail weight, but fixings to the sleepers,
the shape of the sleeper, the size and material of the sleepers themselves along with the distance between sleepers. Even the L&B had track ranging from simple spikes, to clips and bolts, clips and bolts with bearing plates when the SR re laid the main line
and even used reinforced concrete sleepers. The 014 modeller is likely to want these details right and resort to scratch building making the return on investment for a manufacturer very risky as volumes are likely to be low. If you’re happy to live with the
compromise of 16.5mm gauge track you are likely going to be satisfied with Peco’s offering. |
Re: O14 mainstream - was: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced
开云体育I started in O-14, built a bit, found friends with O-16.5 and I've converted most of the O-14 to O-16.5. Somethings matter more than 2.5 mm. ? As regards Lionheart L&B, I find it odd that they should pick a prototype totally isolated, notorious in modelling circles for the difficulty of getting scale locos round less than scale curves. Surely one of the more well known lines, FR or WHR and associated if not directly connected slate quarry railways has to be a more commercial market. Often modellers are short of space, L&B coaches are long. I'd have thought a few quarry Hunslets and a few slate wagons could be made into an interesting layout on a board that would fit in the back of an estate car. You have the option of going up several levels. ? Frank |
Re: O14 mainstream - was: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced
Kevin, I agree. I’m a self confessed rivet counter and model in 014 as I like to get as close to the prototype as possible. This includes the track, which, of course I’m having to build myself, in my case using Karlgarin code 100 rail to represent modern day WHR / FFR. The issue anyone like Lionheart has making the investment in manufacturing RTR track representing 2 foot gauge is which standard to choose as it varies so much. Considerations are not only rail weight, but fixings to the sleepers, the shape of the sleeper, the size and material of the sleepers themselves along with the distance between sleepers. Even the L&B had track ranging from simple spikes, to clips and bolts, clips and bolts with bearing plates when the SR re laid the main line and even used reinforced concrete sleepers. The 014 modeller is likely to want these details right and resort to scratch building making the return on investment for a manufacturer very risky as volumes are likely to be low. If you’re happy to live with the compromise of 16.5mm gauge track you are likely going to be satisfied with Peco’s offering. |
Re: O14 mainstream - was: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced
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I forgot to list existing O14 modellers in my list of market failure groups, broadly speaking they are happy with the status quo.
Personally, I feel RTR 7mm narrow gauge will never cover all prototypes the way it is getting close to in OO, there would always be things to build.? Even
though I'm campaigning for off the shelf track I personally would still want to hand build front of house track as hand-built track looks finer and can be made to match the prototype of choice.? I'd use plenty of off the shelf track in fiddle yards, the point
is that it would bring others to the scale and make things viable.
Making the scale viable would be very useful.? Availability of O14 wheelsets particularly being a frustration.? Hopefully it would also bring further kit
manufacturer to the market.? The thing I would find most motivation sapping is the idea that I can buy a model off the shelf of a prototype I like in the scale I like at a reasonable price... but have to find a way of adapting it to the correct gauge.? Particularly
as the justification for using the wrong gauge in the first place is so poor.??Some might but I'm never going to build a kit of something that is available off the shelf, even if it
is the wrong gauge.
Paul Martin has supported O14 incredibly for a number of years and I've very grateful for that.? I'm interested in learning more about the off the shelf track he is producing.? As welcome is it is I fear it will be a 3D printed project for a niche market rather
than a headline grabbing offering which would change RTR manufacturers decision making .? I'd love to find out more though, where did you hear about it?
I know tooling track would be eye wateringly expensive, although i wouldn't want to guess a price.? Peco has launched ranges of OO9 set track to compliment OO9 streamline.? This duplication is surely indicative that costs aren't completely prohibitive if someone
is willing to take the risk, and importantly co-ordinate interested parties.? Track would never be viable if Lionheart, etc won't produce locos to run on in.
Regards,
Rich
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Kelvin White <kelvin.torteval@...>
Sent: 01 October 2021 12:55 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [o14] O14 mainstream - was: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced ?
Richard
I don’t think O14 will hit mainstream until ready to use turnouts are available.
My interests are 021 which is even more niche than 014.
But if O14 became more mainstream, would you still want to model in it??
O14 has its attractions because it’s needs a bit of work and skill to achieve!
best regards
Stay safe
Stay sane
Kelvin
On 1 Oct 2021, at 12:13, Richard Speight <richard.speight@...> wrote:
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Re: O14 mainstream - was: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced
开云体育RichardI don’t think O14 will hit mainstream until ready to use turnouts are available. My interests are 021 which is even more niche than 014. But if O14 became more mainstream, would you still want to model in it?? O14 has its attractions because it’s needs a bit of work and skill to achieve! best regards Stay safe Stay sane Kelvin On 1 Oct 2021, at 12:13, Richard Speight <richard.speight@...> wrote:
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Re: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced
开云体育Hi Richard - you make a good point. ?However I read today that Paul Martin at EDM Models is now venturing into the area of ready made 0-14 track and is likely to have some on display/for sale at the 7mm NGA Show at Burton at the end of this month. ?Small steps, but heading in the right direction.Cheers, Cliff
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Re: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced
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I'm incredibly excited about this announcement but feel it could be a missed opportunity.?
It's really positive that it's been promised as adaptable to O14.??Whatever adaptable to O14 means it isn't going to be without compromises (probably wheels inset from outside
frames), and probably require some skill and risk damaging an expensive model.
I dabble in O14, but my kit building isn't up to the standard of RTR products.? I know O14 is a "modelling" scale and I enjoy modelling but would love the support of RTR to open opportunities. i.e. wheel sets, track for fiddle yards, etc.
As I understand from subtle remarks from manufacturers this is not the only 7mm narrow gauge RTR announcement in the pipeline.??Every OO9 announcement so far has been a 2-foot gauge
prototype (OK some Baldwins were re-gauged).? 2-foot has the iconic prototypes which RTR manufacturers will produce.? I know some people will object as they're happy with their kits, however that doesn't change the fact it looks like 7mm narrow gauge RTR will
happen, but probably for O-16.5.? I think we all agree they won't look quite right on O-16.5.
O14 is currently a niche, even when compared to O-16.5, let alone OO9 and heaven forbit OO.? However, those markets are congested.? No one knows the potential of 7mm narrow gauge supported
by RTR but given success of 7mm standard gauge and OO9 it looks promising. Does it have to be O-16.5 or could it be O14 from the start?? With off the shelf track and a couple of RTR locos in O-14 its popularity would quickly overtake O-16.5, which could still
exist for those who want to adapt OO chassis or model railways around 2 foot 4 inches.
I believe Lionheart could be persuaded to produce a bespoke O14 chassis if they believed there would be sufficient sales.? The problem is lack of track and here there is a complete
market failure.? The majority of existing 7mm Narrow Gauge Association members are by definition happy with O-16.5 and some will like the idea of it being served by RTR.? Peco are likely to be excited by RTR O-16.5 to increase sales of existing products in
this range.? The opportunity is new entrants untied to a gauge, but these people are unlikely to be able to co-ordinate a move to O14.? So I fear nobody will act.
Can anything be done to encourage the production of O14 track and encourage the likes of Lionheart to produce a bespoke O14 chassis before we have range of 2-foot prototypes RTR but on O-16.5, recreating the legacy issues which sees the perpetuation of OO.
These aren't hollow words, I would happily help crowd fund such a project.? Does anyone have contacts within Peco that would be willing help put together a proposal?? I really feel there is an opportunity here but it is a short window that won't stay open for
long.
Thoughts?
Rich
Sent from
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of David Hughes <formerchurchwarden@...>
Sent: 01 October 2021 09:23 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [o14] Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced ?
Many years ago I bought a Wrightlines 'Pug' replacement chassis. Converting that to O14 involved removing a slice from the end of the stub axles. I still have nightmares about how badly I did it ...?Let's
just say I bought Kay's RTR version of the chassis rather than fix the horrible wounds I'd inflicted on the kit, which kit is still somewhere down in the 'stash'.
I'll persist with my Link/Gibson kit for a little while longer, though the Lionheart is very tempting.
David H
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Martyn de Young <martyn@...>
Sent: 30 September 2021 18:16 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [o14] Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced ?
David, they are stub axles <snip>
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Re: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced
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Many years ago I bought a Wrightlines 'Pug' replacement chassis. Converting that to O14 involved removing a slice from the end of the stub axles. I still have nightmares about how badly I did it ...?Let's
just say I bought Kay's RTR version of the chassis rather than fix the horrible wounds I'd inflicted on the kit, which kit is still somewhere down in the 'stash'.
I'll persist with my Link/Gibson kit for a little while longer, though the Lionheart is very tempting.
David H
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Martyn de Young <martyn@...>
Sent: 30 September 2021 18:16 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [o14] Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced ?
David, they are stub axles <snip>
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Re: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced
开云体育On Sep 30, 2021, at 18:16, Martyn de Young <martyn@...> wrote:
Martyn, The use of spacers / washers sounds like a less than sound solution which would create a weakness. Don’t suppose Lionheart would want to design in such a weakness. Shades of the Heljan 009 version! Better for some enterprising individual to produce some replacement stub axles suitable for 14mm gauge to replace the 16.5mm gauge ones with.? Andrew |
Re: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced
开云体育Paul - keeping an eye on all that is going on is quite a challenge, particularly when I am not aware of it - could you post a link? ?Regarding era, very much towards the late Southern Railway period - 1932 onwards.
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Re: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced
I look forward to seeing more. It all sounds a rather splendid layout in the making. Are you keeping an eye on the sporadic progress that Tim Watson is making on a similar project to ?build Lynton in 4mm scale on 7.83mm gauge? ?Which era are you going to be building? ?
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Re: Lionheart 7mm rtr L&B Locos announced
开云体育Paul, yes I will share photos when sufficient progress has been made. ?Getting space to put it up and work on the actual layout has been limited due to space constraints, so I have been focussing on the rolling stock. ?The gaps in available 7mm scale L&B stock are reducing which is good news. ?You can see the track excellent trackwork via John C’s blog which also shows a couple of the buildings. ?I have all the buildings made and in store - even including the station managers bungalow. ?Still lots of work to do and probably a few years yet before significant progress is made - too many other things keep getting in the way. ?Best regards, Cliff
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