Cheap Loco for Franco-Prussian Period?

[black hat miniatures]

Does anyone have any pointers to the style of train that would be suitable for FPW games?  I am happy to buy a OO/HO train as it is only representative so not used for skirmish gaming.

The Bachmann 0-6-0 J72 seems to come up quite often for a decent price but I am not sure if it is even slightly in era.

thanks

Mike

[Big Martin]

The Minicraft model of the 1872 Japanese Vulcan steam loco & carriages is the right period. It's 1/45th scale but, from the unbuilt one I've got, it looks right with 28mm figures. It has the advantage, for me, of being the same gauge as some track I got with a cheap plastic train set last year. It's not too expensive, either.

[Michi]

The Minicraft model of the 1872 Japanese Vulcan steam loco & carriages is the right period. It's 1/45th scale but, from the unbuilt one I've got, it looks right with 28mm figures.

I can second that. I am building the carriages just at the moment which are perfectly scaled for 28mm. However I replace the kit frames and axles with running 00 gauge gear. I am not decided whether I will use the engine for a conversion too or will offer it for sale and scratch build one on a motorised 00 gauge chassis too.

[black hat miniatures]

I can second that. I am building the carriages just at the moment which are perfectly scaled for 28mm. However I replace the kit frames and axles with running 00 gauge gear. I am not decided whether I will use the engine for a conversion too or will offer it for sale and scratch build one on a motorised 00 gauge chassis too.

Thanks - I'll have a look.  Is there a cheap source of oo running track?  I have some oo track and would like to run it as narrow gauge if I buy the bigger engine?  I guess I could always cut the track and widen it if necessary - how wide a gauge does the 1872 kit run on?

thanks

Mike

[Michi]

I guess I could always cut the track and widen it if necessary - how wide a gauge does the 1872 kit run on?

If you are talking about France and Prussia: 1435mm standard gauge.

[black hat miniatures]

If you are talking about France and Prussia: 1435mm standard gauge.

Solrry, should have been clearer - I was asking what scale track the minicraft train runs on?  Sounds like O gauge?

Mike

[Michi]

Solrry, should have been clearer - I was asking what scale track the minicraft train runs on?  Sounds like O gauge?

Mike

No, itīs something in between, because it is narrow gauge. The minicraft train seems to represent the first train in Japan that was built in England. Japan uses "Cape" (from the use in South Africa) gauge of 1067mm.
The underframes of the carriage models could easily glued on with a wider or narrower space between them to match either 00 or 0 gauge track. However I doubt this is possible at the same ease with the loco (although I think any experienced modeler could handle that conversion too).

[black hat miniatures]

No, itīs something in between, because it is narrow gauge. The minicraft train seems to represent the first train in Japan that was built in England. Japan uses "Cape" (from the use in South Africa) gauge of 1067mm.
The underframes of the carriage models could easily glued on with a wider or narrower space between them to match either 00 or 0 gauge track. However I doubt this is possible at the same ease with the loco (although I think any experienced modeler could handle that conversion too).

Many thanks for the answer - I'll have a look at the kit and think about it.

thanks

Mike