I still agree with others that think Bachmann will stick to the first 6 Narrow Gauge Locomotives. With Skarloey and soon Rheneas being produced we will have both a 0-4-2 and an 0-4-0 chassis available. Both Peter Sam and Sir Handel should be able to utilize the 0-4-2 chassis from Skarloey and Rusty and Duncan should be able to utilize the same 0-4-0 chassis as Rheneas. Using existing chassis should make all of the first six locos more likely to be produced. As others have speculated both Peter Sam and Sir Handel could be produced together since they could utilize the same chassis tooling. The 0-4-0 chassis could be used for both an 0-4-0 steamy such as Duncan or for an 0-4-0 diesel type such as Rusty with different wheels and no valve gear or cylinders. After the first six are produced then I think locos such as Luke and Millie might become possible. Even though I have built my own Duke model based on the one Chaz built I would still like to see him return to the series some day soon and eventually have a model of him too.

Grandpuff

Chaotic:

If you did not see them earlier, take a look back to about page 3 of this thread to see the Duke model that Chaz built.

It was done so well that it inspired me to built my own with his generous help and guidance.

You can see my Duke model at around pages 6 and 7 of this thread.

You will also find a You Tube link there to a short video I posted of my completed Duke model running.

Enjoy,
Grandpuff

Griffin thanks for sharing.

Rheneas looks totally amazing, even better than Skarloey in my opinion.

My supplier has now changed the arrival date from 7-31-17 to 8-31-17.

I certainly hope we do not have to wait until December as one poster mentioned.

Now that Bachmann will have both an 0-4-2 and an 0-4-0 chassis that should make producing future narrow gauge locos easier I would think.

Grandpuff

I just received my HOn30 narrow gauge cars this week and they all look great. Very detailed and nice finish even if they are peco repaints. As Chaz has pointed out in his review above the slate wagons have metal wheels which do track better considering the light weight of these cars. I do like the fact that the slate loads are hollow so additional weight can be added easily if desired. If only we could get the brake vans and some coaches sooner rather than later.

Eagerly awaiting any news on Rheneas arrival.

Grandpuff

Thanks for the thorough review Chaz as always.

I have 3 of the slate wagons and one each of the red and blue goods wagons and one of the open wagons on order and they should all be here by next week. Looking forward to having more rolling stock for my Duke and Skarloey and soon I hope Rheneas.

Thanks again,
Grandpuff

My Backorder confirmation from my supplier says Rheneas in stock date of 7-17-17.

Also at a very good price.

Grandpuff

Well since April is almost over does anyone have any additional close to accurate info on a possible release date since we still do not even have any good photos yet?

I think one supplier now says July.

Grandpuff

Chaz, I just fixed the link to my video in the message above. I found out that what I thought was a lower case "l" was actually an upper case "I'. So the link works now. While you are on You Tube go to my You Tube Channel "RXRBILL" (Railroad Bill) and take a look at my track level video of my HO layout and other goodies.

I have a garage sized HO layout that I have been building for the last 25 years and I am planning on adding some dual gauge trackage between my ore processing plant and mine. I know that you posted info on the HOn30 dual gauge track available at Hattons in the UK, but they do not carry dual gauge turnouts. I have found that Peach Creek Shops in the USA  makes some, but does anyone know if they are available from any other sources? Not HO/HOn3 turnouts, but HO/HOn30.

Hoping that Rheneas arrives soon to keep Duke and Skarloey company.

Grandpuff

Hello To All:

I just finished uploading a short video of my Duke Project Loco running around a loop of N gauge track.

The You Tube link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZaZ1RywI7U/

If that does not work for you just do a You Tube search for RXRBILL and all of my videos should pop up.

Included there are videos of my Large 1/8 scale trains at Train Mountain, and some videos of my HO layout and trains.

Enjoy,
Grandpuff

Hi to All:

I am happy to report that my Duke project is now complete with the installation of the Duke nameplates.

Thanks again to Chaz, Michael, and Griffin for all of your help and encouragement.

Here are a few more photos of the completed Duke.

I will try to post a short video on my You Tube channel in a few days, just search for RXRBILL and my videos will pop up.

Grandpuff

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Yes, I plan on getting both Rheneas and Rusty when available to go with my Duke and Skarloey.

No HOn30 layout, but I do plan on adding some HOn30 track to my existing HO layout.

Grandpuff

Well what do you know, I finally figured it out thanks to Griffin's encouragement.

Chaz your and Michael's work on your Duke model were a real inspiration for me to start my Duke project which I have wanted to do for many years now. I also want to thank you for your very generous sharing of the information here on the forum that I needed to make this journey behind your efforts.

I hope our work will eventually inspire Bachmann to some day produce a Duke model in the new Narrow Gauge Line. Duke has always had a very big following with many of the Narrow Gauge fans.

As soon as the brass nameplates arrive and I can get them installed I will post a few final completion photos now that I know how. I also still plan to post a video to my You Tube Channel RXRBILL.

Grandpuff

I  will try to post the next 8 photos of my Duke project here, but I am still having trouble with the Photo Bucket to Bachmann Forum part of the transfer for some reason. You can now view all of the photos at Photo Bucket at the link Griffin posted a few messages above. I have finished everything except for the brass nameplates which should arrive any day now.

Grandpuff

[[URL=http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/av8rdad/media/Duke%20495_zps4dpybnrd.png.html][URL=http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/av8rdad/media/IMG_0498_zpsnisbeewb.jpg.html][URL=http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/av8rdad/media/IMG_0498_zpsnisbeewb.jpg.html][URL=http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/av8rdad/media/IMG_0499_zpsycffc0wu.jpg.html][URL=http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/av8rdad/media/IMG_0500_zpstdfn67g1.jpg.html][URL=http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/av8rdad/media/IMG_0501_zpsvjomsizz.jpg.html][URL=http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/av8rdad/media/IMG_0502_zpsufaxkvyr.jpg.html][URL=http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/av8rdad/media/IMG_0503_zpsdykwsxdc.jpg.html][/img]

Thanks Griffin. I will post a few more showing the finished stripping and handrails. I am still waiting for the lanterns and nameplates to finish my Duke. When it is finished I will be posting a short video on my You Tube channel. Just search for RXRBILL to see my videos.

Grandpuff

Well I am not sure how it happened, but I just uploaded a photo of my duke project.

This is before any priming or painting have been done.

I will try some more tomorrow to upload a few more if I can figure out what I did.

Grandpuff