I’ve been looking at the Garratt engine from Eureka models and have considered ordering one, weathered and with DCC/sound. But I would like to know how you guys feels about it.
Does it have good running characteristics?
How detailed is it?
Since this will be mostly display item I’m more concerned about the amount of details and correctness. Also, are their any suitable cars/hoppers to put behind it? I know nothing about Australian railroads but I love those Garratts after seeing one on Discovery. That was from Africa but still. I love those Garratts and I feel that I will have to get one sooner or later.
Magnus, I don’t have a 60 class model myself, but a few of my mates do, they all seem quite happy with them. There was a detailed review in the last AMRM, I can PM you a copy if you like. The overall consensus is that it’s an accurate model.
Most of the rollingstock commonly associated with the 60 class is available in either kit or RTR. Trainorama do RTR “blacks”, if that’s what takes your fancy, but you’d need a lot of them. If you wanted to model a prototypical consist for one of these engines without taking up too much space, you could consider the bogie opens - gondolas - that were used on W44, the zinc concentrate train from Broken Hill to Sulphide Junction.
Thanks Mark, I was hoping that you would answer. I would love it if you could PM that review.
Do you have any links to those cars? For me, if it saves me some cash I’m not afraid of building a few kits. I like building them as long as the kits are complete with trucks and have good detail. Do these engines easily adapt to Kadee’s? As I said I know NOTHING about the Australian railways. How many cars would be correct?
I’m sucker for hoppers so any links to appropriate such would be great. Also are their any books about them available?
Yes, the wheelsets are NRMA compliant. The garratts are only available direct from the importer http://eurekamodels.com.au/ The outside Australia buying price (with sound) is AU$850 plus shipping. Aussies have to pay an extra 10% government tax! I’d like to be able to afford one.
I have two and they look, run and sound great. I’ve been in love with them since I was a kid, sadly I never got to see one run, my only memory of them is long lines of them at Enfield yard waiting to be scrapped[:(].
The QSI sound is probably better than any other steamer I have as the speakers are in the boiler, not the tender, so the sound is coming from where it should be! I wish other manufacturers would at least add a small speaker below the stack on their steam engines, it would sound so much better !
Getting back to the AD60, it’s really well detailed, with a lot of fine parts, downside is it makes handling the loco very difficult, you must exercise a great deal of care ! It’s not a problem to assemble the tender/ boiler / bunker though as the connectors are a push fit, put it on the tracks and push it together. It has RP25 wheels & Kadees already installed.
Make sure you buy one WITH sound NOT DCC ready, as removing the boiler is EXTREMELY difficult. Also I would not purchase a weathered model as I feel it leaves a lot to be desired, at least if you get a “clean” one you can weather it to your own tastes !
They will not pull a great deal from the reports that I have read, though I can’t confirm as my test track is level so grades are not an issue to me. I’ve had the boiler off one and there is room for weight in there, but I haven’t pulled the shell off the tender or bunker yet to see if there is room in there.
Eureka are releasing coal hopper train packs for these later this year consisting of I think ten hoppers and a guards van. You can also pick up S & K trucks and other steam era stuff off online auctions for the right price, always plenty listed on OZ EB.
Hope this helps you out Magnus, you must nearly need a wharehouse for all your models by now !!!
I did find at an other store but I want to order it from him since I’ve understood that he is a one man band and a great guy. But I was more thinking of rolling stock since he doesn’t have any as far as I know.
Virtually all the freight stock with a one,two or three letter coding ran in the steam era and is thus suitable to run behind a garratt. I would suggest BCH, BWH or GP wagons if you prefer bogie rolling stock. You will find heaps of kits for 4 wheeled rolling stock, as in the UK four wheelers ran right through and past the steam era. Don’t forget a brake van (Aussie caboose) You will need to read the fine print, not all the kits will come complete.
Other than that Australian E Bay always has stuff, as somebody elese has mentioned.
Be glad you do not live in Sweden. I’m gonna have to pay 25 percent sales tax to Sweden when it gets here! Plus, they will charge me almost 20 AUD just for doing that.
Thank you all who have contributed. I will check out some stores that you guys linked. I’m still on the fence about ordering one since their is a lot of other things going on right now but I’m awfully tempted. It’s such a unique piece of rolling stock.
I have owned a Eureka 60 class sound garratt for just over 12 months now, and can attest that it sees most of running on my layout. It is the first sound loco I have owned and adds that extra value of driving trains on a model layout.
I was lucky enough in my youth to have ridden in the cab of these magnificant locos. One cab ride was near the end of steam in the early 70’s here between Gosford and Broadmeadow (north of Sydney) and we came to a halt on a rising grade. I think the fireman knew little about steam locos and the driver had to take over to get us moving again, cab full of steam and plenty of stack talk. (memories)
The garratt was going to be a retirement present to my self in a few years, but I told my wife I might as well be enjoying it now. I told her to look upon it as an investment.
I enjoy turning the lights off in the shed and sit back and listen to it slowly work its way around the room with the light shining out on the cliff walls.
I believe the sound garratts supply are starting to run low, so don’t delay if you are thinking of getting one. They have done a great job with the sound.
The reason I’m wondering because I read something on an Australian forum about different code rails and there seemed to be some confusion? Or maybe it was just me! [:D]
The Gerratts were refered to as “Push me Pull you” engines in our group. Most unusual locomotives in appearance just like the Southern Pacific Cab Forwards.
No sales tax here in Oregon so the price on the box is what you would pay for it. If the price of something is $20 that is all you pay. In Washington just across the river the sales tax varies by where you live. Most of the state it is 7.8% but in the Seattle-Tacoma area it is just short of 10%.
Don’t even think about a car in Washington. Cars are taxed four times and then the plates ot top of that.