I just saw these trains on eBay. Another "Thomas" like franchise? Are they HO or OO and are they compatible with US standards? I looked in the Thomas forum here and don't see any mention of these. Here are some links I searched up:
http://cgi.ebay.com/BRANCHLINE-UE205-Circle-Trailer-Car-MINT-IN-BOX_W0QQitemZ390121568295QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item5ad50eb827
http://models11.net/cart/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=9&sort=1a&filter_id=129&alpha_filter_id=0
http://www.undergroundernie.com/
It's a UK TV show called "Underground Ernie".
Like "Thomas" only it's about UndergrounD (Subway) trains.
I've done some more searching and it seems these are Bachmann Branchline OO scale trains that run on HO track with 12VDC and are NMRA compliant. Some are DCC ready. However OO models are 1:76 scale therefore a bit larger than than HO scale. I would think this would not be a problem for these Underground Ernie models. It would appear there would be a problem with buying a British OO train set as the power supply would be designed for British outlets and voltage. However, it looks like these trains would run just fine on US HO tracks and power, either with DC or DCC with an added decoder.
Pipefitter, OO models do run on HO track. Bachmann's thomas line is actually 1:76, not HO scale. Bachmann made the Thomas line 1:76 to match Hornby's british Thomas line i.e. so they are the same size. They will run on HO track. ;)
Quote from: rogertra on January 20, 2010, 02:51:25 PM
It's a UK TV show called "Underground Ernie ...
Quote from: IndianaJones12 on January 20, 2010, 08:12:28 PM
Pipefitter, OO models do run on HO track. Bachmann's thomas line is actually 1:76, not HO scale. Bachmann made the Thomas line 1:76 to match Hornby's british Thomas line i.e. so they are the same size. They will run on HO track. ;)
Thanks Roger T and IndiannaJones :D
Cheers, Robert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jonWrXCCMdI
Quote from: pipefitter on January 20, 2010, 07:18:34 PM
I've done some more searching and it seems these are Bachmann Branchline OO scale trains that run on HO track with 12VDC and are NMRA compliant. Some are DCC ready. However OO models are 1:76 scale therefore a bit larger than than HO scale. I would think this would not be a problem for these Underground Ernie models. It would appear there would be a problem with buying a British OO train set as the power supply would be designed for British outlets and voltage. However, it looks like these trains would run just fine on US HO tracks and power, either with DC or DCC with an added decoder.
Sir - I have running British model trains in the USA and Canada, and US and Canadian model trains in UK, since the early 1950's.
As you note - it is not the track voltage that matters, but the power supply.
tac
www.ovgrs.org
Quote from: tac on January 21, 2010, 11:06:49 AM... As you note - it is not the track voltage that matters, but the power supply.
Thanks tac,
Robert
Quote from: pipefitter on January 20, 2010, 07:18:34 PM
I've done some more searching and it seems these are Bachmann Branchline OO scale trains that run on HO track with 12VDC and are NMRA compliant. Some are DCC ready. However OO models are 1:76 scale therefore a bit larger than than HO scale. I would think this would not be a problem for these Underground Ernie models. It would appear there would be a problem with buying a British OO train set as the power supply would be designed for British outlets and voltage. However, it looks like these trains would run just fine on US HO tracks and power, either with DC or DCC with an added decoder.
The trains them selves will run on US track using US train controllers as well as the accessories.
But be aware that underground Ernie is not a scale sized train and it Will wipe out on an OO platform at scale spacing.
It is very much larger than a tube train at correct OO scale however they are great fun for children or less than serious hobby moments.
I know I have some but they run on there own set up due to the loading gauge problem.
You can get scale models of the London Tube trains but its a special interest
area so tends to be expensive
regards John
Quote from: buzz on February 25, 2010, 06:47:01 AM... It is very much larger than a tube train at correct OO scale however they are great fun for children or less than serious hobby moments.
Thanks John, for the information. I was thinking about these for my little cousins.
Robert
Hi pipefitter
I forgot to tell you
The track in the circle line set is the std grey based Bachman
set track.
So you certainly will not have problems getting more track
Or alternatively the trains are available separately.
regards John