Wright writes.....

[Dave John]

A bit unfair to describe the "Caley coaches" range of kits as obscure. Most are still available via the website. Decent etches and brass castings, with care they produce excellent models. 

 

Here are some of the grampian corridor stock ;

[Iain.d]

21 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.

 

Not only were Kirk coaches great for the Eastern region modeller, but they were also good for Southern stuff too. I cut my teeth on Kirk carriage kits in the early 90s, all bought from Harburn Hobbies in Edinburgh, usually putting them together in an evening, literally as they came out of the packet! Few got painted and even less got transfers….

 

Below is a selection of Maunsell stock most being built as a part of three coach sets, but some are intended to be ‘loose’ vehicles. In the late 1990s these were all updated with MJT bogies, scratch built underframes from brass angle and a variety of manufacturers’ fittings, glazed with glass (cut to fit the moulded window recesses), door handles and commode handles, better roof vents, toilet tank filler pipes, corridor connectors, MJT SR buffers and so on, oh and painted and transferred.

 

Ignorance was bliss, I didn't really know what I was buying; I hadn't learnt about diagram numbers, high window vs low window, six compartment vs 4 compartment stock, set numbers and formations. I just bought what was hanging on the peg! All the below were completed long before I'd expanded my coach stock library with the likes of Gould, King, Weddell etc., so I'm aware some of the diagram numbers and running numbers aren't right. Maybe one day they'll get looked at again.

 

SR Dia 2101 Maunsell BTK Low Window S 3205 S. This could do with better commode handles, which were bent up from picture hanging wire.

 

 

SR Dia 2102 Maunsell BTK High Window S 3412 S (number could be fictitious) – the set number is wrong for this carriage; it should be a 4-compartment low window version.

 

 

SR Dia 2102 Maunsell BTK Low Window S 3421 S (number could be fictitious) 

 

 

SR Dia 2301 CK High Window S 5171 S, with Roxey commode handles

 

 

SR Dia 2301 Maunsell High Window CK S 5635 S

 

 

SR Dia 2302 Maunsell CK S 5164 S

 

 

SR Dia 2001 Maunsell TK High Window S 841 S (apologies for the low-quality image)

 

 

I also ‘converted’ a few of the Maunsell eight compartment low window thirds into late Midland Railway / early Period 1 LMS carriages! While far from prototypical, they still surpassed the junk being offered by Hornby at the time, albeit the Mainline / Palitoy models were quite good; brass carriage kit building was well beyond my skill set then.

 

They are passable from the compartment side, fitted with ABS LMS bogies, flat planked ends, correct buffers, scratch-built scissor gangways and a scratch-built underframe. An LMS D1695 TK M 1263 M…

 

 

…but are less convincing from the corridor side, LMS D1695 TK M 1298 M…

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Iain

Edited July 14 by Iain.d
Add a sentence

[St Enodoc]

7 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

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

 

I still have the A1 Models conversion kit to turn the old Hornby NBL Type 2 DE into the DH version. Not needed once the Dapol RTR version came out.

[Richard_A]

7 hours ago, Northmoor said:

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.

If you ever fancy selling these, I will take them. 

[Tony Wright]

8 hours ago, russell price said:

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.

Thanks Russell, and good morning,

 

Was it Craftsman, then, who did the etched overlays for converting a Lima EE Type 4 into, err, an EE Type 4?

 

 

Elder son, Tom, produced this at the age of 15. 

 

Lima body with etched cab front window frames and side grills, detailed buffer beams, re-wheeled Lima mechanism and various other details - then a complete repaint. 

 

He studied lots of prototype pictures, but was too zealous in his detailing.....................

 

 

When new, the actual D207 did not have front, vertical handrails! 

 

It's certainly not going to be altered (the model that is).

 

It's been running on Little Bytham ever since the trackwork was wired up and basic scenic work had begun. Which gives and 'interesting' little piece of 'history' in a way....................

 

 

Earlier days.............

 

 

Early days.............

 

 

Not quite up to date (the point rodding is still incomplete, but the proper girder bridge is installed - what a difference; thanks Jamie and Dave).

 

 

Early days............

 

 

More up to date...................

 

The Pullman rake is made-up of modified Hornby cars (me), weathered by Tim Shackleton.

 

 

And almost current (the last run of point rodding still to be completed).

 

This EE Type 4 did not run on Stoke Summit - it was made originally for Peterborough North, but more up to date RTR equivalents superseded it. I then bought it off Gilbert Barnatt (Great Northern) and I'm very happy with it - it just needed more weight. 

 

A similar 'conversion' ran on Stoke Summit..............

 

 

The work of Tony Geary (this one has got vertical handrails at the front, too. Is this right?). 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

[Richard_A]

9 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think a1 models did the falcon conversion kit. 

[Barry O]

Obscure kits.. well Alistair Wright did some very nice etched coach kits sold under the 5522 banner. These were very early etched coaches. Mainly LMS prototypes as he had  a close affinity with the LMS at the time . These eventually passed on to a P4 modeller who promised to re release them.. (I did vontact Alistair to enquire about a LMS semi open first kit.. I obtained some Bill Bedford sides and one runs on Shap, I have another to build for my own use).

 

Bit like the Great Central coach kits now in the custody of the GC group...

 

Baz

Edited July 14 by Barry O

[richard i]

34 minutes ago, Barry O said:

Bit like the Great Central coach kits now in the custody of the GC group...

As I am involved with this. It is the castings which are the issue with those. Previously time because of how the masters were made up. Now it is getting castings done. Something which we hope to resolve in the coming months. As all of us are only in it as a hobby rather than professionals and have other pressures on our time, I know it can feel like it is taking a long time. We need to prioritize use of our time to get the most for the society, across all activities. Brian who leads on this does an excellent job of keeping the wagon kits available. If anyone would like to help the committee on this front, all offers gratefully received.

richard 

[polybear]

17 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Good afternoon Brian,

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

Many thanks Tony - that's a great help.

Perhaps you might consider doing "Tony's Tips" to pass on such information - either as a part of WW or as a separate thread?  I know many would find it most useful - no doubt it would prompt others to add "this is how I do it" as well.

 

Kind Regards,

Brian

[Tony Wright]

Regarding Ian Kirk kits, though I've built many Gresley examples down the years, I only have a few left running on LB (superseded by etched brass equivalents). These include.........

 

 

This end-door TK, sandwiched between two cars with etched brass sides (viewed at a distance, tolerable?). 

 

 

Yes, a bit thick in the sides, but Hornby doesn't do end-door gangwayed Gresleys RTR, and etched brass construction is beyond many.......

 

 

A BG, modified using Comet underframe components (to the right is a Kirk non-gangwayed Gresley Kirk, the work of the late Dave Shakespeare).

 

I was given a Kirk Quad-Art set (once the property of a deceased modeller, and, effectively, being thrown out!).

 

 

The angle trussing (supplied in the kit?) is incorrect.

 

Why do modellers leave coach roofs white? A couple of trips between Kings Cross and the outer suburbs, through all those tunnels, in 'mucky' weather, and they wouldn't stay white for long. 

 

Anyway............

 

 

I took pity on it, replaced the trussing, detailed it and weathered it............

 

 

Tested it thoroughly on Little Bytham, then gave it to Jesse Sim (who, I believe, is building the complementary Quad-Art to make a complete set). 

 

[Tony Wright]

17 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

Many thanks Tony - that's a great help.

Perhaps you might consider doing "Tony's Tips" to pass on such information - either as a part of WW or as a separate thread?  I know many would find it most useful - no doubt it would prompt others to add "this is how I do it" as well.

 

Kind Regards,

Brian

Good morning Brian,

 

Thanks for that.

 

I don't think a new thread will be necessary, but 'Tony's Tips' seems a good idea; or better still, just 'Modelling Tips' in general.

 

How to begin it? How about folk just asking questions? It's common on here already.

 

I should point out that all my suggestions are 'my way'; 'a way' if you like, never 'the way'. They are suggestions which I know 'work', at least for me, but I'm sure there are many 'better ways'.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[gr.king]

18 hours ago, Keith Turbutt said:

If we're including DMUs has anyone mentioned DC Kits yet?

 

Yes, a little way back, as a former alternative to the now seemingly defunct ( and obscure?) MSL kits for the Woodhead DC electric locos.

[Tony Wright]

Though not 'obscure', and certainly not difficult to build, Bill Bedford's Mousa Models range is worthy of mention.................

 

 

Cast in resin, they are exceptionally-good.

 

 

And make-up into lovely models (I substituted metal for some of the trussing and steps, considering the resin parts a bit brittle).

 

 

With weathering by Richard Wilson, it's sitting on a siding, forming part of an engineers' train.

 

As for the adjacent four-wheeler, it came from an estate in a tatty state. I repaired it, painted it and weathered it, but I have no idea of its origins (the etched 'signature' in the floor pan being too difficult to decipher). 

 

 

Both sit well in this short rake, which also includes a Parkside open (I think), a Peco 'Wonderful Wagon' and an ancient K's cast metal van.

 

 

Though a D&S brake van is better than the K's 'lump' (of which, more later).

 

And, how about a 'proper' LNER engineers' train? 

 

 

This one, built by Jesse Sim. 

 

 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

Mention of D&S in my previous post, leads me on to this selection of Danny Pinnock's wonderful kits........

 

 

The 'birdcage' brake van seen in my previous post (Rob Kinsey's work).

 

 

An aeroplane van (John Houlden's work).

 

 

An ex-streamlined BTO/SO artic (John Houlden's work).

 

 

 

 

An ex-GC RF, downgraded to Buffet status as the M&GNR system's only catering car (all my work).

 

 

And a pigeon van (my build, painted by Geoff Haynes). 

 

Chivers (not mentioned before?)........

 

 

Produced a plastic kit for an LNER pigeon van (builder/painter unknown).

 

The firm also made...............

 

 

An etched brass kit for an ex-NER bogie CCT (all my work). 

 

 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

Isinglass is a more-recent supplier of kits......

 

Some, 3D-printed............

 

Such as this RFO (built by me, painted by Geoff Haynes, lined by me).

 

 

And the second and third vehicles in this rake (the first is a Mailcoach Thompson deal matchboard BG).

 

Some in etched brass.............

 

 

Like this LNER milk van, built by me...........

 

 

And painted by Geoff Haynes...............

 

 

[Tony Wright]

Mention of Mailcoach in my last posts leads me on to these two images............

 

 

An ex-Tourist BSO (all my work).

 

 

And the ex-Silver Jubilee dining triplet (all my work). 

[Woodcock29]

2 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Though not 'obscure', and certainly not difficult to build, Bill Bedford's Mousa Models range is worthy of mention.................

 

 

Cast in resin, they are exceptionally-good.

 

 

And make-up into lovely models (I substituted metal for some of the trussing and steps, considering the resin parts a bit brittle).

 

 

With weathering by Richard Wilson, it's sitting on a siding, forming part of an engineers' train.

Tony

A slight correction - the Bill Bedford GN Dia 277 BT is 3D printed in resin not cast. I have the similar Dia 129 luggage lavatory composite.

Andrew

[Woodcock29]

3 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Chivers 

 

The firm also made...............

 

 

An etched brass kit for an ex-NER bogie CCT (all my work). 

Sorry Tony but this is an LNER designed 52' CCT first built in 1940. What could be called the final member of a family based on ex NER CCTs. I have one to build and saw a preserved one, built in 1950 under BR according to the builders plate, at Betws-y-Coed on my recent UK trip.

Andrew

Edited July 14 by Woodcock29
Typo

[Tony Wright]

42 minutes ago, Woodcock29 said:

Sorry Tony but this is an LNER designed 52' CCT first built in 1940. What could be called the final member of a family based on ex NER CCTs. I have one to build and saw a preserved one, built in 1950 under BR according to the builders plate, at Betws-y-Coed on my recent UK trip.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew,

 

I should have remembered that; it's come up before.

 

I think the difference is the original NER type has a substantial horizontal band at waist level. 

 

 

Like this.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

I can't recall if this BTH Type 1 was built from an A1 kit or a Dave Alexander one (or neither). Rob Kinsey (the builder/painter) will no doubt tell me............

 

 

Running on a ballast train on Stoke Summit.

 

Another diesel produced from etched sides over a modified RTR donor was..............

 

 

LION, seen here awkwardly photographed with a (short) telephoto lens during Bytham's early days (a technique not to be repeated).

 

Were these Craftsman or A1 etches/castings? Either way, the donor (I believe) was a Lima Brush Type 4. 

 

This loco is now re-gauged to EM to run on Retford. 

 

 

[Woodcock29]

That's also an LNER built one from the late 1920s as it has droplights. The original NE bogie CCTs had windows either side of the doors. The LNER version in this photo is I think the same length (45'?) as the NE one.

[41516]

4 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

and an ancient K's cast metal van.

 

Though a D&S brake van is better than the K's 'lump' (of which, more later).

 

It's not so bad with a change of everything below the solebar (somewhat par for the course with K's wagons) - not brilliant but can be pulled up to a respectable level (although I'm less happy in retrospect of my choice of W-irons on the unpainted one here).

 

As seen before on the 'What have you done with your Keyser kit' thread.

 

[Tony Wright]

A kit name from the past (though certainly not obscure) was Kitmaster (later incorporated into Airfix). 

 

Though non-powered (did anyone get those 'Perfecta' kits to work?), many modellers (yours truly included) built them, and, in some cases, motorised them with proprietary chassis. I certainly did (producing somewhat peculiar results), including a J94 on top of a Tri-ang Jinty chassis and a couple of GWR prairie tanks on top of Tr-iang Princess chassis (Oh Dear!). The best was the the 76XXX riding on top of a cut-back Tri-ang 82XXX chassis ('best' is a relative term here). Fortunately, I have no photographs of these dubious creations (I was 15 at the time), and I have no idea where they are now (hopefully, buried!). 

 

When elder son Tom was 15, and showing a great interest in railway modelling, I thought - why not give him something similar to try for himself? Which I did........ The task being........

 

 

Motorising this original Kitmaster (not Airfix) EVENING STAR by employing a Crownline chassis with Romford/Mashima drive. 

 

It's seen here running on Stoke Summit.

 

 

And here on Charwelton. 

 

I helped him a little - showing him how to carve-off moulded-on handrails and how to erect valve gear (he did one side, after being shown). 

 

He built a Dave Alexander 1F tender body for it (riding on the bushed Kitmaster frames), and also substituted etched smoke deflectors. 

 

The painting/weathering is his work. 

 

While my aged-15 year efforts are long resigned to rightful oblivion........

 

 

I'm still happy to run Tom's model on merit, on LB; seen here in company with a Bachmann example.

 

I know which one I find more-interesting.

 

Does anyone else have motorised Kitmaster/Airfix locos? 

 

 

[Northmoor]

Motorised Kitmaster/Airfix/Dapol: I think you mean this sort of thing Tony?  Bought for a tenner off a stall a couple of years ago.  The X03/4 motor is missing but I've a couple of spares.  I fancied it as a piece of nostalgia and I'm sure the wheelbase is all wrong, but some scale wheels would transform it.  The valve gear would need a little more thought.

[ecgtheow]

14 hours ago, Dave John said:

A bit unfair to describe the "Caley coaches" range of kits as obscure. Most are still available via the website. Decent etches and brass castings, with care they produce excellent models. 

 

Here are some of the grampian corridor stock ;

 

I agree that the Caley Coaches kits can definitely be built into excellent models though in contrast to Mike Edge Frank Bulkan who built this  the Dunalistair model for me found the chassis challenging especially getting the bogie to traverse 3 foot radius curves. It seem you have one too. Mine was beautifully painted by Warren Haywood.

As I have posted photos of several rather different locos from different companies on here lately it might be worth explaining that I try to run true to prototype trains at one time, then change them all for another railway company or period the next time & so on. This includes New York Central, New South Wales Government Railway, Gotthard Bahn, etc. One could say that I have an eclectic collection. I prefer pre.grouping best.

William