Königlich Württembergische Staats-Eisenbahnen
Passenger carriages
HISTORISCHER EISENBAHNVEREIN SCHWABEN
Introduction
Rolling-stock
AVAILABLE 0e MODELS
Fleischmann Magic Train
Märklin Minex
Fama / Roco
CONVERSIONS
Märklin Minex passenger carriages
Fleischmann box van #1
Fleischmann box van #2
Re-gauging the Fama Tm 2/2
 Schöma Tm2/2 |
 K.W.St.E. passenger coaches |
Other articles will appear as time permits |
Introduction
Though popular before the second world war 0-scale has declined in favour since as homes have gotten smaller; 0-scale layouts simply take up too much space in most people's homes. As a result, there has only been limited support for 0-scale in recent years, and modelling narrow-gauge in 0-scale is even less common. (See note below)
There have been a few companies who have ventured in to modelling 750mm/760mm (2'6") gauge in 0-scale as this allows the use of common H0-scale track-work and mechanisms. In recent years, Bachmann has released a reasonably large range of 0n30 (US-prototype) models and these have been well received. Many modellers in the US however point out that there were very few 2'6" gauge lines in the US and the models are therefore a compromise when modelling 3' gauge (the most common US narrow gauge). However, 16.5mm gauge scales to almost exactly 750mm or 760mm gauge which is much more common in Europe; in particular Germany and railways of the former Austro-Hungarian empire.
Though there are a number of specialist companies in Europe that make models in 0e, there have only been two real offerings from mass-market companies; Fleischmann and Märklin. Märklin's Minex range was only available for two years in the 1970s; though they show up on eBay fairly frequently. Though available for a longer period (1992-2009), Fleischmann have now stopped producing their Magic Train range though it is still available in many shops. Neither the Fleischmann nor Märklin ranges were large and were mostly variations on a few core models. That said, you can assemble quite a nice small layout with just a few models.
Märklin used their standard 3-rail AC for
their Minex range so if you want to use the rolling-stock, you will need to
change the wheels, whereas the locos will take rather more effort to convert to
2-rail DC.
My ideas
I have always been fascinated by narrow-gauge railways and though I have dabbled in other scales and gauges, I have always tended to drift back to narrow-gauge after a time.
Having worked in Bavaria for 15 months back in the early 1990s I have an interest in the narrow gauge railways of southern Germany, notably Baden Württemberg, rather than the more common 750mm gauge lines in Saxony.
I am looking at making some small modules in 0e and once we settle on where we will finally live, these can be built in to a larger layout.
Note that the "scale" of 0-scale varies: Germany = 1:43.5 or 1:45, UK = 7mm to 1' (1:43.5), US = 1:48
Copyright © John Oxlade, 2009-2010 | Site last updated: 14th January 2010 | This page last updated 15th December 2009