From: mdb@csc.liv.ac.uk (Martin Beer)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: British N-scale question
Date: 22 Jan 93 10:34:00 GMT
Organization: Computer Science, Liverpool University
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]

Ralph Marshall (rjm@cs.brown.edu) wrote:
> I've just returned from a trip to London which included a visit to W+H
> Models - a fun store.  I picked up a copy of the Graham Farish N scale
> catalog after seeing and liking the models in the store.  What do
> other people think of their products, both from an operating
> perspective and as accurate models of the prototype?  Also, I notice
> that British N scale is 1:148 (2-1/16mm per foot); does this mean that
> the gauge is incompatible with 1:160 scale, or is it slightly off from
> the prototype gauge?  Finally, I notice that their building kits
> consist of plastic shells with paper covering for details, which
> didn't look to good even in the catalog.  Who makes reasonable UK
> buildings in N?

The GF range is a bit of a mixed bag.  The latter locomotives are extremly
good models, and excellent value.  Examples are the Duchess, Black 5,
8F, 2-6-4 tank, 8F and most of the diesels.  Earlier models are not so good.
The Hall, Castle, and West Country are all right, but the 0-6-0 tanks
are a mess, and the 0-6-0 08 shunter does not have the outside frames
of the prototype, although the body is reasonable. All locomotives look
a lot better if their pony wheels are replaced with scale ones
(obtainable from the N Gauge Society if you are a member).  

As for performance, I find that they are mostly extremely good (pulling
7-8 GF coaches for as long as you want), but you occasionally get
a bad one, and can only return it to the shop, as there seems nothing
you can do to sort it out.

The freight stock is all quite old, and does not in general represent
specific prototypes, although the modern vehicles are excellent.  The
MK 1, 2, 3 and 4 coaches are all excellent models, and worth getting for
themselves.  The company coaches are rgeneral representations, with some
resemblances to LMS (the non-corridors) or SR(the corridors) practices.
It is possible to buy conversion kits which provide correct shaped
roofs (from Ultima?).

Other useful manufacturers are:

	Minitrix do some useful locomotives, notably the Brittania and 9F,
	both excellent models, even though they are on continental chassis

	Peco do an excellent range of rolling stock, both ready painted
	and as kits.

All stock runs on 9mm track (I use Peco exclusively, and works well
together, as they all use standard N couplings.  There is a finescale
standard used exclusively in the UK, but everything has to be either
scratch built or modified to run on it.

As for buildings etc., Ratio do a reasonable range of N railway buildings 
and linesidede features.  Peco also do some things, notably a turntable
which is reasonably easy to motorise with Mecano parts (if you can get
them!)  There are also a number of smaller manufacturers, who
advertise in the Railway Modeller.  The Continental kits can often be
used to good effect with a little care, and some modification.

I have only commented on products that I have some personal experience of,
so this list is far fron exhaustive.  The Railway Modeller is
a good source of information, as is the N Gauge Society,
which can be contaced  through R. M. Pulham, 4 Russet Close, Stanford-le-Hope,
Essex, SS17 8AH.

Martin Beer




--
Dr. Martin Beer,
Department of Computer Science,		Telephone 051-794-3672
University of Liverpool,		Fax: 051-794-3715
Chadwick Tower, P.O. Box 147,           EMail mdb@uk.ac.liverpool.compsci
LIVERPOOL.  L69 3BX. United Kingdom.
From: wbrill@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Warren Brill)
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 16:08:39 GMT
Subject: Re: HO scale mud and dirt
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA