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.

V-16 BRAKE VAN

It has been eight months since the last update of the blog but that was mainly on account of the fact Boston Largs Works has been busy producing half a dozen bespoke resin carriages for customers.

With those complete I am now able to turn my thoughts to adding to our range of SAR / WHR wagons with a vehicle to compliment them.

A customer has asked me to make them a model of the NG V-16 brake van as running on the WHR and rather than simply make a one off from styrene I thought I would test the water and see if there is a market for producing a kit for this van in resin.

Expressions of interest to the usual email address, please: boston largs works (alloneword )@ btinternet (dot) com

B WAGONS BACK ON SALE

A new batch of ex-SAR / WHR B Wagon kits has been cast and are available exclusively from the FR's Shop.

You can buy them by visiting Porthmadog Harbour Station, or by mail order through calling the shop or visiting the website www.festshop.co.uk

I understand that the kits are already flying out of the door so if you're wanting one I wouldn't hang about.

BALLAST WAGON KIT RELEASED

I am delighted to announce that production has commenced of our latest 4mm / 009 kit for the ex-SAR NGY ballast wagons. Examples of these wagons can be found on the Welsh Highland Railway and the Vale of Rheidol Railway in Wales.

The kit mostly composed of cast resin pieces with some etched brass components to make the bogies, the handwheels and cogs for the ballast door mechanism.

These photos show a kit completed and painted.

Parts not included in the kit are wheels and brass bearings for the bogies and 0.5mm and 0.7mm brass wire. From early September this kits will be available from the Ffestiniog Railway's online shop Festshop.co.uk

I am also able to take advance reservations direct priced at £35 + £2.50 p&p although kits ordered now may not be available until October as we are busy working through orders previously received. Email bostonlargsworks (at) btinternet (dot) com for more details.

RAISING FUNDS FOR WELSH PONY

As Readers of our other blog - Bron Hebog - will know I have decided to help the recently announced appeal to restore FR Large England engine Welsh Pony through sales of Boston Largs Works kits.

10%  of the purchase price of every kit will be donated to the fund until the day the locomotive turns a wheel under its own power for the first time since 1939.

It means that from today customers buying our existing DZ and B Wagon kits and the soon to be released NG-Y Ballast Wagon will also be helping to bring another iconic narrow gauge locomotive back to life.

Stocks of the kits are currently available through the FR's shop at Porthmadog Harbour station including the Festshop website

For all other enquires we're always delighted to receive your emails.

B HERE NOW

The first of our new SAR / WHR B wagon kits are being dispatched now to customers.

A limited number are availbale 'off the shelf' with Diamond Frame bogies, as used in the DZ wagon kit.

Kits with the Bettendorf bogies will be a released in the next few weeks.

They are available as standard SAR freight wagons or the WHR bike wagon conversion.

Both are £25 plus P&P. To order contact us by email at: bostonlargsworks@btinternet.com

B WAGON OPTIONS

New for 2013 will be a 009 resin kit for the 2nd generation SAR B Wagon.

There are currently 2 of these in use on the FR / WHR and a further 6 are being imported from South Africa in the coming weeks.

The kit is going to be offered with mix and match components which will enable purchasers to model the B wagon in three configurations.

In original condition:

Running as a bicycle transporting wagon on the WHR:

And as one of the fleet of wagons employed to transport and store locomotive coal on the FR:

We expect this kit to be available in the early spring on 2013. For all enquiries email us at: bostonlargsworks@btinternet.com

BETTER BOGIES

I do my best to respond to customer feedback.

of the modellers who bought the first batch of DZ wagon kits commented that it would be nice if the etched brass bogies were a little more three dimensional.

It's a very good observation so with the intention of improving the kit and giving extra value for money I have designed some small stick-on castings representing the suspension in the centre of the bogie frame and the chunky axle boxes on these SAR bar frame bogies.

The spring casting is glued onto the centre of the bogie frame and the axle boxes simply slip over the axle bushes.

These castings will come as standard with all the DZ wagon kits produced from now on and I will be doing something similar to add onto the alternative bogie design for the forthcoming NGY ballast wagon and B wagon kits.

DZ FLAT WAGON KIT *UPDATED*

We are delighted to release our second resin kit in the new Boston Largs Works 009 range, this time depicting an example of the DZ flat wagons running on the Welsh Highland Railway.

A number of these wagons - which were converted simply by removing the side doors and ends, leaving the tell-tell hinges visible - were employed during the reconstruction of the line and have since been taken into departmental service on the completed railway.

Among their many uses one of these flat DZs was used as the base for the notorious track laying gantry - dubbed 'The Forth Bridge' - which was deployed during the relaying of the first section of line from Caernarfon to Dinas.

Perhaps one of these kits might one day be used as the basis of a unique scratch-building challenge? As with the previously released complete DZ wagon kit this comes with an etched brass fret containing simple fold-up bogies, brake gear and SAR hexagonal handbrake wheels.

It requires wheelsets and shouldered pinpoint axle bearings to complete and costs £15 plus post and packaging.

The first production run of these kits have now sold out but you can reserve your kit from the next batch by emailing: bostonlargsworks@btinternet.com.

DZ WAGON KIT RELEASED

I am delighted to be able to announce the official launch of our first OO9 kit for the ex-SAR DZ wagons, a number of which can be found running on the Welsh Highland Railway.

As you can see below what you get in the kit is resin castings for the sides, ends, chassis and some very thin castings for the distinctive bulges on the inner faces of the doors.

You also get an etched brass fret with fold-up bogie frames, basic brake gear components and the SAR hexagonal handbrake wheels.

To complete the kit you need to obtain wheels, pinpoint bearings and couplings all of which can be found on the excellent Parkside Dundas website, as well as 10BA nuts/bolts to secure the bogies.

The kit is being sold for £20 and is being produced in limited run batches. The first batch of 30 is almost sold out.

Email us at bostonlargsworks@btinternet.com to enquire about availability or to reserve your kits in the next production run.

These kits are also going to be available from the Ffestiniog Railway's own shop.

DZ WAGONS IN PRODUCTION

We are now casting the 'production version' of the 009 DZ wagon kit, which will retail for £20.

A number of these ex-SAR wagons are in departmental use on the Welsh Highland Railway.

The wagons in the picture above are for clients who have opted to pay at little extra to have us make up their kits for them.

Bogies and other brass detailing parts including brake hand wheels and brake rigging are being etched for us by Narrow Planet.

Availability of the complete kit will be determined by the number of these etches which are produced and we are approaching the point where we will have to confirm the size of the first run.

If you are interested in purchasing one of the first batch of kits please contact us at bostonlargsworks@btinternet.com to avoid disappointment.

*NEW* DZ WAGON KIT

Regular readers of the Bron Hebog blog will know that I have been experimenting with resin casting to make myself a fleet of ex-SAR DZ wagons, of which there are a number on the WHR.

I've had a number of enquiries from other modellers interested in these but as resin casting is a new technique to me I wanted to wait to see how the first one would turn out, and how reliably I would produce reasonable quality castings, before committing myself to producing some for sale.

This picture shows the first wagon I assembled from the castings.

In this picture below are the main components of the 'kit' which can be supplied which is composed of triple-door wagon sides, ends and a one piece floor casting with vacuum cylinder and reservoir.

There are also some small cast components (not shown) which can be assembled with 0.5mm brass wire to represent the brake gear.

Here you can see a picture of one my wagons which has also been fitted with SAR-style hand brake wheels which I had left over from a previous wagon project.

If there is sufficient interest I will look into the possibility of getting some more of these etched to supply with the castings.

I do not intend to supply bogies or wheels with the kit, but once again, if there is demand, I could investigate getting some etches designed and produced with both the hand wheels and basic bogie frames.

Because of this I would not be able to confirm a price for a castings & etches combo but I am currently in a position to supply the resin castings for a wagon body for £20.

DISCLAIMER: Resin casting by its nature is an inherently less reliable method of manufacture than injection moulding or etching metal and it is impossible to guarantee that parts supplied will not contain some blemishes produced as a result of air bubbles in the resin.  However I will pledge not to sell a customer any part that I would not be prepared to use on one of my own models.  Can I say fairer than that?

PULLMANS ON RAILS

There's some progress to report on the largest models currently being produced at Boston Largs Works.

Wheelsets have now arrived for the two 7mm scale WHR Pullman carriages we are scratch building for a client and for the first time they can be mounted on their bogies and placed on track to confirm the correct running heights.




For all enquiries about our modelling services please email us at bostonlargsworks (at) btinternet (dot) com

ANOTHER BATCH FOR BLAENCWM

Three more 4mm scale (OO9) Ffestiniog Railway carriages been completed for one of my regular clients.

They were scratch built in styrene and finished by hand.

The order was for a model of the 'Service Carriage' 124





The second generation Observation Carriage 100



And 112 which was one of three carriages built at Carnforth in the early 1990's.



For all enquiries about modelling services available from Boston Largs Works please email us at Bostonlargsworks (at) btinternet (dot) com