Model steam engines are manufactured according to a variety of scales and gauges. The choice of scale and gauge is crucial as they are the major differentiating factors between the model steam engines.
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Review: Bachmann Branchline 31-528A
Review: Bachmann Branchline 31-528A Bachmann has a history of great contributions to the locomotive industry in the form of the railway models that it has designed. These models greatly represent the UK railway history. One such model is Bachmann Branchline 31-528A ‘Pearl Diver’ which is an excellent addition to the company’s catalog of railway models. The engine comes is an OO Gauge model that has a scale of 1.76. It has a sleek and sturdy layout which keeps it balanced while running and never lets it get out of the track. The train is a passenger express. Model features OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Bachmann Branchline 31-528A It has a 21-pin DCC decoder (DCC ready) The train is lined with a pristine finish which makes it rust and scratch free Length: 295 mm The train belongs to the A2 category It is specifically a passenger train The wheel configuration is 4-6-2 The livery is BR Lined Green, Late Crest Who is it suitable for? It is strictly not a toy neither should it be used for this purpose with younger children. Children with 14 years or above age could use it but adult supervision is still recommended. It is used as a modeling device in the museums and railway industry. Some people collect such pieces as a hobby as well. It is a great item to be added to your collection owing to its great design and astounding features that you hardly get at such an economical price. Since the Bachmann Branchline 31-528A is a passenger express, it is mostly used as a model in the industry. It comes at a great price which is quite adjustable as well due to its features. CHECK PRICES
1. Oct 2017
Review: Bachmann 32-882
Review: Bachmann 32-882 Fairburn 2-6-4 Tank 42062 BR Lined Black Late Crest Holding a high stake in the railway model manufacturing industry, Bachmann is introduced yet another great product in the market. This one is the Bachmann 32-882 Fairburn 2-6-4 Tank 42062 BR Lined Black Late Crest is a freight train. It has a great design, a great sound decoder, and an excellent speed. The engine is a freight engine, has great carrying capacity, a well-balanced layout, and a very economical price as well The main features DCC Ready. 8-pin socket OO Gauge It belongs to the 5th era of the UK Railway ranging firm 1957 to 1966 It belongs to the Fairburn class of the railway engines It is a freight train The wheel configuration is 2-6-4 The entire structure has a pristine coating finish which makes it more durable and gives it a finishing touch as well. Cap tarpaulin is also available Route discs and lamps are also available More information This isn’t a toy, so shouldn’t be considered as one for younger children. The train operates with steam, so it can be dangerous for kids. Kids above 14 years of age can use it but adult supervision is still recommended. That said, it’s a great model and is a fantastic addition to any enthusiast’s collection. The Bachmann 32-882 has a very sleek and sturdy infrastructure. The design is well balanced and comes with a pristine touch which makes it scratch free as well. You can get it at an economical price which is quite suitable owing to its great design and efficient working. It is not a toy but a genuinely used model engine that has gained much respect from the users. The price is economical and it is easily available as well in the stores and online as well where you can order it and customize it as well. CHECK PRICES
1. Jul 2017
Review: Wilesco Showman’s Engine D409
Review of the Wilesco Showman’s Engine D409 The Wilesco Showman’s Engine D409 is a fully working scale model of a steam-driven farm engine, the likes of which would have been used to power agricultural machinery such as threshers and ploughs before the modern tractor. You can still see a small number of engines of this type in the UK today, powering old-fashioned fairground carousels and other rides, as well as at shows and fayres around the country, where they often draw a large crowd of fascinated onlookers. This technically perfect scale replica is painted in traditional colours and carries traditional writing on the side of the canopy indicating its origin in Middlesex, England. It is delivered ready-made, with no assembly needed, and will look stunning either as a static model or a working demonstration of times gone by. On the model itself, the boiler measures 7.3” by 1.8” and has a water volume of 14in. A water gauge glass is included, and the boiler vessel itself is chemically painted black, giving a durable protective finish. A powerful, double action cylinder powers the engine alongside the red-painted, 3.2” flywheel. Depending on the direction of rotation of the flywheel, the engine can be run in forward or reverse. Traditional chain steering as would be seen on a full-size engine of this type is included along with a spring loaded safety valve, steam regulator, steam jet oiler, footbridge, and steam whistle. A clutch engaged gear wheel allows the engine, and dynamo, to be used while stationary as well as when moving. A dynamo lights the eight LEDs mounted on the canopy of the engine. Water is condensed and reused from the engine, just below the chimney. Users will be able to run the engine for up to 15 minutes on each charge of fuel. Each individual part of the engine is carefully constructed from finely painted, high quality, metal. The model is a total of 13” long, almost 6” wide, 8” high and weighs 4lbs. Fuel, in the form of dry spirit tablets, as well as other consumables, are available from specialist retailers as well as online. As a working steam engine, this item is not a toy and is not recommended for anyone aged under 18. Where the engine is being used in the presence of children, close supervision by a responsible adult it required. Steam engines can be dangerous, and if not properly maintained there is a very real risk of explosion. Users should be certain to follow all operating and maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturer. Key features: High-quality, steam traction and show engine Manufactured from high-quality metal parts Fully painted Technically perfect, fully working engine Clutch gear enables stationary as well as mobile use Dynamo powers LED lighting around the engine canopy Delivered ready-made, no assembly needed A stunning static model, or fascinating demonstration of technology from times gone by CHECK PRICES Variants of the Wilesco Showman’s Engine D409 Many Wilesco products are available in different variants – the D409 reviewed here is a working steam model that can be upgraded with a radio remote control. The model also comes in two other variants: Wilesco Showman’s Engine D499 – which is the same fully-built model, with remote control. Wilesco Showman’s Engine D419 – which is a kit for the model (which requires assembly).
28. Dec 2017
Model Steam Engines: Explaining Scales
Model steam engines are manufactured according to a variety of scales and gauges. The choice of scale and gauge is crucial as they are the major differentiating factors between the model steam engines. What makes things more confusing is that many model steam engine enthusiasts, and even seasoned fans, often use the two words ‘scale’ and ‘gauge’ interchangeably. However, they are two distinct attributes. For starters, scale establishes the size relationship between the model engine and the real one. It is often represented as a ratio, such as 2mm:ft or 1:148 scale. This means that every part of the model engine is one-one forty eighth the size of the original steam engine. On the other hand, gauge is an attribute of the railway track. It is the distance between the inner edges of the track rails. Gauge is a more important attribute to consider, when purchasing a model steam engine. Let us understand why by looking at the main gauge types. O Gauge O Gauge model engines were produced from the beginning of the 20th century, and were among the most popular models for a long time, until the 1960s. Since then, they have lost their popularity and are difficult to find. They were manufactured in multiple scales from 1:1.48 to 1:43.5. But, they eventually lost their fame to smaller scale models. O Gauge model steam engines are not known for their finer details and accuracy. In fact, they were designed for pre-adults and therefore, cost-effectiveness, and durability were given more importance. Although they are valued by some collectors because of their rarity, most of the collectors and enthusiasts, with an attention to detail, do not prefer these models. OO Gauge OO Gauge or Double-O Gauge model steam engines belong to a family of model railway systems, which follow the standard gauge model. The OO Gauge has a railway track that is 16.5mm wide, and is built at a scale of 1:76.2 or 4mm:ft. A highlight of OO Gauge models is that they rank very high in terms of realistic appearance and finer details. For this reason, they are of great value to serious collectors. Moreover, many of the manufacturers also place a lot of emphasis on durability and affordability. Naturally, they are among the most popular model steam engine categories today. G Gauge G Gauge models are big in size. They are manufactured on a scale range of 1:22.5. Because of their relatively huge size and highly durable construction, they make the best garden railway models. Their extensive use as garden models have led to modern train enthusiasts to believe that the G in G Gauge stands for Garden. The truth is that the G comes from groß, which means “big” in German. Oh yes, the G Gauge models were born in Germany, just like many others. A large scale means that the parts are not as intricate as the other models, say O Gauge for instance. Therefore, they are easy to produce and are readily available. Final Thoughts As you can see, the choice of gauge will be quite obvious to you based on the purpose of your purchase of a model steam engine. If you want a garden mode, then G Gauge is what you need. If you are a collector who enjoys the finer details, then OO Gauge is what does the job for you. However, if you are buying a model engine for your kid, then O gauge is just the thing.
23. Jun 2017