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.
Tuesday, 6 February 2018
Sunday, 3 December 2017
4 wheel coaches.
MS&LR 4 wheel coaches are now available from Alphagraphix, 23 Darris Road, Selly Park, Birmingham, B29 7QY.
The kits are third class and first class. Other types may become available later, so please support this venture to encourage this development.
The kits are third class and first class. Other types may become available later, so please support this venture to encourage this development.
Saturday, 8 July 2017
Furness Wagon Company
I understand from Marc at the Furness Wagon Company that the following LDEC wagon kits are (or shortly will be) available:
15ft 5 plank open
16ft 5 plank open
16ft box van
16ft 3 plank drop-side (Labelled Taff Vale Rly)
16ft 10ton Brake van
This is practically a whole goods train all in one swoop! I hope I need not tell anyone reading this that these wagons all became GC property in 1907. Although, obviously, they would have taken a while to repaint and some would still have been in LDEC livery for a while.
Furness Wagon Company are on the web and also often attend Exhibitions, especially GOG ones. Their kits vary in complexity, as is explained on the site.
As an aside, I should mention that there is some debate about the LDEC wagon livery. Dow says chocolate, but there are other sources that say grey. So take your pick, unless anyone has definite information. "Chocolate" in early 20th Century terms does not necessarily mean what we generally mean by "chocolate". It could be "lake" as per LNWR coaches, which look brownish or reddish according to light - and perhaps the viewer's colour perception.
So perhaps GCR grey is safest after all.
By the way, good luck finding photos of these prototypes. They are rare at best, and for some, like the brake van, make hen's teeth look relatively commonplace.
15ft 5 plank open
16ft 5 plank open
16ft box van
16ft 3 plank drop-side (Labelled Taff Vale Rly)
16ft 10ton Brake van
This is practically a whole goods train all in one swoop! I hope I need not tell anyone reading this that these wagons all became GC property in 1907. Although, obviously, they would have taken a while to repaint and some would still have been in LDEC livery for a while.
Furness Wagon Company are on the web and also often attend Exhibitions, especially GOG ones. Their kits vary in complexity, as is explained on the site.
As an aside, I should mention that there is some debate about the LDEC wagon livery. Dow says chocolate, but there are other sources that say grey. So take your pick, unless anyone has definite information. "Chocolate" in early 20th Century terms does not necessarily mean what we generally mean by "chocolate". It could be "lake" as per LNWR coaches, which look brownish or reddish according to light - and perhaps the viewer's colour perception.
So perhaps GCR grey is safest after all.
By the way, good luck finding photos of these prototypes. They are rare at best, and for some, like the brake van, make hen's teeth look relatively commonplace.
Thursday, 4 May 2017
Former GP Models kits
MBS have announced that they have taken over the former GP Models range. It is not yet clear whether all the models will be re-released, but it seems the Barnum coaches are high on the list of priorities. Given the dearth of available GC coach kits, this has to be good news.
Monday, 1 May 2017
4 wheel coaches
Alphagraphix of 23, Darris Road, Selly Park, Birmingham B29 7QY have introduced a brass kit for K&ESR coach no 11, which was an ex CLC 4 wheeler. This costs £60 plus £6 postage and has a compensated chassis. Cheques payable to BRUMTRAMS.
A nice photo of two similar coaches appears in Manchester Road and Rail by Edward Gray, p78. The coaches in question were used second-hand by Trafford Park Estates to partially replace gas trams. Yes folks, gas trams, and don't ask me how they connected them to the mains!
MS&LR variants have been requested in both first and third class formats. If you would like one (or, preferably, several) please contact Roger Crombleholme at the above address with a firm indication of how many you want. If too few people respond, this simply will not happen, so, if you're interested, please be prepared to say so.
Exactly when these particular coaches were withdrawn is hard to say. I have found evidence that four wheelers were being used in full trains in the Manchester area (including first class) as late as 1909. Many will of course have survived much later in departmental use and almost certainly in 'Paddy Trains' for miners and other workmen.
A nice photo of two similar coaches appears in Manchester Road and Rail by Edward Gray, p78. The coaches in question were used second-hand by Trafford Park Estates to partially replace gas trams. Yes folks, gas trams, and don't ask me how they connected them to the mains!
MS&LR variants have been requested in both first and third class formats. If you would like one (or, preferably, several) please contact Roger Crombleholme at the above address with a firm indication of how many you want. If too few people respond, this simply will not happen, so, if you're interested, please be prepared to say so.
Exactly when these particular coaches were withdrawn is hard to say. I have found evidence that four wheelers were being used in full trains in the Manchester area (including first class) as late as 1909. Many will of course have survived much later in departmental use and almost certainly in 'Paddy Trains' for miners and other workmen.
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
Garth Patrick
This post is to record the recent sad passing of Garth Patrick, at one time owner of GP Models, the source of many valuable GC kits.
Garth was a lovely man, and it was always a joy to talk to him at exhibitions. Sadly, due to his ill health his kits have not been available for some time, but they filled an important gap in the market, and many modellers of the GCR in 7mm scale will possess at least one or two.
May he Rest in Peace.
Garth was a lovely man, and it was always a joy to talk to him at exhibitions. Sadly, due to his ill health his kits have not been available for some time, but they filled an important gap in the market, and many modellers of the GCR in 7mm scale will possess at least one or two.
May he Rest in Peace.
Thursday, 4 August 2016
Tia Rescue
Once more I find myself mentioning my favourite charity Tia Rescue.
Tia do a brilliant job rescuing unwanted greyhounds and lurchers and also shire horses. They are unfortunately struggling for cash at the moment.
How you can help:
Send a donation.
Sponsor a greyhound (or other rescued animal)
Give a home to a greyhound or lurcher. (These dog make wonderful pets).
Visit the new cafe and visitors' centre.
Read their website for details.
Tia are located down a country road, but they are actually quite handy for the A1 or M18 if you are in that neck of the woods. Quite near to Doncaster or Bawtry.
The address?
Tia Rescue
Mill Race Farm,
Wroot Road
Doncaster
DN9 3DY
I know that all donations, however small, will be much appreciated right now.
Tia do a brilliant job rescuing unwanted greyhounds and lurchers and also shire horses. They are unfortunately struggling for cash at the moment.
How you can help:
Send a donation.
Sponsor a greyhound (or other rescued animal)
Give a home to a greyhound or lurcher. (These dog make wonderful pets).
Visit the new cafe and visitors' centre.
Read their website for details.
Tia are located down a country road, but they are actually quite handy for the A1 or M18 if you are in that neck of the woods. Quite near to Doncaster or Bawtry.
The address?
Tia Rescue
Mill Race Farm,
Wroot Road
Doncaster
DN9 3DY
I know that all donations, however small, will be much appreciated right now.
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