N gauge steam locos

5059 Views 10 Replies 10 Participants Last post by midlandred, May 10, 2009

dmumford

Discussion Starter · May 2, 2006

Is it just me or are the leading wheels on Farish steam locos (for example A4) under sized? I assume this is to allow it to run around the tight curves that are a feature of some model railways. However, in my opinion, it really spoils the appearance.

Does anyone know of a good and straight forward way to remedy this - i.e. larger replacement wheels that can be swapped from the "as supplied" ones?

Also I am interested in achieving closer coupling for my stock. I have seen a good system for OO gauge, which is similar to the method used on the Kato Eurostar, so I wonder if there is any method where I can swap the standard couplings from Farish for something a little closer?

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60134

· #2 · May 2, 2006

There are after market bogie and pony wheels available in N gauge, your best bet might be trying the N Gauge Society www.ngaugesociety.com to track 'em down.

For couplings one solution might be to use Fleischmann "Profi" couplings, part number 9540 is a straight replacement for the standard N gauge coupler.

60134

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Rail-Rider

· #3 · May 24, 2006

I have only seen these locos in small pics in the Graham Farish online catalogue.
I agree withthe comments and have to add that the main drivers also look either considerably undersized or way too far apart - or very possibly a bit of both!
Same problem and even worse applies to their A3s, which look altogether VERY odd indeed!
The V2s look much more presentable.

This is a great pity as I would otherwise be very interested in all their LNER models.

Would anyone care to comment on how they run and any other hints/tips.cautions?
For instance, is the mechanism a Graham Farish design or a throwback to the old Mini-Trix?

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Rail-Rider

· #4 · May 24, 2006

Oh, that was funny!

I got back for an addition to my post just inside the 60 minutes editing deadline. But by the time I had finished typing it, the deadline must have passed. as it then steadfastly refused to re-post the edit!

Anyway, just as a short aside from the main topic - the Graham Farish web site isn't bad, but I am a little surprised that there is no info on "what is in the box" for sets of loco with coaches. I would guess it's probably just the loco and coaches, ie no track or anything else, but it would be good if all doubt were removed by a one line note to that effect.

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111

· #5 · Sep 7, 2006

N Brass sell replacement bogies and wheels for Graham Farish locos. The wheels are 8 spoked, but who's going to notice?

Their website is at

http://www.nbrasslocos.co.uk/index.html

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trainman

· #6 · Jun 13, 2008

I have very recently purchased a secondhand Farish 2-6-4 and it runs perfectly round the curves on my layout.

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mike hendle

· #7 · Jun 14, 2008 (Edited by Moderator)

Graham Farish never had any thing to do with Mini Trix they are 2 seperate Companys, Graham Farish were originaly based in Poole Dorset, until Bachmann took them over,

All manufacturing was then tranfered to China and the Poole factory was closed down,( more British Jobs lost to the Chinese), about the steam loco chassis they are all based on the Poole originals except for the new Jubillee, which is a completly new Loco and Chassis,the older chassis can either be good or bad runners.

Michael Hendle

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Dinwiddy

· #8 · Jun 15, 2008

QUOTE (Rail-Rider @ 24 May 2006, 13:07) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Anyway, just as a short aside from the main topic - the Graham Farish web site isn't bad, but I am a little surprised that there is no info on "what is in the box" for sets of loco with coaches. I would guess it's probably just the loco and coaches, ie no track or anything else, but it would be good if all doubt were removed by a one line note to that effect.

Hi - I think that all the sets include a transformer & controller & the small sets have a circle of track and the others a (very) small oval. I suspect they hope everyone will buy the catalogue to check first!

Regards
David Y

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BROADTRAIN1979

· #9 · Apr 13, 2009

hi are the older farish steam engines hard to find as i would like to purchase some for dcc conversion and possibly with sound
regards

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Nigel2001

· #10 · Apr 22, 2009

QUOTE (BROADTRAIN1979 @ 13 Apr 2009, 14:14) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>hi are the older farish steam engines hard to find as i would like to purchase some for dcc conversion and possibly with sound
regards

Readily available s/hand. Running quality and appearance of most leaves something to be desired IMHO.

DCC conversion of older Farish designs requires insulating the brush gear in the chassis. One product to do this is a "Digihat", there are others. Adding sound to an old Farish is credible in some of the models with big hollow tenders.

- Nigel

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midlandred

· #11 · May 10, 2009

I have an older Farish Compound which I purchased secondhand, and it is noticeably noisy compared to my new 4F and Dapol 0-4-4 chassis. I bought the Compound off ebay so have no way of knowing if this was the normal standard. The loco looks nice enough, but I agree about the small bogie wheels!
I have 9" curves on my minilayout and it the compound just about gets round.
If you want to run older steam, you really have few options out there. I'm not convinced that DCC would be any advantage with the Compound to be honest.

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