[mosthappyfella]

Does anyone know if a OO working Rocket has ever been produced by any of the manufacturers. As a secondary question:- if they have would they be able to be converted to DCC. I know it's a bit of a long shot but the Victorian locos do seem to have been neglected. Thanks for any sort of reply.

 

[poliss]

Triang/Hornby have released it twice. In the 60's and a slightly upgraded version in 1980. I suppose it should be possible to convert them to DCC.
Here's a link with the photos. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.walker...ns/rocketoo.htm

 

[34C]

Triang-Hornby offered it at one time in OO. Rather compromised to fit the smallest motor then available. Anything DC can be decoder fitted, likely enough room for an n-gauge decoder in the tender somewhere (maybe in the barrel!).

Bachmann USA usually have on offer a set based on the DeWitt-Clinton locomotive, which was a near contemporary of Rocket. This was a very small 0-4-0 not unlike the 'Northumbrian' of the Stephensons, and might be a good starting point for modification. Never actually played with one so don't know anything more specific.

 

[Nick Holliday]

Triang Hornby produced a RTR Rocket back in the 1960's so it is probably a rarity, and obviously not up to today's standards. The open frame motor was specially produced, as I recall, X500 I think and quite highly praised, and would probably respond well to DCC, and the tender would provide space for the decoder. All you've got to do is find one!

 

[7113]

QUOTE (Nick Holliday @ 13 Mar 2009, 16:44) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>All you've got to do is find one!

They're not that uncommon - but the prices can be frightning.

Regards

 

[mosthappyfella]

Thanks for that guys. As you say, now all I've got to do is find one. The Bachmann USA information seems interesting. I'll maybe do some research into that. Thanks again.

 

[gdaysydney]

QUOTE (mosthappyfella @ 14 Mar 2009, 02:45) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Does anyone know if a OO working Rocket has ever been produced by any of the manufacturers. As a secondary question:- if they have would they be able to be converted to DCC. I know it's a bit of a long shot but the Victorian locos do seem to have been neglected. Thanks for any sort of reply.

Stephenson's Rocket in OO scale was first introduced in 1963 when it appeared in the Triang Railways catalogue. Earlier versions were fitted with a smoke generator but this feature was discontinued in 1966. Production ceased in 1969 by which time 12,500 locos had been sold in the UK and 22,500 sold outside the UK.
Over a decade later following repeated requests Hornby Railways produced a new set distinguishable from the originals by having plated wheel tyres throughout. The set consisted of the Rocket Loco, tender and three coaches, Times, Experience and Despatch.

The wheel sets have the old deep flanges and the box that the set comes in states "not suitable for zero 1 operation." A DCC decoder would have to be installed in one of the coaches as there is no room in the tender or the loco for one. From my personal experience the loco by virtue of its size and lack of weight is not a good runner in DC.

I run DCC and have often contemplated depicting a Railway Museum with a piece of straight track somewhere on my existing layout where a converted Rocket could run back and forth on "open days" but I have never got around to it; so if you do find a model and convert it I would be interested in how it turns out.

Dave

 

[mosthappyfella]

I'll keep you posted. At the moment it appears I am looking at £100 or more. Vectis Auctions had one (not perfect) with an estimate of £70-£80 so a perfect set must be over a £100. If I do go ahead I'll post the outcome. Thanks.

 

[mosthappyfella]

I've now decided to give up the idea. I have been following three of these on eBay. A damaged loco and two coaches went for £97. A near perfect one £124 and there is still an auction going on for a boxed near mint example at present at £162. All ridiculous prices. I'll put my mind to another challenge.

 

[Nick Holliday]

At those prices, it might be worth investigating the Dapol plastic kit. Not RTR of course, but I am sure a small Mashima motor with a High Level gearbox could be made to fit, perhaps with brass bearings inserted into the plastic frames. With modern wheels, it should run on finer track and the barrel seems a good spot for the decoder. £5 for the kit, about £30 for the motor and gearbox and another £15 or so for the wheels, plus, of course, a lot of your effort, seems a bargain!

 

[mosthappyfella]

Thanks for that Nick. Unfortunately that would have to be a thing for the future. I only came back to this hobby about a year ago and am relearning my modelling skills. I have never attempted anything like you are suggesting and feel at the moment it is beyond me although it is a fantastic idea. Maybe when I am more confident and have learnt a little more it would be worth a try. Thanks for the idea and, well...maybe.