Large Scale Central

7/8 scale commercially made locos? Rolling stock?

General Discussion
#1

Having a chunky 7/8 scale mining loco and some proportioned mining cars to run in our yard would certainly be different and a welcome change.

Question: Are there any manufacturers of 7/8ths scale locos --and rolling stock? My guess is the 0-4-0 format would be the easiest to use on our current layouts.

If nothing commercially, I would think there would be a market for a number of us wanting to instantly create our garden track into 2’ guage. I would periodically like to see the larger size in operation since there is no concern for the comparative scale of plants or structures as we just have just plants, rocks, and lots of track.

Wendell

#2

7/8 scale is big in England.
That’s where I’ve found most of the locos and rolling stock. (on line).

Whoops. Never mind. I was thinking of Gn15.
Doh…

#3

There are links here for at least one new ready to run loco in 7/8:

http://www.7-8ths.info/

I really can’t allow myself too much time on that site, the 7/8 thing is just too inciting!

cale

#4

Cale-

Any best guesses as to when the 7/8 “Bertie” will be offered for sale – and what it might cost? I am thinking the loco would run on the same track power system am running now (10 amp. power pack). How much physical difference in height and width is the “Bertie” compared to the new(er) 1:20 Bachmann side tank loco or an LGB mogul?

Any other RTR commercially sold locos? Thanks.

Suggestion: You may wish to comment on the other posting as to your experience having 7/8ths in the yard. I am interested in an increased size because as a change from 1:29, etc. .

Thanks,
Wendell

#5

oh no, I’ve never gotten around to do 7/8, just drooling over it when I see it!

Sorry, I have no answers, but I bet you could join up and ask over there…really nice guys!

cale

#6

Wendell - please bear in mind the 7/8th is a mainly Brit thing so far, so prepare for some disappointment as far as US-outline stuff is concerned. My pal Steve Warrington runs a train hobby store calle back2bay6 - see - http://www.back2bay6.net - have a look at his site and see if anything there catches your eye trumpet.

If you contact him be sure to mention me to him. It doesn’t do me any good as far as business is concerned, but he is a great guy to deal with and I’ve known him a good long while.

If you e-mail me I’ll send you a 7/8th scale conversion table in inches and metric, you might find it useish.

Don’t forget to look on Youtube as too - a young lady over here has a truly remarkable railway in her back yard that looks 100% full-sized!

Best

tac
www.ovgrs.org
Supporter of the Cape meares Lighthouse Restoration Fund

#7

Tac, thanks.
I did make the scale conversion request.

For others who may have done so, is the Bachmann Thomas a good choice – at least a low-cost start – into 7/8ths?? Earlier this year there was a posting on the Thomas engine – or Percy – whichever was larger. Is it of 7/8 or close? Has it held up to use? I have my reservations about the Bachmann products to ask before buying.
Wendell

#8

Wendell. I would say no. I have a Thomas, and it’s a cute bugger, and it’s big, but the drive wouldn’t come out too easy nor does the body construction allow itself for too much use in bashing something other than another really outta scale SG locomotive. Something like an LGB or HLW with an easy to remove drive or a USA/Aristo block would be a better place to start. Think this with a much taller cab and longer stack:

(http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCClassifieds/usergraphics/a0e10cf0a116a1fac7c3b13f26c27a61.jpg)

Not trying to push mine, simply an example (knew where the photo was)

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/calenelson/Avatars/Porter.jpg)

http://www.7-8ths.info/index.php?topic=16681585.0 Most in 7/8 scratch build or kit bash their locomotives. A great deal of them begin with an IP Engineering chassis like this:

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/calenelson/Avatars/deluxe%20chassis.jpg)

http://www.ip-engineering.co.uk/acatalog/Chassis_Compnents.html If you go back a year or so, there is a story in GR Mag about a guy from Japan (I think) who models in 7/8. He built a 7/8 loco with a similar drive, a spam can and some other bits…it looked really nice. Here is his site-just found and bookmarked! Close to 7/8…it’s 1:19 on 32mm track.

(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i310/mjhfoster/July%2008/Diesel066.jpg)

http://mjhfoster.webs.com/locomotives.htm [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZJR4khNe_U[/youtube] I again, would direct you to the 7/8 fora I posted above! Some modelers use Live Steam locos and replace the cab to up-size…those are really sharp as well! This one is listed for sale on the above mentioned fora: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NRPwBCQtkc&feature=player_embedded[/youtube] http://www.7-8ths.info/index.php/board,116.0.html Tony (RCS) has some of his larger stuff for sale:

(http://www.rcs-rc.com/pics/7-8n2/Titan-ready-to-go.jpg)

This chap is heavily involved in the movement…and IMHO makes the best looking figures avail: http://www.robbennett.org/

(http://www.7-8ths.info/busybody/drivers/driverspage-new_18.jpg)

And though I can’t find it, I am sure I did see someone offering a RTR loco on that site just a few weeks ago! and since I have had my allotted 7/8 time filled this morning, I’ll have to try to refrain till '11 further inspiration or torment: make sure you look into his flickr account for the Bachmann 0-4-0 conversion “Ginny”! http://narrowescape.com/ I gotta stop!!! cale

#9

Thank you, Cale!
Great photos and a clear picture of the 7/8 hobby.
Where to start! The message forme is be creative and use a commercial power block to start your creation. Kevin’s 7/8-1" website, Narrow Escape, with the pix of a coyote jumping over a sheep, really captured the freedom in the hobby. OK, I’m looking over two older LGB 0-4-0 motor blocks that have served their time --and see what some creativity will bring.I’ll check further for more photos of industrial engines so any creation has some recognition power.

As to the Bachmann Thomas locos, I appreciate your observation. If there is a product loco out there, I am interested in seeing it.

Again, many thanks from me and others unwashed in this aspect of the hobby.

Wendell

#10

Cale,
I have three of those LGB Porters lying around just asking for it. :slight_smile: :slight_smile:
Hmmmmmm…

#11

Both Bart and I have dabbled in 7/8ths as well. I still have a bunch of critters and mining equipment around. 7/8ths is mostly a scratchbuilder/kitbasher scale. Not much ready to run available, though the LGB gable bottom cars work out great in size, and the $10 Hartland tank/gon/flats are a great place to start.

#12

Here’s a little gas mechanical 7/8ths critter I started on a couple of years ago when I was leaning towards that scale. Very simple to build using an Aristo short wheelbase motorblock and styrene. Power was 4 AA NiMH batteries and controlled by Losi ESC radio control…

(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p320/dw64/photo-5.jpg)

The actual prototype inspiration…

(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p320/dw64/decauville_rpreto_sac.jpg)

#13

Here’s some pics I dug up. 2 ton EIMCO mucker

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/bob_mccown/78ths/EIMCO/DSCF0161.JPG)

Mancha Trammer

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/bob_mccown/78ths/ManchaTrammer/DSCF0621.JPG)

Tippers

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/bob_mccown/78ths/DSCF0681.JPG)

#14
Bob McCown said:
...I still have a bunch of critters and mining equipment around...
There you go Wendell, a few RTR locos that may need a new home?.. :) Bob do you have some photos of yours to view?

Wendell, I’ve also noticed on the front page of LSC when the pictures flash, you see a few 7/8 shots there too!

cale

#15

Not selling any of my 7/8ths stuff. Ive sold off all that I want to (Big Critter, lots of tippers and stuff). keeping the rest for set-and-forget running on the layout.

There’s a whole 7/8 gallery of photos:

http://www.largescalecentral.com/gallery/index.php?level=album&id=2

Lots of bad ideas there

#16

found the ruler:

http://www.qsl.net/n0lrf/gwhizpage/scalerules.pdf

here is the last working link I could find in my bookmarks:

http://www.qsl.net/n/n0lrf//gwhizpage/gwhizpage.html

#17

There’#s a shop in Birmingham , England , called Mike’s Models .
He has 7/8 tipper and flat wagons in photo etch .
Also has dress up kits in etch to convert well known steam stuff into 7/8 .
The wagons are excellent , I won’t say easily constructed , because if you can’t solder ,
they are not the easiest to learn on . We have several and not found any snags .
Try
Mikesmodels.co.uk .

Mike M ----------no connection to the above

#18

Anyone wants a 7/8th scale conversion table, email me.

tac
www.ovgrs.org
Supporter of the Cape Meares Lighthouse Restoration Fund

#19

I built about 12 drives for a industrial diesel some years ago for a customer on the east coast.

Gary Watkins builds 7/8N2 wheels ( they are thicker to be in scale).

Scale is 13.71:1

Barry - BBT

#20
Mike Morgan said:
There'#s a shop in Birmingham , England , called Mike's Models . He has 7/8 tipper and flat wagons in photo etch . Also has dress up kits in etch to convert well known steam stuff into 7/8 . The wagons are excellent , I won't say easily constructed , because if you can't solder , they are not the easiest to learn on . We have several and not found any snags . Try Mikesmodels.co.uk .

Mike M ----------no connection to the above


Hey Mike,

I tried to find the website and struck out. What did I do wrong?

I found it here -

http://www.mikes-models.co.uk/