Triang EMUs: A Journey Through Railway History [Model Railway Story] 

Another lovely film. Your dad's modifications were very good indeed. I travelled on all these trains in my young days. There are compensations in being old: good memories. Your films are much appreciated.

Your vids always jog my memory, remember seeing a 2-bil that was a de-icer in the siding adjacent to Goldsmith Ave Fratton Electric Shed may be 1970's.

You did an excellent job on these EMU's Mike. Great video footage and history. Thanks for sharing ! Cheers, Filip

Fantastic video! I have just started a little restoration on one of these myself. Yours look fantastic!

Hello there, this is a really good video, I like your reminiscence about your Dad, who was clearly a skilled modeller, who passed his skills onto you, and we get to enjoy the result . The TriAng models might be a bit short in length, due to the moulding machine limitations of the time, but suitably tarted up, they come up well, and sound like the real thing, without needing a sound chip! By the way, the SUBs were originally run as a 3 car M-T-M, two being coupled together to form a 6 car set, (M-T-M-M-T-M), and later strengthened with an intermediated trailer (M-T-M-iT-M-T-M), or two, to make up a 7 or 8 car set. As this meant a lot of marshalling between the Peak services, eventually the 3 car sets were reassembled into 4 car sets, initially utilizing the Intermediate Trailers, and later building new trailers, hence the Augmented Stock. The Southern, and BR-SR, were keen on putting old and sometimes extended) bodies on new chassis, and later on a new body on an older, all steel, chassis.As a result, usually 50 - 60 years was got out of both the carriage body, and the carriage chassis, whereas these days, a carriage goes to scrap after 30=35 years service, despite the fact that heavy overhaul would extend the life out to 50-60 years. (American Budd all fluted Stainless monocoque integral carriages have an almost indefinite life .By the way, who could have guessed that the Douglas DC3 would still be flying now, or that the B52 would be re-engined and last for up to 100 years of service, amazing.)

There is nothing wrong with the Triang model. Lovely video.

Good evening Mike, thank you for this very enjoyable mini series. A great chance to cover a new to me, topic, I’m impressed with your amazing collection and thanks for all the background information.

I think with the Tri-ang motors it's a rare case of the model being somewhat louder than the real thing lol. ATB, Andy.

You've done a good job of restoring those Triang 2-sub units. Your next project is to add interior detailing and lights! Thanks for uploading.

Absolutely superb Video and nice to have some chatty history again. Thank you Mike.

Great Video ;) Cheers Jasper & Willow

One word Mike.. Brilliant 👏

Great video. Like the way you've (presumably) filmed with a go-pro type camera on one moving train as the subject DMU approaches and overtakes it. And the video evokes great memories of both commuter journeys to work on slam-door DMU and also my boyhood friend's Tri-ang DMU whizzing around on the carpet, no model railway scenery, but still providing two young boys great enjoyment in the 1960's. And the references to your obviously much-loved late father add poignancy.

That 2-car at the end sounds more like a diesel than an EMU, with the buzzy motor!

great video Mike with a bonus picture of Micheldever which is 10 minutes from me 😁

Really excellent video Mike - well done! 👍 I would not disagree with you /your father’s view upon the 3-car Motor Units (usually referred to as ‘3s’ in railway documentation) upon which the Triang model was based being the Eastern Section 1925 builds of 3s). ⚡ The railway’s designation of 4 SUB first appeared in 1941 with the new Bulleid ‘Sheba’ units and (as you observe) this eventually spread to the 3-car Motor Units when these were augmented to 4-car units (starting in 1941). The term ‘SUB’ is often erroneously used to describe the 3-car Motor Units. ⚡ Finally, really do like your father’s conversion to 2 BIL units - well done that man! 🌞 The 3-car Motor Units, Augmented 3-car Motor Units and 4 SUB unit histories all feature on BloodandCustard - Colin. 🙂

Loved seeing these units, and the fascinating background behind them. The sound their motors made at the end was good too! Did your dad work on the railway too?

I am about to restore some of these and was wondering what paint did you use ?

Any chance of seeing a narrow gauge steamy running? I love narrow gauge steam engines as much as standard and miniature gauge ones. If you have any narrow gauge steamies, that is.

Where can I get some prof low profile wheels for triang DMU