7mm Great Central

Ambis Engineering

2011-05-26T12:40:00.000+01:00

Great news - Ambis Engineering are back. They supply an extremely useful range of bits and pieces for wagons. See MRJ 207 for more details.
The contact address is Ambis Engineering Products, 27 Stanhope Gardens, Ilford, Essex, IG1 3LQ. Strictly mail order only.
The 7mm scale products can also be had from Hobby Holidays. However, the products don't seem to show on the Hobby Holidays website yet.

Premier Components

2011-02-27T10:33:00.003Z

At the Bolton Show yesterday I managed to pick up the Premier Components Catalogue and I notice that they have several GC-related items.

Loco Frame kits including coupling rods and, for outside cylinder engines, connecting rods. LNER classes O4, B4 (Immingham), D10/11 (Director). The frames are made from 1.2mm profile milled brass and screw together. Requirements for pick up holes and plunger units should be given with your order.

Tender Frame kit: Robinson 4000 gallon tender.

Coupling rods (profile milled nickel-silver). LNER classes A5, D9, D10/11, B4, B5, B8, C4/5, O4. Normally these are supplied in rigid form, but can be provided jointed at extra cost.

Premier Components also supply excellent three-link and screw couplers. 'Excellent' in the sense they are robust and pre-assembled, not necessarily for extreme accuracy to prototype. These have become my standard fitting.

There are also various detail items in the catalogue that may be useful - Wakefield Lubricators for example.

Premier Components are at 14 Swanlow Avenue, Swanlow Park, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 1PB. Their trading arrangements are unusual. You just send for what you want and they send it back with an invoice for you to pay. I hope such trust is not abused.

J9/J10 Livery (GC 9B/9D/9E/9H class)

2011-02-06T11:03:00.002Z

After the study of many more photos, I have revised my opinion on this question. It still remains an opinion, not a fact.

I suspect that most, if not all, were fully lined out during the Robinson period. However during World War I the lining was left off. Of course this would only apply to locos as they were shopped, they would not go in just to have the lining painted out.

If anyone has more certain information (or even a different opinion based on the evidence) I'd be very glad to hear it.

Quainton Road Models

2011-01-26T20:25:00.004Z

David Howes tells me that the Quainton Road Models GC six-wheel fish van to diagram 49 is now in production, and the first batch is selling well.

Having moved during 2010, up to date contact details are:
Quainton Road Models
Chyanbre
Polyphant
Launceston
Cornwall
PL15 7PT
Quainton.Road.Models@mac.com

He is now working on on a MS&L 29ft six-wheel brake van - a new kit. Following that there will more six-wheelers - significantly enhanced and improved versions of the simpler etched sides/ends he marketed in the 1990s.

Suggestions for other kits are invited.

People modelling the GCR in 7mm are truly blessed to have so many kits available and/or promised. It is fast getting to the point where the only thing outstanding will be a cast figurine of Sir Sam Fay! And maybe even that will come.

GCR Name and Number Plates

2010-08-05T13:26:00.004+01:00

A good range of loco name and number plates, very reasonably priced, are available from Severn Mill Nameplates. The range includes most, if not all, of the classes for which there are kits. (Of course many of the earlier classes don't need numberplates, or only need them for certain locos - please do consult photos.) For some classes, for example class 1 (Sam Fay) every engine is catered for. Does anyone have a model of all six? Lucky you!

An alternative supplier is Guilplates who unfortunately don't have a website as such, so you will have to send off for their list by post or ask for it at one of the exhibitions they attend.

Bill Bedford Kits

2010-08-04T17:35:00.003+01:00

Bill Bedford has a new website.

The 7mm stuff is now slightly harder to find, but go into 'Products' and then 'Made to Order Lists'.

There are a wide range of items available but they cannot be accused of being cheap. It's good that they are to be had though, for all that.

GC Cattle Wagons

2010-07-31T18:48:00.003+01:00

I understand from Simon Spare that his GC cattle wagon kits are more or less ready to go out. Cost £25 each plus post with a choice of grease or oil axleboxes.

Both fitted and unfitted versions originally had grease boxes but they would have slowly been upgraded, especially the fitted ones. Don't ask me exactly when.

There's a photo on the GCRS Yahoo website and they look to be another excellent product.

Please note for these wagons you will need 'GCR' and 'number' plates NOT the usual lettering. Now how shall we procure those??? Photos of these wagons in GC days (to show you what I mean) are quite rare. There is a partial on p 73 of Locomotives of the Great Central Railway, volume 2, by E.M. Johnson, that shows enough if you look at it carefully.

J9/10 kit

2010-07-17T16:31:00.002+01:00

I was looking on the Tower Models site recently and noticed that in their section for Gladiator Models this kit is now listed although still 'to be announced'.

Unfortunately the Gladiator Models site is down at the moment so no cross-referencing is possible.

As a 'J9/10' is proposed (that is GC classes 9B/9D/9E/9H) some interesting variations may be possible, as discussed in my earlier post. Anyone with a GC or CLC layout is going to be able to justify at least one of these, and really I think three or four would be more the thing.

I'm looking forward to this becoming available!

Signalling Record Society

2010-06-12T19:33:00.003+01:00

On the subject of online resources, the Signalling Record Society lists among its publications a Signal Box Register for the GCR, listing 'basic physical and chronological details of every known signalbox.' It's only £4-20 plus p&p which can't be bad, given that I paid £3 for a pint of ordinary bitter the other day!

If you haven't got a copy of the 1914 Appendix they can also supply that for £12-30 plus p&p, which again is excellent value.

Finally, if you check out their list of available photos there are lots of GCR boxes among them. Oh, and there's even a list of signal box diagrams that includes some on the GC.

Great Central Drawings Online

2010-06-12T19:31:00.002+01:00

Some of you may be unaware that there is an online source of Great Central Drawings.

Some of the smaller items would make very nice castings or etchings, preferably in 7mm scale!!!

Dragon Models

2010-06-12T15:33:00.004+01:00

Dragon Models now has a website. It is still under development but already it includes a full price list.

For the GC modeller Dragon provide a very good single bolster wagon in 7mm scale but also a range of wgon transfers including the GC, LDEC and CLC.

The 'small' GC lettering is too large to fit bolster wagons. Strangely, what you need for this purpose is 'small' lettering in 4mm scale. The small lettering is OK for certain ballast wagons in 7mm scale, although if you want to be accurate you will need to scratch build the actual wagons. (Or you can cheat and use modified Slaters Midland 3 plankers.)

Great Central Wagon Grey

2010-05-27T14:56:00.002+01:00

I have been asked the proper shade to paint Great Central wagons. There is no easy answer. Certainly it did not come from Dulux in a tin marked : Great Central Wagon Grey.

It is sometimes called 'lead grey' which isn't that helpful as lead itself comes in all sorts of shades. When wagons were painted in GC the shade was mixed from black and white pigments in a ratio, if I recall correctly, of nine to one. However, for starters, the paints used did not resemble modern paints and secondly the mixing was not done with any great precision but by individual foremen on site. As the 'sites' were many and various it is highly unlikely that the same shade was achieved every day in every place. (It's worth remembering that many GC wagons were built by contractors, and some were not owned but merely hired. This further reduces the chance of any standardisation.)

If you look at black and white photos you will often see two GC wagons standing together, one looking almost black and the other almost white. To some extent this may have been the effect of 'weathering' - it must be recalled that the GC ran through many areas of intense industrial pollution - but knowing which wagon is the more 'weathered' is not always straightforward to establish. Even the condition of the lettering is not always a guide - at this period many railways used a special white paint for lettering that was particularly resistant to wear.

There is also the question of what looks right on a model. I am no expert in this field but I believe it's generally accepted that to look right a model should be painted in a slighter lighter shade than is strictly 'correct'.

So what is the answer? I don't believe there is a correct one. For many years I used Airfix M3 for GC wagons, but now feel it looks a tad too blue. But really that's just a personal taste. I doubt it's 'wrong'. Or that any other dark to mid grey would be 'wrong'. Comments on the matter are very welcome.

The Furness Railway Wagon Co

2010-05-26T18:29:00.002+01:00

The Furness Railway Wagon Co now has a website.

There are (last time I looked) three kits suitable for the GCR, all ex LDEC vehicles.

GCR Six wheeled fish van

2009-08-06T10:09:00.002+01:00

In the latest GOG Gazette is an advert headed 'Quainton Road Models' - a fondly remembered concern that appears to be in new hands.

Apparently they are working on a kit for a GC six-wheeled fish van. This has to be diagram 49, which looks rather like a 6 wheel coach gone wrong. They were built by Metro Amalgamated C&W at Ashburys in 1900. There were only four on the whole line (No. 28591-28594) so even if you're modelling Grimsby Docks I can't think you'll need more than one kit. Interesting choice of prototype!

I've never seen a photo of one of these, and how they were lettered is anyone's guess. Indeed, I wouldn't even like to swear what colour they would be. Probably brown first, grey later.

Why the GC chose to built 4-off of this non-standard type is a mystery to me, but I suppose it adds variety to a fish train or passenger train tail traffic...

MMP Wagon detailing etches

2009-08-02T16:09:00.003+01:00

In my post of 30 November last I mentioned this product. I have now got around to buying a couple to try, and first of all let me say I was a bit naive about them adding weight. The etches are so thin that the added weight factor is absolutely minimal. (Obviously this means that the sides are kept as near scale thickness as possible.)

Really they are intended to put in new kits not retro fits and it would be easier to use them that way. (Not easy, just easier.) The sides and ends in particular are ultra thin. Thinner than paper. There's a lot of bolts to press out and unless you're careful the brass distorts to hell. A really delicate touch is needed - more delicate than mine, frankly. Same goes for cutting them off the frets, the sides and ends are practically individual planks held together by ironwork and it's very easy to distort them. You have to be really, really gentle. Also on the fret are capping pieces, wagon labels and oddments. You can even detail the frames beneath the wagon.

As I discovered the best way forward would be to chemically blacken the etches before you start. After much fiddling I got the sides end and bottom inside my wagon (and not looking too hideously wrong), and then sprayed with primer which promptly hid most of the fine detail. Chemical blackening followed by thin coats of paint is the answer to this, I think. Even though my first effort is rather bodged - I haven't finished the painting yet, and some bits of coal dust strategically placed should hide the worst of the errors - the wagon interior looks a whole lot better than as bare plastic.

I hope this summary doesn't sound too negative as it's an excellent product and the instructions, in particular, are of exemplary quality. I hope to buy more, but whether I have the patience to retro fit them to all my Slaters wagons is another matter. They will certainly be used in all future new builds though!

Manvers Main PO Wagons

2009-07-27T12:27:00.003+01:00

I have asked Slaters about the current unavailability of these kits. It appears they will come back, but in a slightly revised format, although we might have to wait a little while.

Unless you're absolutely desperate it's probably worth hanging on instead of trying to find second-hand examples.

GC 3 plank wagon kit (diagram 6)

2009-07-26T17:40:00.002+01:00

I understand that Simon Spare's initial batch of 3 plank wagon kits has completely sold out. However, if there is enough demand he will run a second batch.

I have already put my name down for another as they are excellent kits and well worth having. I don't think it's a major task to finish them as the earlier diag 3 if you want to do something different with one. I'd suggest the main difference is a single set of brakes with no lever on the other side.

Anyway if you want one (or preferably several) please contact Simon to confirm your interest. (His contact details are included in my earlier post about the kits.)

GC Wagon Tarpaulins

2009-07-25T12:01:00.007+01:00

I have just noticed that 7mm scale GC Wagon Tarpaulins (or wagon sheets as they are sometimes known) are available from C&L Finescale. Also available are CLC and a number of other companies including even the Cleobury Mortimer and Ditton Priors Light!

Wagon sheets were extremely commonplace in the GC era when many loads we would now think needed a covered van were carried in opens. (Amazingly even loads such as flour were sometimes transported in this way!) The sheets were also used for temporary repairs to leaking vans and also on cattle wagons, especially in cold weather or when in use for carrying horses. You really cannot have too many, though most of us are reluctant to cover up our careful detailing and lettering under an anonymous sheet!

GCR 4 wheel brake van (from D&S kit)

2009-07-22T14:04:00.004+01:00

This photo demonstrates that I do sometimes make models as opposed to just talking about it. It's a GC 4 wheel brake van (diagram 64 to be technical) built from a D&S kit, primed and ready to have the various castings added prior to final painting.

I never work continuously on a model, but I estimate it took me about a day's work to get it to this state. Which means that a competent professional could probably assemble it thus far in a morning.

It's a very easy kit to build - if any brass kit is - the hardest bit being to fix the handrails to my satisfaction. There's also some tricky detailing to do inside the verandah. The parts aren't supplied for this, you have to make it up yourself from plastic or wood, and it's more fiddly than anything. Not sure how I ever used to manage in 4mm, but I suppose my eyes were younger.

If you have never tried to build an etched brass kit, this one could be a good starting point. The GCR had dozens of these brakes. If I needed more than the two I've got, I'd happily build several more as the kit is a delight.

GCR Wagon Transfers

2009-06-20T17:23:00.004+01:00

I have no less that five GC wagons in various stages of construction, plus a few more that need brake gear added. In the excitement I realised that my stock of wagon letter transfers is low so I asked Chris Basten at Dragon Models what his latest prices were.

Available in 7mm are:

GC large size white @£2-00 a pair
GC large size yellow @ £2-00 a pair
GC small size (not sure what these are for as they're a bit big for bolster wagons) @£1-60 a pair
CLC (CL) @ £1-90 a pair
LDEC @ £2-30 a pair
LDEC (hired lettering) @ £2-30 a pair.

Most of these are also available in 4mm by the way. If you're lettering a 7mm bolster wagon you'll probably find the small 4mm GC lettering @ £1-30 will do the job.

Postage is £1-50 per order.
From Dragon Models,
9 Kingsley Close
Sully
Penarth CF64 5UW

Kit Review - GP Models Diagram 5 (3 planker)

2009-06-19T19:47:00.003+01:00

After a long time without doing any serious modelling I have started this kit during the week. The first thing to note is that it's exceptionally complete. The wheels are in there, and all you need to add is paint, solder, and transfers.

It's a complex kit for so simple a prototype. A different philosophy could have produced a resin body complete with solebars (like the Simon Spare diag. 6 kit) and reduced the number of parts by some degree of magnitude. However, what this kit does give you is a very solid chassis with built in compensation. This wagon would be quite safe even at the head of an 80 wagon coal train - it is incredibly strong.

The etched parts are in nickel silver, and make me wonder why anyone uses brass. The n/s is so much easier to work. I used the bending bars to form the inner solebars, but otherwise the folding could be, and was, done with long-nosed pliers.

There's quite a lot of layered detail to add, and even with a resistance soldering iron, some of this is hard work to position properly. I think this is the one thing a beginner might struggle with. However the parts do fit together beautifully - by no means a quality to be despised in a kit.

Would I build another one? Yes, gladly. Having built this one I'm sure I'd make a better job of the second one. Recommended - and not least as ideal soldering practice for someone who hesitates to try a loco kit!

Diagram 6 3 planker

2009-06-06T12:25:00.003+01:00

Having received my kit from Simon Spare, I'd say it's at least as good as anything he's produced in the past, possibly even better. Anyway, it's a quality offering and I look forward to more from this stable.

Only thing not in there that you might expect are the parts for the brake gear. It's a 9' 6" wheelbase and I'm pretty sure Exactoscale can oblige.

GCR Loco lettering

2009-06-03T15:15:00.004+01:00

7mm scale (and indeed other scale) loco lettering is now available from Steam and Things in Australia. They cost £9 plus £4-50 postage for a sheet covering 8 locos. (But with no buffer beam lettering/numbering at this stage.)

If you order 1/43 scale you get the correct size for tender locos, but for the smaller size used on many tank engines order 1/48 scale to get a good approximation. (Some tank engines had really diddy lettering - I'm really not sure how to scale those.)

Hurry Up If You Want One!!!!

2009-06-03T15:07:00.005+01:00

I understand that Simon Spare (S&T Wagon Works) 82 Clifton Way, Hinckley, Leics, LE10 0UZ, still has a few kits available for a diagram 6 3 plank wagon in 7mm scale. These are resin kits and if they are anything like Simon's previous productions, well worth having. Price £18 plus £1 post, which is entirely reasonable given that these are quality.

If you want one do not delay as it's a small batch and they're nearly all gone. Simon may be open to ideas for future GCR kits, let us hope so!

By the way, if you are not already a member of the GCRS (and more particularly the GCRS Yahoo Group) it's well worth joing as you are likely to get earlier warning of items like this.

Inside Key Track on the GCR

2009-03-10T18:01:00.002Z

I first became interested in this matter following a GCRS tour of the former Dukinfield Carriage works, where we were shown a three bolt inside-keyed chair which had been recovered from the site. Dukinfield was not completed until 1910, so this was presumably from old reused rail. I was not previously aware that the GCR had used inside keyed track so I was prompted to look for other examples. Below are some references to clear photographs – there are of course many others, including some where the track is not sufficiently clear to be sure.

Woodhead Part 1, Johnson, p 31 - Gorton old station circa 1900
Shows outside keys in use on main line by 1900.
As above, page 44 - Fairfield old station c1900
Appears to show inside keys on up, outside on down. Transition period?

Woodhead Part 2, Johnson, p 207 - Deepcar Station c1880
Both main lines inside keys. Very deep ballast.
As above, page 214 -Oughty Bridge before 1897
Both main lines inside keys.
As above, page 221 - Wadsley Bridge GC or MSL era
Both main lines inside keys.

Great Central Recalled, Dow, p 47. - unknown location
GC bogie coal wagon. Inside keys, siding.
As above, page 52 - unknown location. Neasden shed?
Loco 169 (4-6-2t). Siding in front of engine inside keys. Turnout and siding on which engine standing OS keys.
As above, page 86 - Ruislip and Ickenham GW&GC joint. Early post grouping.
Inside keyed tracked in foreground. Whose? GC or GW?

This is more a starting point than a comprehensive list, there are a number of other published photos showing inside-keyed track on the GCR, especially in sidings. I have in my possession a print of Ashton in Makerfield showing a train with coaches in pre 1908 livery which probably can be dated to 1900-1910. Both main lines are inside keyed. This line was laid in 1895, although nominally independent but in effect a MSL/GC subsidiary.

On the other hand the London extension was laid with outside keyed track and the GCR had a lot of outside key track, even in sidings, by around 1905. My conclusion is that the MS&L abandoned inside keys round about 1895, and possibly earlier on main lines. However inside keyed tracked survived for many years, especially in sidings, and was re-utilised so it could be found south of Annesley Junction.

New Link for Meteor Models

2009-03-01T14:13:00.003Z

I have added a link to Meteor Models. This is the new home for the 9N/(LNER A5) 4-6-2t kit that used to be made by MSC.

Bibliography for Great Central Locomotives

2009-03-01T12:48:00.002Z

A useful bibliography can be found here.

LDEC/GCR 5 plank wagon kits.

2009-02-23T09:56:00.009Z

I understand from Marc at the Furness Railway Wagon Company that a new batch of the LDEC/GCR/E&WYUR 5 plank opens is now available. So if you want one, order it before they all get sold. This is the 16ft version, GCR diagram 131, which the LDEC numbered 601-680 and the GCR 31903-31982.

I suppose it would also be fun to finish it as an East and West Yorkshire Union Railway wagon, as kits for this little railway with its grandiose name are unprecedented! However given that I am now modelling the circa 1914 era instead of post WW1 I am actually trying to reduce the proportion of foreign wagons. A pity in some ways, as all those different initials are such fun, but it's the Great Central that interests me most.

Marc tells me that the 15 ft version will also be released at the Kettering Show! Now there are actually two diagrams that fit this, diag 130 and 136, and apart from being different batches from different makers, they look virtually identical as diagrams. There may be subtle differences in the general arrangement drawings that should be available from the NRM, LDEC drawing references 32DR for the diag 136 and 38DR for diag 130. I'm not aware of any photos of these wagons - and very few of LDEC wagons in general.

Numbers? diag 130 LDEC 681-780, GC 31983-32082 (Charles Roberts.)
LDEC 781-880, GC 32083-32182 (Midland Wagon.)
Diag 136 LDEC 881-900, GC 32183-32202 (Brown, Marshalls) Goods Traffic.
LDEC 901-930, GC 32203-32232 (Brown, Marshalls) Coal Traffic

Furness Railway Wagon Co are at 10 Duke Street, Dalton-in Furness, Cumbria LA15 8HH

Transfers for LDEC and GC are available from Dragon Models.

Diag 15 Vans

2009-02-11T15:02:00.002Z

As I had an occasion to take this photograph for another purpose (posting to RMWeb if you're interested) I thought I'd put it on here to enliven what is pretty much a Blog of words alone. They are two diag. 15 GC vans built by me (yes, I do occasionally make things myself!) some time back from D&S kits. The solebar plates are by Guilplates and the small lettering by my missus. The van on the left was damaged in a high speed crash and I've yet to get around to replacing one of the door runners.

These are surprisingly easy kits to build, although there is a lot of detail to add, for which I personally prefer to use a resistance soldering iron. (Yes, I know that a lot of people don't like them, but they work for me!)

They are stood on what passes for a layout, more accurately a development site that waits for me to decide how to progress it.

Service Suspended

2009-01-11T12:45:00.003Z

I am suspending this Blog for the time being due to lack of interest. May return to the subject when the weather is sunnier and/or I am less busy with other things.

A right useful new product from MMP

2008-11-30T11:39:00.003Z

MMP (who generally focus on diesels and other modern stuff) have introduced internal detailing kits for the various Slater's PO wagon kits. They are also going to produce brake gear in due course. Apart from being useful for detailing the legions of PO wagons that GC modellers need, readers of this blog will be aware that the Slater's kits can also be used to make GC hired coal wagons.

Being etched brass these kits should also add a bit of useful extra weight!

Painting Spec for a 9K (C13) 1903

2008-11-05T17:05:00.004Z

This may be of interest to some:-

Tank, cab, clothing and wheels to receive two coats lead colour filled up with white lead mixed with gold size, rubbed down, followed up with two other coats lead colour, sand-papered, after which two coats brunswick green in oil.

Outside frames, main frames above platform near smokebox, buffers, footstep plates, same as tank etc., except two coats crimson lake in oil instead of green

Outside frames, wheels, sandboxes, buffers, footstep plates, tank, cab, and clothing to receive one coat under varnish, picked out with black and lined with white (n.b. not vermillion!), afterwards to receive one more coat under varnish, and two coats best finishing body varnish. To be flatted down with pumice stone and horse hair between each coat.

Numbers, in gold leaf, to be placed on buffer beam and back of tank (sic. - presumably means bunker) after first coat of varnish.

A brass number plate to be fixed on either side of coal bunker, to be painted vermillion between the numbers. (n.b. my understanding is that this later changed to black.)

Inside of main frames, frame stay and sidebar bracket to have two coats lead colour, filled up with white lead mixed with gold size, rubbed down, one coat flesh colour, sand-papered, two coats vermillion, and three coats hard drying body varnish.

Outside of mainframes, frame stay, and slide bar bracket to receive two coats lead colour, filled up, rubbed down, one coat ivory black, and then one coat ivory black mixed with varnish and one coat hard-drying body varnish.

Inside tanks and coal space to have two coats red lead, finished with black.

Webs of crank axle and body of straight axles, one coat white lead and one coat varnish.

Ends of axles black, lined with white, and varnished.

Smoke box, bogie, back of firebox, platform and brake hangers, one coat black and one coat japan.

Chimney to have two coats lead colour, filled up with white lead, mixed with gold size, rubbed down, then one coat black and one japan.

Inside cab, one coat lead colour, filled up, rubbed down, sand-papered, two coats stone colour (to sample) one coat under varnish, and one coat finishing body varnish. To be lined as per sample panel. (Not available)

Two days to intervene between each of the last three coats of varnish.

Buffer beams same as inside frames with the addition of being lined to sample panel, and finished same as clothing.

Brake pipes to have two coats of approved rubber varnish.

The above should not not be taken as an absolute guide for all green GC engines. For example, Robinson tender engines plus the 9N class (A5) had vermillion lining on the crimson lake areas. In addition, the early GC green livery was based on the old MS&L livery and was very different, not least in the use of a much paler green as the main livery colour. Brunswick green was one of Mr Robinson's changes.

New Wagon Kit

2008-10-31T13:28:00.003Z

A new wagon kit is available for the LDEC 5 planker, a vehicle which ran on a steel frame. It comes from Furness Railway Wagon Co, 10 Duke Street, Dalton-in Furness, Cumbria LA15 8HH. A welcome addition.

I think I am right in saying that some of these were marked for coal traffic by the GC, others for goods traffic. However I'm too lazy to check right now.

The kit costs £30 plus £3 p&p. The first batch is sold out but Marc at Furness Railway Wagon Co says there should be some more in late January.

Meanwhile, Gladiator have announced a re-tooled 8K/04 kit for £275. While David Andrews offers his version of the same engine for £279 and promises an improved Director for £259.

I'm sure Mr Robinson would be gratified, though he might wonder at a market where some of his locos are duplicated while others are not offered at all... But that's a petty quibble, in loco matters at least GC modellers are blessed.

Heroes of the Footplate

2008-10-26T11:09:00.004Z

I've had a link to Heroes of the Footplate on here for some time, but I think they deserve a special mention for the quality of their railway staff figures. Very reasonably priced too. Do have a look at the excellent web site - you will be impressed.

Slater's Printed PO Wagons

2008-10-24T17:29:00.004+01:00

I notice from the Slater's Site that several of the pre-printed PO wagons are 'currently unavailable' including the iconic Manvers Main.

Aaagh! Could it be back to hand lettering PO wagons? Ah well at least the Round Green wagon is still available and it's ideal for the GCR up to around World War I. Better buy some while they're to be had...

6C etches.

2008-10-04T17:25:00.003+01:00

I understand from Tony West that he has arranged with Bill Bedford for the etches for the 6C (LNER J12) to be made available in 7mm scale.

Certain parts such as framespacers may need altering for 7mm as this was originally intended as a 4mm kit. What comes will be a set of etched brass components for the basic structure including a piece of brass for the boiler (to be rolled by you) , etched nickel silver rods and the tender. This leaves all the usual castings to be sourced (or home made if you are an engineer) to say nothing of wheels, motor and gears and working inside valve gear to do a complete job.

This kit is for the belpaire rebuild version. Almost the whole class was rebuilt in GC days but if you are modelling the earlier years you'll need to get your RCTS Green Book out to be sure that you pick a suitable number. In late GC days these locos were mainly shedded at Trafford Park (with a lot sub-shedded to Wigan where they were the mainstay of the stud) and at Mexborough. So ideal for those, like me, whose main interest lies with the GC in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Particularly ideal for anyone wanting to work trains into dodgy colliery sidings where that 2-8-0 will not penetrate!

I stand to be corrected - please tell me if you know better - but I believe these engines (certainly in this condition) were always turned out in plain black, with GREAT CENTRAL on the tender side and a nice, standard issue oval brass numberplate.

There's some notes on these locos here but please note the photo shows one prior to the Robinson-era rebuild. A couple of unrebuilt engines lasted into LNER days but they were simple vacuum brake only and could only be used on goods trains. The Robinson rebuilds, like nearly all modern GC engines, were fully fitted and could be used on passenger services.

Updates

2008-08-05T13:57:00.003+01:00

The source for these updates is the latest Gauge '0' Guild Gazette, so I'd better give them due credit. I'd also better state that if I've misinterpreted anything, it's my fault. I'll gladly correct anything that's wrong, just let me know. My mind-reading is really crap these days.

First a new supplier (as far as the GCR is concerned that is) Invertrain Models, is producing GCR 8ft bogies (their reference WMR032) at £25 each, including Peter Cowling cosmetic resin sides. Invertrain are at 33 Rose Gardens, Cairneyhill, Dunfermline, Fife, KY12 8QS. Should be useful for anyone with the relevant Bill Bedford kits.

Meteor Models, 34 Coppice Drive, Parklands, Northampton NN3 6NE, now produce the GCR 9N kit (LNER A5) that used to be made by MSC.

David Andrews has introduced or is introducing kits for the GCR 8K (LNER O4) and the O4/7 rebuild, along with the improved Director, the Sam Fay and the LNER D9 - I am being careful here as the text says 11B whereas I think 11D is more likely. One for you to check. It's also stated that other GCR kits are to follow. It seems in many cases we shall have a choice between Andrews and Gladiator versions. Take your pick!

Connoisseur Models now have their own website and you should find their GCR diag 17 covered goods van on there. I have almost finished one of these and it's an excellent kit.

Er - that's all folks!

Gladiator Site

2008-03-21T12:04:00.004Z

If anyone hasn't noticed, I've linked to the new Gladiator site which is a must for anyone wanting to model the GC in 7mm scale. Of particular interest is that the former North Star 2-4-2t and 0-6-2t kits are shown as 'coming soon', a most welcome re-introduction.

Also I see that Gladiator have taken over the former Newbold GC signal parts. (Now item GLET027.) I have adjusted the relevant section of the blog to cope with this.

Joy/Stephenson Valve Gear

2008-03-18T11:57:00.003Z

This link should help illustrate the difference. However I think I need to see a model, or the real thing, before it really 'clicks'.

Valve gear simulations are also available online. I haven't tried these as I am sure they'd make my brain hurt!

J9 or J10

2008-03-17T19:25:00.004Z

Well it appears that a J9/J10 kit is on its way to us in 2009, news that makes my heart rejoice despite the inevitable impact on the old bank balance. Truth is I have to have one of these, even if it means selling something else. Ideally I'd like two or three, and the only loco I'd prefer would be the unlikely prospect of a Sacre 6C (J12).

I've already been looking at data and wondering what variations will be available in the kit. The first difference between a J9 and a J10 is that the former has Joy valve gear and the latter Stephenson. This is only visible if you look between the frames, assuming that is that you recognise the difference, which, to be bluntly honest, I don't at this stage.

In GC days these engines split into a number of classes.

9B 25 engines built by Neilson and Co 1891 (J9)
9E 6 engines built by Gorton 1894-5 (J9)
9D 12 engines built by Kitson 1892 (J10)
9D 6 engines built by Gorton 1893 (J10)
9H 66 engines built by Beyer Peacock 1896-97 (J10)
9H 40 engines built by Gorton 1901-02 (J10)

The 9Bs and 9Es were all built with round top boilers but were rebuilt with Robinson's standard No 1 Belpaire boilers from 1910-1921, the last conversion being 650.

The 9Ds also started with round topped boilers but were converted as above between 1910 and 1923. The 9Hs had belpaires from the start.

The Beyer Peacock engines had taller and wider cabs with a different cut out to match the 4000 gallon tenders. The others had 3080 gallon tenders. The Robinson engines had rectangular number plates and extended cabs. The others had short cabs but many (all?) were eventually given extended cabs also, although they kept transfer numbers.

Liveries? The early ones were in the rather sickly MS&L/early GC green. Having looked at what photos I can scrounge from my collection, my impression is that the engines built under Robinson were in the lined black livery, while the rest went from green to plain black. However this is a provisional impression and I may be wrong! Comments welcome.

So if the kit is indeed to cover both J9 and J10 it looks like it will have to come with a 3080 tender, while the Beyer Peacock series would need the standard 4000 tender and a different cab. There are of course various other details impacting on individual engines and I'll be surprised (and delighted) if the kit covers all the options. Certainly for the GC era it should be possible to have half a dozen of these locos and no two exactly the same. Great fun!

Disclaimer

2008-03-16T12:44:00.003Z

I shouldn't have to say this, but I better had. I have no connection with any of the manufacturers listed here except as a customer, or in odd cases as a friend. My policy is to list anything that might be useful to GCR modellers. Nothing I say should be taken as recommendation or condemnation, except in so far as it reflects my honest opinion. Please make your own enquiries as to whether a particular product suits your need - or not. I am always willing to correct factual errors, provided someone tells me about them!

GCR Odds and Ends Suppliers

2008-03-16T12:33:00.008Z

Peter Cowling, 377 Beaumont Leys Lane, Leicester.Sideframes (resin) for Robinson 8ft bogies and battery boxes.

Dragon Models, 9 Kingsley Close,Sully,Penarth, CF64 5UW. GC, CL and LDEC goods stock transfers.

Exactoscale Ltd,20 Waterson Vale,Moulsham Lodge,Chelmsford,Essex CM2 9PB. Generic etched brake gear, levers, etc. Also a developing 7mm scale track system - the brass fishplates are brilliant, far better to look at than the "railjoiners" produced by PECO. They used to supply sprung axleguards (etchings only) for GCR CCT and wagons, we must hope these will be reintroduced!

Gladiator produces the former Newbold GC signal parts. Look under 'Parts -etched'.

Guilplates, 32 Wodeland Avenue, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 4JZ Tel 01483 565980 or 563156. For GCR number,name, works plates, etc. They also do special jobs - for example they produced GCR wagon number plates and "to carry" plates for me.

Isinglass - produce 7mm scale drawings for many of the Robinson era GC engines.

Keykits - milled chassis and rods for 9N tank (LNER A5) and 8K (LNER 04).

Kings Cross Plates - Name and number plates for GC engines.

Model Signal Engineering - Provides a range of GC signalling parts. If you want the electro pneumatic type used in the Manchester area these can be made up from combinations of other companies' parts.

Newbold Models (Peter Dobson), 57, Desford Road, Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire, LE9 9LG. Tel: 01455 823767. (To order only) GCR station canopy girders - I think these are London extension style, as used at Leicester Central, for example. Please check availability as it appears some items from his range have been sold on.

GCR Coach Kit Suppliers

2008-03-16T12:23:00.004Z

The weakest area so far - you may, if you are lucky find some second hand products from Quainton Road or Trevor Charlton.

Otherwise we have:

Bill Bedford - A large range, but see my comments re Bill's wagon kits. Not cheap, no instructions, and lots of castings to make/procure.

GP Models, 44 Wolsey Way, Lincoln, LN2 4QH. - Barnum Brake and Third. 6 wheelers on the way - which is great news.

D&S Models, Dan Pinnock,46 The Street, Wallington, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 6SW - some Robinson stock, but check for availability.

Worsley Works, 19 Douglas Road, Worsley, Manchester, M28 2SR. Etched brass Parker coaches, sides, ends and floors. "Scratch Aid" type kits but a very handsome start for a coach project.

GCR Loco kit suppliers

2008-03-16T11:58:00.012Z

David Andrews, 20 Hillside Gardens, Woodmancote, Cheltenham, GL52 4QF. 01242 672744. Etched loco kits for "Faringdon" and the "Crab" 2-6-4 tank. According to a recent GOG Gazette feature, the 11B, 11D (D9) and Sam Fay classes are to be added to the range. Kits can be supplied in nickel silver at 10% extra cost. These kits have a high reputation.

Gladiator, Gun Hill Farm,Arley, Coventry, CV7 8FE. Tel: 01676 540628 - supplier of a wide range of etched loco kits for the Great Central, with more to come! Some kits are listed on the Tower Models site and can be ordered from Tower Models as well as from Gladiator direct.

GP Models, 44 Wolsey Way, Lincoln, LN2 4QH. Class 5A 0-6-0 tank engine (LNER J63). A loco kit for the 2/2A class (LNER D7) is promised, but is now long awaited.

Haywood Railway (Geoff Gill) 29 Litchfield Drive, Great Haywood, Staffordshire ST18 0SX produce a cheap kit for the N5 0-6-2t which I am told is very easy to build. This can also be bought via Tower Models.

Leinster Models, 28 St Peter's Road, Phibsboro Dublin 7, Republic of Ireland - Leinster do quite a range of GC loco kits, I think it's fair to say that they are rather old-fashioned and basic, but startlingly cheap. I have seen some nice models built from these, but feel they are mainly for people who are not afraid to do some serious metalbashing and willing to make or buy many details.

MSC Models, Kit for 9N 4-6-2 tank (LNER A5 class). (EDIT - This model now with Meteor Models.)

GC Wagon Kit Suppliers

2008-03-16T11:26:00.015Z

Current GCR Wagon Kit suppliers that I know about:

ABS Models, 36 Field Barn Drive, Weymouth, Dorset. DT4 0ED. Tel: 01305 772687. Does a very nice whitemetal GCR bolster wagon kit. Has a 3 planker in his catalogue, but not yet available.
Available online from Keykits.

Bill Bedford - An amazing range of GCR and MS&LR coach and wagon kits, including some truly obscure prototypes. Etched brass, without castings - you have to find or make your own fittings. No instructions, so you will find a prototype drawing and photographs invaluable; good knowledge of how prototype vehicles go together is also more than handy. Not for the faint-hearted, the beginner, or those with short arms and deep pockets. (Available in other scales too, by the way.)

Connoisseur Models, 33 Grampian Road, Penfields, Stourbridge, DY8 4UE. Diagram 17 van - see BRM October 2005 p 36. This is also suitable for the CLC, but note it was not introduced until 1912. Raymond Walley has written a review which you will find in pdf form here. (See under GCR 10t sliding door van.)

D&S Models,Dan Pinnock,46 The Street, Wallington, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 6SW. Probably the best etched kits in the world, certainly very good anyway. Diag 15 15 ton van, diag 61 milk van, diag 64 4 wheel brake van, ex LDEC horse box. GC Meat Van, diag.58. The instructions are sometimes a little sparse.

Dragon Models,9 Kingsley Close,Sully,Penarth, CF64 5UW. Kit for GC single bolster kit in white metal.

The Furness Railway Wagon Company (Mark and Geoff Dobson, 9 Parkfield, Swarthmoor, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 0HW) produce a GER box wagon kit for £35 plus £3 p&p. This looks to be very similar to the ex LDEC vans (GCR diagram 144). I only know of one photo of the LDEC van, which was published in Great Central Link 12 (Jan.1997) and it isn't a very good one. Numbers if anyone wants them, GCR 33123-33142, formerly LDEC 76-95. (The NRM drawing shows the LDEC van's brakes were Morton, with brake blocks on one side, while the axleboxes were Attocks Patent, with a rounded bottom. You can bet that some were modified by the GC later, so it's still anyone's guess barring a better photo.)

Gladiator, Gun Hill Farm,Arley, Coventry, CV7 8FE. Tel: 01676 540628 - produce a kit for a GCR open wagon, which I think is diagram 9. (Gladiator Reference GLW012.)

GP Models, 44 Wolsey Way, Lincoln, LN2 4QH. Diag 5 three plank wagon, diag.16 van, diag 53 fish van, diag. 66 6-wheel brake van. The wagon kits have resin bodies with nickel silver underframes.

Just Like The Real Thing, 26 Whittle Place, South Newmoor Industrial Estate, Irvine, Ayrshire, KA11 4HR. - produces a diag 12/diag 13 GCR van kit. I understand these now include castings.

S.Spare, 82 Clifton Way, Hinckley ,Leics. Diagram 22B coal wagon. Body £13, castings £4 and postage £1.25. A diag. 8 has been available also. These are limited run kits, please check availability before ordering.

Slater's 10ton side and end door Charles Roberts and Gloucester 7 planker with S/E doors can legitimately be finished in GC colours as hired wagons. Do not shave off the moulded PO registration plates as these were carried by hired wagons.

Introduction

2008-03-16T10:36:00.001Z

This blog is really a substitute for a website I used to run. I've recently jacked Orange as my ISP, and so the site, which was on their free web page, had to go. I can't be bothered setting up a straight replacement so this blog will have to do.

Please don't expect something new on here every day. There will be the odd thing, but the first task will be to try to put back most of the information that used to be on the old site.