Testing, delivery and availability

28XX and Halls
It has been some time since our last update and much has happened. The 28XX and Halls (Collett and Hawksworth Modified) have arrived and have been subject to checks and final boxing up with the appropriate labelling. The quality of the castings, the detail, the general workmanship and the painting is self-evident in the photographs on the website and even more so when viewing the models in real life.

We have also tested the locomotives and we are pleased to report that all their operation at slow speeds and fast running has been very good. A 28XX delivered to a customer was successfully run on a 50-wagon train including operation on relatively tight curves. It seems that given more realistic (shallower) radius curves that our 28XX model could faithfully emulate the real engines in haulage characteristics and performance. We are very pleased with the higher ratio gearbox together with our standard Maxon aerospace grade motor fitted to the 28XX locomotives. This drive train combination reduces the speed while increasing the torque at the wheels is wonderful to see in action on the 28XX models.

The Halls also run very well with a good turn of speed and more than adequate hauling power on trains of realistic length. The Halls are fitted with our standard helical gearbox and our Maxon 25-watt aerospace grade motors similar to the arrangement in the 70XX Castles, the 47XX 2-8-0 tender engines and the 68XX Granges.

We are in the process of making deliveries of 28XX and Halls, together with Westerns, but there is a long way to go. We plan to deliver as many engines as possible by hand, as if the models are damaged by couriers, it is very expensive and difficult to repair them. This is especially true of the Westerns. Sending a damaged engine back to South Korea for repairs now costs over £500 just in courier fees and insurance.

Delivery to customers in recent weeks has been held up by limitations in my ability to undertake long car journeys as a result of persistent post-COVID issues and the emergence of railway strikes. I hope that this industrial unrest recedes as it does nothing for our economy except unnecessary damage. Perhaps the Government could be a little more helpful when we have a new prime minister. I am trying to organise a series of drop-offs most likely at key railway stations. If you would like to take advantage of this arrangement it would mean you are able to have your model sooner. I will be in touch with you individually to make appropriate arrangements.

Class 52 Westerns
We have now carried out enhancement of the drive trains on more than 80 Western locomotives. Unfortunately, due the reasons described in the section above, we have been running behind with the deliveries and we now have a substantial number of engines now ready and awaiting delivery. We will be getting in touch with you individually to see whether it would be possible to arrange more efficient delivery via meeting up at selected central railway stations on the national rail network.

Availability of models
New availability lists providing an up-to-date stock situation have now been posted on this website for the Castles, Granges, Halls, Modified Halls, 28XX and 2884 classes – see the relevant 'Models for Sale' pages. We are now aiming to update these in real time as models are sold. Current listings for the Western diesel, 47XX 2-8-0s and 57XX/8750 Pannier Tanks will follow shortly. By necessity, the amount of detail that can be shown in these listings is limited, so if you would like to discuss the exact specification of any model listed, please do call us.

Exhibitions
The next exhibition we will be attending is GUILDEX 2022 at the Stafford County Showground on 3 and 4 September, followed by the Swindon Railway Festival at STEAM Museum on 10 and 11 September.

John Borkowski
25 July 2020