With Scalefour Crewe just around the corner there are a few new 4mm releases to report. They all seem to be variations on things that have been done previously. Hopefully they nonetheless will prove useful and/or tempting.

1930s 14T 10’ w/b Class A Tank Wagon Kits

Firstly, a little background. In 1927 the RCH updated the specs for smaller oil tanks creating a wagon that was 17’6” over headstocks with end stanchions that cranked outwards and initially had a rather backwards 9’ wheelbase in place of the 10’6” or 9’ 6” wheelbases that were common before the changes. Tank diameter varied depending on the type of product to be carried but 7’3” became standard for most class A products and wagons could appear with either saddle or cradle mounting. After a few years the wheelbase was changed to a more progressive 10’ and it was this this variant that morphed into the Air Ministry wagons. Rumney Models latest tank wagon kit covers the class A wagons with 10’ wheelbase which were built throughout the 1930s and could be seen in service into the latter half of the 1960s.

This kit very much follows on from the Air Ministry kits that were released in 2022 and like those features an etched tank and underframe with 3D printed tank mountings, tank ends and fittings, one piece end stanchions/crossbeams, springs/axleboxes and buffer housings. There is a choice of saddle or cradle mounting and the kit includes ladders and two different types of walkways for those wagons that were retrofitted with them.

• PC.112A – Saddle Mountings
• PC.112B – Cradle Mountings

The kits are EM and P4 only and are £48 each.

GWR/SR Sheet Support (Tarpaulin Bar) Detailing

Back in 2015 Rumney Models released an etch for the BR type tarpaulin bars, or to give them their proper title, sheet supports. Following on from this is an etch that covers the earlier GWR/SR type (B.92A – £3.50). This appeared, as far as GWR open wagons are concerned, in the 1890s and the same design was still being used on the 1948 built Shocopens. The kit contains sufficient parts for 2 wagons and includes a choice of either etched or 3D printed ‘wooden’ blocks that spaced the angle iron quadrant beyond the end stanchions of the wagon.

GWR Instanter Links

GWR type Instanter links (B.95B – £1.50) are now available as a separate item. They are designed as a double layer of etch which need to be folded together and soldered before fettling to something approaching the bar used on the prototypes. There are sufficient links on the fret for 7 wagons.

Recent Items

The following items were released in February, but they are mentioned again here in case you missed them.

4mm Scale

The range of continental style wagon springs and axleboxes is expanded again with the addition of a swing link spring and oil axlebox combination as originally fitted to the BR 1/055 Ferry Opens (PFZ.09UICFO – £4 per set of 4). These will also have application to wagons built on the continent for those feeling adventurous.

S Scale

In S Scale the 17’6″ x 10′ LNER clasp brake underframe makes an appearance (SB.61 – £24). These are similar to the 4mm underframe B.61 for vans, opens, etc, but includes both RCH and BR axleguards.

Postage

It’s tricky keeping up with the constant changes to postage rates by the Royal Mail at the moment and the rates I charge seem to be under constant review. The good news is that Rumney Models postal rates remain unchanged for UK orders and we are reverting to a 1^st class service for larger orders. The rates are summarised below:

For orders with a total goods value of no more than £30: £1.75 – 2^nd Class large letter.

For orders with a total goods value over £30: £4 – Tracked 24

Overseas postage is at cost.

Exhbitions

Rumney Models will be appearing at Scalefour Crewe on the 8^th/9^th June and Scaleforum on the 21^st/22^nd September. I hope to see some of you there.

Happy modelling,

Justin