.
16th November 2007

AT LAST! NEW, and AVAILABLE NOW, only from us:
Correctly profiled flatbottom rail for 7mm scale and 1/32nd scale Gauge 1. Two sections in stock now, with a third to follow soon:
Code 100/7
- to represent, in 7mm scale, prototype 60lb/yard rail
Code 125/7 - to represent, in 7mm scale, prototype 80-100lb/yard rails

These sections can also be used in 1/32nd scale Gauge 1 modelling to represent 30lb and 45lb rails respectively.
We have had these rails specially made, to our own exclusive and unique specifications. Full details as soon as the third size is ready....
Coming in Spring 2008: Code 82/7 - to represent, in 7mm scale, prototype 40-45lb/yard rails, or in 1/32nd scale Gauge 1, 20lb/yard rail.

Metric equivalents:
Code   82/7 - 20-21kg/m rail
Code 100/7 - 27-31kg/m rail
Code 125/7 - 41-49kg/m rail

16th April 2007

IMPORTANT NEWS
We are very pleased to announce that we have negotiated some welcome new additions to the range of 7mm scale 0 gauge lines we carry.
METEOR MODELS and GLADIATOR MODELS - 0 gauge locomotive and rolling stock kits. We already have some items in stock, the rest will follow soon.
HAYWOOD RAILWAY - Sprung locomotive, carriage and wagon buffers.
Finally,
D&S MODELS - We are delighted to report that we have once again started receiving supplies of this excellent range.

10th March 2007

D&S MODELS
These kits have been in short supply recently. Happily, Dan Pinnock, the proprietor of this excellent range, has today confirmed he will be maintaining development and production of the 7mm scale range, and continuing to attend Gauge 0 Guild exhibitions with his sales stand. Once he has built stocks up to satisfactory levels, the 7mm range should again also be available from ourselves.

Some of the 4mm scale range (cast kits only) have now been sold to ABS Models - these are already available direct from ABS. No decision has yet been taken as to the future of the 4mm scale etched kits.

Hopefully, this clarifies the situation fully, and will put an end to the unfounded rumours that we have taken over production of the D&S range. This is, quite simply, NOT the case.

2nd January 2007
GAUGE 1 AND 9MM SCALE
Following a considerable amount of research, and after much deliberation, we have decided that the range of Gauge 1 items currently under development will be produced in the more accurate 1:32 (9.53mm/ft) scale only, and not to the old 10mm/ft standards.
In addition, the items we were developing for the 9mm/ft scale range will now be included in the 1:32 scale range - the two scales are so close in size, and the 9mm market so small, that it seems to us impractical to do both.
28th September 2006
Some photographs placed in albums on the GALLERY page.
18th September 2005
2 DOORS DOWN GE type Box Cab loco kit. A surprise new addition to this interesting 0 gauge (1:48 scale) range of little 'Critters'.
In addition, another batch of the popular little GE 25 Tonner has been produced. Both kits are in stock now, along with wheels, motors and gears to suit. As can be seen from the photographs, these kits make up into delightful models.

  GE box cab      GE 25 tonner
10th March 2005

2 DOORS DOWN EMD 300hp kit now available.

EMD 300hp

27th February 2005
We are delighted to announce that we have been appointed as one of a select few stockists for the revamped, much improved, EXACTOSCALE range. A full product listing will be added in due course.
The first releases are highly detailed ABS plastic injection mouldings of the following track parts, all to suit Code 125 bullhead rail:
S1 3-bolt chairs
GWR 2-bolt chairs
MR/LMS 4-bolt chairs
Bridge chairs
Slide chairs
Functional locking fishplates
4th October 2004
A full set of the instructions for the 2 DOORS DOWN GE 70 tonner added. We have put these up to allow anyone interested in this new range to see just what they are getting for their money.
A number of customers have been very complimentary about the way these kits go together.
This document may take half a minute or so to load if you are on a dial-up connection.
27th August 2004
2 DOORS DOWN GE 70 Ton Bo-Bo kit now available.

GE 70 tonner
26th January 2004
2 DOORS DOWN American Diesel kits page updated: 25 tonner now available.
'ROOKITS page updated with pictures of progress on first kit.
17th November 2003
Some Impetus kits re-numbered to make space for future additions to the range. Much progress has been made towards reintroducing the original kits. In addition, considerable development work has been done on new models, several of which are now at test etch stage.
8th October 2003

0 GAUGE AMERICAN DIESELS by 2 DOORS DOWN: Following the review published in the November 2003 Continental Modeller, here is a brief resume to whet your appetites. More details and photographs of built kits can be found by clicking the link above.

First release will be a 25 ton 4-wheel switcher based on the GE prototype first introduced in the 1940's.
Next up is the EMD 300hp centre-cab 4-wheel switcher.
Third of the trio is the GE 70 ton Bo-Bo, available in both early and later versions.

The kits are etched brass, with detail castings in whitemetal. They are designed to be motorised using Slater's wheels, Mashima motors, Romford Gears and Delrin chain and sprocket drive, all of which we can supply from stock. Pickups and couplings are not supplied. All kits have been designed to accept Kadee™ auto-couplings.

Prices have not been finalised, but as a rough guide expect the 25T at approximately £45, EMD 300hp approximately £70, GE 70T approximately £95.

Built examples can be seen on our stand at the Reading Trade Show in December - details on our EXHIBITIONS page.

10th February 2003
IMPETUS NAMEPLATES page added.

6th February 2003





 


'RooKits 40-1 gearset

 

 

 


Sorry - as soon as the 7mm page is ready, we'll move this lot there!

Preparing for the reintroduction of our range of IMPETUS small locomotive kits, it has become painfully apparent that supplies of some of the bought-in components required to complete the model were either rather uncertain, of variable quality, too expensive or, in some cases, a combination of all three!
In order to overcome these problems, we have decided to direct-source or tool up to produce these items ourselves. All items will be available separately, branded under our 'ROO
BITS label. The first parts are now in stock.

740KMG : 40-1 ratio gears for 7mm scale. Price £14-50 per set.
Made locally for us by a specialist gear manufacturer, this high-quality set of gears comprises a stainless steel worm to fit a 2mm motor shaft and a brass helical gear to fit a standard 3/16" axle. Both gears are supplied with slotted steel grubscrew fixings. Although intended for use with our own motor mounts, these gears will also fit those supplied by a number of other manufacturers, including Connoisseur Models.

Careful design means assembly of the worm to the recommended Mashima 1833 or 1824 can motor (also available from us) will automatically give the correct working clearance from the motor body, allowing easy access to the shaft bearing for lubrication purposes. In addition, the helical gear has been made with the toothed working surface 50% wider than is usual, providing a number of benefits. Not only is wear reduced to a minimum and lubricant retention improved, but sideplay can be allowed on the driven axle to help your model negotiate the tighter-than-prototype curves so many of us have to put up with.

Please remember, however, these gears have been produced to give good slow-speed running and shunting operation on the average indoor layout. We do not recommend you install them in the large Pacific or heavy freight 2-8-0 you intend to leave tearing round the garden railway hauling ten bogie coaches or fifty wagons for hours on end - you need tractor-size gears for that and we will be happy to obtain these for you or recommend a supplier!!

DELRIN DRIVE: the use of Delrin chain and sprockets for driving multiple axles in 0 gauge or larger scale models of diesel or electric locomotives is now established practice and we recommend it's use in a number of our own kits. Previously, supplies have been difficult to find and pricey when you did. We can now supply from stock at very competitive prices.

DELRIN CHAIN - 35p per inch
SPROCKETS to suit - 8,9,10 or 12 Tooth for 1/8" axle, 10 or 12 Tooth for 3/16" axle. Sprockets are priced from 50p each.

Other sizes are available to order. (Update February 2007: many more sizes now in stock, full details will be listed shortly) The 12T sprocket (0.535" max. overall diameter) is the most widely used and will fit most applications, but if unsure of your sprocket requirements, or how much chain you need, tell us what you are building and we will be happy to advise. At these prices, you can afford to buy a variety and experiment.