That old modelling bug

[GNRi1959]

For almost a year now l haven't been able to think about modelling, early retirement brought about many other projects, challenges and travel. Now that September has arrived its time to do a de-clutter in the shed and think about a small layout.

[jhb171achill]

On 1/9/2022 at 8:59 AM, GNRi1959 said:

For almost a year now l haven't been able to think about modelling, early retirement brought about many other projects, challenges and travel. Now that September has arrived its time to do a de-clutter in the shed and think about a small layout.

Gotta be Fintona! 

[GNRi1959]

Is it possible to replace 00 gauge wheels in OOWorks GNR locos and Dapol wagons without any body or chassis adjustment to achieve EM standards?

Can it be done in a straight change-over?

[Galteemore]

Prob worth joining the EM gauge society. I’m guessing many of their members will have carried out such conversions on Roderick’s English prototypes 

[Mayner]

Tony I am not sure your question is whether its feasible to convert OO Gauge locos and Dapol wagons to

1. EM gauge (18.2mm) or 

 2.  21mm Gauge by adapting EM track and wheel standards.

On the face of it EM 18.2 offers an improved appearance over OO with a lot less effort compared to 21mm gauge. EM flexible track and points (Peco) available through the EM Gauge society and EM gauge wheelsets available from the society and UK model trade.

1. EM Gauge 

(a) OO Works Locos

If you are thinking of converting to EM gauge the first step would be to check whether there is sufficient clearance within the body of an the OO Works GNR locos to fit EM gauge wheel sets.

The main areas to check  1.-------EM gauge wheel sets within the splashers ---------22 mm plus running clearance of a Markits driving wheels on EM axles.

                                           2.------Whether there is sufficient clearance for coupling rods behind valence and under running board.

                                           3. ------EM wheel sets within tender frames.

OO Works appear to use Markits wheels on their locos, Markits supply EM gauge loco driving axles, you would need to replace the existing OO gauge tender and bogie wheels with EM wheel sets available from Markits or replace the existing axles with 26mm -2mm dia steel axles

(b) Dapol wagons.

EM gauge wagon wheels should fit the existing Dapol wagon chassis

2. 21mm gauge.

Would involve significantly more work than OO or EM regardless of whether you adapt EM or S4/Proto4 track and wheel standards

I don't think its a practical proposition to convert a OO Works GNR loco to 21mm gauge  as it likely that you would need to replace the running board, splashers and possibly tender frames,  it would be simpler to build a loco from scratch in brass or nickel silver or use a Worsley Works set of parts.

 

Edited September 6, 2022 by Mayner