Retr0

Retr0

A name used for model railways built to 0 gauge in the style of the original toy style 0 gauge.

Retr0 is not to be confused with fine scale 0 gauge where model railways are made to represent the originals as accurately as possible.

Retr0 is about a model railway as a form of entertaining moving art. It looks into the soul of a model railway. It is for the observer to fill in the detail as they wish. To imagine the train of four wheeled vehicles moving around a track as how they wish to see it.

Original models were made from tin plate, or sometimes from castings. Tin plate models were originally cut out, bent and soldered together. Then they were painted and the detail added. An expensive an slow process. To reduce costs and improve productivity tin plate was lithographed with images representing the exterior of the model required. This was then blanked out, pierced and formed. Parts went together by means of tags being pushed through slits and then twisted or bent over to hold the parts together. Known as the Nuremberg method from the city of origin. It became the construction method of choice for all tin plate toys.

Cast models were made from zinc alloys. Unfortunately the quality of zinc could be variable and over time some of these models have returned to dust.

Power was initially clockwork, then electric power was introduced. Some very early models were steam but generally clockwork and electricity were the most common.

In line with the tin plate models the track was also made from tin plate. Electric models taking their supply from the running rails and a third centre rail insulated from the metal sleepers.

The tin plate era survived into the 1950s, but the introduction of plastic and the ability to produce models at 00 and H0 scales meant the demise of 0 gauge toy railways. Triang introduced a short lived toy 0 gauge model called the Big Train. Generally 0 gauge became the domain of the fine scale modeller.

There are still toy trains about made to 0 gauge. Generally plastic and powered electrically from on board batteries. Some have remote control by means of simple radio control. Generally they have not generated the same amount of interest bestowed on the surviving original 0 gauge toy trains.

Original 0 gauge toy trains are now collectors items. A few stalwarts still build layouts, and run the old models, but generally they now spend their days stored or on static display.

Retr0 is not about reproducing the models of old, although using old material can be part of Retr0. While locomotives, rolling stock and buildings of the 0 gauge era fetch high prices, track can be acquired at reasonable cost. Also when realism is not a priority track can be cheaply made from readily available materials.

Retr0 trains are in the style of the original toy 0 gauge, but made from available materials and generally electrically powered. Using available modern 0 gauge track models might be made taking their power through the wheels on either side of the train. Where older or uninsulated track is used then either a third rail or overhead wire supply route needs to be provided. Overhead supply arrangements permit Retr0 models of modern electrics and trams. Even so where older models wish to be used as the basis of Retr0 models old overhead locomotives provide interesting model themes.

Lithography can be simulated using computer drawing programmes and colour printers. Printed onto paper, or water transfer materials, the external images can be placed on an pre-made solid former. Alternatively printing can be into card which is then formed into the shape required. As card modelling has difficulty in reproducing compound curves simple designs, or a combination of formed solid material, such as wood, and card may be used. Retr0 models may also be made from plastic or tin and then painted.

Cheap 12 volt motors are readily available. 0 gauge means that electric motors do not have to be small and compact. Plastic gears are also available for drive systems. Motors may be obtained with reduction gears simplifying the gearing required for final drives.

Retr0 allows a model railway to be built at minimum cost. The general simplicity makes it a good basis for educational design and technology, in the UK CDT. Even more so when the construction of track is also involved.

Retr0 is derived from 0 gauge. For the concept Retr0 the gauge is not so important and so the Retr0 artist modeller may wish to base their models on a scale of their own, to make their own track, to base their concept of broad or narrow gauge railways.

Source

Retr0 rail source information

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