O Gauge

Antics Online Model Railways O Gauge

Locomotives, Coaches and Wagons in O gauge. Ready to run by Dapol and Heljan, kits from Slaters, Peco and Parkside. Track, points and accessories by Peco, Slaters and decals by Modlemasters.

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Antics commissioned range of O gauge models from the Weston, Clevedon and Portishead light railway.

Antics Commissioned Models

Wagons seen on the WC&PR and Glouces...

Ready to run o gauge locomotives from Dapol and Lionheart Trains. Terriers, panniers, jintys, 08s. Ideal for modelling goods yards and branch lines.

Dapol, Lionheart Locos RTR

Superbly detailed RTR O gauge locomo...

Heljan ready to run O gauge locomotives. A range of BR diesel locomotives plus yhe GWR 43xx mogul and 61xx large prairie 2-6-2T

Heljan Locomotives RTR

Steam and diesel locomotives. We can...

Ruston & Hornsby Ltd, of Lincoln, was formed as the result of the merger between Ruston, Proctor & Co. Ltd and Richard Hornsby & Sons Ltd on September 11, 1918 and their first narrow gauge diesel locomotive left the works on September 1, 1931. In the summer of 1932, production was moved to the larger Boultham Works, where the firm were eventually to become Britain’s largest builder of diesel locomotives, with over 6,500 being built by the time production ceased in 1969.Almost as soon as the firm’s 44/48HP 0-4-0 locomotives were making an appearance, an upgraded, more powerful 0-4-0 was on the drawing board.Although many of the features of the 44/48HP were retained for the new 80/88HP, such as the chain drive and running gear, a new type of transmission was fitted, along with Westinghouse airbrakes. The new power unit, Ruston’s own 4VPB, delivered 80BHP at 1000rpm and was later supplanted by Ruston’s improved 4VPH that delivered 88BHP, but it required compressed air to be injected into the cylinders to be able to start. While running, an air reservoir was kept charged via the braking system, but after standing idle for a period the reservoir depleted and a secondary source was required to recharge the reservoir. This was achieved by fitting a small, secondary 1½HP ‘donkey’ engine, giving rise to a distinctive raised cover on the right hand side of the engine compartment, that differed in size and placement depending on the make of engine used.Two basic weight options were offered for the 80/88HP, 17 tons and 20 tons; the difference being achieved by attaching weights to the outside frames, as well as to the front and rear buffer beams. In 1941, Ruston’s locomotive classifications were changed, with the 80/88HP becoming 88DS (with the narrow gauge versions being assigned the DSM and DSN suffix, and the broader gauges assigned DSW). Outward appearance changes to the ‘standard’ locomotives were mainly confined to the cab area, with examples from mid-1947 replacing the open cab with a fully enclosed cab that featured several ad-hoc styles of windows and fittings, depending on the customers’ requirements.As a shunter, the 88DS was never going to be a greyhound in terms of speed, the four-speed gearbox delivering a maximum speed of just under 15½ mph, but it could deliver some impressive haulage figures, being capable of shifting a 510 ton train from a standing start on the level, down to a 56 ton load on a 1:20 incline. With the widespread delivery of the type, to all areas of industry and use, it is difficult to give an idea of a typical train, but photos showing consists of 8 covered vans, or mixed open/van consists of a similar number are common.The first 88 to leave Ruston’s works was 192325 on 27 June 1938, bound for Tunnel Cement at Grays in Essex and the subsequent orders were spread across the country; from Kent and Dorset in the South, through the Home Counties, East Anglia and the Midlands, to the North of England and into the far reaches of Scotland. Customers tended to be those whose industries were reliant on internal railway systems, so the 88DS were in common use in various Gas Works, Paper Mills, Manufacturing Works, Refineries, Chemical Works, Quarries, Steelworks, Power Stations and Collieries.The War Department/Ministry of Supply were a large customer for the type, with the 88DS being employed in Ordnance and Maintenance duties, often being flameproofed or provided with spark arrestors as a minimum. British Rail also took a number of 88DS into service, notably working at Reading and in the North-East from York and Hartlepool, to Newcastle.Ruston also widely exported a large number of 88DS types: to Ireland, France, Holland, Portugal, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Kenya, Brazil, Argentina, India, Burma, Ceylon, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Rhodesia, South Africa and even Mauritius and Ald

Accurascale Ruston 88DS O Gauge

Popular 88bhp industrial diesels

O Gauge Locomotive Kits

From the Slaters Range

O Gauge Coaches

Ready-to-Run & Kits

O Gauge Wagons

Ready-to-Run and Kits.

Preowned

Pre-owned O gauge models

7mm O scale narrow gauge models use OO/HO 16.5mm track. Lynton & Barnstaple and quarry Hunslet locos and stock by Bachmann & Dapol Lionheart Trains

7mm Narrow Gauge O-16.5 NG7

Dapol/Lionheart, Bachmann, Peco & Sl...

O gauge track and lineside buildings and accessories from Peco, Heljan and Bachmann.

Track & Lineside

Peco, Bachmann & Heljan

Wheels, components and detailing parts for O gauge model locomotives and coaches.

Loco and Coach Detailing

Motors, Wheels, components and detai...

Decal Sheets - O Gauge

Modelmasters decal sheets for O gaug...

A steady increase in the range of detailed ready to run locomotives has greatly improved the appeal of O gauge. Solid looking trains, big enough to look like the wagons could do a useful job and real three-link couplings can be used with ease.

The O gauge product range has grown in both variety and popularity following the highly successful venture into ready-to-run locomotives by Dapol with the classic 'Brighton Terrier', ubiquitous BR class 08 shunter and distinctive GWR panniers.
We have now split the locomotive ranges for Dapol, Heljan and the smaller manufacturers, so you'll find their models and latest announcements listed in their own sections.

Ready-to-run and kit coaches and wagons have also been given their own sections by manufacturer or product as appropriate. Wherever possible the in stock models will appear at the top of the lists.