Modelearth modelling: 1/12 on 00 track

[chris stockdale]

Some time ago Si Harris of Modelearth built a handful of 1/12 models for 00 track, thus giving a reasonable representation of 7 1/4" gauge (actually closer to 7 3/4", but who would cavill?).

He's recently painted them and loaded the resultant pics in both the 7/8ths Lounge and Narrow Gauge Railway Modelling Online forum.

Since I have been more than a little fascinated by this scale/gauge combination ever since Steve Bennett's 'Supersize Me' I gently nudged Si until he gave me both the dimensions for the models and a goodish side on photo of them.

Dimensions are:

(all measured from a flat surface, so allow for the flange dept) all are LWH in mm :-

Loco 91 X 50.5 X 140
Flat 60 X 50.5 X 20.5
Two Plank 60 X 50.5 X 47 to the centre of the top plank


It is perhaps interesting to note that these dimensions, height excepted, are not much more than similar stuff in Gn15. Build one 16.5mm gauge layout and have two sets of buildings?

The photo below looks smaller than actual size because of something the forum software does; but providing you are looking on a large enough screen you can open it in a new tab, or save and view it and you should then see everything the actual size of the models, or near enough.

[mad gerald]

Way cool ... ... a very pleasant design, like it a lot! What kind of bogie do you need as a donor? Bachmann On30 tram?

Cheers

[chris stockdale]

Hi Gerald,

According to Si:

‘The loco was originally built around a Lima chassis, I upgraded it prior to
painting with a Tenshodo spud 34mm wheelbase on 14mm wheels, purchased from
Scale Link.’

Cheers,

[PeterH]

Don’t they look gorgeous. Thanks for the photo and dimensions.

It is perhaps interesting to note that these dimensions, height excepted, are not much more than similar stuff in Gn15. Build one 16.5mm gauge layout and have two sets of buildings?

I’ve noticed this too. On real railways, the narrower the gauge the smaller the bodies of the rolling stock. So, on 16.5 mm gauge model track:

an 00 scale model of a standard gauge goods wagon is about the same size as

an S scale model of a New Zealand goods wagon (3 ft 6 in gauge), which is about the same size as

a 1:35 scale model of a Decauville goods wagon (2 ft gauge)

This equivalence breaks down at narrower prototype gauges if stock has to accomodate a person, because it has to be proportionately higher to fit the person. As you can see in the photo above. Which helps it look gorgeous.

[chris stockdale]

I seem to have missed a little bit of info in my post above.

That is, the train in the photo, when seen actual size and excluding couplers, is 23.5cm long.

There, now you can enjoy it even more.

Cheers,

[chris stockdale]

Here's three more photos from Si's modelling. Each is full size if you are viewing them on a large enough screen (this time, perhaps because the photos are small files, the forum software has not reduced them in size); check the dimensions in my post above.

Easy to now print out if you like, especially if backed by a bit of old cereal packet, so you can more easily start planning your Gnew 1/12 scale layout...

Cheers

[DCRFAN 3]

Hmmmmm, this thread is starting to make me think the 1/24th figures I modified from Tamiya F! racing team mechanics years ago may have to be finished along with some new rollingstock.

figure002 by tankienz, on Flickr
loco by tankienz, on Flickr

[KotangaGirl]

That's an interesting little roller skate he's sitting on

[DCRFAN 3]

That's an interesting little roller skate he's sitting on

Spud with Serv-o-link chains & sprockets added. Unfortunately the wheelbase doesn't quite match the pitch of the chain - either the chain hangs down in the dirt or is too tight if a link is removed.

[KotangaGirl]

That's an interesting little roller skate he's sitting on

Spud with Serv-o-link chains & sprockets added. Unfortunately the wheelbase doesn't quite match the pitch of the chain - either the chain hangs down in the dirt or is too tight if a link is removed.

So fairly prototypical then. Is it possible to fit some kind of roller tensioner to take up the slack?

[chris stockdale]

'Take up the slack'

No, never, please don't, as in see below at the great Coffee Pot get together about six years back.

Cheers,

[chris stockdale]

To whom it may concern.

I paused 'It's a Wonderful Life' to bring you these photographs.

How's that for important?

Cheers,

[DCRFAN 3]

Thanks for the posting but a steam powered thingy with chain drive - sacrilege. Chains should only be used to complete the drive line for internal combustion motors

[mad gerald]

...
Dimensions are:
(all measured from a flat surface, so allow for the flange dept) all are LWH in mm :-
Loco 91 X 50.5 X 140
Flat 60 X 50.5 X 20.5
Two Plank 60 X 50.5 X 47 to the centre of the top plank

I have similar measurements regarding my 1/16 rolling stock on 16.5 mm track, representing 10 1/4" gauge: 56x44x50 (LWH in mm)
This is just a prototype, which has been modified meanwhile:



Cheers

[docnjoj]

That is quite crisp and the dual gauge track looks great! Fine work indeed.
otherDoc

[chris stockdale]

To further compare and contrast I took a photo of my wagon from the Modelearth range and Photoshopped it in with the 1/12 train. Now, this isn't a large wagon, just some 113mm long, but it shows how modestly sized the 1/12 for 00 track items are. Even with 1/12 scale you could get a very interesting layout in about the same space as Gn15.

As previously, because the Gnatterbox software does something with the photo, you will need to open it in a new tab or save and open it with your favourite photo viewer to see it full size

Cheers,

[KotangaGirl]

Oh thanks very much Chris. just as I start to make up my mind about something to make a model of in 1/12th you post a picture of a tiny coffee pot loco. Back to the drawing board.......

[chris stockdale]

Annie,

If you want a few extra thoughts on tiny coffee pot locos take a look at this short thread when I was doing a bit of ‘imagineering’.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8820

Cheers,

[KotangaGirl]

Thanks for that Chris. All good stuff to give the grey cells something to work on. Did you take that idea for a live steamer any further at all?

[chris stockdale]

Annie,

You'll have to be patient on that front. I'm pretty sure Santa won't manage anything this year, but who knows beyond that.

Meanwhile, I must have missed something over in NGRM online as it is steadily squeezing down the size of pic I can add so here's both the 10 1/4" VB pic you've just seen there with another view to better understand the dirty oily bits.

Cheers,

[PeterH]

Ha, gorgeous.

This thread is reminding me of the Birdwater & Raspberry RR, by Bruce Bates. He used to have a website of drawings of rolling stock like these and also made models. I think he died a couple of years ago and the website has gone.

Here’s a link to a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BirdwaterRR

If you want copies of his drawings, PM me. They used to be freely available on the internet, so I don’t think I’m breaking copyright.

[Steve Holland]

It looks like that loco could be a bit of an 'ankle biter' with the big end and flywheel so close to the seat -not to mention where it could be flinging oil out of its bearings Watch out for 'elf and safety - they will make you put guards round everything.
As someone who has had a couple of gauge glasses go pop with a loco in steam (an 'interesting' experience and not much fun) I was a bit worried to see from the photos that there does not appear to be any way of isolating the gauge glass, or a gauge glass protector. In the event of failure the protector keeps all the bits of broken glass tube from flying around and potentially causing injury. Even though all of the locos I work on are fitted with gauge glass protectors one of the first things I was told during training was to always carry a coat on the footplate. The coat is not to wear but to throw over the gauge glass if it blows to keep the steam and water contained so that the isolation cocks can be operated without getting scalded. I guess the coat goes in the wagon behind!

[chris stockdale]

About the same time that Si Harris developed the items that started this thread, Rob Bennett created a 1/12 vignette with some 00 track and a raised 9mm (broadly equivalent to 4.25") gauge line, along with figure models of a couple of his friends.

Here it is, Rob's copyright duly acknowledged.

[chris stockdale]

A little playing with Photoshop. This time I've put Si Harris's loco with what I hope I will own soonish, an Accucraft Bagnall with extended height roof and chimney to convert it to 1/12 proportions and a paint job that echoes the current Talyllyn livery and lining.

It just goes to show that the Bagnall, not a large loco by any standards, dwarfs the little 1/12 on 00 jobbie (we really must find a better nomenclature for this scale/gauge combination - yet 1/12n16.5 seems incredibly clumsy too - any ideas guys?).

[chris stockdale]

Another experiment, done quicker than I thought it would take:

Let's throw in a standard gauge loco, in this case a Class 08, to further enjoy the differing sizes and proportions.