Garden Railway Forum

I must admit I scratchbuild myself mainly British export steam and also a passion for the Irish first generation Diesels . So scratchbuilding is healthy and alive in the larger scales G scale 16mm etc its great so please show off your models. hers is two of mine to start with :;

Most on the forum do 16mm — but here’s some semi-G-scale Bulleids, shot for a video a couple of years ago. I suspect you can tell that whatever’s in that glass, it’s not London Pride.

BertieB wrote: ↑Tue Feb 14, 2023 10:10 am Most on the forum do 16mm — but here’s some semi-G-scale Bulleids, shot for a video a couple of years ago. I suspect you can tell that whatever’s in that glass, it’s not London Pride.


9AA4E611-8A61-4DD5-A68C-004EAA6EDEB2.jpeg

Marvellous looking transmitter that .......

Rik

I've constructed a few semi-scratchbuilds (ie scratchbuilt body on commercial motor block) over the years. Not sure if thy are all G Scale - they are a mix of 16mm / SM45 (1:19) and 15mm /Fn (1:20.32) - I think Fn is part of the G Scale family but the G Scale ruler is somewhat elastic.

In chronological order:

My first semi scratchbuild was a Fowler-ish 0-4-0DM. I couldn't find any photos or plans of a 3' gauge Fowler so it's a cross between a standard gauge and 2' gauge model in SM45 scale .

My next model was a representation of the Southwold Railway Manning Wardle 0-6-2T No. 4 in Fn scale. The scale was dictated by the wheelbase of the LGB motor block which wasn't quite right but 15mm scale was closer than 16mm scale. .

I then turned to another Southwold loco, on of their Sharp Stewart locos, the 2-4-2T No. 1, Southwold. The Playmobil motor block was closer to 16mm scale so this was chosen, which means I rarely run this loco and the Manning Wardle side by side as the scale difference would be too noticeable. .

I was then attracted by one of the Davington Light Railway's Manning Wardle 0-6-0T locos. The Piko motor block was closest to 16mm scale. .

To be continued .........

Rik

There was a bit of a lull in scratchbuilt loco construction when I became seduced by 3D printing.

I know there are some who don't regard 3D printed models as scratchbuilds but as I 3D drew all the parts from scratch and only the motor blocks are commercially produced, to my mind they qualify as scratchbuilds. However, if someone else builds the same model using my 3D files, then to my mind, their models are kitbuilds. I know some will argue vehemently against that initial viewpoint, but I am equally proud of the skills I have developed and applied in producing my 3D scratchbuilds as I am with the somewhat different skills I developed in producing my plasticard scratchbuilds.

My first scratchbuilt 3D printed loco was a Schull & Skibbereen Nasmyth & Wilson (ish) 0-4-4T using a modified Bachmann Lyn motor block. This is almost a complete scratchbuild as the motor block was so heavily redesigned and rebuilt by me that there is very little of the original left. It is 15mm scale. .

Next came a Metropolitan Water Board Kerr Stuart 0-4-2T in 15mm scale on one of the more recent Bachmann Lyn motor blocks. I had such difficulties with the old Lyn motor block I was sent a couple of blocks by fellow modellers in the hope I could make use of them. .

My most recent scratchbuild is a GVT Beyer Peacock 0-4-2T. This is a complete scratchbuild as I have replaced the Bachmann tram motor block which I used originally with one of my own design, built from scratch. It is 15mm scale. .

Having now 3D scratchbuilt three of my own motor blocks and am in the process of designing, drawing, printing and constructing another, I am at a turning point with my scratchbuilding - though I still regularly monitor eBay for cheap motor blocks or tatty track powered locos which could form the basis for another semi scratchbuild

Rik

ge_rik wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 7:49 am “Marvellous looking transmitter that .......”

Indeed. Thank you. I wish I’d stumbled across it sooner.

Fab scratch-builds too, of course. The Kerr Stuart is particularly agreeable, I think.

Don't see a lot of South African gear outside the 2ft stuff. Love it! Where did the motor block start out in life?

Rik, in regard to printed models being scratched or kits depending on context: this isn't the first time you've articulated my thoughts better than I can.

I've only one scratch-job, the rest being modified kits and RTR.
A Malcolm Moore loco, built for the Australian Army in WWII. The prototype was 2ft gauge, but I built mine wider as a fictitious 3ft gauge conversion, to fit the 1:20:3/Fn3 scale I was working with at the time in 2015. In mid-2022, I decided to finally bite the bullet and convert to 32mm, and model 2ft in 16mm properly. Converting this loco to 32mm and a scale width is more work than it's worth, so I will unfortunately have to sell my first scratchbuilt loco, once I've built a replacement.

It runs on three 14500 Li-Ion cells, through a Deltang Rx63, driving a shortened IP Engineering chassis with added delrin 4WD.

Love that, Aaron. The weathering adds finesse

Rik

I've been debating with myself whether to post on this thread because I don't have anything that hasn't been seen before, all having been detailed in their individual build threads. However, just for the record and in the order in which they were built:

philipy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 8:49 am I've been debating with myself whether to post on this thread because I don't have anything that hasn't been seen before, all having been detailed in their individual build threads. However, just for the record and in the order in which they were built:

I had similar thoughts, but decided this was an opportunity to show them all (so far) in one place. It's also prompted me to update my blog. I hadn't noticed that the last time I listed my loco roster on there was 2015. And a lot has happened since then.

Rik

Not quite as fictitious as you think Aaron. Four MM's were sent to Borneo and regauged to Metre gauge http://media.lrrsa.org.au/amoz186/Light ... ys_186.pdf

Some excellent modelling on show here I've filled in a good few hours now reading through Phillipys build logs which has been very nice!

Scratch-built R/C locomotive model, 'Neptune'. Originally built to run on the 'Far Tottering and Oyster Creek Railway' 18" gauge line,1951 'Festival of Britain.
.

Here is some of my scratchbuilt efforts an eclectic mix of locos steam and diesel . ( I think I have scratchbuilders bug !!
Number 13 Titus a 2-8-0 of South African origin using an old Delton chassis ! An Ex Irish Rail class 141 using USA trains power bogies bearings rotate as per prototype lights etc .Not fully finished here

Next a Sudo Beattie Well tank Y Ddraig Bach (Little Dragon !!) Built with bits from the scrap box and a Playmobill chassis

Next a Sudo NCC 2-6-4t " Jeep " Jill built on heavily modified Bachmann 4-6-0 chassis nice machine Cab interior !

Class 57 or Rhodesian DE 4 diesel totally scratchbuilt aprt from USA power bogies named Commonwealth Spirit after much loved 47 local to N Wales Seen here when running in and testing

Ooooh! That 47/57’s very interesting…

A garden railway just can’t have too many big tank engines and even bigger diesels, I reckon. Here’s my fun-scale Class 73 from not that long ago (I assumed I must have posted a snap of it complete before but it seems not).

I did this one in Lockdown II & III (or was it III & IV)

Cobbled together from some bits from an IP engineering chassis and a few other bits and bobs.
(A sort of NER/ Steeplecab battery electric thingumybob)
Kept me entertained for a month or so on and off.

Johnnie1000 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 09, 2023 1:37 pm I did this one in Lockdown II & III (or was it III & IV)

Cobbled together from some bits from an IP engineering chassis and a few other bits and bobs.
(A sort of NER/ Steeplecab battery electric thingumybob)
Kept me entertained for a month or so on and off.


239583040_837201146996166_151729239435244657_n.jpg

Interesting design. Its name fits its appearance really well.

Rik

Johnnie1000 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 09, 2023 1:37 pm I did this one in Lockdown II & III (or was it III & IV)

Cobbled together from some bits from an IP engineering chassis and a few other bits and bobs.

'Cobbled together' ??? I don't think so. If that was available in kit form I would be ordering one now!