Wright writes.....

[Iain.d]

About three weeks ago I showed an update on an LBSCR Balloon Composite from Mallard Models (old but not quite obscure kits) that I have on the go. The build is now complete and it’s just about ready for painting.

 

As is typical of kits of its time there was no interior provided, so I have made one up from plastic card and Evergreen strip. I don’t have any detailed pictures of the interiors of these vehicles so I’ve made a bit of a guess, I’m assuming the third class seats would have been quite simple and that the first class compartments probably had arm rests. Colours of LBSC fabrics seem inconsistent but the third class seats will be blue and the first will be red. The seat bases are secured to the floor and the seat backs/uprights are just resting in place.

 

 

All of the glazing has been cut and the intention is to fit the seats after painting, fitting the door handles and glazing. The seat base will drop in and then the seat backs can be glued to the seat bases, they’re a friction fit to the folded over tops of the sides, so that nothing will move once in place. The roof has had end handrails and rain strips fitted, glued with blue liquid poly, so you can see where you’ve applied it.

 

 

When I got the kit there were no carriage ends so I fabricated some from thin brass sheet and then added the beading from offcuts of thin brass strip.  I added handrails, brake alarm gear, steps and lamp irons. The other end is the same, less brake alarm.

 

 

Nor were there any things to mount the bogies to (bolsters?), so I soldered some strips of brass across the chassis and built up plastic strip to the correct ride height, I used nickel silver washers (left over from a Siphon G kit) for the bogies to rub on. I’m not sure if the brake gear is right, but again there was nothing with the kit, but it looks representative.

 

 

Overall I’m quite pleased with it, I think it’ll turn out alright with some paint on it. All I need to do now is primer it, which will be next weekend if we get some warmish weather.

 

Kind regards,

 

Iain

[Baldyoldgit]

I found this kit in a drawer, and i wonder if anyone knows who made it? It has the wrong instructions, and an odd selection of destination boards.

Regards Tony.

Edited July 13 by Baldyoldgit
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[St Enodoc]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

This ex-GWR BG to the right (builder unknown)

Don't worry Tony, I don't need it any more...

[polybear]

 @Tony Wright Hello Tony,

 

A question regarding pickups if I may?  Some time ago (in response to a question from yours truly) you kindly posted some pictures showing how you install pickups.  I'm currently installing pickups (or at least trying to...) on the Jinty I'm working on; I'm finding that the presence of the spring representations below each axle makes it more complex (at least for me) and I've yet to achieve any arrangement anywhere near what I'm happy with (I'm using 0.45mm N.S. wire & sleeving, incidentally).

Now after reviewing your photos again (I saved them into an email to myself for future reference) I wonder if you remove, or at least modify the "springs" as necessary in order to make for an easier and cleaner installation?  The photos suggest this may be the case

 

Many thanks

Kind Regards,

Brian

[Nick Holliday]

1 hour ago, Baldyoldgit said:

I found this kit in a drawer, and i wonder if anyone knows who made it? It has the wrong instructions, and an odd selection of destination boards.

Regards Tony.

The kit is from Peter K, and I think it was the first loco he produced. The instructions come from his later, and much better, Brighton D2 kit. Without digging mine out of the pile of boxed etchings, I seem to recall that the Single came with little in the way of instructions, and I have never been able to work out how the elaborate arrangement of multiple compensation beams was intended to work.

He made some of parts of the etchings available as detailing sets, but had obviously maximised the etching by incorporating NLR destination boards alongside the LBSCR boards.

[jamieb]

12 minutes ago, Nick Holliday said:

The kit is from Peter K, and I think it was the first loco he produced. The instructions come from his later, and much better, Brighton D2 kit. Without digging mine out of the pile of boxed etchings, I seem to recall that the Single came with little in the way of instructions, and I have never been able to work out how the elaborate arrangement of multiple compensation beams was intended to work.

He made some of parts of the etchings available as detailing sets, but had obviously maximised the etching by incorporating NLR destination boards alongside the LBSCR boards.

I'll second the above.I almost bought the Peter K G class kit way back in the 1980s, when they sold the etches and fittings as 2 separate kits ( not sure why?) Luckily when I examined the kit closer in the shop (back in the days when model shops sold things like this- think it may have been Kings Cross) I decided it was beyond my abilities , especially as instructions were non existent.From what I've read since, it seems the kit was more or less unbuildable ! I have a D2 kit which looks much better quality and will get round to building it some time 

With this in mind , any chance of a scan of the instructions you have @Baldyoldgit as my kit came with none! 

[Nick Holliday]

39 minutes ago, jamieb said:

I'll second the above. I almost bought the Peter K G class kit way back in the 1980s, when they sold the etches and fittings as 2 separate kits ( not sure why?) Luckily when I examined the kit closer in the shop (back in the days when model shops sold things like this- think it may have been Kings Cross) I decided it was beyond my abilities , especially as instructions were non existent. From what I've read since, it seems the kit was more or less unbuildable ! I have a D2 kit which looks much better quality and will get round to building it some time 

With this in mind , any chance of a scan of the instructions you have @Baldyoldgit as my kit came with none! 

Found the kit. Gaze in awe and wonder at the amazing instructions!

William Strudly would be turning in his grave. Those for the D2 are rather more comprehensive, and lengthy.

[jamieb]

10 minutes ago, Nick Holliday said:

Found the kit. Gaze in awe and wonder at the amazing instructions!

William Stroudly would be turning in his grave. Those for the D2 are rather more comprehensive, and lengthy.

Obviously instructions are for wimps!

[Keith Turbutt]

20 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

In the obscure list of obscure motive power kits, has anyone mentioned MTK?

 

 

 

If we're including DMUs has anyone mentioned DC Kits yet? Their first, a MetCam class101, was a bit rough but the later Cravens,class 105, and Derby Lightweight were much better. I think there were some others in the range as well.

 

Also Silver Fox did a number of resin diesel bodies. A WMB diesel railbus, diesel loco bodies for the LMS twins, Bullied diesel, NB Warship, Brush Falcon and some others.

 

How do I know? Because the boxes sat in a drawer for years and when eventually RTR versions appeared I sold the unmade kits on eBay!

 

[Tony Wright]

4 hours ago, polybear said:

 @Tony Wright Hello Tony,

 

A question regarding pickups if I may?  Some time ago (in response to a question from yours truly) you kindly posted some pictures showing how you install pickups.  I'm currently installing pickups (or at least trying to...) on the Jinty I'm working on; I'm finding that the presence of the spring representations below each axle makes it more complex (at least for me) and I've yet to achieve any arrangement anywhere near what I'm happy with (I'm using 0.45mm N.S. wire & sleeving, incidentally).

Now after reviewing your photos again (I saved them into an email to myself for future reference) I wonder if you remove, or at least modify the "springs" as necessary in order to make for an easier and cleaner installation?  The photos suggest this may be the case

 

Many thanks

Kind Regards,

Brian

Good afternoon Brian,

 

I do remove spring detail where a pick-up is close.

 

As seen here on my latest SEF A4.......

 

 

This one has all-insulated drivers, so there are pick-ups both sides.

 

Is the modification noticeable on the finished loco(s)?

 

 

 

Hardly.............

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Edited July 13 by Tony Wright
typo error

[Tony Wright]

Mention of my building (yet) another South Eastern Finecast A4 has drawn me to the conclusion that.............

 

 

Perhaps it's time to call 'time' on building an A4 from this source. I've started cleaning up these principal castings, but they're still extremely rough (a sign of wearing moulds?). The spectacles were completely filled-in, and there's loads of rough metal to remove from the front end. And, look at that thick casting line on the top piece. 

 

The reason I suggest 'wearing moulds' is that I bought this kit about three years ago; the intention being to to build it on commission in EM. I'm glad I'm going down the Hornby/Comet path for that. 

 

Interestingly, the SEF A4 I assisted a newcomer to building locos with a fortnight ago must have dated from at least a decade ago, and the parts were much cleaner, with very little flash. 

 

Whether the new proprietor (Squires) will replace the moulds, who knows? If not, then future builders will end up with a lot of white metal filings and scrapings! 

 

I'm sorry to have to report this, because I'm a good friend of Dave Ellis (the previous proprietor of SEF), and I must have built 20 or so A4s from this source down the years. Painted by the likes of Ian Rathbone and Geoff Haynes, they make-up into more than acceptable 'layout locos' in my opinion. In fact, there are five currently running on LB which I've made and either Ian or Geoff has painted................

 

 

60007 (painted by Ian Rathbone).

 

 

60014 (painted by Ian).

 

 

 

60013 (painted by Geoff Haynes).

 

 

 

 

60017 (painted by Geoff).

 

 

60026 (painted by Ian).

 

 

And 60030 (painted by Ian). 

 

With my completion of 60006, I think six SEF A4s I've made will be enough (certainly unless the castings are better in future). 

 

There is a seventh..............

 

 

 

Not built by me nor painted by IR or GH, but the work of the late Geoff Brewin.

 

It was originally 60007 SIR NIGEL GRESLEY, but I renumbered/renamed it into one of the last pair of A4s to retain a single chimney. It doesn't half go!

 

All the above said, I still think the best A4 (which I can make) is the Pro-Scale one..........

 

 

Especially when painted by the likes of Ian Rathbone. 

 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

55 minutes ago, Keith Turbutt said:

If we're including DMUs has anyone mentioned DC Kits yet? Their first, a MetCam class101, was a bit rough but the later Cravens,class 105, and Derby Lightweight were much better. I think there were some others in the range as well.

 

Also Silver Fox did a number of resin diesel bodies. A WMB diesel railbus, diesel loco bodies for the LMS twins, Bullied diesel, NB Warship, Brush Falcon and some others.

 

How do I know? Because the boxes sat in a drawer for years and when eventually RTR versions appeared I sold the unmade kits on eBay!

 

Good afternoon Keith,

 

Elder son, Tom, made a DC Kits Metro-Camm DMU in his teens..........

 

 

It's seen running on his 'Finton' layout - a much altered creation, originally built by Phil Parker, and now sold to Richard Wilson).

 

When he exhibited it at one Doncaster event.........

 

 

Charlie Petty brought along his DC Kits Clayton for inspection.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

[Michael Edge]

I made the pattern for Charlie's Clayton, it's essentially the same as our etched kit. I built quite a few of the DMU and EMU kits but no digital photos of them - one day I'll get round to scanning my negatives of arlier work.

[Baldyoldgit]

2 hours ago, jamieb said:

I'll second the above.I almost bought the Peter K G class kit way back in the 1980s, when they sold the etches and fittings as 2 separate kits ( not sure why?) Luckily when I examined the kit closer in

2 hours ago, jamieb said:

I'll second the above.I almost bought the Peter K G class kit way back in the 1980s, when they sold the etches and fittings as 2 separate kits ( not sure why?) Luckily when I examined the kit closer in the shop (back in the days when model shops sold things like this- think it may have been Kings Cross) I decided it was beyond my abilities , especially as instructions were non existent.From what I've read since, it seems the kit was more or less unbuildable ! I have a D2 kit which looks much better quality and will get round to building it some time 

With this in mind , any chance of a scan of the instructions you have @Baldyoldgit as my kit came with none! 

*the shop (back in the days when model shops sold things like this- think it may have been Kings Cross) I decided it was beyond my abilities , especially as instructions were non existent.From what I've read since, it seems the kit was more or less unbuildable ! I have a D2 kit which looks much better quality and will get round to building it some time 

With this in mind , any chance of a scan of the instructions you have @Baldyoldgit as my kit came with none! 

PM Sent

[Baldyoldgit]

1 hour ago, Nick Holliday said:

Found the kit. Gaze in awe and wonder at the amazing instructions!

William Strudly would be turning in his grave. Those for the D2 are rather more comprehensive, and lengthy.

Return to drawer I think

[Willie Whizz]

9 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

As for 'old and obscure' kits................

 

 

What about Mopok?

 

This ex-GWR BG to the right (builder unknown) is seen in company with a modern, Hornby RTR equivalent.

 

Though 'old', Ian Kirk kits are not obscure (are they still available?).

 

A God-send in the past, particularly for LNER modellers, there must be hundreds still running.

 

And, as previously-mentioned, there is no RTR equivalent for..........

 

 

A triplet diner - this set built by elder son, Tom, enhanced with Comet and MJT components. 

 

 

Hi Tony. Yes, some (at least) of the former Ian Kirk 4mm LNER coach kits are indeed  available again, from H&A Models under the ‘ExKirk’ brand name (!!) and can be found on the H&A website. 

[russell price]

Anyone remember A1 models? Here is a Baby Deltic, whether it will get finished remains to be seen.

[mozzer models]

9 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

 

 

 

 

Though 'old', Ian Kirk kits are not obscure (are they still available?).

 

A God-send in the past, particularly for LNER modellers, there must be hundreds still running.

 

And, as previously-mentioned, there is no RTR equivalent for..........

 

 

A triplet diner - this set built by elder son, Tom, enhanced with Comet and MJT components. 

 

 

bult a few of these over the years

LNER 4mm LNER triplet set built from a Ian kirk kit3 by brian mosby, on Flickr

 

BR

BR ex-LNER Triplet Restaurant set by brian mosby, on Flickr

 

[MJI]

1 hour ago, russell price said:

Anyone remember A1 models? Here is a Baby Deltic, whether it will get finished remains to be seen.

One day I will finish the 05

[Tony Wright]

2 hours ago, russell price said:

Anyone remember A1 models? Here is a Baby Deltic, whether it will get finished remains to be seen.

Thanks for this.......

 

Was it A1 (or Craftsman, or both) which used to do etched brass overlays to convert RTR diesels into one-offs?

 

As a student, Tom Wright produced this.................

 

 

Using a mixture of etched brass sides, an extended chassis from a Lima Class 31and a fair bit of scratch-building.

 

Ian Rathbone painted it in original livery. 

 

 

FALCON ran on Stoke Summit, hauling The Master Cutler/Sheffield Pullman.

 

 

 

And it still works the turn(s) occasionally on Little Bytham (though it's really too late, only appearing after the station was demolished). 

 

Tom also..........

 

 

Produced this DP2 from a mixture of etched brass sides/castings and a cut-about Lima Deltic, plus SEF cab windows

 

He also used castings and etchings to produce the split headcode EE Type 3, using a Hornby body as a basis, but mounted on a modified Lima Class 37 chassis . 

 

Of course, conversions such as the above are no longer necessary, though they do have a 'uniqueness'. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 13 by Tony Wright
typo error

[thegreenhowards]

12 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

 

Though 'old', Ian Kirk kits are not obscure (are they still available?).

They certainly are in O gauge. Ian himself continues to produce them and they allow affordable coaches to be built. Here is my quad art set on our club exhibition layout, Smithfield. Looks like I need to work on the inter coach coupling!

 

 

In 00, after many years of non availability, I believe that they’re being reintroduced by Pheonix Precision.

 

Andy

[russell price]

It was Craftsman who did the overlays, here is 24 081 using the Craftsman bits and a Hornby Class 25. I have all the bits to do another. Behind is the DJH Class 25/3.

[31A]

7 hours ago, Keith Turbutt said:

If we're including DMUs has anyone mentioned DC Kits yet? T

 

DC Kits also did a range of kits for BR Mk1 coaches; I bought one for an SLO (non gangwayed Second Open with Lavatory).  I'm afraid I never built it and produced two SLOs from Bachmann coaches instead, but I recently 'robbed' the unbuilt kit of its roof to use it in an ex GER Corridor Third that I'm building from Worsley Works etches for Peterborough North:

 

[Northmoor]

If the "Obscure Kit Manufacturers" extends to wagons, I have a couple of unbuilt Roy Gould VGA vans (1980s steel sliding door vans).  Not sure they ever released any other kits.

[Sasquatch]

13 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

As for 'old and obscure' kits................

 

 

What about Mopok?

 

This ex-GWR BG to the right (builder unknown) is seen in company with a modern, Hornby RTR equivalent.

 

Though 'old', Ian Kirk kits are not obscure (are they still available?).

 

A God-send in the past, particularly for LNER modellers, there must be hundreds still running.

 

And, as previously-mentioned, there is no RTR equivalent for..........

 

 

A triplet diner - this set built by elder son, Tom, enhanced with Comet and MJT components. 

 

 

Hi Tony.

The Ian Kirk range is being updated and slowly reintroduced by Phoenix (Of Phoenix paints fame). Some kits are available already I believe. There's been a Kirk triplet restaurant in my kits box for donkey's years. With all the MJT embellishments for it too. Something of a treasure which I'm saving for a rainy day! 

 

Like you say, "The hobby is richer for having the option of kits. I'll take a kit over any RTR product any day!

My Kirk dia62 5comp Bk 3rd conversion, with the guard's door at the compartment end of the brake end Vs Hornby's 4comp Bk!

 

Regards Shaun.

Edited July 13 by Sasquatch
To add image from iPhone