Who makes a good N-Scale trolley?

tattooguy67 · March 17, 2008, 3:16pm

I want to run a trolley car or 2 on my layout and am wondering who makes a good one, i see the Bmann has a few but am some what disapointed in their diesels as far as noise goes but am willing to consider them if any one has used them, or are their others out there that are better?, i saw a few made by Model Power listed on ebay but have no idea if they are any good, any thoughts on this?, thanks as always for any info.

pcarrell · March 17, 2008, 3:26pm

For trollys in N, there aren’t many choices. The Bmann ones are about the only game in town thats even slightly worthy of concideration if you ask me. Even then, they’d need some work (they do get better as they break in) and you’d still have the huge flanges.

Personally, I’d look at finding a good diesel chassis, like an Atlas or Kato or something, and then scratchbuild or kitbash a body for it. You’ll get what you really want, both in the look and the quality, and you’ll be able to say, “I did it myself!”

Anonymous · March 17, 2008, 4:20pm

You actually managed to break one in before it died? [;)]

I wanted to use one for a display - unfortunately, the life spans of both those I bought were measured in hours.

It is surprising that no-one else has stepped up and done a decent trolley. It would seem like the market would be reasonable.

Mike Tennent

marknewton · March 17, 2008, 5:54pm

Japanese model companies do! [:D]

You might want to consider repowering your Bachmann trolley with a Kato, Tomix or Greenmax mechanism.

http://www.katomodels.com/product/nmi/small_powerunit2_e.shtml

http://stores.ebay.com/Plaza-Japan_Motorized-Chassis_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ10QQftidZ2QQtZkm

Also, Modemo make a number of Japanese trolley and interurban cars which could be kitbashed into something suitable for a US trolley line.

http://www.hasegawa-model.co.jp/modemo-new.html

http://www.hasegawa-model.co.jp/modemo-new/nt1-.html

I have used chassis from all these manufacturers to power HOn30 locos and trolley cars, and can recommend them all for their good performance.

Cheers,

Mark.

tattooguy67 · March 17, 2008, 6:49pm

Thanks mark, i wish my skills where up to that challenge, not their yet though[D)]

tgindy · March 17, 2008, 8:47pm

Absolutely right on! Japanese Traction is probably your best bet for top quality, ready-to-run, and durable N Scale Traction.

You will find this video (with Sarah Brightman’s live “A Question of Honor”) to be a quite delightful example of Japanese N Scale Traction…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVZFakJEG_4

Note that the traction in this video is simulated and does not use live overhead.

If N Scale live overhead is your goal, do take an in-depth peek at “NCat | Live Catanery”…

http://www.teamsavage.com/ncat/ncat.html

Careful browsing of NCat will give you an idea of the traction conversions that are part of the N Scale Traction territory when you venture beyond what is available as ready-to-run N Scale Traction - but that is also part of the challenge and the fun.

There are also some ready-to-run European prototypes, and they are not inexpensive, to be found with “the search” at Euro Rail Hobbies…

http://www.eurorailhobbies.com/

Regardless of the traction scale modeled, motive power conversions and scratchbuilding, are the nature of the hobby if you venture beyond simulation of live overhead (with or without the overhead wiring) and simply adding a few traction engines. Have fun while you’re at it!

modelinaround · January 20, 2015, 12:23pm

Try shapeways.com of all things. Since 3D printing has taken off, google “Interurban” on their site and you get five pages of trolley and interurban shells. Also google “steeple cab” and “steeplecab” for more results on their site.

Marc_Magnus · January 22, 2015, 3:05pm

[quote user=“tgindy”]

marknewton wrote:

Japanese model companies do!