CLOSING TIME

It has been a long while since the previous post on this blog, and this update is to announce that production of the 009 range of kits - and the scratch building service - is ceasing.

A number of factors have come together to bring me to the decision that it is the right time to stop.

The main one which dictates that now is the time is that my stocks of both the resin I use for casting, and the bespoke brass parts which go into the kits, have run down at the same time.

In order to do any more production runs I would need to replenish both at once which - in the terms of a cottage business like this - is a very considerable investment.

Eventually, of course, this produces a profit from the sale of kits, but in a business as small as this that may not be realised for many months - perhaps even a year or more.

With the inflationary conditions we're living in currently, and the pressure on everyday living, I have to ask hard questions about whether that is the best use of my money right now?

And then there's the question of whether it's the best use of my time?

I have the feeling that an artisan, analogue, labour-intensive technology like casting is one that is living on borrowed time.

The trend has been clear in our hobby for a decade or more towards CAD and now 3D printing.

More and more, modellers are looking to buy their models this way - if not ready-to-run then at least ready-to-paint.

Kit building is becoming even more of a niche activity, and I also have to accept - with no resentment in any way - that these designers, and the ever-improving technology at their disposal, can produce superior models to what I can scratch built and cast.

The future belongs to them.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me in this venture, and to say what pleasure it has given to see the kits I have mixed, poured and packed over the years being made into models running on layouts. 

In particular, I must express huge thanks to Narrow Planet for their support in design, production and marketing of the kits.

I will leave the email address to make myself available for anyone seeking advice or tips with kits which have been bought.

Thanks everybody

Rob

MAENOFFEREN TANK WAGON

Our sixth rolling stock kit has been released, and also our smallest.

This is a model of a very unusually-shaped tank waggon which is now part of the heritage fleet on the Ffestiniog Railway.

It was recovered from the Maenofferen slate quarry, one of the railway's customers, and restored at Boston Lodge Works.

This kit includes a two part tank body cast in solid resin, and for the chassis uses parts from the Dundas 3-ton slate waggon, which are included in the kit, and is simple to glue together.

The kit is being sold for £20 plus postage costs.

It is available direct from us, and Narrow Planet will shortly be taking stock of them to be sold through their website.

FR Van 51

It's been a long while since the last post but we haven't gone away. We've been quietly working away on a new kit for FR infrastructure Van 51 in its current condition.

We're now ready to start taking orders for these castings. The kit is designed to run on the Dundas FR quarryman's carriage chassis - as is the real thing - which is available as a separate unit from Dundas Models.

We had hoped to provide a bespoke etch for the handrail on the balcony but this has not been possible to arrange yet, but we're going to go ahead with offering the body casting anyway.

What you get with the kit is the four sides of the main body, a floor which locates a cut-back Quarrymans chassis, a balcony steps casting and a casting to help you form a styrene roof skin (but there is nothing to stop you using brass if you wish.)

We are offering these castings for £25 + postage - please email us at the address on the site if you would like to place an order.

WE'RE STILL IN BUSINESS!

It's been more than 18 months since the last post on this blog and we know what it's like to stumble across a site that hasn't been touched for a long time and wonder if the information is still current?

Well please be assured that in this case it most certainly is.

We haven't released any new kits but the full range of 009 SAR wagons is still available.

Just last week a fresh batch was cast and delivered to our stockist at Narrow Planet.

NEW ONLINE OUTLETS

It has been long while since this page was updated but as there have been no additions to the range there has been little news to report.

The kits are still very much in production though, on a limited run basis as ever, and we now have two outlets where you can buy them online.

The newcomer is Narrow Planet, who supply the etched brass frets used in the kits, and have expanded their website.

The full range also remains available online from the Ffestiniog Railway shop.

TURNING RESIN INTO RIVETS

A generous proportion of the proceeds from the sale of every Boston Largs Works kit is being donated to the fund to restore FR Large England 'Welsh Pony' in time for its 150th anniverary in 2017. This graphic proudly features on the front of our instructions leaflet.

The kits have been selling like hot cakes in the FR shop at Porthmadog this summer and its wonderful to see that the funds we've been able to contribute are leading to the first steps being taken in making the locomotive fit for service again.

It goes without saying that an enormous amount of work likes ahead to put a locomotive that last steamed in the 1930's into traffic again but, for me, the saddle tank is the most iconic part of an FR England engine so it's really exciting to the old rusted sections being replaced using traditional methods.

A real case of turning resin into rivets.

SAR V-16 BRAKE VAN KIT RELEASED

Our latest SAR/ WHR resin wagon kit for the V-16 Brake Van has now been released. It is available to buy from the Ffestiniog Railway shop in Porthmadog or online at Festshop
 

As with all our kits you will need to buy wheels, brass cup bearings and couplings. Details of the parts required are included in the instructions. All the parts are available online from Parkside Dundas.