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The 009 Society - the world's largest small scale modelling group aimed at those modelling narrow gauge railways
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#81
Locomotives / Re: Transportation/Storage Box...
Last post by Andy Lowman - March 14, 2026, 14:30Thanks for the last suggestion.
#82
Rolling stock / Re: 009 vs H0e
Last post by Andy Lowman - March 13, 2026, 15:19Once again, thanks very much.
#83
Rolling stock / Re: 009 vs H0e
Last post by Graeme Dunbar - March 13, 2026, 10:56There is probably an element of "if it looks right then it is right", so that might mean making up trains of rolling stock and locomotives that look right together. There may well be 009 stock at opposite size ends of what exists in 009 4 mm scale that look less likely companions than a judicious mix of 009 and HOe even though they are different scales.
#84
Rolling stock / Re: 009 vs H0e
Last post by JulienW - March 13, 2026, 09:50Quote from: Andy on March 12, 2026, 17:26...as I don't intend to mix different brand locos
Why limit yourself to one manufacturer Andy? You should be able to mix things up, as the Kato, Heljan and Bachmann locos all run on the same 9 mm gauge with 12 volts DC*. The couplings should all work together too, but some users have reported minor differences between Bachmann's coupling and others (certainly the Peco ones on the Kato loco) that are irritating but can be solved.
(*DCC is a little different as the Kato locos need their chips hard-wired but the other (afaik) have one form of DCC socket or other (Next18 in the Bachmanns anmd I think 6 pin in the Heljan))
#85
Locomotives / Re: Transportation/Storage Box...
Last post by I E Pickvance - March 13, 2026, 06:13Really useful boxes are ...er...really useful and I use old pill cartons,they're small, strong and easily labelled. They're handy for small items like figures and animals, benches etc.
#86
Rolling stock / Re: 009 vs H0e
Last post by Andy Lowman - March 12, 2026, 17:26Many thanks for the answers. It was, as I expected, ok especially as I don't intend to mix different brand locos.
#87
Rolling stock / Re: 009 vs H0e
Last post by JulienW - March 12, 2026, 12:24As Brian points out you can hit snags with mixing HO (1:87) and OO (1:76) scales, especially with something that in real life - like the WW1 Baldwins mentioned - should be much the same size.
Generally though as the rtr 009 locos you mention are for 2' gauge and physically smaller in real life than the 760mm (2' 6") gauge Liliput HOe coaches (very like the Welshpool stock) the differences in the 2 scales seem to balance themselves out on the layout.
What you may get though is a noticeable difference in height that's related to the loading gauge of the full size railways. To get an idea of what I mean compare the size of a Ffestiniog Farlie or 'Mainline' Hunslet to an NGG16 Garratt towering over them from the other side of Porthmadoc Harbour station platform - yet both are running on 2' gauge track!
Whilst there isn't any RTR NGG16 you can get a similar effect mixing the Heljan L&B locos with Ffestiniog stock (especially bug boxes), and I suspect the forthcoming Model Rail Vale of Rheidol 2-6-2s will be of a similar size to the L&B stuff.
I think the key thing is that yes, the difference in height can be an issue for some, and not just by mixing scales but also different railways at oposit ends of the 'narrow gauge' envelope.
Ultimately you'll need to decide if you can live with it or not, but then then it is your railway (and rule 1 applies in that you are the only one you need to please).
Generally though as the rtr 009 locos you mention are for 2' gauge and physically smaller in real life than the 760mm (2' 6") gauge Liliput HOe coaches (very like the Welshpool stock) the differences in the 2 scales seem to balance themselves out on the layout.
What you may get though is a noticeable difference in height that's related to the loading gauge of the full size railways. To get an idea of what I mean compare the size of a Ffestiniog Farlie or 'Mainline' Hunslet to an NGG16 Garratt towering over them from the other side of Porthmadoc Harbour station platform - yet both are running on 2' gauge track!
Whilst there isn't any RTR NGG16 you can get a similar effect mixing the Heljan L&B locos with Ffestiniog stock (especially bug boxes), and I suspect the forthcoming Model Rail Vale of Rheidol 2-6-2s will be of a similar size to the L&B stuff.
I think the key thing is that yes, the difference in height can be an issue for some, and not just by mixing scales but also different railways at oposit ends of the 'narrow gauge' envelope.
Ultimately you'll need to decide if you can live with it or not, but then then it is your railway (and rule 1 applies in that you are the only one you need to please).
#88
Rolling stock / Re: 009 vs H0e
Last post by Robin Webster - March 11, 2026, 18:55I mix both Hoe and 009. In my case I like shunting so both are mixed.
Robin.
Robin.
#89
Rolling stock / Re: 009 vs H0e
Last post by B.Meldon - March 11, 2026, 12:15In a word, yes you will be fine.
When it comes to size it is all down to the individual loco and coach.
For example the FR locos have low roof lines, but something like the Snailbeach 'Dennis' is much bigger.
What is best to avoid is exact comparisons, for example having the Minitrains 2-6-2 Baldwin that is H0 scale, next to a Bachmann 4-6-0 Baldwin that is 00 scale. They should be the same size, but the Minitrains loco is quite a bit smaller.
The Liliput coaches are models of 2'6" gauge prototypes that are larger in the real world than many of the coaches on the 2' gauge UK lines anyway.
There are also big H0e coaches, the classic example is the Liliput bogie coaches, these, with a different colour scheme are sold by Bachmann as part of their 009 range! There are also many examples in the real world where there is a big difference between the height of locos and the coaches they pull.
When it comes to size it is all down to the individual loco and coach.
For example the FR locos have low roof lines, but something like the Snailbeach 'Dennis' is much bigger.
What is best to avoid is exact comparisons, for example having the Minitrains 2-6-2 Baldwin that is H0 scale, next to a Bachmann 4-6-0 Baldwin that is 00 scale. They should be the same size, but the Minitrains loco is quite a bit smaller.
The Liliput coaches are models of 2'6" gauge prototypes that are larger in the real world than many of the coaches on the 2' gauge UK lines anyway.
There are also big H0e coaches, the classic example is the Liliput bogie coaches, these, with a different colour scheme are sold by Bachmann as part of their 009 range! There are also many examples in the real world where there is a big difference between the height of locos and the coaches they pull.
#90
Rolling stock / 009 vs H0e
Last post by Andy Lowman - March 11, 2026, 11:44If anyone can help then it would be appreciated. I'm considering getting some H0e coaches (the plain green ones 344xxx - 2 wheel bogies) from Liliput. These will be run on a rural English 009 layout but I'm not concerned about the UK vs European variance in style as this layout has had it's exhibition days and is now just for 'private' use. What I'd like to find out is; does anyone run H0e rolling stock with Bachmann 009 locos (Double Fairlie, Baldwin, Mainline Hunslet etc) and if so is there a noticeable difference in size (height) between loco and coach to the point where it 'screams out' that it's wrong. I don't mind a difference as long as the loco and coach don't look silly and, in general, look ok. I know that anyone's view will be subjective but I hope that someone can help that maybe runs 009 locos and H0e coaches together or someone who has seen the aforementioned combination. Many thanks.