Narrow gauge industrial train for 28mm and 1/35 projects

[Freddy]

This whole sub-forum is a great surprise to me, I am not the only one who does these type of models

My project was based on a H0 Piko train set, as H0 system is the cheapest, easily available and most widespread system of them all. I simply built new superstructure onto the waggons, keeping their running gear and connectors intact. I was not aiming for one particular type, I tried to keep it generic era-agnostic and fit for both my 28mm sci-fi and  1/35 historical projects, this was possible by using two separate locomotives for the two scales. The trick is that the locomotive is not the locomotive, the bigger, closed car is the real locomotive from technical point of view. This way it is a completely working H0 train model able to run on any standard H0 rail system.
I plan to make bigger locomotives and bigger cars, we will see.
1/35 loco:

28mm W40k loco:

The train with the working locomotive:

[voltan]

Great work, any rules worked out for them moving or you just going to set them off randomly to freak out your opponents?

[Freddy]

Great work, any rules worked out for them moving or you just going to set them off randomly to freak out your opponents?

Thank you!
In "wargame mode" it does not move on its own, it is a normal vehicle which can move along the rails. In 40k ruleset based games it goes 12" and has 7HP for the locomotive, 5 for the waggons (T9/8 Sv3+/4+). It also has a transport capacity of one squad per waggon. In my 1/35 ruleset it also counts as a vehicle with some transport capacity (smaller as there it is more like a smaller minecart), and also provides cover for those hiding behind it.

[dampfpanzerwagon]

I've been working on a 1/35th scale narrow gauge train, here are some details.



Check out the 1/35th scale Label on the Blog

Tony
http://dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com/search/label/1%3A35

[Freddy]

I've been working on a 1/35th scale narrow gauge train, here are some details.



Check out the 1/35th scale Label on the Blog

Tony
http://dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com/search/label/1%3A35

Looks cool, thanks for sharing.

[2010sunburst]

Nice looking fireless locomotive.  Sort of engine that would be used around a munitions factory.

[eilif]

]
28mm W40k loco:

]

They're all great, but I love your 40k loco!

You may have seen it already, but here's a concept I was working on for a generic 28mm narrow gauge using cheaply available HO loco and cars.
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=110327.0
Might have application to your project.

[Freddy]

They're all great, but I love your 40k loco!

You may have seen it already, but here's a concept I was working on for a generic 28mm narrow gauge using cheaply available HO loco and cars.
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=110327.0
Might have application to your project.

Thank you!
Yes, yours is a good find too, the base of mine were clearly 1/87, so I decided for rebuilding. For narrow gauge railways enforcing scale is really important as the eye is trained on regular size railways.

[eilif]

I agree.
Mine relies on a Plymouth Industrial loco that is already about 1/56 to establish the scale and then on removing the 1/87 scale ladders from the cars to make them basically scale-less.

Interestingly, I read that this particular Plymouth (there are more accurate HO Plymouths) is grossly oversized for HO as a combination of poor design and the need to fit the standard Mehano "Coffee Grinder" motor in the cab.   The result is a happy accident for Narrow Gauge O S modelers and wargamers.

As it happens, I just picked another one of these Plymouths with a really bad paint job, so I'm going to experiment with some modifications that will make the back of the loco the front.

Two additional questions if you wouldn't mind?

Would you be willing to link to the set or loco you used for your power unit?

Were you planning on modifying your track at all or purchasing Narrow Gauge track?  I'm thinking that I'll probably use standard HO CODE 100 (nice big rails) track but clip out every other tie/sleeper to give it the look of a larger scale

[Michi]

Great scratchbuild! Where are you that PIKO is easier available than anything else?

clip out every other tie/sleeper to give it the look of a larger scale

Yes! 

[Freddy]

Great scratchbuild!

Thank you!

Where are you that PIKO is easier available than anything else?

In Hungary. I would not call it easier than anything else, but the local shop was full of it, at least a few years ago. In general, German railroad model systems have a great supply here, Anglo-Saxon ones maybe not so much.

Would you be willing to link to the set or loco you used for your power unit?

Sure, this one: https://www.etrains.com.au/product/piko-mytrain-freight-train-starter-set-with-diesel-locomotive/
Cheap af and the simple toy-like detailing is not an issue as I completely rebuild the superstructure anyways. I bought some more Piko waggons, this starter set is designed to be simple but it is fully compatible with the more detailed pieces.
I have this ,,real" H0 locomotive (M62 diesel in 1980s Hungarian colours with my weathering), it is from Rocco and the piece alone costs like 3 times that starter set. I have this model from emotional reasons, I saw these locos a lot when I was a kid, my grandparents lived not far from the local train station. Wargame-wise I might use it for Team Yankee games, runs more or less smoothly on the Piko track, I can even attach the waggons.

Were you planning on modifying your track at all or purchasing Narrow Gauge track?

No, the concept is to base it on the most common system: H0 tracks.

I'm thinking that I'll probably use standard HO CODE 100 (nice big rails) track but clip out every other tie/sleeper to give it the look of a larger scale

As I wanted to keep this as a working model, I did not want to alter the tracks, little damages would disturb smooth running or electrical connection.

[eilif]

That starter set does look perfect for Narrow Gauge conversion.

I'm also a model railroader drawn to the lines of my youth. My early years were living in view of the tracks just down from the intersection of the Chicago and Northwestern and the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern.  Unsurprisingly, my favorite lines to collect are the CNW and EJ&E.

[Michi]

In general, German railroad model systems have a great supply here, Anglo-Saxon ones maybe not so much.

I see! I'm pretty sure that PIKO was already available in Hungary 40 years ago. Sturdy and reliable models, although a bit simpler than nowadays...

I have this ,,real" H0 locomotive (M62 diesel in 1980s Hungarian colours with my weathering)

Great weathering! I remember these from the Reichsbahn in Germany. They were called "Taigatrommel" - Taiga drum over here, due to their loud engines and the fact they were built in the Soviet Union. 

[Freddy]

I see! I'm pretty sure that PIKO was already available in Hungary 40 years ago. Sturdy and reliable models, although a bit simpler than nowadays...

Yes, Piko and Rocco are available here since the 70s, many oldtimers built their collections on them. Another thing is that these companies concentrate on Central Europe, they offer most of the major MÁV (Hungarian State Railways) locomotives and waggons with proper livery, so for the common Hungarian railroad modeler they are the best choices.

Great weathering! I remember these from the Reichsbahn in Germany. They were called "Taigatrommel" - Taiga drum over here, due to their loud engines and the fact they were built in the Soviet Union. 

Thanks! The big black smoke patch is very characteristic on these.
In Hungary M62 is called ,,Szergej", also referring to their place of origin. Interestingly, as this type of locomotive was built for Hungarian order, they kept the Hungarian nomenclature in its name (M: diesel 6: number of axles, 2. second type of M6X). Smaller diesel engines were Hungarian made (M41), but for the bigger ones Hungary bought NOHAB locos from Sweden (locally named M61). The Communist Block could not allow this, so it was strongly recommended to order the next batch from the Soviets. Thus they designed and supplied the M62, but later it became popular in the SU and all over the communist world. I saw one even in Mongolia.