Welcome to the BadgerBits website: Australian-outline N Scale and Freelance On30 Model Railways
How to fit 44 Class buffer beams
/ 0
The following image shows you how to fit buffer beams to the magnificent 44 Class, and how to adjust the couplers.
S class decal update
/ 0
Due to recent requests, I have created additional decals for the S class locomotives.
The images of these decals are some that I have drawn up on request from customers. The pinkish/orange represents white, the grey represents silver. The Teacup and upper Vline are the overall orange schemes and the lower Vline represents the blue/red and white scheme. The last represents the Freight Australia scheme adopted by Pacific National. If anyone wants the proper Freight Australia scheme and can provide photos I would be happy to do it also. Other schemes are possible like West Coast Rail etc.
There are also decals for the numbers on the back door of the S class under the door window. They are on a little square decal included with the S class or the extra number boards sent out with the corrected B class numbers. The reason I have shown this is because they are so small that unless you have a microscope you may not be able to see which one to cut out. The actual size of the individual numbers are 0.8mm x 1.7mm or the whole decal is 10.7mm x 6.8mm for all 18 numbers.
Bulldog update
/ 0
Regarding the comments on the locos, the locos were only painting samples and thanks for your input. Changes have to be made and they have been submitted to the factory, so we will see what comes back!
The changes were:
- grill highlights to be added to the B class like the S class
- Bernie Baker version is meant to have a silver fuel tank as per original artwork
- headlight sides to be painted body colour as per original artwork
- red line removed from staff exchanger on 42 class.
As for the comments about the B class colour scheme, one of the things that I had to do was make certain compromises because I was doing 4 different locos and wanted to contain the costs so the price did not have to rise. One of those compromises was the valance, it had to remain on and the same sideframe had to be used. Back to the paint scheme, I chose the second scheme as this was on the B class for a far longer time than the original. There is a whole lot of detail under the valance so if people want to take the valance off I will do some castings of the detail and supply it for minimal cost. The same applies to the sideframes, if people want the later sideframes I will also supply them for a small additional cost.
The cost of the Bernie Baker B class will be $270 as it cost $30 more to do because there was so much extra in the scheme and I am only doing 200 of them. The factory has a minimum of 500 per colour scheme otherwise it costs substantially more if you want less than 500.
As usual with Gopher locos (except special 1 off schemes), decals will be provided for your choice of number.
Also, if you require a name for the S or B class, I will supply upon request the name you want for the named locos separately. I am looking for the font style so I can get it correct
The numbers available for sale of each loco are as follows:
- 42 class - 375 for Indian Red, 100 Austerity plus 25 undecorated
- B class 475 painted and 25 undecorated
- S class 475 painted and 25 undecorated
- GM class 475 painted and 25 undecorated
If a second run is required (if first run is sold out) I am considering 500 of each, but this time:
- 42 class - 300 Indian Red + 200 of 125th
- S class - 300 V Line + 200 SSR
- B class - 290 V Line + 10 Orange scheme + 200 SSR
- GM - 300 Green and Yellow + 200 SSR
NSWGR 44 class update
/ 0
For those who questioned the Red Terror 44 Class colour scheme, you were correct about the inaccuracy, and after constant talks with the factory, they have admitted to making the error.
This has culminated with the Red Terror being recalled by the factory and all are being sent back; new bodies will be made and painted in the correct colour scheme for the Red Terror.
Those who have already purchased the Red Terror, please get in touch with us via email so we know who you are. You can keep your model now and when the replacements arrive from the factory, we will just do a straight swap of your "uniquely painted" version with the correct colour scheme.
Another issue that appeared is that when the factory included the 4 standoffs for mounting the buffer beams, they didn't realise that the front buffer beam required a different standoff from the rear one.
This factory error is also being corrected and the factory will send the front buffer beam standoffs along with the corrected Red Terror colour scheme loco's.
Once they have arrived, I will make everyone aware that we have received them, make sure you send me an email with how many you require so we can get them posted out to you.
Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Just a reminder that the SSR colour scheme doesn't require any standoffs and is also the only loco in the 44 range that doesn't require numbering and is ready to roll.
44 class have arrived!
/ 0
- Indian Red in all 3 Mks
- Indian Red Austerity in all 3 Mks (no red lining)
- Reverse (25 of each) all 3 Mks
- Candy All 3 Mks 125 of each Mk
- Red Terror all 3 Mks 40 of each Mk
- SSR 150 only (4483) 1 number only
- CFCLA
- Purple loco
- Independent Rail
- Freight Rail
- and any others that are requested.
Imminent arrival of the NSWGR 44 class
/ 0
The ready-to-run 44 class should arrive in May and will be sent first to those who have pre-ordered. It is then expected to be available for general sale at the Epping/Adelaide model train exhibitions at the June long weekend.
An additional 200 chassis have been ordered that will be mated to a custom-built NSWGR 43 class body that will require painting and decalling (using supplied decals). It will also have the correct bogie side-frames and fuel tank.
Modellers of SA railways will have a choice of three different body styles that can be placed on the NSWGR 44 class mechanism, those SAR body types are the single ended 930 class and two different double-ended versions. Parts will be included to allows modellers to recreate the polished stainless steel sides on some of the maroon 930 class. The SAR 930 class is expected to be released at the Adelaide Exhibition on the June long weekend.
Also due for release at the same exhibition is the SAR 700 class steam locomotive, which will be a complete body and tender kit mated to a supplied Kato mechanism.
Also for the SAR modeller, the Centenary car is almost complete!
Finally, a new and previously unannounced VR model kit is available now in limited numbers and a re-run is scheduled. The kit is a VR GH wheat hopper, which will be a complete kit (apart from Microtrains 1015 couplers) comprising a two piece body and etched detail parts - no soldering required and the etched parts can be glued to the body.
Videos of the soon to be released Gopher Models NSWR 44 class
/ 1
Watch a pre-production NSWR 44 class classic locomotive pulling a rake of old Rivarossi carriages dressed up as Ghan carriages at https://youtu.be/njtX3wo6jgg and https://youtu.be/SlahaJiwb7A This locomotive was DCC and all production locomotives will be shipped as DC but a TCS Z2 (or similar) can be fitted.
Fantastic pulling power - tested with 23 FOs behind it. Available for order late April 2017 with an expected price of $240 plus shipping.
But wait - there's more!!
One 44 class body is being modified to be a single-ended 930 class. The other two 930 class bodies will be modelled before the 44 class arrives and cast in urethane. This will allow cross-border modellers of 930 class to have all three types available. Decals for AN and SAR will be available as will be an overlay to represent the polished stainless steel sides on some 930 class locomotives.
But wait - again - there's even more!!!
With the delivery of the 44 class will come an additional 200 chassis - these will be mated to a custom-built 43 class body and side-frames which will be sold as a kit. This should be available at the same time as the 44 class but is strictly limited to the 200 chassis - so get your orders in quickly. Available for order late April 2017 with an expected price of $220 plus shipping.