Irish HO?

[David Holman]

Browsing the 2025 RM Special, there is an article of a dual gauge Australian layout. Called Broadford, it is based on a real location, near Melbourne that has both 5'3 and standard gauge track, which the builder has nicely replicated using American code 83 rail for the latter and hand built EM the former.

 Begs the question, has anyone tried to do Irish 5'3 in HO, on EM track? If they have, feel sure the good folk on this forum will know and provide details.

 Challenge thrown down!

[Tullygrainey]

Now there’s a thought…

[Mayner]

 

Lima produced its first Irish trainsets in HO during the 1970s using British outline stock a Class 33 diesel , a 4f MK1 & 2 coaches. Crude by todays rtr standards (HO lenght height/OO width)I don't recall if anyone attempted to model 5'3" in HO . 

Thought of Ballyconnell Road but its 3mm fine scale standards, essentially a 3mm Adavoyle complete wittth steam outline locos with working inside valve gear.

 

 

 

[DJ Dangerous]

Loads of Lima HO Gauge BR Mk2’s on eBay, ripe for re-painting into Irish colours.

[David Holman]

Yes, thought about Lima and there were/are several British outline locos in HO, not least 08 shunters in Dutch livery. Am guessing that, even with kit and body bashing skills developed by modellers of the Irish scene, the time and effort didn't make it worthwhile compared to doing 21mms gauge.

[Tullygrainey]

One element that might make the idea attractive is ready-made EM gauge track available through the EM Gauge Society and manufactured for them by Peco.

[Andy Cundick]

Can certainly recommend the track both my EM layouts use it Andy  

[Mayner]

Australian modellers take on the pros & cons of modelling the 5'3" broad gauge in HO on HO or EM gauge track.    https://armchairmodellerdownunder.blogspot.com/2012/03/australian-ho-broad-gauge.html.

There was a lot of simularility between Queensland Railways and CIE effectively becoming General Motors railways at a time other Australian railways were buying 'British.

The QR T Class referred to in the piece was a pre-cursor and close relative of the EMD GL8 or CIE B121 Class.

Personally while the availability of EM track appears to be an advantage this is more than offset by the almost complete absence of suitable 4mm locos and stock in either rtr or kit form, there is also the little matter of EMGS track being to a different (larger) scale than the rest of the model.

[Horsetan]

It's a toss-up between 18.2mm and 18.37mm.

I'd have thought GSR / CIE and Victorian Railways would have more in common, track-wise.