South African Beyer Garratt + New Zealand 4-8-4

A Forum on the 1940' and 50's UK Railway Micromodels
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Kevin Wilson-Smith

South African Beyer Garratt + New Zealand 4-8-4

Post by Kevin Wilson-Smith »

One of the early Micromodels, produced a right at the beginning of the series, was a pack containing a Garratt from South African Railways, and a 4-8-4 K class from New Zealand Railways.

The set had six cards, three for each engine. The Garratt when made up, will pan out at around 8 cm.
The cards provide a base - one is expected to do additional work by soaking thread in glue and carving matchsticks!

The set was produced in 1947 and cost 1/3d - actually a very large sum in those days for 6 very small pieces of card!

One day, when I am feeling brave, I will probably give it a go!
Attachments
garret.jpg
The six cards
The six cards
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John Ashworth
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Re: South African Beyer Garratt + New Zealand 4-8-4

Post by John Ashworth »

I wish I could find an N-gauge Garratt. I'm currently trying to scratchbuild one from a pair of Fleischmann locos, but so far I've only got as far as dismatling one of the locos...
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Kevin Wilson-Smith

Re: South African Beyer Garratt + New Zealand 4-8-4

Post by Kevin Wilson-Smith »

I do N gauge as well - as far as I know there is no N gauge Garrett - except those that have been scratch-built - and the ones I have seen were all terrible.

Now how about scaling the Micromodel and transferring it to brass sheet?
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John Ashworth
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Re: South African Beyer Garratt + New Zealand 4-8-4

Post by John Ashworth »

Brass sheet is beyond my skills - it would look truly horrible!

Maybe plasticard - and incidentally, does anyone know where I can get plasticard in South Africa? All the model shops I've been in have looked askance at me as if they don't know what it is (well, admittedly they all specialise in planes and not trains) and advised me to try CNA or a plastic factory.
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Kevin Wilson-Smith

Re: South African Beyer Garratt + New Zealand 4-8-4

Post by Kevin Wilson-Smith »

Of course - what size? What thinness? Here in JHB we have everything - except visitors of course....

Model Train Exchange (Randburg), Esswex (Northclifff), Aviation Shop (Randpark Ridge).
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John Ashworth
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Re: South African Beyer Garratt + New Zealand 4-8-4

Post by John Ashworth »

Maybe in January you can give me directions to those shops and I'll go and have a look. Sounds interesting.

Haven't found any decent model railway shops in Pretoria yet - anybody know of any?
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Kevin Wilson-Smith

Re: South African Beyer Garratt + New Zealand 4-8-4

Post by Kevin Wilson-Smith »

I can meet up with and escort you - all three are good, but all 3 are very different. The Model Train Exchange you would like...
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