HLR Ratiobash fleet

[invercloy]

Need we say more?

I think not, thank you for your reply, Rhobat.

[pilotfriend]

OK, I take the point and withdraw the comments. The waist still seems too low to me although, yes, they look good as did MickTs.

The ratios shown by TedP do confirm that the lower panel height is a tad small though and that is what I was detecting.

[MickT]

And I do think that " a tad" is about the measure of it:

Ratio: 11:11:3
Dundas Eisteddford coach 12:10:3

So a well known 2ft gauge coach (if the Dundas model is accurate - but I think everyone will agree that it does "look right") which is only 1mm, or 3 inches scale different in the lower panel to window height ratio on a coach side that is the same overall height as the Ratio

Mick

[tedp]

OK, I take the point and withdraw the comments. The waist still seems too low to me although, yes, they look good as did MickTs.

The ratios shown by TedP do confirm that the lower panel height is a tad small though and that is what I was detecting.

My measurements are lower panel and waist combined. If you like I can check the lower and waist ratio on the examples I measured. Anyway there is a clear difference between an L&B coach side and anything wider gauge. The Ratio sides look a bit like the Swilly or Ballycastle coach sides. The L&B and even the Festiniog sides due to their small windows have a much taller low/waist measurement.

[pilotfriend]

I suppose that the crux of the matter is that as in Pug bashes, in no time flat, they appear on every 009 layout and their dog's.

For me the windows are just too deep. I still find it hard to believe that any NG coach of the period would have similar sized windows to standard gauge.

[rhobat bryn]

For me the windows are just too deep.

And of course we're all entitled to our different perspective on these matters; your view is just as valid as anyone else's.

I still find it hard to believe that any NG coach of the period would have similar sized windows to standard gauge.

In spite of the evidence presented?  Or is it simply a matter of belief?

I suppose that the crux of the matter is that ... in no time flat, they appear on every 009 layout and their dog's.

And that's a problem because ...?

[pilotfriend]

"In spite of the evidence presented?  Or is it simply a matter of belief?"

I am in Oz so am unable to reference my own library. I looked at Ratio sides a long time ago and could find no NG coaches (Irish included) that had windows that deep. Some years ago, I did model an Irish NG layout for a client. I remember wishing that the Ratio sides had been in H0!


"And that's a problem because ...?"

A personal belief that if a great amount of time is invested in creating a history, etc. such as is the case with Toms layout, then a great freelance modelling opportunity is lost to develop unique 'in house' rolling stock. Despite what it seems, I am a real fan of Tom's work BTW.

Damn, Rhobat, you ARE going to be a good lawyer! ;D

[invercloy]

...a great freelance modelling opportunity is lost to develop unique 'in house' rolling stock.

But that's just what I'm doing, John, regardless of whether you think they look odd or not.

Not many people make the effort to chop ratio sides about, and by doing so their appearance can be altered quite a bit - look a the observation coach.  A variety of these alterations mixed with 'standard' sides gives a nice uniform feel to the passenger stock.

Ratiobashes do look a little odd when built with a thin (typical FR size) loading gauge, but when wider like several of us do, their appearance is more balanced. 

I don't see how they detract from the layout, the history, or the research.

Can you leave it there please as we are clearly not going to agree, and I wish to continue my thread on their construction.

[MickT]

Can you leave it there please as we are clearly not going to agree, and I wish to continue my thread on their construction.

Totally agree Tom, looking forward to seeing continued progress - perhaps including the new pair of composite sides you found on the sales table at Barton Le Clay yesterday?!

Mick

[invercloy]

Two pairs actually, Mick, so there will be at least two more ratio bashes in addition to the 9 I've got on the go at present  ;D

[tedp]

Well, it seems you're going to have quite a fleet of coaching stock. So the boat train is already under way! Shades of the Ballymena & Larne, or of the Cork, Blackrock & Passage... I'm looking forward to see your 'scab red' compartment stock train coming into the pier station.

I used Ratio and even Tri-ang clerestory sides for my compartment carriages, with a few made up from Continental carriage sides and one or two scratchbuilt. I have two sets of Ratio GWR sides waiting (a third and a third brake), and one set of what I think is Midland bogie carriage sides. The latter might be turned into two short six-wheelers. Incidentally I have three old Minitrix bogie chassis that are almost the right size to use as running gear. Mick's preferred WHR Eisteddfod coach will make a good contrast to the Ratiobashes, but that's for the future.

[invercloy]

I'm going to continue building in the same vein for now, but like Mick has done I may begin to diversify at some point.

I'd really like an LNER era train with some teak coaches for a bit of fun.

The short 6 wheelers you are planning sound interesting, I would like to make a directors saloon on a 6 wheel chassis, as we discussed on NGRM.

[tedp]

I think Mick has done panorama windows on one of his Ratiobashes.

A short six-wheeler would probably have a different type chassis from the long ones I have. The Fleischmann six-wheelers are probably too short for my purpose. I have some ideas but not yet fully worked out.

[invercloy]

I've got panorama windows in two of mine, based on the Metroploitan built saloons on the IoMR.


Top left and just below the observation coach.

[tedp]

A shorty six-wheeler with panorama windows would make a nice Director's coach.

It's interesting that you refer to the IOM. That was a railway with a huge variety of carriages most of them sharing a family look. They were quite different from other railways' stock - no waist panelling to begin with. Ratiobashes at least give you an opportunity to create a big passenger fleet with a family likeness.

Although you have looked at the Swilly, I suggest you also try and find out about the Cork, Blackrock & Passage. This was a busy passenger carrying railway and there is much similarity between their stock and the Ratio sides. I have always been intrigued by a photo of a train alongside the platform at Carrigaline that crops up in various publications. I must get a book on the Passage some time.  ::)