Las 39 0-6-0, H0e scale

[Siwi]

Hi all.

This is a model from our downloads section of the Polish narrow-gauge tank engine Las 39 0-6-0. The scale is referred to variously as HOe, HOn30, or HOn3, and is a 1:87 scale model using 1:148-1:160 N scale track. The real locomotive operates on a heritage railway at a place called Rudy. I believe there is a much larger scale version produced by Modelik available.



I don't like to criticise free kits much, so I will just say that the build experience was 'interesting'. There is a page of instructional diagrams but it takes quite some head-scratching to figure out what goes exactly where and especially what order to glue things in place, and also how to fold and curve parts. I did not attach every single part of the drive and valve gear since some pieces were utterly miniscule and a long time was already spent studying pictures of the real locomotive to determine where all the pieces went. I did make a significant mistake in reinforcing the base with thick card but not drilling out the axle holes in line, which makes it look like the centre wheels are raised. Really I should have cut off the axle and just glued the wheels to the base, but they might have then been out of alignment with the other axles. This build did give me some insights for when I eventually design steam locomotives of my own.

Some minor enhancements include adding rivets, opening the rear doors of the cab, and adding the steps and handrails around the cab. Note how small this appears next to the also-not-large railbus in the same scale. There are some passenger and coal wagons also available to go with this that I may try in the future.

[Don Boose]

Whatever challenges the kit may have presented, you have constructed a splendid model of this locomotive, Simon!

Don

[ReynoldsSlumber]

Sprightly little plugger, nicely assembled!

Hmm, I was thinking of making some trains in 1:144, but maybe that would be too small for adequate detail.

[Siwi]

Originally Posted by ReynoldsSlumber

Sprightly little plugger, nicely assembled!

Hmm, I was thinking of making some trains in 1:144, but maybe that would be too small for adequate detail.

I design modern multiple units in 1:148 scale, however those are much simpler outlines than steamers, being essentially a tube with wheels underneath. I think 1:87 is about the limit for sucessfully modelling the complex combination of shapes and the small parts of the drive gear and domes.

[Millimodels]

My Millimodels range are at 1/200 scale.

I am considering marketing rescaled versions at 1/100, 1/120 and 1/148 scales, old 3mm TT, new TT120 and British N scales.

Anyone interested?

Robin

[Michael Mash]

Very well done (tiny) locomotive.
It looks larger, until seen in hand.

[Siwi]

Originally Posted by Millimodels

My Millimodels range are at 1/200 scale.

I am considering marketing rescaled versions at 1/100, 1/120 and 1/148 scales, old 3mm TT, new TT120 and British N scales.

Anyone interested?

Robin

Up to you, but to provide this range of scales it might be as well to sell as digital downloads on ecards, and instruct the builder what percentage to print at to get a particular scale. I had a look at your offerings and can see the inspiration from the old Micromodels. Impressive that they go together in 1/200 scale, although as mentioned previously, I feel to get any kind of fine detail OO or HO is about the minimum for steam.

[Millimodels]

I was thinking of setting up PDF files in each scale for download so that the purchaser did not have to do the scaling.

As I am using the Micromodel system of construction I don't like the look of the wheels once I get larger than 1/100 scale, even though I am adding an overlay layer. It would mean changing to a more 3D version to get it to work visually.

Example phot attached.

Robin

[Siwi]

As the scale increases the designer does have to consider how much more relief is needed to be satisfactory. Given the difficulties of constructing the drive gear on the model in this thread, supplying a single overlay piece for the rods would probably suffice up to 1/100. Starting with an older inside cylinder loco that has only a simple connecting rod might be a good test of this.