Hello. New here. Lost the C in scrap... I have some very rare good detailed / formed / featured Thomas & Friends engines from Japanese Bandai year 1992 (appr. scale 1:55). They are closest to S scale (normally 22.42 mm gauge), but the wheel distance is around 30 mm (O scale is 32 mm). So i have decided to do two conversions: 1. One engine gets new axles/wheels for O scale track. Wide gauge S? The engine is Infrared Control w batteries. I see quite a lot of posts where people discuss going away from track power, so I feel fine about that. 2. The other will get get a S scale chassis - anything that is suitable for a 0-6-0 steamy. I have two options: keep the Infrared Control and battery pack, or go for track power. I can even have a switch between them. (I know there are a few 55 Scale things on HO track. Maybe I'll put a HO 0-6-0 chassis in a third engine if/when I find one ...) I am now doing HO and N (and toy trains). I know myself - as soon as I have O and S gauge track (an oval is enough for tinkering ...), I will be into buying old scrap from eBay / parts sellers and make my own stuff (no Lionel or Flyer units - only parts for self builds). So to be short - I would like to present my tinker idea for comments, and maybe get some ideas / experience / links to resources/parts to help me make these two 'Really Useful Engines' hehe ... Thank you.
For S scale steam, you are going to have a limited parts source I'm afraid. There is a company in the UK that sells S scale drivers, which would be perfect for your conversion. They are P:64 so won't work on AF track and turnouts. But having said that, they will have S standard gauge axles and fine scale flanges and wheel treads. At the moment, I'm having a brain fart on remembering the name of the company. There is a newly resurrected company on this side of the pond that sells S scale drivers 'S Scale Loco & Supply': http://www.sscaleloco.com/ I'm not sure of the current stock but it might behoove you to contact them. NWSL will sell you any wheel on S standard gauge axles, just have to contact them and ask. At one time I considered using Bowser HO wheels on new axles for a 2-6-0 project but never got around to it or contacting them. If you are inclined an HO Hudson might provide the needed wheels to put on new axles. Even a Bachman On30 could be a source for drivers. I don't know how close they would be to the Thomas the Tank engine. Good luck and keep us appraised. Greg
