January 2010

Update: We will be attending the 'Bristol 'O' Gauge Group Exhibition' (www.bogg7mmshow.com/) this Sunday - 31st January - at the UWE Conference and Exhibition Centre, Bristol. Information on the location etc is available on the show website. Why not come along to see (and hear) our models for yourself!

We now have a page on our website where you can read some of the reviews that our models have had in the railway modelling press. Go to the Press page for more information.

As a further development of our website we are currently working on an online shopping facility, so you will soon be able to buy our models directly from the website. We're hoping to have this facility available by early February.

December 2009

We've received the first engineering sample of the Autocoach. We'll have photos here on our website very soon.

We'll be attending the Guildford 'O' Gauge Group's annual Reading '0' Gauge Trade Show on Saturday 5th December. You can find us on Chris Hillier's Hurn Models stand. We'll have the Autocoach there for you to see 'in the flesh', as well as the Mineral Wagons.

We were hoping to have photo's of the Autocoach ready for the website by today, but we've been very busy with the relocation (see the note below regarding our contact details). Things should get back to normal next week, we hope!

Please note that we've changed our contact details slightly. Our new telephone number is 01963 364363, so please amend your phone list if necessary. Our old 01258 471766 number is no longer in use, effective from the end of November.

Update:

We finally have the Autocoach photos for you!

  

October 2009

Here is a sneak-peek of our next project, the British Railways 16 ton mineral wagon.

Both the riveted diagram 1/109 and the welded body 1/108, including the batch of 100 Vacuum fitted 1/108’s will be produced; ideal freight stock for our B.R. decorated 74xx locomotives.

During the 1970’s rusted out bodies with good chassis were rebuilt with new bodies without the top flap to diagram 1/099, and this version will also be produced, being suitable candidates for the diesel brigade.

Later plans will include the vacuum fitted 108 and 109’s with 8-shoe clasp brakes.

These fully finished ready to run wagons have sprung metal buffers and couplings as standard and a three-point suspension system is built in. We are considering offering a limited product build to scale seven standards, and would be very interested in feedback, so let us know your thoughts.

On the locomotive front a further shipment has arrived, so later this week I shall be able to complete the outstanding orders.

The DCC fitted production is in full swing, with production samples available for me to inspect this week.

September 2009

We shall be demonstrating a DCC fitted locomotive at Telford.

The ‘Soundguy’ Keith set up the recording session on the Bodmin and Wenford Steam Railway with the kind permission of Richard Jones, the General Manager back in October last year, unfortunately on the day allocated he was not well so he showed me how to use the recording equipment.

With the help of engine driver Courtney (pictured on the left), and our stead 6435, a most enjoyable time was had from Bodmin General to Bodmin Parkway and then on the return journey 6435 hauling 5 coaches had to work very hard out of Parkway on the ruling gradient of 1 in 40 for 2 miles.

With the recording complete it was back to see Keith for him to make sense of what I had done. I must say this guy really knows ‘his onions’, but I will let you decide when you visit our stand No. 25 at Guildex and judge for yourself.

Andy at ‘DCC Supplies’ has been instrumental in organising the best decoder for the job and his help and advise on DCC matters is second to none.

The DCC fitted locomotives have been delayed through issues with the soundcam. After much consultation and testing with both Andy and Keith we have decided to eliminate the soundcam by fine-tuning the decoder to produce the four chuffs per revolution.

Production is underway, with anticipated arrival in UK during October, after which we shall fit the decoder and speaker, and then thoroughly test the locomotives before sending them out.

Get prepared for putting some water in the boiler and stoking up the fire !!

 

AUGUST 2009

Here are a couple of 3-D renders of our next production model -

G.W.R. Autocoach to Diagram 'N'

Built in 1907, they lasted for more than 50 years in revenue service, being ideal companions to go with our 64xx Pannier tank locomotives.

The all panelled wooden body with window bolection mouldings and gas lamps are faithfully reproduced and the 8’-0” American bogies are fully compensated with equalising beams. Being of the shorter 59’- 6” length a complete train, coach and loco, only takes up 26” making them just right for small layouts. They will be decorated in three or four paint schemes to match the periods of our 64xx locomotives, with a possible limited edition of fully lined livery.

Tooling is well underway and should be completed by the end of next month, with test shots and engineering pilots available during October, and availability late spring 2010.

A small quantity of the DC only (DCC ready) panniers are being shipped and should arrive here next week, so all customers that have made reservations should have them before Telford, although we shall have some available at the show.

I look forward to meeting prospective customers and discussing our range, it’s only two weeks away.

JUNE 2009

I have just returned from the Orient after several meetings in China with our vendors.

The first task was to inspect all six decoration samples to approve paint and insignia detail and placement. Paint colours are approved although the shine level was too high a gloss on certain parts like the tanks and boiler fittings, these areas will be corrected in production, and a standard of finish has been set.

There were a couple of small errors on two of the insignia, however new samples were quickly prepared which I approved before I left.

Production was underway. I saw several die-casting tools in operation and many plastic injection mouldings of various components, some on their way to the paint shop.

Assembly standards have been set up with completion of the six DC versions by the end of next month, so I am having a small quantity air-freighted to ensure some will be available for Telford.

Just before I left England I checked out the sound sampling, however we found an issue with the sound cam that has to be redesigned to include two contacts instead of one used by most manufacturers of sound decoders. This issue has affected the PCB that also has to be redesigned and subsequent delay for all DCC fitted products, although I should have a fully operational sound locomotive to demonstrate at Telford, where all decoration variants will be on view.

 

May 2009

The final samples are due this week, after which pictures will be added to this section showing the different decorations.

All engineering is now complete and approved, the first stage of production, injection moulding, casting and PCB manufacture has started while the motors are currently being built, balanced and tested. The standard DC versions will be completed first while the DCC products will follow on a month later, with the upgraded PCB, three smaller PCB’s for the various light functions, sound cam, speaker and additional wiring. The sound/motor decoders will be installed here and these locomotives will be 100% checked for performance.

I was planning on having a stand at the summer ‘0’ Gauge show at Halifax, but unfortunately I need to be in the Orient inspecting and approving assembly and final production which should be complete by the middle of June.

Providing everything is correct and quality standards are met, products will be shipped and received here in UK during July.

Our first stand will now be at the Guildex Exhibition, Telford on September 5/6, where you will be able to view the complete range.

Richard Webster