Over the summer my wife and I travelled to Ukraine to adopt our 3 yo son. We took several trips between Kiev and Kharkiv. I become interested in finding out if anyone has a layout or knows where I could find some information on buying some models. I would like to make a small layout maybe 2X4 based on this segment of the country.
Any and all info would be welcomed.
Happy 2005!
Trains in Russia are Broad Gauge (5 feet) between the rails, as opposed to most other countries’ 4 foot 8-1/2" gauge. I’ve never seen models of modern-day Russian trains offered anywhere, and if they are they probably are re-scaled to run on regular HO or N track.
The Russian Decapod steam locomotive, a 2-10-0 made by Bachmann a few years ago, was a model of a locomotive that had been ordered by Tsar Nicholas prior to the Bolshevik Revolution. Baldwin Locomotive Works had contracted to build several hundred Decapods for the Russian government, and some had been delivered. After the revolution, Baldwin refitted the wheels on undelivered locomotives so they would run on U.S. trackage, and they were subsequently bought by the USRA during World War I and were provided to various railroads. Because they were intended for delivery to Russia, the Decapods had larger-than-normal boilers.
Frank,
There are relatively few models available of Russian and Ukrainian trains, but Russian locomotives and cars were used in other countries where models are readily available.
Models are (or have been) available of (East) German diesel classes 120 and 132 which prototypes were built in Russia, and are the same as Russian classes M62 and TE109 (respectively). The 132 in particular is available in both HO and N. My comments below refer to HO models.
Chinese railways used Russian style passenger cars, and Bachmann make a model of the ribbed side green YZ21 coach car which should be suitable with just a change of lettering - even the green colour is correct.
Freight cars from European sources could be modified to look like Russian cars.
In steam locomotives, the Frisco “Russian Decapod” 2-10-0 is a model of a prototype locomotive built for Russia but used in the USA after the 1917 revolution. An excellent undecorated model is available, and this could be lettered using photographs of Russian locomotives.
Another steam locomotive that could be used is the Bachmann model of the Chinese QJ class which was a Russian design, and looked very like the Russian class “LV” 2-10-2 locomotive (although it was longer and has a larger tender).
The English magazine “Continental Modeller” has had articles on Russian models. This magazine is published by “Peco” who make model track sold in the USA. Your local hobby shop may be able to get this magazine for you.
“Trainworld” in Brooklyn NY advertise the Bachmann Russian Decapod and some Chinese models, and might be able to advise you of other models.
It would be nice for your son to have a model to remind him of his earlier years, as well as a souvenir of your visit. Best of Luck!
Peter
Continental Modeler magazine published by Peco Publication and Publicity Ltd. (the track manufacturer in England, there’s a link from the Peco web site) somtimes as things about the Russian railroads.
The Novemper 2004 issue has a review of a HO scale resin model of Russian tank wagon (tank car) by Feniks of Riga, Latvia. The models are expensive $79.95 US. They are available from Red Star Railways, P.O. Box 352 Cheswold Delaware 19936 USA.
I found their web site[:)]
http://www.redstarrailways.com/
Be sure to check out the Links.
The October 2004 issue has an article on modeling Polish Railways. Some of the prtototype equipmemt is Russian.
Their Class ST44 diesel is a standard Soviet built M62 diesel electric. The author modeled it with a slightly modified Minitrix DR class 220 loco
The Polish class SM48 is also a Soviet product. It was modeled using a slightly modified Atlas RSD 4/5.
This is very interesting. I always thought somebody should model Russia and/or China.