News
GWR 850 October 29 2024
I'm now back from a successful visit to our builder. We covered many details for the build and it was good to see soldering under way.
pictures below show the assembly of the frames, production motor gearbox and the lost wax brass/nickel silver casting which are made in house to a high standard.
CNC machined gearbox specially made just for this project.
cutting castings from the sprues
motion plates etc cast on the day of my visit!
nickel silver castings before any cleaning up.
Dean Goods for sale October 15 2024
We have a finescale Dean Goods, #2354 for sale. Only test run. Complete with lamps, tools booklet and a wooden carry case.
£2400 includes shipping.
We will have a Scale 7 model for sale shortly, a 517 in pre grouping livery.
GWR 850 & BR 80xxx factory visit September 13 2024
My flights are booked to do a factory visit end of next month. As well as inspecting the work on the GWR 850 project, I will be spending time with the builder and his designer to go through the design requirements for BR 80xxx project.
It is always much easier to actually sit with the designer and builder and discuss exactly what I want with a project. Better than doing so by emails!
80043 is the subject for the pilot sample.
GWR 850 August 26 2024
Our builder has had test parts arrive from the laser cutting company. Laser cutting is used for plain parts that don't require punched rivets for example. It's faster and more accurate than etching. He is happy with these components and will now order the production quantities from the laser company.
Frames and tank formers above.
brake rods, frame spacers, motor mounts and parts to form the rear of the H spoke wheels.
GWR 850 August 13 2024
Axles, crank webs and horn blocks have now all been CNC Machined. Once the wheel centres are ready assembly can begin.
Crank webs are CNC machined from solid brass giving us a strong crank axle assembly
blocks have a rebate for the ball bearings to be fitted
the above axles are to become the crank axles, once assembled the thin portion will be removed
GWR 850 July 26 2024
The wheels are being made at the moment. First pictures from our builder are of the tyres, machined and ready for the wheels. The inside crank axles take time to machine and assemble. More pictures soon
GWR 850 July 17 2024
More castings, nickel silver this time for the inside motion. Wheels and gearboxes are now being made.
Brass castings prepared and organised
GWR 850 June 22 2024
First of the lost wax brass castings from the wax trees shown in the previous post.
GWR 850 June 17 2024
Picture below shows some of the waxes for the brass castings. These are for the frames.
GWR 850 March 31 2024
Here is a look at the finalised drawing for the Wolverhampton 850 after Malcolm Mitchell and I worked on the fine details.
Once all the frames for the 4 versions are completed I will visit the factory for inspection of the work before they start the loco bodies.
Ordering the etch design, then etches, lost wax brass patterns, wheels, CNC machined brass gearboxes etc will keep our builder busy. Once parts come in we will post photos.
BR 80xxx 4MT tank March 01 2024
Design work will start next month for the BR 4MT tank pilot sample build.
We look forward to showing progress on this project.
GWR 850 test run December 05 2023
Test running the GWR 850 sample on Bucks Hill. The model happily pulls this short mineral train!
Please note reservations for the 850 project end on 22/12/2023
GWR 850 November 28 2023
Cliff has finished the DCC sound install on the production sample. This will be used by our builder to do the factory install for the production. Now we can finish the production drawing corrections. The builder will then start work on the frames and the designer will start on the BR 80xxx 4MT design.
GWR 850 October 05 2023
We now have the 850 sample. Work has started on corrections. Next stage will be giving Cliff the model to fit DCC sound which the factory will copy for production.
GWR 850 /BR 80xxx September 19 2023
The sample is shipping to us within the next two weeks. Once any drawing corrections have been made then the project will go into full production.
We are in discussions to extend the 850 production with 10 extra models if there is interest.
Once production is underway with the 850 project, then work will begin to make the BR 80xxx sample. Firstly a set of 3D CAD drawings will be made and once corrections are complete then work will begin on the sample model as we have done with the GWR 850.
Sample just waiting on couplings before shipping.
One of the available versions for the BR 80xxx 4MT project.
GWR 850 September 18 2023
Quick screen grab of the 850 sample being test run before being shipped to us.
We will get some footage once Cliff and Bryan have fitted the sample with DCC sound. Once happy the factory uses our set up as a guide for fitting the production models.
GWR 850 September 13 2023
The wheel sets and gearbox are now complete for the sample model. Final assembly is taking place and we will soon have the model for inspection.
You can see the custom made CNC machined gearbox designed specifically for this project.
GWR 850 August 30 2023
The last job to complete the 850 sample model is the wheel and gearbox assembly.
Parts including the CNC custom brass gearbox are shown below. The wheels have an etching to form the rear of the H spokes.
GWR Castles July 25 2023
For information and photos of completed models see the project page. Click here
BR 5034 Corfe Castle is available from stock
GWR 850 July 15 2023
The production sample will be completed at the end of the month now we have received the bespoke motors.
I'm looking forward to checking the sample and working with Cliff to install the DCC sound, then running tests. The factory will then use our set up to factory install the DCC sound system. Our new builder continues to get the work done!
Castles May 24 2023
We continue to work through assembly, testing and delivery of the Castles. We will email a photo of the completed model along with a final invoice once ready to ship.
One of the models delivered recently.
GWR 850 March 20 2023
Work has begun on the production sample, with lost wax brass patterns being made. Wheels/crank axle/gearbox are also being made.
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