tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20340207.post2045383037576023709..comments2024-03-28T22:24:18.546+00:00Comments on Phil's Workbench: The guts of an ElectrotrenUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20340207.post-77241917058588097342015-12-11T16:52:23.161+00:002015-12-11T16:52:23.161+00:00There's nothing wrong with using a RTR chassis...There's nothing wrong with using a RTR chassis for a model IF it does the job. There used to be many horrible kits where everything had been distorted to fit a Jinty 0-6-0 chassis - in fact that could have described the Hornby rnage many years ago. <br /><br />A good RTR chassis makes a great basis for a loco. You can concentraite on building the body confident that the loco will work once you've finished. <br /><br />Of course, eventually you'll want to build something where a bespoke chasis is required and then it's time for kitbuilding fun, but with some kits like this behind you, confidence will be much higher. Phil Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15673614093646938053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20340207.post-8848372101921164262015-12-11T16:00:35.230+00:002015-12-11T16:00:35.230+00:00I know that some people get really sniffy about ot...I know that some people get really sniffy about other people using cheap RTR chassis (and other parts) in their models.<br /><br />Some seem to take the line that a modelmaker can't possibly be a proper modelmaker - their models can't possibly be proper models - unless their models all feature chassis hand built at home from raw materials, gears produced at home on a lathe, that sort of thing.<br /><br />Some of the comedians who peddle this line might grudgingly accept the possibility of said chassis being replaced on one model by the poshest kit chassis on the market - especially if said chassis features some exotic "fad" motor - Portescap 1219 / Escap RG4, anybody?<br /><br />This is all well and good for the few people who can build stuff like this - who can afford the finest components - who have had plenty of practice in making the most of them - but where does this leave the rest of us?<br /><br />Actually, I know exactly where this leaves the rest of us - in good company.<br /><br />I've seen a number of perfectly acceptable models - at exhibitions - also at club open days - running on good quality layouts - actually running very well - yet powered by nothing "better" than a Hornby "Smokey Joe", obtained secondhand for next to nothing.<br /><br />In fact, I'm aware of a number of "show" layouts which only use motive power similar to this - but most show visitors would never realise this unless somebody told them.<br /><br />There might even be advantages in using the cheapest, most readily available, RTR drives when building kit / scratch built locos and railcars. What happens if your pride and joy is running at an exhibition - then suddenly stops running? You don't have time to do major repairs, or build a new chassis.<br /><br />If you're using a "Smokey Joe", you don't need to - you just go to the nearest secondhand stall or boxshifter - get the cheapest example you can find - play around with a screwdriver for a few seconds - and you're back in business.<br /><br />There's nothing to stop you doing some repairs when you get home (to get a spare chassis), but these things are often so cheap that it's barely worth the effort.<br /><br /><br />I could also make similar comments about other cheap RTR chassis - but I wonder if it might be better to leave the real comments to the magazines and the guys who write the "how to" articles. A recurring feature about how to do kit / scratch build conversions of cheap RTR chassis could be quite interesting - even if some of these conversions are into O-16.5 / Oe / On30 and based on (horror of horrors) a Hornby Pacer chassis (in much the same way as one railbus I'm currently working on).<br /><br />That's right - I'm certainly no snob, when it comes to what I'll use. There's nothing wrong with the high-end stuff - but, for me, the "best" chassis, the "best" parts, are the most appropriate ones. If they also happen to be the cheapest, I view this as a bonus. Huw Griffithsnoreply@blogger.com