Gauge 1 RTR

[hoppy504]

I have been talking to one of the gauge 1 RTR retailers about future possible production models, and am saddened by the fact that sales are so slow that all future production is on hold. They believe that most gauge 1 modelers are still into coarse scale live steam.
I was also curious as regards the quantities required for a Chinese factory to produce a model, I understand this is 250. Too much for me to even think about.

My future wishlist is for a small diesel railcar.

john.

 

[28ten]

I think G1 is in a difficult place, similar to o gauge in the 70's. It needs a progressive committee to see the future, rather than clinging to the past, (and yes I am aware of the efforts of the 'Bath Bodger') otherwise it doesn't look appealing, to manufacturers who are there for profit as opposed to the homegrown cottage industries.

 

[hoppy504]

When I started in gauge 1 I thought about joining the Association, then started reading comments on the net regarding the direction the club appeared to br going in. I hoped a group of finescalers who have a good web presence might help generate change, but things are quiet at the moment.

John.

 

[Phill Dyson]

I wonder if Bachmann will produce any more RTR, the class 66 was very impressive for a bargain price :shock:

Phill :wave:

 

[Phill Dyson]

When I started in gauge 1 I thought about joining the Association, then started reading comments on the net regarding the direction the club appeared to br going in. I hoped a group of finescalers who have a good web presence might help generate change, but things are quiet at the moment.

John.

In an ideal world perhaps the Gauge O Guild could widen it's perimeters to include Gauge 1 finescale :scratch:

Phill

 

[Simon]

[quote=""hoppy504"":1hshqotk]When I started in gauge 1 I thought about joining the Association, then started reading comments on the net regarding the direction the club appeared to br going in. I hoped a group of finescalers who have a good web presence might help generate change, but things are quiet at the moment.

John.

In an ideal world perhaps the Gauge O Guild could widen it's perimeters to include Gauge 1 finescale :scratch:

Phill[/quote:1hshqotk]

I'm not sure that that is quite as daft as it at first sounds!! (Sorry Phill, you know what I mean)

I have spoken to a few of the "players" in G1 potential and otherwise, and I guess the truth is that however you view it the potential of the gauge one market from a maunufacturers point of view is seen as being too much of an unknown quantity and risk.

To go back to Hoppy's comment from a retailer They believe that most gauge 1 modelers are still into coarse scale live steam I think this may well describe the majority of G1MRA members but I am absolutely certain that it does not represent where the potential G1 market is.

At the risk of being "blackballed" by he G1MRA establishment I do honestly think that their attitude and policies have held back development in the scale. That said, I am not "grumpy" about it and am great friends with lots of 10mm scale steam runners

Things are getting better though, there are more and more items coming on stream that are suitable for a 1/32 "modelled" approach. One significant development (albeit a kit) is about to appear from John D of this parish, I reckon it might tempt one or two here

I am trying to keep my website updated as a source of information on this whole "subject"

http://www.titfield.co.uk/one32mod/Modindex.htm

If I am missing any info then please let me know.

 

[Phill Dyson]

I know what you mean Simon :lol: ,
Gauge one probably suffers the same catch 22 as O gauge i.e. models are expensive because the scale is exclusive & the scale is exclusive because the models are expensive . We in O gauge at least have the old Triang & Lima stuff to get us started, but either scale would get a real boost if new budget items were readily available :scratch: ...... (but I'm not holding my breath).

Phill :wave:

 

[John D]

One significant development (albeit a kit)

To be honest , supplying the Ruston RTR hadn't entered my head , was more interested in getting the kit out........but then why not, take the Chinese on at their own game

 

[marsa69]

take the Chinese on at their own game

Will it come with noodles or chicken balls then? :shock:

 

[Simon]

One significant development (albeit a kit)

To be honest , supplying the Ruston RTR hadn't entered my head , was more interested in getting the kit out........but then why not, take the Chinese on at their own game

You fiendish fellow, you can't mean.......

added monosodium glutamate :shock: :shock:

Aaaargh - gimme another :lol:

 

[John D]

chicken balls

..................???????????

Well excuse me.......I didn't know chickens 'ad 'em :shock: :shock:

I'll get me coat,

 

[hoppy504]

John D wrote:
One significant development (albeit a kit)
To be honest , supplying the Ruston RTR hadn't entered my head , was more interested in getting the kit out........but then why not, take the Chinese on at their own game.


After reading Johns statement above, I wonder if there is any possibility of a small diesel railcar either as a kit or RTR in the future?

 

[Jordan]

Gauge one probably suffers the same catch 22 as O gauge i.e. models are expensive because the scale is exclusive & the scale is exclusive because the models are expensive .

That is as concise and descriptive a summary of the situation as I think I've ever seen, Phill....

Could a lack of demand be partly because the jump in scale from Gauge 0 to 1 isn't as "big" as from, say, OO to O ? The jump from 4mm to 7mm is nearly double; going from 7mm to 10mm doesn't increase the size of the models by anything like as much, thus losing some of the "incentive" or attraction of going up a scale. I'm thinking that while many 4mm modellers would love to go 7mm (even if it remains a dream) not nearly so many 7mm modellers have the desire to move up to 10mm....?? :scratch:

 

[hoppy504]

Jordan I agree with your remarks re the Gauge 1 but with a few cmments.
For the past year Brassworks RTR models have been available at approx the same price as their Gauge 0 products thus allowing me a cheap entry into the scale.
Regarding the size increase you are right about it only being a few millimeters on a ruler, I have had a Cl.03 in both 0 and 1 and when comparing these the difference is quite suprising in the 3d view giving a nice substancial model.

john.

 

[John D]

any possibility of a small diesel railcar either as a kit or RTR in the future?

Speaking as a one horse, not quite even a cottage industry .....small is beautiful ie Ruston or Manning Wardle .....a Colonel Stephens type Ford railcar might be possible but I shudder to think what the development costs of a bigger BR job might be, not having a bottomless money pit. Even if it was possible there's always the sight of fainting customers when they see how much a kit would cost when it finally came out :shock: ..........the scratchbuilding route is probably better

 

[28ten]

any possibility of a small diesel railcar either as a kit or RTR in the future?

Speaking as a one horse, not quite even a cottage industry .....small is beautiful ie Ruston or Manning Wardle .....a Colonel Stephens type Ford railcar might be possible but I shudder to think what the development costs of a bigger BR job might be, not having a bottomless money pit. Even if it was possible there's always the sight of fainting customers when they see how much a kit would cost when it finally came out :shock: ..........the scratchbuilding route is probably better

I would expect ?800+ ?

 

[hoppy504]

John thanks for your reply.
28ten ,at around that price I would be interested as it would be ideal for my small layout. I think one of the 4 wheel Ac Cars Railbus units would suit me perfectly.

john.

 

[Neil]

I wonder if one of the charms of gauge one (at least for the finescale contingent) is that it's not an off the shelf option. Being a pioneer can also be hugely rewarding, partly from the satisfaction of solving problems met head on and partly because there aren't those annoying Herberts that have been there and done that seeking to lecture about the one true path. Admittedly this excludes to some extent those who don't feel they have the time or skills yet, but I'd be sure as eggs is eggs that if finescale gauge one ever becomes '00 mass market' or '0 easily attainable' then some other less supported scale and gauge combo will exhibit its own gravitational pull to those souls who seek challenge and a clean slate.