Dai Davies
Re getting manufacturers to make products more EM-able: a few of us have been having this conversation on an EM modelling facebook page. Frank Davies has just taken delivery of the Rapido B-sets, and was bemoaning the fact that the gap between bogie sides would not permit EM wheelsets.
We were wondering whether the EMGS could put pressure on manufacturers to make life easier for us on this?
The issue, as far as I’m concerned, is not getting the manufacturers to change their wheel profile; it’s more to do with their bogie design. I can always put Alan Gibsons or whatever as replacements, but with so many manufacturers put obstacles in the way: gap not big enough for EM wheelsets, brake positioning, etc.
I doubt we’ll have enough clout to change Horby/Bachmann attitudes, but the smaller manufacturers ( Dapol, Rapido, etc) we may stand a chance? Having said that, I’ve easily rewheeled recent Hornby, Bachmann and Dapol coaches – though sometimes at the expense of ‘invisible’ bogie detail.
The argument/excuse is put forward that EM and P4 represent very few sales opportunities compared with OO. I would argue that the finescale market plays a proportionately larger part for Accurascale/Rapido and suchlike so they may be more amenable. Such flexibility can be achieved, so why not push for it?