Small diesel suitable for half inch scale railway.

[IrishPeter]

A question for y'all...

The PW dept. is whining that they need a hack to drag loads of ballast and bits around the railway, and they don't want to have to wait for the "kettle" to boil, so that means a "diesel."  There also isn't the money in the kitty for another "kettle" right now.  

I am looking for a small 45mm gauge diesel shunter.  However, there are two requirements.  Firstly it should not exceed scale 7'6" in width - 3.75" or 95mm wide - and the cab should be relatively free of equipment to its height can be reduced to about 10 scale feet - 5"/127mm.

I have looked at IP range and a couple of their more generic "wee beasties" appeal to me, but there seem to be some drive train issues which reoccur with some frequency on these boards.

Any comments, recommendations, or advice?

Peter in AZ

[DLRdan]

I can recomend the 'Feanor' with the 4 wheel drive kit. The gears have never given me trouble and it has run for a very long time without serious bother. It is already about the right height and width and has a completely empty cab. On reasonably clean track it handles my 4 IP VOR coaches with ease.

[Steven.T]

Go for an essel chassis and scratch build your own body?
Worked for me! And I highly reccomend the essel chassis!