Electrostar EMU in N

[PaulCheffus]

Hi

Going by some of the comments on here I should be saying I want some class 76s as that is what I require for my Woodhead based layout.

I feel it very unlikely that either of the manufacturers will produce these therefore I've done what I always do when I want something that is not available and built them myself.

If Electrostars are a must have for your layout then you could always have a go yourself instead of waiting for the manufacturers to produce it.

Cheers

Paul

[NeMo]

And from their point of view, we *did* have our chance.  I remember being told by someone from Bachmann at TINGS in maybe 2009 that they were taking what they felt was a huge gamble with the 350, and that there were lots of naysayers within the company who said it was a bad idea.  The problem is, poor sales have borne out the negativity.

Indeed. I agree with this. The Farish 350 is a lovely model and I've glad I've got one. But the only reason I bought one is I ride on such units every day, so there's a personal connection. But I wouldn't buy EMUs otherwise. Much as I like the look of the Farish 4-CEP, I've no connection with these units, and no need for one because I'm not modelling an electrified line. Compared to DMUs, EMUs are much more difficult to shoe-horn into layouts unless they have third rail or overhead wires.

Although I can see where you're coming from I don't agree 100%. dapol and farish seem to release different numbers for the same basic livery on a regular basis on Steam and diesel locomotives. The recently released Westerns are available in a number of identities in Rail Blue already and this must encourage more sales.

Possibly, but 'Westerns' are extremely (the most?) popular diesels. They're the Manchester United of locomotives some might say, with a huge following of people who've never seen them on the mainline! Basically, half-decent 'Western' models sell themselves, and always have done (and the Dapol 'Western' is better than half-decent, and pretty close to a must-have model, I'd wager).

EMUs just aren't as popular. To sell they need to be pushed, and even then the appetite might not be there. As I say, the Farish 350 is lovely. Barely anything to complain about, and priced quite keenly given what you get. But EMUs are frequently tied to specific lines (especially true in the BR era) and tend to work the unsexy commuter trains rather than charismatic expresses. So you have to really want one to buy one. Rule 1 easily accommodates a 'Western' on any BR-era railway, working an interregional freight perhaps, or a diverted express. But you've really got to squint your eyes and wish away the rivet counters if you're going to run a Farish 350 anywhere other than the contemporary WCML!

Cheers, NeMo

PS. I'd happily buy some RTR Class 76s. More than one. They're gloriously ugly and full of character. Given the popularity of the Woodhead Route it's not beyond the realms someone will make such a model. But how well did the OO gauge ones sell?

[Adam1701D]

If any 3D design maestros are able to do an Electrostar shell, I can certainly produce vinyl sides or individual livery elements. The artwork is all done for the SouthEastern and Southern sets and has been sitting on my hard-drive for yonks.

There is a new Electrostar class just  starting to run, the Class 387 - similar to the 379 but dual-voltage (and 110mph-capable), these are going to run on Thameslink short-term before probably going to the newly electrified Great Western when the Class 700s arrive.

A further batch has been ordered for Gatwick Express duties to replace the Wessex sets. That will probably be the last of the Electrostars, as new crashworthiness regulations will kick in for future stock.

[Greybeema]

I understand what is being said about EMU's and recognise that they are "niche" but it shouldn't mean that they get ignored. 

I made a  class 465 Networker from a couple of 3D printed cabs, four MkII coaches a GF Class 150 DMU and a set of vinyls. 

I hope that a kit will be available for a 465 quite soon.  I am happy with a kit and vinyls but I would just like the kit to be complete ie including a chassis and motor chassis.

So would a small kit production run be a better option that a RTR run?

[Jameswgm]

As far as I was aware, finding a suitable chassis for a potential Electrostar kit would be the biggest problem?

[Adam1701D]

I've used a Tomix TM-18 on the N-Train Class 313, which has a similar wheelbase. It's smooth and also quite cheap. Not 100% perfect but close enough.

The Farish 150, Desiro or Dapol 121 would be closer.

[Tank]

The Farish 150,....

I'd love to know how many 150's we've all used to make other classes!  I think I've used 7 so far.

The Electrostar would appeal to me, despite being too new for me.  However, my era is slowly coming nearer the present..... 

[NTrain]

The profile is sorted, but not started on the cab yet, as I am trying to finish other projects first. Including a powered chassis............

There are several variations of bogie design going through my head at the moment and I will be doing some tests as soon as I can get sample gears.

[PostModN66]

Could you use a 170 as a starting point - the cab looks pretty similar to the 357?

Cheers  Jon 

[NTrain]

At one time, Adam had a cutting guide worked out to shorten a 170...............................

[Ben A]

If I'm building a model of a South West Trains station, do they really expect me to run a 350-class overhead EMU instead of a 450-class 3rd rail EMU? That just ain't going to happen. Although I might buy some of Captain Electra's vinyls to convert from one to the other.

Hi Jane,

Well, if you're doing Clapham junction you could run LM Desiros perfectly authentically!

Seriously though, I do agree that there is a strong case for a SWT Desiro - presumably no new tooling is required?  Just same model with no pantograph?  I know Farish have tooled the bogie with the 3rd rail pick ups.

But in the meantime, why not try a vinyl conversion?  You support both a major and a cottage manufacturer, get the SWT uniit you want, and if later an RTR version comes a,one you can feel pleased that you did something to make that happen.


Cheers

Ben A.

[BudgieJane]

Actually, I'm not doing Crapham Junkyard, but something that started out as a cross between Beckenham Junction and Orpington, and which has the tentative title Beckington.

[red_death]

As far as I was aware, finding a suitable chassis for a potential Electrostar kit would be the biggest problem?

A Farish 150 motor bogie should be fine.

Cheers, Mike

[Ben A]

Hi Jane

Your layout sounds interesting.  I had a look on flickr at Beckenham Junction and Orpington and I can see the appeal.  Do you have a thread on here about it?

I think you're a little harsh about Clapham Junction.  It is sprawling and slightly disjointed but I suspect this is down to its growth over the years.  It was my local station for a few years in the 90s, and passing through recently I noticed some attempts to modernise - a new footbridge over the southernmost  platforms.

cheers

Ben A.

[IST]

I haven't bought a Desiro for 2 years as I expected that GF will release a South West Trains version and I did want to buy 3-4 from those. But nothing happened, so in this year on TINGS I bought a London Midland version and some vinyl from Captain to convert it to SWT livery. (I try to model SWT on T-trak modules.)

Although Class 375 or 377 is not really my area, I traveled on both set, so I would definitely support a Kickstarter campaign with one motorized and 1 or 2 dummy sets. But only after the Pendolino project, so please be a little patient to start this project. I think I am not the only one who have to save a lot of money to have 1 set from that...