I read here and there that some of the castings and detailed parts that come with some of the kits are of a dubious quality. No particular manufacturer / suppliers being named. where would be the best places to look for better quality replacements ? cheers toto
As you've not been very specific here is a starter for ten http://www.nmrs-models.co.uk/downloads/NMRS-Models-Catalogue.pdf http://www.scalelink.co.uk/acatalog/Smiths_Components_for__O_.html http://www.ogauge.co.uk/11-locomotive-parts Paul
Yes but we all know which ones you mean Check out these castings Toto http://www.ragstonemodels.co.uk/detail-parts.html
Hi York Paul. Thanks for the link. They have some great stuff on there. If I remember correctly, they were at the Telford show last year. I maybe paying them a visit this year by the looks of things. I'll take a look at my steamies and try and draw up a list of parts that could supplement or improve what comes with the standard kit. Not so much Jims kits as his casts seem decent but some of the others. I think some of the replacements that I may need for some of the diesels could bankrupt me. Still, I think, to a certain degree, you ut the kit the if you want to add your own touch / improvements ..... You do. The kits allow a reasonable representation of a basic model to get you started. Some of the more expensive suppliers may take it a stage further and give you slightly better straight out of the box but that's what you pay the price for. Now ......the diesels. Toto
Well Jim's castings are good quality although I didn't use the cast buffers he supplied, some of the other kits (so I understand) have been around a long time with one owner or another. Personally speaking I'm not in the league to buy the top link kits as to do justice to that sort of kit a well equipped workshop is best and I'm still building up the tools yet, it all takes time apart from cost, which is why I'm waiting until later this year for Gladiator to upgrade their Duchess kit with better quality brass castings. Now I do believe that MM1 are to reintroduce some of the Just Like the Real Thing kits on a very limited basis... or so word on the street goes.
So ...... Are we possibly saying that JLTRT have actually bit the dust then ? I have not heard of MM1 but I'll be looking into them. You never know, maybe they might bring the prices down a little as I really do think JLTRT were a bit expensive on a kit only basis. Cheers Toto
Gladiator and Finney7 will also supply castings from their kits individually (although you may need to buy the entire casting sprue that they come on (I haven't had cause to order castings from either yet but I know that I need some NER Safety valve bonnet castings so I will be ordering some soon).
I believe that JLTRT are currently in receivership, now this link:- http://mm1models.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=108 is the latest info I managed to find and that came from RMWeb. Last year I purchased from Laurie the NSR open wagon via ebay for 29.95 which I thought a good buy, the same model kit is advertised on MM1 for 39.95, the same for the GC van Midland flat and Cambrian open as well. So my betting is whichever loco's are reissued they will cost more and potentially not to order either.
Just as an add on Toto I note the contact address is the same Whittle Place, Irvine so it could be the operation is re emerging in streamlined form, I was always confused about the relationship between MM1 and JLTRT as they both advertised some of the same products from that address but MM1 focused more on war gaming and weathering items. Also when Laurie went off with an injured back the other chap from MM1 became the contact on ebay for a short while at the end over JLTRT products. I could be quite mistaken here but this is just what I've observed while surfing for products... it will be nice to thing the JLTRT range is on its way back again.
All is not lost then ...... Bar the hike in prices from what was already expensive. Still ...... At least the option is still there. Cheers Toto
From some enquires via members of the Guild forum, MM1 is solely Laurie's business and Pete W is not involved in this incarnation.
I just had an email back from David at Gladiator to say that my castings will be ready for collection at Doncaster - that's what I call service.
Ragstone and Laurie griffin are particularly good if its BR standard castings your after, Warren Shephard and Hobby horse also have an extensive range of castings.
Yes Rob I believe your right, I had forgotten he was retiring. I’ve not heard if he’s sold the business on. I hope so as some of the Reynolds range of castings are superb
As I understand it from someone who enquired about buying the business the Reynolds range were not included in the sale (presumably reverting to Tony Reynolds). This made the asking price too rich for that particular potential buyer.