Hi all, I have a quick question that hopefully someone knows the answer too.

I have just brought some of Dragons 1/144 scale railcars and the 'Leopold'. Does any one know if there is a steam or diesel engine available and by who?
I would like a armoured and non-armoured engine but I feel this may be limited by availability.

Thank you for any answers to this question.

Ciao
Luciano

Anyone?



Ciao
Luciano

Hey Luciano,

I don't think there are models yet in that scale of diesel or steam engines. Perhaps you can try how a 1:160 N scale locomotive looks, but I'm afraid that would not look right if you are a scale purist

Dragon / Can-Do makes an armoured draisine in 1:144 but it will not be able to move a Leopold gun...


I guess you are up to scratchbuilding...

Paul

Thanks Paul, I will look into the 'N' gauge railway stuff and see what I can come up with, or may have a go at what will be my first scratch build

Now some research

Ciao
Luciano

I don't know what scale N Gauge is, but if it is close check out either Marklin or Fleischman. Back when I did trains those were the two major brands in Germany. In HO they both had some gorgeous steam loco's that either look or actually are period. I know someone makes a resin 35th scale steam loco, but it runs somewhere around $450.

N SCALE
N scale, or N-gauge is the designation given to 1:160 scale. In modelrailroading it is common to give scales a letter or number (or a combination of both)designation.

Notice: N-scale exist since the 60's. Some older models were more likely to be 1:150 than 1:160 (so even closer to 1:144.


EPOCHES
In model railroading it is also common to classify trains in certain time-periods or 'epoches'.
For WW2 models you can look for Epoche II (or some Epoche III) models.
You can also look for trains from the 'DRG' (Deutsche Reichsbahn Geselschaft) or later DR (Deutsche Reichsbahn). Not al DR locomotives are from WW2, because the DDR called their railways also DR.

TRACKWIDTH
The trackwidth (or outer wheelspace) in N scale is 9 mm. In 1:144 the trackwidth would be a bit bigger, about 10 mm. if I'm correct.
You wil have to adapt either the N scale or the 1:144 scale models, depending on what track you want to use.


MANUFACTURERS
Their are a lot of manufacturers of N scale German trains. However, new-prices are high!

Marklin does not make N scale trains. However, they bought over the Trix firm some 10 years ago. Trix manufactures N-scale trains under the name "Minitrix".
Here's the link: http://www.trix.de

They even have some nice 'kriegslokomotiven', some in their normal program, some as specials.

- Fleischmann (http://www.fleischmann.de Mostly pre-war or post war models.

- Roco http://www.roco.co.at
Very nice N-scale models.
Some usable, like this steamengine, is mostly special priced in a starterkit (with tracks and trafo!).


A very nice WW2 era locomotive from Roco would be this one, only than in camouflage:


Than, there were some makes like Lima and Arnold who made German modeltrains in N-scale.
Arnold does not exist anymore and Lima is recently taken over by Hornby.

When you see the prices of these products, you are almost bound to go scratchbuilding.
Sometimes on Ebay you found cheaper, second-hand models that could be usable.
For instance, the little steamengine from Roco I showed I found many times for about 20 euro on ebay.

Pfew, almost an article...

Trumpeter is shortly bringing out the BR52 in plastic for just over a $100...Jim

Planet Models also makes a C 14 diesel electric in 1/72 resin. It's designated as a "shunter". I have read that it was used to move K5s short distances, positioning to fire and may have been the engine that moved Leopold in and out of the tunnels at Anzio.

I also have the 1/144 Dragon stuff, Karl Morser on and off rail car and the K5. Not sure how the C 14 works with the Karl transprter though. The shape is fairly standard, boxy hood and slightly taller boxy cab with a curve to the roof. You might find a shunter that's larger than the C 14 to help make up the scale differences. I even gave a crief thought to scratching one the body is simple enough and N scale fittings would work, but the running gear would be a real challenge.

Frank

Hey Frank.
That's a great idea. These locomotives are also available in N scale.

The C14 from Planet models:



And a N-scale equivalent from Minitrix (nr. 12535)

Thanks Frank and Paul,
but after looking at the price they sell for I think I will have a go at scratch building once my bench is clear.

All the best

Ciao
Luciano

Wow Jim !!
That is exciting news. I had to look it up, but that is one of the large steam engines fom that period and it is a beauty. In 35th scale man what a deal !! Oh caught a look at prices. Anybody want to buy some Fleischmann stuff from the 70"s :-) :-)

Luciano,

A company named Mach 2 makes a German Armored train in 1/72 scale complete with engine, tender, and multiple cars. The overall quality is poor, and it is expensive, but it is the only complete model of a German Armored train that I know of.

EJH

This months Squadron mailer has that new Trumpeter BR 52 loco (35th)available for pre-order. Should be able to pick one up on ebay when they are released for a bit over $100. This may set up a revival of all the different cars that Dragon put out a while back. Heard there was a flat car out for a Tiger. So get yourself some of that skinny rail tread for one of those Tigers you've got in the stash.

Actually Steve, if you've got some Fleischmann N gage stuff, let me know. My dad started buying me some Maerklin HO stuff in the very early 1950's which I still have. The problem is that on a 4x8 sheet of plywood, a layout looks cramped to me, so when I was stationed over there in the 70's I started collecting the Fleischmann N gage. I recently got back into it (there are several places here in the US which import at not too bad a price) and if you're serious, let me know what you've got.

I'm pretty much set on my layout, but just like with models, there's no such thing as "too much". PM me if you have some stuff!!

TC