009 Society Members Forum

Modelling => Rolling stock => Topic started by: Stephen Rainsbury on May 17, 2020, 14:04

Title: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Stephen Rainsbury on May 17, 2020, 14:04
Has anybody tried converting the Dapol (nee Airfix) Lowmac to 009?  At £9.99, not including wheels and couplings it might be easier to start with a Dundas chassis and just make sides.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51KmAfAdAOL._AC_.jpg)
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Alan Feldon on May 17, 2020, 15:20
Or if you want something similar a Triang TT bogie wagon and replace the bogies
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Stephen Rainsbury on May 17, 2020, 18:00
Quote from: Alan Feldon on May 17, 2020, 15:20
Or if you want something similar a Triang TT bogie wagon and replace the bogies
That's probably easier isn't it.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: JulienW on May 17, 2020, 21:59
I've done one of the Triang TT bogie well wagons (bought cheaply from the 3 mm Society - they only steel sell to members so if you wanted a lot of wagon bodies for conversion fodder and access to useful castings for locos it might be worth joining?) where I used a pair of Farish LMS tender chassis as bogies to make something for carrying big loads on the Nechelles Govt. Railway.

With something like the Dapol (ex Airfix?) OO kit it might need something cutting off the width for 009, and I might be tempted to look at making it into a bogie vehicle (which may need a cut-out in the Dapol sides, but as you'll be removing the mounded axleboxes anyway...).
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Stephen Rainsbury on May 17, 2020, 22:34
Quote from: JulienW on May 17, 2020, 21:59
With something like the Dapol (ex Airfix?) OO kit it might need something cutting off the width for 009, and I might be tempted to look at making it into a bogie vehicle (which may need a cut-out in the Dapol sides, but as you'll be removing the mounded axleboxes anyway...).
I am still some way of being ready for that model, but needed to make up an Amazon order to £20 t get the "free" postage so nearly went for it.
I have several projects that could use something like that including my Titfield Thunderbolt NG "Tribute"

(https://www.alextrack.co.uk/library/images/movies/the_titfield_thunderbolt/photographs_hmrs/titfield_thunderbolt_hmrs_acb613_xlarge.jpg)

And I am toying with the idea of recreating some of these for my "Evil Scientists Lair" layout, which is actually my Inglenook.

(https://www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk/w/images/Battle_Space_range,_Triang_Hornby_(THCat_1969).jpg)



Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Peter Boulter on May 18, 2020, 08:05
Yay! Battlespace!!  :)  That brings back memories.  I've still got the missile launcher wagon, the one with a turret that had four missile launchers on it. I wanted the anti-aircraft search light and helicopter wagons, but they were too expensive and my pocket money wouldn't stretch that far.  :(
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Hobby on May 18, 2020, 08:37
Quote from: JulienW on May 17, 2020, 21:59they only steel to members

Mmmm...  :o
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Simon Hargraves on May 18, 2020, 08:41
This thread has given me an idea...somewhere I have a Cambrian kit for (I think) a GWR sleeper wagon which I'm unlikely to use...it may have possibilities for an 009 conversion as I have a need for a well wagon.
Now I just need to find it!
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: JulienW on May 18, 2020, 09:19
Quote from: Hobby on May 18, 2020, 08:37
Quote from: JulienW on May 17, 2020, 21:59they only steel to members

Mmmm...  :o

Damm spool chukka!

::)
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: MikeC on May 18, 2020, 10:49
Quote from: Peter Boulter on May 18, 2020, 08:05
Yay! Battlespace!!  :)  That brings back memories.  I've still got the missile launcher wagon, the one with a turret that had four missile launchers on it. I wanted the anti-aircraft search light and helicopter wagons, but they were too expensive and my pocket money wouldn't stretch that far.  :(

Somewhere I still have that Turbo Car -- with a slightly perished nose.
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Tom Haythornthwaite on May 18, 2020, 11:34
BATTLE SPACE - Oh my goodness!  Fifty years or so ago I craved all that stuff but my bloody pacifist parents wouldn't let me have them....
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Stephen Rainsbury on May 18, 2020, 12:43
Quote from: MikeC on May 18, 2020, 10:49
Somewhere I still have that Turbo Car -- with a slightly perished nose.
I have already started looking for bits to make an 009 one of them. I just need to source a decent propeller that is enough to make it go, but narrow enough to go through my bridge supports.
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Peter Boulter on May 18, 2020, 16:46
Quote from: Tom Haythornthwaite on May 18, 2020, 11:34
BATTLE SPACE - Oh my goodness!  Fifty years or so ago I craved all that stuff but my bloody pacifist parents wouldn't let me have them....

My parents wouldn't buy them for me as birthday or Christmas presents because they weren't "proper" railway models. Which is why I only ever managed to get the missile launcher wagon, I had to save my pocket money for ages to get it!
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Hugh Norwood on May 18, 2020, 19:44
Someone - Adrian Ponting, I believe, made a prop-driven 009 vehicle. I'm sure there's a photo somewhere...
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Hobby on May 19, 2020, 08:01
He did, photo c/o Mick and Adrian! He handbuilt the propeller as well, I believe, took a few goes to get it right!

(https://i.imgur.com/2IaY6OJ.jpg)
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Graeme Dunbar on May 19, 2020, 10:30
Wasn't there a Kato propeller driven rail vehicle? I remember there was a special "presentation" vehicle that was given out by Mr. Kato himself that was unusual, but I'm not certain is was propeller driven.
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Julian Evison on May 19, 2020, 11:57
It was a little rocket-shaped vehicle, though not propeller driven. It was a trial model (along with a few other things) which Kato brought to Warley to see how people responded and was very kindly given to the West Midlands group by Mr. Kato.

Julian
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Graeme Dunbar on May 19, 2020, 13:59
Thanks Julian. I knew it was something that went "whoosh"!  ;D
Title: Re: Dapol (Airfix) Lowmac conversion
Post by: Stephen Rainsbury on May 19, 2020, 15:58
Quote from: Hobby on May 19, 2020, 08:01
He did, photo c/o Mick and Adrian! He handbuilt the propeller as well, I believe, took a few goes to get it right!
Now that's dedicated!