A query for our Australian N-Scalers: Has anyone ever imported or manufactured an N-Scale kit or RTR NSWGR AD60 4-8-4 + 4-8-4 Beyer-Garratt steam locomotive? Though I have an imported HO-Scale brass model of the aforementioned engine, the only 1:160 (2mm) Garratt model that I have been able to acquire is a pewter LMS 2-6-0 + 0-6-2; a Fleetline/Skytrex Ltd. Road 'N' Rail conversion kit that incorporates a pair of Graham Farish 2-6-0 chassis.
Well, not long after I posted my query did a Google search produce the following Ixion Model Railways Ltd link: http://www.ixionmodels.com/gallery.htm Sent the British firm an e-mail. Hoping for a positive response to my inquiry about product availability.
Phil Badger made these some 10 years ago in a limited run arrangement. There was a very involved kit version offered but most were commissioned RTR. Phil is currently a partner in Ixion Models and the Garrett preceded this partnership. Phil gave no indication that he will be doing it again in the near future, whether with Ixion or alone, in my last discussion with him. Have a look at his own site - Welcome to the BadgerBits website: Australian-outline N Scale and Freelance On30 Model Railways and maybe make an inquiry through the online contact page.
Gary, Thanks for your detailed response and the BagerBits website address. Certainly have to say Phil does offer a really wide range (spanning N to On30 scale) of Australian models. Received an e-mail from Lindsay O'Reilly (one of Ixion Models co-partners) earlier this morning. Though most of the specifics that you have so kindly provided were not conveyed in the aforementioned dispatch, Phil's e-mail address was provided. As Lindsay indicated a re-run of kit built models was under consideration, I fired an e-mail off to Phil. Hopefully, an N-Scale AD60 Garratt will be added to my roster in the near future.
Thanks for the photo...that AD-60 is a phenomenal model of what must have been a fantastic locomotive. No wonder most were ordered R-T-R - looks like a lot of very skillful work to build - and in "N"!!! Phil Badger is an Artist, a Craftsman, and a nasty man for creating such a desirable steamer that never ran on the PRR ! Hope your wishes come true, pmp ! Bob C.
Not N-scale, but there is a HO model that is not brass, and thus probably more affordable: Garratt Very nice, indeed.
Phil has been at the forefront of Australian N Scale starting essentially with the Richmond layout. He has worked with the likes of Peter Boorman, and others, on various projects over the years. After he finished the Richmond layout, he built a small Thomas the Tank Engine layout he created using hand-laid code 40 track and custom built locos and rolling stock complete with faces! This was well before Tomix's offerings (I managed to get roped into putting together structures for it). I hope he does at least that one for you. This is a beautiful loco first shown at the 1993 Brisbane N Scale Convention where it was entered into the modelling contest and didn't win - one judge, an US outline modeller, said the weathering was wrong and deducted points. The gong went to a brass Big Boy or Challenger from memory.
I don't know exactly what model Garratt loco it is,but there is a British Pewter kit for one that frequently shows up on Ebay..
Robert, Thanks for your response. While they are nearly as costly as one of the vintage, pre-owned brass replicas, I plan on placing an order for one of the second release, "1955 Railway Centenary" models with red and cream lining. Even though the Eureka Models' AD60's are primarially constructed out of plastic, the super-detailed replicas can be ordered weathered, with an optional factory fitted DCC chip with onboard QSI sound. As my 1977, PFM/Model Dockyards brass model is factory painted in an unlined black paint scheme, I am looking forward to adding the very colorful, pin striped model to my collection.
Gary, It sounds like your collaboration with such a fine modeler was a serendipitous opportunity. Received a wonderful response from Phil. Though there are no AD60 models currently available, once the required mechanisms turn up, an e-mail will be forwarded with the model's re-run status. While I was not in attendence at the 1993 Brisbane Convention, from all appearances, it seems as though Phil was subjectively slighted because of an individual's preference for large, American prototype steam. Not knocking Big Boys and Challengers (as they, along with AC12 Cab Forwards and C&O Alleghenies are four of my favorite heavy-weight US steam locomotives); besides being a more convoluted design, Beyer Garratts, like Climax, Heisler, and Shay locomotives are so unique that modelers tend to acquire them even if they really do not fit into the theme and/or era being modeled. Will post an additional reply when the re-released models do become available.
The Prototype Beyer Garratt Locomotive Design and the Skytrex Road 'N' Rail LMS Model Bob C. and Lou D., Thanks for your responses to my query. The models that regularly appear on eBay are Skytrex Ltd. Road 'N' Rail pewter conversion kits for modifying a pair of Graham Farish 2-6-0 steam locomotive chassis into a replica of an LMS (the British London, Midland and Scottish Railway) 2-6-0 + 0-6-2 Beyer Garratt. Employed in Africa (e.g., South African Railways, which owned the largest, most powerful GL Class 4-8-2 + 2-8-4's and East African Railways which owned the largest, most powerful meter gauge 59 Class 4-8-2 + 2-8-4's), Australia (of which the large, AD60 design is one of the most revered models), Mainland Europe (in Russia and Spain), South America (in Argentina and Buenos Aires), and the United Kingdom (where the articulated locomotives were designed and manufactured by Beyer, Peacock & Co.), both standard and narrow gauge versions were assembled and delivered. One of the primary strengths of the basic Garratt design (which called for the boiler and firebox to be slung between a pair of steam locomotive chassis that were fitted with a fuel bunker and a water tank) was the locomotive's ability to traverse short, light-weight bridges, without compromising structural integrity, because a structure would never be required to support the weight of the entire engine. Basic Beyer Garratt Design Expanded diameter, short length boilers, large fireboxes, flexible articulation, and a "tank locomotive" design also proved to be advantageous on light weight, tight radius curve, and narrow gauge lines. 1909 Drawing of the 1st Beyer Garratt - Model K1 Having listed the advantages, there was one major disadvantage to the Garratt design; like tank engines, as a locomotive's fuel and water was supply was utilized, tractive effort decreased.
I'm in that boat too. My AD60 Garratt is the only non-European or non-North-American engine And if I want it to pull some cars, it gets a string of black DRGW gondolas. But I simply could not resist getting a Garratt. By the way, I have the weathered version, but I'm not too happy with the weathering. It reminds me too much of a WW II camouflaged engine.
While they clearly represent the worst side of human nature and may not have mainstream appeal, I also collect WW-I and WW-II railway armor and American Civil War train models. Though they were rather ineffective as offensive or defensive weapons once their railroad track was destroyed, my favorite pieces of rail armor are the French M93 Navel Rail Guns, the Russian MG-4 Artillary Cars, the German BP54 Armored Trains with their pair of BP44 military wagon sets, the Panzerspäh-Zug railway scout/pursuit cars, the Flak-Wagon passenger cars, the Giganten Dora Railway Mortar, the Blücher, Bruno, K5 Leopold "Anzio Annie", K12, Siegfried, and Theodor railway guns, the Karl, Loki, Odin, Thor, and Ziu 54cm Morsers with their railway carriers, and the DRG U-Boat transport trains. If its an exotic railway model (either foreign or domestic), it will likely appeal to me.
There is now a Kickstarter project to build a NSWGR AD60 Garratt at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1560185090/n-scale-nswgr-ad60-garratt-locomotive, the project closes on 30th June, so if you want one, you will have to pledge before then and hope the required number of pledges are met
Pricing for the AD60, if Kickstarter funding is met, will be around AUD$600; therefore someone pledging to the project at AUD$500 will save 16% on the expected retail price
I did my bit and made a "rewards level" pledge. As of today, the project is close to 25% funded. The "specs' on this look really good and Phil is known for the high quality of his work. This is a unique model and a first for N scale. It's something that will promote modeling of different prototypes, thereby supporting the spread of our scale around the world. And, even if you don't model "Oz-rail", there are other Garratts of interest that you could kitbash on this chassis. So, I think we should get behind this. You can pledge as little as AUD 1 - or as much as you want and, as Gremlin notes, get yourself a good discount on the models when they come out. - Paul Ingraham, AsiaNRail
We are just over half-way through the funding cycle and we have approximately 75% of the funding target to go. For those who are interested in an N scale AD60 but have not pledged, we would appreciate some feedback at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1560185090/n-scale-nswgr-ad60-garratt-locomotive to get a better understanding of why the project isn't for you; cost, timeframe, something else? It may help future crowd funding attempts succeed if this one fails.
Only two weeks to go to fund this amazing project! Project funding finishes on 30th June 2014. At the time of writing, the project is only 33% funded - that means that worldwide, there is only interest for 62 models of this iconic locomotive used in Australia and South Africa. Now is the time to decide to pledge to have your very own RTR 4-8-4+4-8-4 on your layout. Don't let this opportunity pass you by! Remember, if the project doesn't meet its funding goal, then the RTR AD60 won't be made.
4 days to go and now 71% funded - so another 45 pledges...or a couple of big ones...and the RTR AD60 will be a reality This is your chance to own a spectacular and unique locomotive - would look great as a visitor on almost any layout and would certainly become a talking point!
Project funding closes at 1400 (Eastern Australian Standard Time) on 30 June - we are $30K short of making the project a reality. If you know of *anyone* who can pledge, NOW is the time to ask them!
