I would like to replace the body of this Minitrains loco with something that looks a little less toy-like. Does anyone know of one that would fit this chassis, please?
Quote from: Andy Lock on July 03, 2021, 13:30
I would like to replace the body of this Minitrains loco with something that looks a little less toy-like. Does anyone know of one that would fit this chassis, please?
I'm not sure about your assessment of "toylike" as this model Baldwin is a very close to scale representation of a full size real Baldwin tank loco over on the other side of the Atlantic.
However, I imagine what you are seeking is something a little more "Welsh" in outlook?
On the original 1960's Minitrains Baldwin, this was a very common "bash" simply for want of alternative 0-4-0 chassis that would suit. There was Eggerbahn, which was expensive and in some variations not very reliable and the Jouef Decauville, which was generally reliable, but not very good for being the source for small quarry type locos due to the guts of the thing being box shaped and a very close fit to the square profile of the factory body.
If you get a chance to read Nick Welch's Ffestiniog Odyssey book about his superb 009 historical Ffestiniog Rly layout then you will learn that originally all his George England 0-4-0 saddle tanks were built on the original Minitrains chassis that these Baldwins came with in the 1960's.
The much more recent "new" Minitrains Baldwin, of which your model is one, has a completely new and much more reliable chassis and could probably be used under a large number of more recent 009 loco bodies, particularly the glut of 3D printed ones. HOWEVER - one doesn't read about too many of these chassis being used for this purpose, one reason being there are other more suitable chassis available for this type of exercise, such as the Bachmann Percy and if you can get hold of one at a reasonable cost the out of production but still obtainable Fleischmann 7000 Piccolo.
The "modern" Minitrains Baldwin was one of the first models that Andreas Schoenfeld produced when he launched the Minitrains brand that you will recognise, some 12 years or so ago. It was only produced for a couple of years and then fell by the wayside to be superceded by the Eggerbahn style "Krauss", "Koppel" and "Stainz" types that were developed into the now fairly standard Minitrains chassis with the vertical motor in the loco cab.
The point of all this waffle? Well, what you have got is an out of production model that looks as if it is in good condition. It may not have been written about much (I can't remember any postings or articles actually) as being a basis for putting new bodies on so there may be a possibility that for one reason or another it is not suitable for this? You potentially have a "desirable" and getting scarce model, so my own advice if you want it, is to sell it on - you'll get a very fair price from 009 Society Sales and re-invest your money into something more common and possibly more up to date such as the Bachmann Percy and get one of the 3D bodies that have been made available for this chassis.#
Mick
Yes, it would seem a shame to hack it about.
If you don't like it you could plagiarise Mick's last but one paragraph and put it on eBay. At least the hype would be true and not like the 'rare' description of 009 models that are still available. You might get lucky and be able buy whatever you want with the proceeds. ;D
009 Sales would be a safer bet than the fickleness of eBay though. As they say 'your investment can go down as well as up'.
Thanks for your useful replies chaps, it looks as though I have underestimated this little loco. I was given it along with 8 wagons by a friend. It's been converted to DCC and runs very well on my layout. I was hoping to find a body that I simply swap over.
I have no desire to sell it so I'll just keep it as it is for the time being.
What about a "Pugbash" based on the Dapol (was Airfix) kit?
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/510qKTC7A5L._AC_.jpg)
This seems to have almost become a rite of passage for some 009 modelers ;)
I think the "toy like" appearance comes from the livery (oh, no, not the dreaded livery debate!) mainly the red cab window lining and the huge number on the cabside.
A visit to the paint shop to receive a non-black livery might improve it's appearance and make it less "toy like".
Quote from: Andy Lock on July 03, 2021, 16:24
Thanks for your useful replies chaps, it looks as though I have underestimated this little loco. I was given it along with 8 wagons by a friend. It's been converted to DCC and runs very well on my layout. I was hoping to find a body that I simply swap over.
I have no desire to sell it so I'll just keep it as it is for the time being.
If you can take the body off easily and fit a new one, perhaps the original could be restored should you want to in the future?
Quote from: Stephen Rainsbury on July 03, 2021, 16:49
What about a "Pugbash" based on the Dapol (was Airfix) kit?
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/510qKTC7A5L._AC_.jpg)
This seems to have almost become a rite of passage for some 009 modelers ;)
I didn't know that could be done, it might be worth investigating, thanks.
Quote from: GraemeD on July 03, 2021, 17:49
If you can take the body off easily and fit a new one, perhaps the original could be restored should you want to in the future?
That's what I was hoping to do, not sure how the body comes off yet though.
Quote from: Andy Lock on July 03, 2021, 18:01
Quote from: GraemeD on July 03, 2021, 17:49
If you can take the body off easily and fit a new one, perhaps the original could be restored should you want to in the future?
That's what I was hoping to do, not sure how the body comes off yet though.
Straight from the horse's mouth!
http://www.minitrains.eu/mt-mod-spoke.html (http://www.minitrains.eu/mt-mod-spoke.html)
Edit: it also shows what a 'brick' the chassis is, which may restrict the type of replacement body you could have. If it has been converted to DCC then presumably the body has been removed before.
Thanks for the link Graeme. I didn't do the DCC conversion which is why I wasn't sure how to remove the body.
Andy
As mentioned by Blair this is a model of an actual loco that survives today.
It is N.S.S.&C. Co. Baldwin No5.
This was a 2-foot 6-inch gauge loco built for Nova Scotia Steel & Coal Co. and given their number 5. It was built by Baldwin of Philadelphia in January 1917 with works No. 44823.
In 1920 the Nova Scotia Steel and Coal Company and the Dominion Steel Corporation were merged into the British Empire Steel Corporation. In 1928 following a downturn in the business this became Dominion Steel and Coal Corporation. The company was later dissolved after the majority of its coal mining and steel mill industrial assets were nationalized in 1968. The effect of the above was that N.S.S. & C. Co. No5 effectively became the property of the Canadian Government.
As a direct result of its Government ownership the loco survives today on display in the Museum of Industry 147 North Foord Street, Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Canada, B0K 1S0.
The cab sides have been modified with the side door covered, (but you can still see where it was on the inside)an opening has been made through the back of the cab as well as enlarged sand pot and steam dome fitted at some point so today its appearance a bit different to the model. Sadly, although restored to a high standard they did not re-apply the N.S.S & C. Co. lettering that was on the loco when new.
Here is the maker's photo:
that look to be a narrow doorway!
Quote from: hughn on July 05, 2021, 11:18
that look to be a narrow doorway!
Yes indeed.
The side door was later blocked and a new entrance created in the back of the cab.
Here is a link to a photo of what the loco looks looks like today with the side door blocked, the side windows extended and the new doorway in the back of the cab:
(https://www.erichall.eu/images/1010/1010b92.jpg)
(Originating web page: https://www.erichall.eu/2010c480.html )
Thanks Brian for the information and photos.
Andy