[Lewis]

CGL Models have posted an update on the 1620 class project… looks like the cab can be removed and a 3D printed DI cab added…

CGL Models – We are all set for a big two days at Brisbane Model… | Facebook

[Lewis]

Video of one running:Video | Facebook

[Andrew]

Hi All,

Looking to start out on a journey modeling NZ railways using HOnz.

Clearly one of the biggest issues is mechanisms for 12mm track.

Rooky question perhaps but can an HO mechanism be modified to 12mm?

Cheers

[Lawrence]

<div>I don’t have any specific knowledge on HOnz per se but (as with a number of scales) there are quite a few track/wheel standards out there, not all of which will necessarily be compatible. I’d strongly suggest picking one and sticking to it exclusively. Plenty of grief has arisen in the past from mixing standards.</div>

Generally narrowing a mech will be more difficult than widening one and most people modelling on 12mm gauge seem to be interested in widening N gauge.

But there are 12mm gauge mechs out there too, and DIY would also be an option.

It like depends on what sort of loco you want to model.

[Andrew]

Cheers Lawrence

More food for thought…

[Lewis]

Hi Andrew,

Great to hear! We’re slowly gaining momentum, largely thanks to the availability of PECO HOm track (12mm gauge) as well as 30″ NZR wheelsets to fit models created by Neil Ward and others.

Mechanisms are our greatest challenge. Fortunately, there are a broadly four options:

– Northyard’s HOn3.5 mechanisms: available sporadically, but good quality

– Re-using TT scale mechanisms: particularly Hornby TT:120 but also plenty of German prototypes. Good quality and available, but expensive

– Commercially available HOm mechanisms, mainly from Europe. Same as TT scale mechanisms.

– Re-sizing HO scale mechanisms: a lot of availability, but fiddly and time-consuming

Of the above options, the first is the most accurate in terms of wheel spacing etc, and since Northyard has tended to build to Queensland Rail standards (and thankfully QR had a lot of common equipment to NZR – e.g. their 1400 class is basically the EMD G12 class, aka our DA class) they tend to be the same or very nearly similar to NZR in terms of sizing at 1:87.1 scale.

This has the added advantage of being able to use the Queensland HOn3.5 prototype mechanisms as well – the SDS/CGL models in this thread and Wuiske Models EMD locos (many of which are close to our modern DF/DFT classes).

The last option above is pretty common in Australia too, I’ve uploaded an article about converting CO-CO bogies to suit Australian prototypes with 12mm gauge; it wouldn’t be too hard to replicate for NZR.

In terms of commercial HOm mechanisms, I’ve used Halling (www.halling.at) who produced powered bogies in 12mm gauge at HO scale, which is common for Swiss and tram prototypes in Europe. There’s a number of other producers as well.

I’m not aware of anyone expanding N scale mechanisms from 9mm to 12mm, but I guess it’s possible.

halling.at

Halling, Ferro-Train, Stängl - Home

Ein, zwei Sätze

[Lewis]

<div>Looks like the Tasmanians have beaten us to it! A conversion design for the SDS/CGL “QR” class locomotive is now available on Thingiverse, I will have a go at 3D printing one when I get a chance in the next few weeks.</div><div>
</div>Tasrail DQ / QR parts by lkernan – Thingiverse

thingiverse.com

Tasrail DQ / QR parts by lkernan

Parts to convert the 1460/1502 locomotives released by SDS Models / CGL models into the Tasrail / Kiwirail DQ Class or add the missing bullbars to the Tasrail 2056 model.These parts include the plain bullbars for the QR locos, the … Continue reading

[Lewis]

IDR Models QR SX carriages are almost here – Aucklanders will recognise these from the “concrete mixer” set we had in the mid-2000s, double-ended by DBR locomotives…

QR SX / SXV suburban coachs – IDR Models

idrmodels.com.au

QR SX / SXV suburban coachs - IDR Models

QR SX / SXV suburban coachs - IDR Models