Somehow it always takes longer to get around to writing the newsletter than I intend. My excuse is that it has been a very very busy festive period and I have not had time, but I'm equally aware of how lame that sounds. Anyway better-late-than-never.

Living Van Kit

The new laser cutter has been put to good use and just before Christmas the Living Van Kit was released. Customer feedback so far has all been positive. As planned it comes in three forms, the body only, chassis only or both. As I said last time that is to allow people to fit their own chassis or if buying the chassis only you can fit a custom top.

I'm hoping some customers will send some photos of their own versions of it perhaps including a decorated interior. In the meantime here are the photos of the 2 I have made so far.

Painted

Unpainted

Flat Base Rubber Feet

From time-to-time I get asked for the rubber feet which fit onto the flatbased Mamod engines. I have been using these for quite a while on the flatbase lineshaft but they are now available separately for anyone that needs them.

There is a brass hollow rivet and rubber foot. To spread the rivet I have been pressing a steel ball bearing into the end of the rivet and that seems to work ok. It may be worth adding a dab of superglue as well.

Future Projects

There are several other projects on the drawing board, it's just a question of finding the time. After the October newsletter there were several good suggestions. Showman's van was one but I think that would need a lot of compound curves which the laser cutter is not good at. Someone suggested producing plain 'planked sheet' that scratch builders can use to create their own design. I'd be interested to know if there is anyone else interested in that.

Wheels for the living van are a problem. The kit comes with self assembly wooden ones which when painted look OK. To add metal ones would just make the cost of the kit way too expensive. However I did think of making some nice spoked plastic ones and asked a company for a quote but got no reply. I will pursue that though, perhaps via another manufacturer as I think that could be the best solution.

The dynamo is nearing completion. I used to stock the Mamod dynamo but found that it needed very high revs to produce any sort of output. This one seems much better and comes with a plastic mount and the final version will have a LED on the front. Release in a few weeks price around £12.

Wilesco finally (after 18 months) produced their Steam Lorry. I was getting fed up of apologising for the delays. All of the back-orders were filled in time for Christmas and I have, shall we say, a 'patchy' supply of them. Wilesco are not the world's fastest. I do like their engines though, they run very well.

Over this year I will be beefing up my Wilesco spares holding as unless you want a regular item like burner, safey valve etc. the wait can be 2 months or longer. It's really expensive to hold their full range of spares but it think it has to be done. More news on that next time perhaps. I will also try to produce a printable spares list for each engine which ought to help with servicing and repair.

MSS : www.MamodRailway.co.uk

I am expecting great things of MSS this year and next. As I said in previous newsletters, they are building a Diamond Jubilee Loco which, lets face it, cannot be delayed. The first 10 numbered engines have already be reserved via the railway website. Thank you to everyone that has ordered one and please expect delivery during March.

<<< Stop Press >>>

We have purchased the next 10 Locos numbered 11 to 20 of 250. Cost for these is £225 each. If you would like one then please follow this link -->> http://www.mamodrailway.co.uk/?part_id=101076

It also looks like MSS's range of engines will be enhanced, in what way I can only guess. I do keep asking them to do another batch of their yellow steam van vehicles and am hopeful that will be among the first. There is also a picture of another steam car floating around on the forums which I think was a shelved project from some years ago. So that also looks like a candidate. Again as soon as I can get more info I will put it on the website(s), not sure which one that fits best!

I also have plans to build several different bodies for the MSS flatbed wagon, out of wood using the laser machine. Here is a picture of my first model. The next will be the same thing with 2 cable drums on it. Then open wagon and passenger wagon. What about one with a small crane on the back? (I do love this job)

Spring Valley Railway (SVR)

The Manor Models Railway has made some progress in that the ground is now prepared and ready for track construction. This was a new years resolution from 2 years ago. Just need some warmer weather and more time to get the track laid.

Here's a buffer unit made from perspex which fits onto the end of a piece of MSS track, not on the website yet though as it just needs a little more work.

Will

info@ManorModels.co.uk