ERTL die cast

[null_null981707818821]

Just purchased some ERTL die cast Thomas trains for my grandsoN.  Can they be used on track, and if so, what track and can they be coupled together or not

First time purchaser

many thanks for any help

[Chrissaf]

Whilst you wait for a reply, perhaps you would spend a few minutes reviewing the TIPs in the TIP page link below:

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TIP: As a newbie poster on the forum, just be aware that the 'Blue Button with the White Arrow' is not a 'Reply to this post' button. If you want to reply to any of the posts, scroll down and write your reply in the reply text box at the bottom of the page and click the Green 'Reply' button.

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See also – further TIPs on how to get the best user experience from this forum.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/tips-on-using-the-forum/

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[Going Spare]

Surely the answer as to whether they can be coupled together lies in examining the items you have purchased to see whether they have any form of coupling?  As to track, what is the back-to-back measurement between the wheels?

[null_null981707818821]

W1/2 inch approx

they have red open couplers on both ends, but no hooks

[96RAF]

B2B needs to be in mm and a tad more accurate to allow folk to make serious comment..

OO and Ho track is 16.5 mm between rails. B2B for this is 14.5 mm to allow for the wheel flange thickness.

N gauge track is 9 mm between rails from memory.

Approx 1/2“ is about 12.5 mm, so your train is likely to run on the sleepers.

[Going Spare]

TT-gauge track might be suitable.  Looking online, it appears that coaches & wagons have vertical pins which presumably locate in the open jaws on locomotives.

[samfieldhouse]

I've converted Peter Sam to run on my OO9 track, its nice, but quite heavy.

[ellocoloco]

@null_null98

 

The ERTL Thomas range has long since been discontinued. It used it's own type of track and during its development two types of coupling systems were used. Please have a look here. ERTL Thomas.

 

They are not suitable for use with Hornby track - or indeed any electrically operated model railway track - unless you have done what @samfieldhouse has done with either a commercial N gauge or scratch built chassis. 

[Andrew-1211373]

This Might Help You. When I Was Watching One Of Leokimvideo's Mad Bomber Behind The Scenes Videos, He Stated That The ERTL Duck Model's Wheel Gauge Fits Perfectly On OO/HO Scale Track. So If You Purchase Spare ERTL Duck Models, Take Off Their Chassis, And Put Them On The 0-6-0 Models Like Thomas.

[RDS]

@Andrew

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