2023 is nearing its end already so time for a little update on what’s happening!
Tradition has it that the summer months are when “modeller” do other things? We saw no evidence of this with the orders continuing to pile in. There was perhaps a short pause in September when perhaps many had spent their monthly modelling allowance at Guildex? As ever now and then we are waiting for fresh stock, and we thank you for your patience when delivery is delayed. Energy costs and material costs continue to be challenging, we are seeing these reflected in unit costs for castings and etches. We are able to absorb some of these but prices have to rise as and when new stock is ordered. Our suppliers continue to do their best to keep stock at reasonable levels, for which we are very thankful.
Every now and then we are still asked, are we coming back into the exhibition circuit? There are no plans to do so as we have found this frees up so much time, which is resulting in a number of new projects being possible. There are a number under development at the moment, but when they are ready for release they should open up new areas for us, and you. We expect them to be popular, so as the saying goes, “Watch this space”?
The post service seems to have returned to normal in most areas, but some still experience isolated delays, so order your requirements in plenty of time, just in case!
NEW/IMPROVED ITEMS
3-063 L&YR Aspinwall and Hughes 0-6-0’s and 2-4-2T plus others, Double Brake Hangers & Brake Shoes £16.00/set 6 + 6. Now Available, NEW PATTERNS. This pattern of brake hanger and shoe seems to be a very commonly used item by the “Lanky” and although we list it suitable for the above locomotives, we believe it can find wider use.
3-030 LMS Black 5, loco’s 5000 to 5499, Brake Hangers & Single Brake Shoes. £12.00/set 6 + 6. Now available, NEW PATTERNS/UPGRADED CASTINGS.
10-034 LNWR Inside Cylinder Webb locomotive Rear Cylinder Covers c/w Valvechest Stuffing Boxes £10.00/set. Now Available, NEW PATTERNS/UPGRADED CASTINGS. Information was taken from GA’s for the Coal Tank, which will also suit most other 2 cylinder Webb inside cylinder locomotives.
12-007 Stephenson’s Valvegear – “Add On” Indirect Valve Motion. £40.00/set. Recently RE-MASTERED and now with UPGRADED CASTINGS. This set adds extra parts to the Stephensons Valvegear sets to enable locomotives with piston valves such as the MR/LMS 4F, LNER J39, & SR Maunsell N Class to be modelled with working inside motion.
19-014 Oil Boxes, 5 outlet £7.00/pk of 4. IMPROVED CASTING.
26-058 GWR early type ringed Smokebox Door £15.00/ea. NOW BRASS.
26-063 LSWR/HR/CR Drummond design Smokebox base Steamchest Cover £8.00/ea. NOW BRASS. This item is the well known “piano front” shape and is probably suitable for many other locomotives.
27-036 LSWR Adams X2/X6/A12/415 Radial Tank/T3/T6 4ft Leaf Springs £16.00/set of 4. In real life these locomotives had very similar spring (maybe spring rates or thickness varied a little but are so nearly the same size it isn’t noticeable in 7mm scale. UPGRADED CASTING.
27-038 LSWR Urie N15/S15/H16 & Rebuilt H15 locomotives. X4 3′ 6″ Leaf Springs & X2 Double Coil Springs £16.00/set Please note this is a “re-jig of this item following a closer look at drawings for all these locomotives.
27-039 Now Deleted as it is subsumed into 27-038 above.
29-033 LSWR 4000G “Watercart” Tender Axleboxes & Springs. £35.00/set of 8 + 8. FURTHER UPGRADE OF PATTERNS & CASTINGS.
34-035 GWR Saddle tank locomotives, Water Filler £10.00/ea. UPGRADED NEW CASTING.
35-020 NEW ITEM – SECR Roof mounted whistle £5.00/ea.
KIT NEWS – Our kit for the LSWR D15 now includes an alternative pair of Cab sides/Splasher sides. When the artwork was drawn up it only had the early large cutaway cab/splasher sides which restrict its period to LSWR and very early period SR. A new bit of kit in the workshop now allows us to turn out the later sides with a much smaller cutaway. Apparently drivers complained about draughts. So this alternative now extends its period through SR days and up to withdrawal by BR. The price remains the same.