High Level Kits Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 Hello All, This ongoing thread is an informal way of letting folk know what I’m up to. I won’t be going over the back catalogue so much as giving details, with pics, of new stuff as it nears completion – or anything else that may be of interest. You can get more specific info from the website at: www.highlevelkits.co.uk In view of the fact that High Level produce gearboxes, chassis kits, bogies and chassis components, as well as complete etched kits, Kitbuilding and Scratchbuilding seems to be the most appropriate section in which to post details of current developments. Chris Gibbon. Latest chassis, ready in 2-3 months – LNER/BR J72, fully compensated, correct brakegear for this type, suitable for all Mainline/Bachmann bodyshells but offering infinitely better running. In due course we may will produce a separate kit for the short-bunker J72s (BR 68670-89) which had a totally different chassis. Latest new full Loco Kit, ready in 2-3 months – North Staffordshire Railway battery engine BEL2, as preserved in the National Collection. Fully compensated, high reduction 4WD, lots of lost wax detail castings. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Nth Degree Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 Shouldn't this thread be in the 'Small Suppliers' section? Nice kits, though; I'm an admirer of your chassis kit designs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 BEL2 gets a thumbs up from me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davknigh Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread Cheers, David (a satisfied customer) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thane of Fife Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 I love the gearboxes. If the chassis kits are half as good as the gearboxes then they will be excellent. Thane of Fife Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davefrk Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 Hi, the J72 chassis was seen running at Scalefour North and it was just superb, slow, steady and surefooted. Dave Franks. (I do declare an interest...) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Latest new full Loco Kit, ready in 2-3 months – North Staffordshire Railway battery engine BEL2, as preserved in the National Collection. Fully compensated, high reduction 4WD, lots of lost wax detail castings. Oh my; I'll definitely have to treat myself! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Oh my; I'll definitely have to treat myself! There's a snap of it here sat alongside my old school playing fields after it was restored ( I wonder where?). It can also be seen in this pic of Oakamoor from 1949 but not close enough to determine its livery at that time: http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/eaw024642 Does anyone know of any images of its livery in latter days before restoration? 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePurplePrimer Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 There's a snap of it here sat alongside my old school playing fields after it was restored ( I wonder where?). It can also be seen in this pic of Oakamoor from 1949 but not close enough to determine its livery at that time:Oakamoor.jpghttp://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/eaw024642 Does anyone know of any images of its livery in latter days before restoration? I love quirky looking things and that is right up my street Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Level Kits Posted April 29, 2014 Author Share Posted April 29, 2014 I have this pic which someone sent me. It's Bel 1,but I would guess no 2 would be similar. I can't imagine BR lavishing much attention on painting and lining such a loco... 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 More snaps here with Finsbury Park windows at Poplar Docks. http://www.flickr.com/photos/78089679@N03/8420078914/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/78089679@N03/6868263084/ 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
26power Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 Am I really seeing someone's face in the middle window? I have this pic which someone sent me. It's Bel 1,but I would guess no 2 would be similar. I can't imagine BR lavishing much attention on painting and lining such a loco... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium skipepsi Posted April 30, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 30, 2014 Yeah it is the evil hooded monster dormer window guy..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro_man Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 In due course we may will produce a separate kit for the short-bunker J72s (BR 68670-89) which had a totally different chassis. Hi Chris, When you do the short chassis would it be possible to include an etch for the short bunker? Thanks in advance :-) Steve Canada Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Level Kits Posted May 1, 2014 Author Share Posted May 1, 2014 Hi Chris, When you do the short chassis would it be possible to include an etch for the short bunker? Thanks in advance :-) Steve Canada That's the plan Steve, and etches for the bufferbeams and it's possible I may offer detail castings as an option. The present version, with the compensated brake rods, is compatible with the majority of the class, and the plastic body, as it comes 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 Like the website - much improved. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Level Kits Posted May 1, 2014 Author Share Posted May 1, 2014 Like the website - much improved. Ta Horsetan, it's basically a swankier version of the old one, but I've included stuff to guide customers through some of the potentially tricky stuff, like planning out gear trains and CSBs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Level Kits Posted May 1, 2014 Author Share Posted May 1, 2014 (edited) Here's a couple of better pictures of the J72 which give an idea of the valve gear and compensated brakerods. I've used 0.4mm wire for the rodding, so the brakegear is actually quite strong, considering it's to scale. This type of chassis is applicable to all LNER/BR-built locos, and the later NER (post 1914) ones too. This model is P4 and has 108:1 box with 1024 motor. It's been put together by Dave Franks (AKA davefrk) hence the neat exceptionally neat soldering and siderods that look like they've been milled out of solid steel! I'm going to try and have these ready for Expo or Railex this year... Edited May 1, 2014 by High Level Kits 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Nth Degree Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 Chris, did you modify the wheels on the 03 picture on your website? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 Lovely looking kit and build. The plunger style pick ups look interesting, who supplied them? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Level Kits Posted May 1, 2014 Author Share Posted May 1, 2014 Alan Gibson's the answer to both questions - the wheels are standard Gibson 03s and the plunger pick-ups are also Gibson. These are the new type with more delicate springing. I like to fit them because they provide a neat solution which avoids the pick-up wires having to negotiate their way around brake rods and springs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 Thanks Chris I like to fit them because they provide a neat solution which avoids the pick-up wires having to negotiate their way around brake rods and springs. They do indeed, fitting pick ups is definitely my least favourite kit building task. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 ....the plunger pick-ups are also Gibson. These are the new type with more delicate springing. ..... *adds to RailEx shopping list.....* Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeTrice Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 Like others, I really like the sound of the J72 chassis. I am also interested in having a go at a CSB chassis. Does the J72 support that as supplied, or will it need modifying? Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ian J. Posted May 1, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 1, 2014 ISTR that I used the Alan Gibson plunger pickups on my High Level L&Y Pug chassis build of who-knows-how-many-years-ago-now, and felt they made life that bit easier. Well worth trying them out in my opinion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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