| Archive for The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum The Original Unofficial Toy Steam Forum Established 2006 The biggest, most popular steam forum around! Accept NO imitations! We have a growing community of regular posting members who chat about all aspects of toy and model steam. |
| Rhysicus |
5 inch gauge Locomotivesdoes anyone own a 5 inch gauge loco? if so, how much was it? was it easy to build? and all that, Im looking into building one myself.rhysicus out baby 
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| James |
Welcome to the Forum!
This forum is for Toy engines only, and not really the place for bigger engines 
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| Les Marsh |
Surely as the title suggests, this is the right place. 'The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum The Unofficial Mamod & Other Steam Forum is a growing community of regular posting members chatting about all aspects of toy and model steam.' |
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| Sandman |
Let me try to clarify the situation a little. This forum is essentially a toy steam forum. That does not mean to say we cannot discuss elements and aspects of model steam when they arise. The point that James was trying to make was in answer to a specific question about a 5" model. All he was trying to put across was the fact that this was not the best place for that specific answer, not to prohibit any mention of model steam. Hope this helps. 
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| Les Marsh |
Re: 5 inch gauge Locomotives
P.S.  to the forum, from Bournemouth.
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| MTA |
Hi Rhys (?)
I have not yet built a 5" gauge engine, although once I have finished all my current projects (!) I will be building one. Building an engine is much cheaper than purchasing one second hand. Also you get the satisfaction of making something yourself and knowing the ins and outs of the engine. As to ease of build, it depends what engine you build. I will be building one of the designs that Reeves 2000 recommend as an engine suitable for a beginner and is relatively cheap... All the Best, Si |
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| bessytractor |
I do
its a 5" gauge model of the Metropolitan Railways "Metrovick" class of loco. I bought it off Ebay for 235 quid (it was badly listed, its worth several times more than that now). Your question as to how much they cost or how easy they are to build is a bit vague, as there are several answers. It depends on type of loco to be honest. It also depends on whether or not the loco is a finescale thing or a crude wooden box on wheels effectively. A bit more info as to what your looking for would help. I would recommend you forget 5" gauge. You can get a 7 1/4" gauge loco for a good price, and you can do so much more with it. My 5" loco doesn't get used much now I have 7 1/4" 
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| Rob |
any pics of your 5" loco matt? would you sell it? | ||||
| Titan |
I am not sure I would go along with that, it depends a lot on personal circumstances. All but the very smallest of 7 1/4" locos would require a car trailer and ramps - it is just not practicle to lift them. Almost all 5 inch gauge locos can be lifted into the back of a car with two people - some will even go in the boot without needing the seats folding. Plus if you go visiting other Model engineering clubs, I guarantee every one will have a 5 inch gauge track, not all have 7 1/4 so rather than doing so much more you find your options more limited! The only thing I can think of that you can do 'more' with a 7 1/4 is haul more people. |
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| bessytractor |
easiest way to settle this build a multi gauge loco 
I agree to a point with you Titan, but for me 7 1/4" is the best bet. I can lift both my 7 1/4"s with two people, I don't have to drop the seats, and they cost me nothing. The 5" gauge loco is more like a workshop pet! I was in fact pointing out the fact you can pull heck loads more people. Once again, BT fails to make himself clearly understood 
as for trailers, thats not at all true for 1/8th scale locos. We often cart round big old locos in the back of estate cars. Indeed, my mate Dave's Saab didn't even notice the LMS Duchess and tender he was moving in the back! |
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| bessytractor |
here you go http://www.matthew895.fotopic.net/p30903269.html no I wouldn't ever consider selling her, too much sentimental attachment (she was my very first loco!). Hopefully one day she'll be passed on to a lucky young lad as his first loco when I'm too old to use it! Its based on a design which uses Lucas car dynamos as motors, it works very well. |
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| Andy |
it's fab bessy tractor credit to you, i would have to go for a 5' gauge steam loco if it was me. Althought a diesel loco best to start off as first i should imagine | ||||
| bessytractor |
I didn't build her
merely sorted out what was wrong with it (which wasn't much fortunately). I think the best you could go for 5" steam wise is the Simplex by Martin Evans. Its simple (duh lol) to build and more importantly will actually pull a hefty load when finished. Theres nothing worse than building a loco that just won't pull anything (I've done it, its embarrasing!). I started building a Rob Roy (which I must post pics of one day) in 3 1/2" gauge. But the people were right, though cheap, its tiny and very fiddly, and will make a great loco for pulling all of three people in the future 5" gauge gives you that added size, so your not cursing the fiddly valve gear pins that just keep escaping your grasp!
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| Rob |
how did you get your 7 1/4's for free then? we have a 7 1/4" guage track not far from me. would love one, one day. | ||||
| bessytractor |
well they cost me something, just considerably less than you normally would the first one I got/made is the useless tram that pulls nothing I mentioned before. Its very good for zipping one person around but thats it really. It pulls more but its not practical really due to motor overheating etc. I'll remotor it one day. To build that one cost me about 150 quid (see it can be done, just research before you pick up your hammer, I didn't and the results show). Its got an old Atco lawnmower motor in it, which is pretty robust but because it runs on 12v not very efficient. The other one was bought off a good friend who asked for about the price of a 3 1/2" tich for it, so a considerable saving on a normal dealer price. Its a restoration project and is still incarcerated in his workshop, it will be in my own this spring. |
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| Rob |
not steam then. where could i get some plans from for a 7 1/4" electric/diesel loco? | ||||
| bessytractor |
if its a freelance design your after, then its very easy to make it up as you go along as long as some general dimensions are made up at the start (such as length width height). Dan Jeavons does drawings I think for a Class 10 (early diesel shunter very reminiscent of the 08 shunter). I piloted one round at our gala and it was both a marvellous loco and a really good looking model. here it is, the builder made it for his wife! http://greatcockcrowrailway.photosnaps.org.uk/p45036691.html |