Where to start: 15 mm East Africa late 1800's steam locomotive

[FifteensAway]

So, the ERTL Thomas steam locomotives are likely candidates but they are approximately 1:64 scale and 15 mm, the modern version, is more in the 1:100 range.  That being the case, what existing model would you use to be the basis for building a 15 mm steam locomotive suitable for 1800s East Africa whether it be in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, perhaps within the Scramble for Africa, or as late as the British/German opposition in World War I?

Peter Pig has their Old West and Russian armored locomotives but I'm not sure either is a good starting point.  What else is out there?

And, no, not a scratch building project at hand but a kit bash would be okay.

Thanks!

[Barry S]

Here is a 3d printed train with a choice of wagons and cars, I have considered purchasing -
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1101496586/wargaming-terrain-passenger-cargo-train?ls=s&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=15mm+locomotive&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&pro=1&nob=1&content_source=47785643-e671-44f4-abdc-f48c69e0fc45%253A247e9c74047a40187618bb16958ca96eacee3622&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=47785643-e671-44f4-abdc-f48c69e0fc45%3A247e9c74047a40187618bb16958ca96eacee3622&variation0=5146192341

I remember a site from many years ago that used an Ertl Thomas the Tank engine and wagons with 15mm miniatures. The modeller added sandbags and armour plating which seemed to be based on the train in this picture - https://medium.com/war-is-boring/steam-trains-were-19th-century-super-weapons-f4899564ee6d
It was a very impressive piece. I can't remember which train from the series it was based on and I thought I'd saved a photo of it, but unfortunately I can't seem to find it and I can't remember the website. It's not 'War in 15' or 'Don't Roll a 1'. At the time using the Ertl trains seemed to be the most viable and cheapest option, for me at least. It was also well before the advent of 3D printing.

[FifteensAway]

Barry, thanks for that link - I will be giving serious consideration to buying that set, it fits the bill nicely.  And just now it shows, for me at least, a 20% discount.  If I buy two of the full set and an additional two passenger wagons and cargo wagons each it comes out, with shipping, to basically $160 USD (and maybe a tariff charge).  Sale runs until August 2 so I have a little time to make up my mind.  And if only one set, $45 plus shipping, maybe $60-65.

Let's see, that would be two locos, four passenger cars, four goods wagons, two open wagons, and two flat cars, 14 total pieces.  And I like that the locomotives are tank engines (engines without a tender, water and fuel are stored on the main locomotive itself).

I like options, that's why getting more than just the basic set.  Maybe.  I do need to keep in mind I am trying to reduce what I have.  Then again, I could paint one set for Africa and the other set for a different setting, India or Central America.  And having extra of the passenger and cargo wagons means they can be full trains of one or the other (four cars + loco).  And then the other four can be 'scatter' on the side tracks.  But then all should be painted to the same or a clearly coherent scheme if using that way.

Only concern is given that they are 3D prints they will be light as a feather which means I'll probably add some lead weight to the pieces somehow to give them tabletop stability.  For those unfamiliar with that process, I'd probably use a 1/4 ounce weight and pound it as flat as possible with a sledge hammer and then fold into shape to match the model and either two-part epoxy underneath - if room - or as cargo shapes for flat and open wagon.  Lead is, relatively, a fairly malleable metal.  Such weights are readily available in the model railroading world and I already have a ready supply on hand.

So, Barry has given one quite workable option.  Anyone know of any other options, in 15mm (or 1/100th)? 

Again, thanks.

[Burgundavia]

You could see if HO scale stacks up ok against a few figures. I'd go into your local train/hobby store with a few figures and see.

[FifteensAway]

Burgundavia, thanks for the suggestion - not sure HO trains would be close enough, most HO too large - animals, sometimes, excepted.

And I went ahead and pulled the trigger and ordered the linked train from Barry.  So, I'm good.

[FifteensAway]

Received the trains from 3D Printing Valley today and pleased with them.  Very light, of course, as expected.  But pretty clean, a bit of clean up of supports needed, mostly on the locos and coaches, but not too much.  And it seems I got two extra flat cars (maybe turn them into tank cars?) and two extra sets of wheels that I might use to build two more cars - or maybe use as scatter terrain.  Oh, wait, use them to build a couple of crashed cars! 

So, Barry S., my thanks to you for the suggestion.  These will work great as non-American Old West trains.  They shall be useful from India to Africa to South and Central America (though that last might allow sneaking in more American style equipment).

Still need to check how in matches with my existing track but looks like it should work.  Matches nice to 15 mm figures.  No photos yet but perhaps when I am not so busy with other projects, hobby and 'real life'.

[Burgundavia]

Received the trains from 3D Printing Valley today and pleased with them.  Very light, of course, as expected.  But pretty clean, a bit of clean up of supports needed, mostly on the locos and coaches, but not too much.  And it seems I got two extra flat cars (maybe turn them into tank cars?) and two extra sets of wheels that I might use to build two more cars - or maybe use as scatter terrain.  Oh, wait, use them to build a couple of crashed cars! 

Think I found what you bought. They look like they do nice stuff (but am curious about copyright over what they print, given they are using Pietia's pictures & models, which are licences CC BY NC)

[FifteensAway]

No idea on the copyright issue.  But nice, clean models.  Do let me know if verified issue to inform doing any further business with them.