Diagram 7 open wagon

Tucked away in the Gauge O Guild Gazette is a mention that Quainton Road Models are planning a 7mm scale kit for a diagram 7 wagon. Built from 1911 these were the most numerous Great Central wagon of all, more than 6,000 in number. So if you have a GC layout you will need at least one. If you have a large GC layout, you really need about ten! Moreover, after 1917 when these became common user, they would be a fairly common sight everywhere. From Kyle of Lochalsh to St.Ives and from Red Wharf Bay to Dereham. So anyone modelling a British railway up to roughly 1939 could do with one too.

QRM are now only doing limited editions, so if you want one of these you need to reserve one. It's no use waiting until they are ready, because if you do, they won't be, as far as you are concerned. So order one (or more) ASAP.

This is a venture which needs supporting, because if anything in the way of a GC product is to be popular, this should be it.

Quainton Road Models

Quainton Road Models now has a website including details of the existing and proposed range and asking for suggestions.

Quainton Road Models

David Howes has informed me that the Quainton Road Models kit for the 6 wheel 3rd class coach (D.2B8) is now available. It costs £90 plus £4-50 p&p. You can also have a set of wheels for it for £16 plus £2-80 p&p.

Other goodies are in the pipeline.

GCR cattle wagon numberplates/owner plates

Those of you who have GC cattle wagons (or the kits to build them) may be interested to know that David Howes of Quainton Road Models is considering producing the necessary 'GCR' and number plates to finish them off.

However, this will only come to pass if there is sufficient interest in them. So, if you want them - and at least some of you must - please get in contact with him. Sooner rather than later. Today would be good. Because otherwise the only way to get them will be via private commission, which is likely to be a lot more trouble and expense.

Exciting News from Quainton Road Models

David Howes has informed me:

The kit for the MS&LR 6-wheel 29ft Passenger Brake Van D.1Y2 is now shipping at £85.
Next 6-wheeler will be the MS&LR 5-compartment 3rd at £90, with several more 6-wheelers coming over the summer.
Development work has started on a kit for the GCR 45ft Bogie Fish Van, based on a project in laser-cut MDF initiated by Steven Mills. Hopefully for August release.

My comments:
The six wheel coaches will be very useful to GC and LNER (C) modellers, and as for the bogie fish vans...I can only say that if the laser-cut bodies turn out half as good as the signal box from the same source they will be wonderful. Certainly preferable to soldering up multiple layers of etched brass, that's for sure. I can hardly wait. How lucky we are to have such an excellent throughput of GC kits coming along. May this state of affairs continue. To ensure it does, please support our friends in the trade with as much of your hard-earned as you can muster.

Quainton Road Models - coach kits

I see from the latest Gauge O Guild Gazette that the following kits are now available:

Diagram 49 Fish Van
Diagram 1Y2 29' PBV
Diagram 2B8 31' 5 compartment 3rd

All @ £90 + £3-75 p&p. Wheel pack £14 post free with kit.

Quainton Road Models are at Chyanbre, Hill Park Road, Polyphant, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 7PT.

Really folks, we are getting spoiled!!! All I want now are nice kits for the 6C, Staveley Basher and 12AM tank and I think my all-time wish list will be complete.

Quainton Road Models

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 Six wheeled fish van

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...