N gauge 1980s era lorries and other useful layout accessories.

[Cowley]

Evening clever type people.

I’m trying to find a couple of reasonably priced N scale trucks for the 1980s/90s era model that I’m making, but I’m drawing a bit of a blank at the moment.
I want something a bit West Country, preferably of the grain/fertiliser carrying variety - although a curtain-sider from anywhere would do the job, and it doesn’t have to be specific to the area if it’s a decent model. But I don’t know what to search for?
Having spent a couple of hours on it this evening I’ve drawn a complete blank.
Any ideas?
I’ll very much appreciate it if you can help.

Edit - I’ve amended the title to encompass other things including containers/phone boxes/general 1980s everyday stuff that we used to take for granted etc if you can think of anything.

Thanks all.

 

[GusB]

My first thoughts turned to Oxford Diecast, but their lorries are all either too early, or too modern for the era that you're looking to represent.

It might be worthwhile having a look here:
https://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklist...mmercial_vehicles/prodlistbyscaleandtype.aspx

Graham Farish have an N-scale MAN which might just fit the bill.

Alternatively you might want to try searching for a specific type of truck. Scania 142M, Volvo F12 etc... I'd imagine that due to many manufacturers being from the continent, the chances of finding a Foden or ERF are slim.

*Edit* Just found this: https://railnscale.com/vehicles-trucks-vans/
They're kits, but there are a couple of Volvos that would represent the period.

 

[Cowley]

My first thoughts turned to Oxford Diecast, but their lorries are all either too early, or too modern for the era that you're looking to represent.

It might be worthwhile having a look here:
https://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklist...mmercial_vehicles/prodlistbyscaleandtype.aspx

Graham Farish have an N-scale MAN which might just fit the bill.

Alternatively you might want to try searching for a specific type of truck. Scania 142M, Volvo F12 etc... I'd imagine that due to many manufacturers being from the continent, the chances of finding a Foden or ERF are slim.

*Edit* Just found this: https://railnscale.com/vehicles-trucks-vans/
They're kits, but there are a couple of Volvos that would represent the period.

You’ve come up with a lot more than I did Gus.
Just off to work now but I’ve seen a couple of things there that would be useful.

 

[AnthonyRail]

West Country you say....

1980-1990 you say.....

No better than 1985 Merc..

If only they did this in model size.

 

[Cowley]

West Country you say....

1980-1990 you say.....

No better than 1985 Merc..

If only they did this in model size.


View attachment 68450

I’ve spent a good bit of time tonight looking for suitable 1980s N gauge model trucks.
I’d like your Merc (which would be perfect) and a curtain side trailer, plus a Scania 82 eight wheel bulker, and a Volvo 10 Turbo 6 (F10 in new money) with a tanker trailer.
Funnily enough I can’t find any of them...

Actually it seems like there’s plenty of contemporary HGV models, and also plenty of steam era ones. But very little in-between in that scale.

It’s slightly too old, but I do rather like this AEC Mandator. It might work if I weathered the hell out of it...


Lapford Yard 1988:


Got the Polybulk.

Need the lorry.

 

[GusB]

I’ve spent a good bit of time tonight looking for suitable 1980s N gauge model trucks.
I’d like your Merc (which would be perfect) and a curtain side trailer, plus a Scania 82 eight wheel bulker, and a Volvo 10 Turbo 6 (F10 in new money) with a tanker trailer.
Funnily enough I can’t find any of them...

Actually it seems like there’s plenty of contemporary HGV models, and also plenty of steam era ones. But very little in-between in that scale.

It’s slightly too old, but I do rather like this AEC Mandator. It might work if I weathered the hell out of it...
View attachment 68454

Lapford Yard 1988:
View attachment 68455

Got the Polybulk.
View attachment 68456
Need the lorry.

There may still have been a few (elderly) AEC Matadors around in the early 80s. In fact, that one pictured has the Leyland "Ergomatic" cab, so it could also pose as a Leyland. I remember seeing those on the road when I was a kid, so it's not inconceivable that a few may still have been around, especially in rural parts.

Also worth considering is the Ford D-series and later Cargo range.

 

[Cowley]

There may still have been a few (elderly) AEC Matadors around in the early 80s. In fact, that one pictured has the Leyland "Ergomatic" cab, so it could also pose as a Leyland. I remember seeing those on the road when I was a kid, so it's not inconceivable that a few may still have been around, especially in rural parts.

Also worth considering is the Ford D-series and later Cargo range.

Busy day at work, but your post left me thinking about all those old trucks today...
There was probably the odd Leyland Octopus around in the sticks back then (looked like an AEC but I think the cabs were slightly higher?) loads of Ford Cargos and Leyland Roadrunners, as well as the older D series and Leyland Terriers.
Imagine an old Roadline or Lynx one?
Not my photos, but Bedfords! They were everywhere.


A Lynx owned Terrier:


When I worked in the garage at BRS, on a cold morning I used to have to go over to the Lynx depot (which was in the same massive yard) with my mate and multiple cans of Easystart which we’d unload into the air filters of about fifteen of the things before they’d go.
The Roadrunners with Cummins engines would all start happily no matter what the weather.

I’d love some of these old machines on my layout. They remind me so much of my youth.

 

[GusB]

Busy day at work, but your post left me thinking about all those old trucks today...
There was probably the odd Leyland Octopus around in the sticks back then (looked like an AEC but I think the cabs were slightly higher?) loads of Ford Cargos and Leyland Roadrunners, as well as the older D series and Leyland Terriers.
Imagine an old Roadline or Lynx one?
Not my photos, but Bedfords! They were everywhere.
View attachment 68478

A Lynx owned Terrier:
View attachment 68479

When I worked in the garage at BRS, on a cold morning I used to have to go over to the Lynx depot (which was in the same massive yard) with my mate and multiple cans of Easystart which we’d unload into the air filters of about fifteen of the things before they’d go.
The Roadrunners with Cummins engines would all start happily no matter what the weather.

I’d love some of these old machines on my layout. They remind me so much of my youth.

Those pictures certainly jog a few memories. The green and white Roadline livery was distinctive, and I remember seeing them going up and down the A9 from the train whilst on childhood holidays. Lynx was a later incarnation of the same organisation, wasn't it?

Thinking along the lines of parcels traffic, you may wish to consider having a White Arrow Transit - they were fairly ubiquitous at the time.

 

[Cowley]

Ah White Arrow there’s another one...
Yes I think you’re right that Lynx was a later incarnation of Roadline.
This all reminds me of another little 80s scene too - The grounded body of a Roadline (or White Arrow if you prefer) lorry in a farmers field being used for storage.
God this is pretty niche stuff isn’t it..?

 

[Cowley]

I ordered these yesterday:


They’re kits (so pretty cheap).
I want the pre weathered battered looking ones just to have lying about the place for storage.

Actually I think I’m going to change the title of the thread to encompass these sort of things too.

 

[Cowley]

Afternoon people.
I’ve been looking at the range of vehicles that railnscale do:

https://www.shapeways.com/shops/rail-n-scale
Some of these were already noted by @GusB upthread.
Looking through what’s available I’ve noticed that these are 1:160 scale rather than 1:148 which I believe is UK N scale.
I wonder if this would be very noticeable?
These are basically kits, but they do some great stuff, like this Ford Escort for instance:

(not my layout)

Has anyone ever built, and painted... One of these tiny things?

 

[GusB]

Afternoon people.
I’ve been looking at the range of vehicles that railnscale do:

https://www.shapeways.com/shops/rail-n-scale
Some of these were already noted by @GusB upthread.
Looking through what’s available I’ve noticed that these are 1:160 scale rather than 1:148 which I believe is UK N scale.
I wonder if this would be very noticeable?
These are basically kits, but they do some great stuff, like this Ford Escort for instance:
View attachment 69011
(not my layout)

Has anyone ever built, and painted... One of these tiny things?

Looking on that site, it would appear that they do have 1:148 kits as well, including the Escort. There's even an XR3i... <80s car wibble>

 

[Cowley]

Looking on that site, it would appear that they do have 1:148 kits as well, including the Escort. There's even an XR3i... <80s car wibble>

Ah. Actually you’re right.
(Must pay attention in class)
I might buy one and give it a try, they’re not too expensive. Will report back if good enough to share on here...

 

[AnthonyRail]

Some nice lorries on layouts at RailEx but mostly OO. Did see much in N gauge.