British N Scale resources and manufacturers

[Darren Jeffries]

Heres a list of N Gauge suppliers, manufacturers and sources of information. Its meant as a helpful guide for all N Gauge modellers. These are British based, and I am working on one for each of USA, Canada and Austrailia.

 

If you'd like to add something post a link here and I'll add it to the list.

 

Name:Graham Farish

Website: www.grahamfarish.co.uk 

Products\services: Manufacturer of RTR Locos and Rolling stock

Comments: Largest range of British outline RTR, now owned by Bachmann

 

Name: Dapol

Website: www.dapol.co.uk

Products\services: Manufacturer of RTR Locos and Rolling stock

Comments: British company that moved into N gauge in recent years

 

Name: Peco

Website: www.peco-uk.com

Products\services: Manufacturer of track, accesories, lineside items, RTR stock and (1) loco!

Comments: High Quality trackwork and accesories

 

Name: N Brass Locos

Website: www.nbrasslocos.co.uk

Products\services: Etched brass loco kits, Catenary and lineside accesories

Comments: Good range of unique products

 

Name: N Gauge Society

Website: www.ngaugesociety.com

Products\services: Range of kits available only to members

Comments: Long standing society, produces regular journal for members and arranges the annual N Gauge show

 

Name: N Gauge lines

Website: www.ngaugelines.co.uk

Products\services: Supplier of N Gauge products

Comments: Regularly attend exhibitions

 

Name: Gem Model Railways

Website: www.gemmodelrailways.co.uk

Products\services: Manufacture Loco kits and other items

Comments:

 

Name: Heathcote Electronics

Website: www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk

Products\services: Model railway specific electronics modules

Comments:Good range of versatile model railway electronics products such as train detection and signalling

 

Name: BR Lines

Website: www.brlines.co.uk

Products\services: Suppliers of Graham Farish spares, also provides a loco maintenance\repair service

Comments:Extensive range of spares and good reputation

 

Name: Worsley Works

Website: www.worsleyworks.freeserve.co.uk

Products\services: Etched Brass Kits

Comments:Supplier of Etched brass loco and rolling stock kits

 

Name: Langley Models

Website: www.langleymodels.co.uk/acatalog/Shop_Front_N_Scale__1_148th__Kits_51.html

Products\services: Whitemetal parts and locomotive body kits

Comments: Manufacturer of detaild scenic items and rolling stock.

 

Name: Ian Stoate Models

Website: www.ismodels.co.uk

Products/services: Manufacturers and suppliers of specialist N Gauge Models

Comments: Produces and supplies a good range of diesel locomotive kits and supplies those of other manufactureres.

 

Name: Taylor Precision Models

Website: www.tpmodels.co.uk

Products/services: Manufacturer of locomotive kits and detailing components.

Comments: High quality locomotive and rolling stock kits and detailing parts

 

Name: B H Enterprises

Website: www.bhenterprises.freeserve.co.uk

Products/services: Brass, whitemetal and plastic kits.

Comments: Large range of kits and detailing components

 

Name: Model Junction

Website: http://www.modeljunction.info

Products/services: Suppliers of American outline stock, plastic kits and accessories, including Walthers.

Comments: Many of the kits can be easily adapted to British outline.

 

Name: Design Preservation Models

Website: www.dpmkits.com

Products/services: American supplier of plastic kits, many of which can be adapted to British outline.

Comments: DPM kits are also available from Bachmann http://www.bachmann.co.uk/prod1.php4?prod_selected=scenics&prod=6

 

Name: Bachman Europe

Website: www.bachmann.co.uk

Products/services: -

Comments: Parent company of Graham Farish

 

Name: -

Website: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/scorpion_24v/RW%20stuff/Dimsmono2.jpg

Products/services: Information

Comments: Standard dimensions and clearances for track and track-side structures for all modeling gauges.

 

Name:British N Gauge resource

Website: http://www.ngauge.org.uk/

Products\services: Information

Comments: Website provides information on British N Gauge diesels

 

Name:CJM Models

Website: http://www.cjmmodels.co.uk/

Products\services: Manufacturer of custom Diesel locos

Comments: Manufactures and supplies Diesel locos and provides a customization service

[Guest bill937ca]

This shows what you can do in N scale  if you really want to.

 

http://www.therailwaychannel.com/new%20pages%20feb%202008/seige_street.html

 

Too much cleaning--rails, wheels, overhead, collection shoes-- for me.  ;D  I'll stick to my Japanese trains with fake overhead.  :D

[Bernard]

Unbelievable! Another great find by Bill. I wonder how long it took them to make this layout since they had to make the trams themselves. I agree, Bill, too much work involved but boy, was it great to view.

[robmellor]

How about MG Sharp? They are the only UK Kato stockist that I know of....

http://www.mgsharp.com/

[CaptOblivious]

How about MG Sharp? They are the only UK Kato stockist that I know of....

http://www.mgsharp.com/

I'm not sure how that got left out! Of course MG Sharp! Thanks for filling in the gap, Rob.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Wellington Models also supply some Japanese outline - they have an ebay shop.

 

Osbornes also supply some limited stock http://www.osbornsmodels.com/japanese-71-c.asp

 

For UK outline we also have a new entrant - Ixion models. http://www.ixionmodels.com/welcome_page.htm

 

They have had a bit of a faux pas with their first release, however fingers crossed this will settle down and some decent new models will come from them...

 

We also have Union Mills models, who produce a number of smaller tender steam engines (they have no website as such, however contact details are available http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/suppliers/456-Union_Mills_Models). Their latest creation - the ex-LSWR 700 class - is a lovely little model, although as with all things produced here a little crude in comparison with the Japanese stuff).

[quinntopia]

Although I live in the states, MG Sharp was the only place I could find online that had the Kato Thalys 'coupler's for the motor car connection to the transition car (M1 to M2 or something).  Really got me out of jam.  Of course, now that I've been exposed to more Japanese specific shops (or shoppes) I am sure there are other sources that I wasn't aware of.

[domino]

This guy i have bought from many times, shipping cost is fair, he has a huge collection of Unitrack in stock

 

http://www.traintrax.co.uk/index.php

 

 

 

domino

[Claude_Dreyfus]

I've used this guy a couple of times. He is certainly very good in terms of available stock and shipping, as well as being competitive...

[Omega Tau]

I have a Dapol Intercity 125 Executive 8-car set.  Bought the original 4-car standard set when it was still available for 125 British Pounds on the Model Railways Direct website  (Now its up to 145.60)  The one thing I love about it, is that they have super easy install couplers on the locomotives and carriages.  My one gripe is also said couplers.  You have to be careful when installing and removing the couplers.  You might accidentally bend the coupling mounts and cause the mounts to be uneven.  This makes the coaches separate if you tracks are uneven, have bumps, are sudden elevation changes.  I switched the couplers that came with it to the Fleischmann Profli Couplings.  Makes it look more like the actual prototype and less likely to loose coaches while running.

 

http://www.modelrailwaysdirect.co.uk

[serotta1972]

So tempted to get an Intercity 125 HST, there was a book back in grade school that I used to always check out and it had the high speed trains from different countries and I vividly remember just looking at pictures of the Bullet Train from Japan, TGV from France, Intercity 125 from the UK and ICE from Germany. I already have the first 2, now I want the other 2. Im always looking for a good reason to buy another train.

Edited March 27, 2016 by serotta1972

[railsquid]

Got 'em all :D Though unfortunately the Dapol 125 is mechanically a bit disappointing, and Dapol have a history of livery errors (though that doesn't worry me too much).

 

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=1330.0

[serotta1972]

Thanks Squid for the link - very helpful info.  I'm looking at the Dapol, are there any other options? Been checking out videos on Youtube and it looks pretty good.  Hmmmm, decision decisions!  Actually might have to hold off right now because I have too many trains on Pre-Order and 2 of them are European.

[railsquid]

Being a British model, you pretty much have the choice of one (1) manufacturer. Graham Farish did produce a much more primitive version, in the 1980s/1990s AFAIK.

[serotta1972]

Ah, and I read some not so good stuff about that particular model.  I was browsing through TrainTrax and he had this on there.

 

http://www.traintrax.co.uk/101297-kato-eurostar-2015-class-015016-powered-p-1208.html

 

Are certain European models not advertised on the Kato Website?  I've not seen this until now unless it was announced and I just missed it.  I kinda like the new livery.

 

Now the decision is am I willing to spring $200 for a 4 car train. Probably if I really want it. 

[Melandir]

Guys can you kindly help me?

 

I'd like to model the Hogwarts Express train for my daughter, does any of you know that kind of coaches and locomotive I should use for N scale?

[railsquid]

Guys can you kindly help me?

 

I'd like to model the Hogwarts Express train for my daughter, does any of you know that kind of coaches and locomotive I should use for N scale?

 

Locomotive is a GWR 4-6-0 Hall Class painted an LMS-style crimson, is or was available from Farish (but not in that livery), coaches are crimson BR Mk1s, currently available from Farish (very nice too, just don't look at the price tag if used to Japanese conditions).

[Melandir]

Locomotive is a GWR 4-6-0 Hall Class painted an LMS-style crimson, is or was available from Farish (but not in that livery), coaches are crimson BR Mk1s, currently available from Farish (very nice too, just don't look at the price tag if used to Japanese conditions).

 

Thanks Squid

 

I'm accustomed to the price of Italian models in N scale and they are probably worse than Farish ones

A fellow club member bought a set of four italian coaches and spent more than what I did for my entire Kato Cassiopeia + EF510 + internal lights

 

Here were I found the informations needed to compose the train

http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/harry-potter.htm

 

I really don't know which loco to choose form, the correct one or the wrong one in the correct livery

 

1x Hall Class I have found this one from Dapol, but it's not in the correct livery

http://www.ehattons.com/58871/Dapol_2S_010_003D_Class_49xx_Hall_steam_locomotive_4958_Priory_Hall_in_GWR_lined_green_DCC_fitted/StockDetail.aspx

 

1x Royal Scot this is the wrong Loco but with the correct livery

http://www.ehattons.com/61135/Graham_Farish_372_578_Class_6P_Rebuilt_Royal_Scot_4_6_0_6100_Royal_Scot_in_LMS_Crimson_as_preserved_/StockDetail.aspx

 

 

3x BR Mk1 composite corridor

http://www.ehattons.com/107764/Graham_Farish_374_257C_BR_Mk1_CK_Composite_M16005_in_Corridor_Maroon/StockDetail.aspx

 

1x Brake coach

http://www.ehattons.com/61042/Graham_Farish_374_084A_Mk1_BCK_Brake_Corridor_Composite_Maroon_Weathered/StockDetail.aspx

 

 

I'll think about it

[beakaboy]

I purchased a GWR Hall class Farish loco a few years ago to run on our clubs old N scale English layout. It was the newer model by Bachmann and I was very impressed with the running quality, fine scale wheels and how quiet it ran. I would certainly recommend one if you can track one down.

Edited March 30, 2016 by beakaboy

[railsquid]

I really don't know which loco to choose form, the correct one or the wrong one in the correct livery

 

1x Hall Class I have found this one from Dapol, but it's not in the correct livery

http://www.ehattons.com/58871/Dapol_2S_010_003D_Class_49xx_Hall_steam_locomotive_4958_Priory_Hall_in_GWR_lined_green_DCC_fitted/StockDetail.aspx

 

1x Royal Scot this is the wrong Loco but with the correct livery

http://www.ehattons.com/61135/Graham_Farish_372_578_Class_6P_Rebuilt_Royal_Scot_4_6_0_6100_Royal_Scot_in_LMS_Crimson_as_preserved_/StockDetail.aspx

 

Oh, didn't know Dapol did a Hall too. Not that I'm very up-to-date on British steam locos.

 

Anyway unless someone brings out a Harry Potter-themed Hall in N (I think there's a Harry Potter set in OO), you'll either have to repaint a Hall yourself, or go with an LMS model.

[gavino200]

I just came across this Dapol/Kato collaboration, while searching a German site. I know that Kato works with Lemke, but I've didn't know they did joint ventures with Dapol. I looked on the Dapol website and there doesn't seem to be any mention of these sets. How much collaboration is there between Kato and Dapol.

 

https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Kato_GMKS005.html

 

At some stage I'll probably get some British trains. Mostly out of nostalgia, I'd pick up some the models I liked but couldn't afford when I was a kid. Like the Scotsman, Mallard, or APT. I was OO back then and mostly Hornby and Lima. I don't know much about Dapol. What's the quality like in general? I'm somewhat reassured by them having an association with Kato. Should I be?

 

 

[railsquid]

I think that set is a commission by Gaugemaster, I don't think there's a direct Dapol/Kato collection.

 

Dapol do some very nice locos, but they are mildly notorious for electrical failures, particularly locomotive directional lighting, so purchasing from somewhere with a good returns policy is essential.

 

If you're not too bothered about the latest detail, the older Minitrix versions of the Scotsman etc. are very reliable and can be found relatively cheaply 2nd hand (see  here ).

 

APT-wise you might be in luck as there are two crowdsourcing projects at the moment:

 

http://www.revolutiontrains.com/apt-e/

http://durhamtrainsofstanley.co.uk/my_store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=368

 

 

[Kiha66]

I remember hearing that the APT model is due to rapido's upcoming release of the Turbotrain, as they plan to use as many parts as possible from the turbo to reduce costs for the APT.  I know one or two members of the local club already have it on order.

[cteno4]

Model Railway Signs. For signs in 1970s BR blue in N and OO. Also Welsh narrow gauge section.

 

http://Www.modelrailwaysigns.com 

 

jeff

[Cat]

Ooh, an outstanding ferry and layout!  [edit: wait, I'm sure there was a ferry layout here when I typed this reply; must have sailed away in the fog...]

I just ordered your [first?] set of Japanese signs, looking forward to them.

Yesterday was a UK shopping day for me.  Also put in an order with Rails of Sheffield for a handful of Peco 15ft wagon chasses.  They will provide the foundation for some extra short flat wagons to go with our B-Train Shorties.  Since we'll be using them to transport our Girls und Panzer tanks, it will work just fine that the frames are from a much earlier time period and different country!  Each 15 footer will be able to carry one tank.  A Shorty Koki would be too long for just one tank, and too short for two.  A 50' Warflat from the N Gauge Society could carry two, but is too long to look at home in a Shorty world.

Edited July 9, 2020 by Cat