Bowaters Models
- Thread starter stockers
- Start date
tac foley
Registered
They look a lot better in overall 'photographic grey'.
Indeed they do. I LIKE some locos in gloss grey/lined black/white - in fact, one loco I build for a chap ended up that colour scheme after he'd seen the prototype outside the workshop in an old photograph.
David1226
Registered
tac foley
Registered
V. fine!!!! Thank you, kind Sir!!
angr607
Owner, Bowaters models
Time for a pair of Motive Power announcements made very recently!
BME-010 Hibbert Planet 'Conway Castle'
Time for the big reveal! The second of our two Hibbert Planets this time covering Ffestiniog Railway Conway Castle! Modelled in its best known form (before its current rebuild started) and the perfect addition to our push pull coaches, the loco is acrylic and 3D printer construction. As standard it comes with Accucraft Chopper Couplings (whilst our stocks last pending redelivery) and the new 4w drive chassis.
We are hoping to include nameplates once supply starts agains. Price will be the same as Upnor Castle which is £250 in either gauge. We will put it on the website on Sunday with a 5% discount for it’s first week. For those wondering, during tests Conway ran with 8 AAs providing 12 volts using the Loco Remote Maxi. A very good RC and one we strongly recommend!
Please note, while we have successfully tested the engine with 6 coaches/12kg, we strongly recommend running the engine with up-to 4 coaches/8kg for day to day running.
BME-006 South African Railways Class 91-000
Well we did hint this was coming and few days later than planned, here it is! BME-006 South African Railways Class 91-000!
Featuring a laser cut body, 3D printed sections and either laser cut or Etched Grills (awaiting suppliers to restart production), this loco is the one of if not the largest 16mm loco available today in kit form. Available on both 32 and 45mm gauges, the engine is one Jon has been wanting to complete for a long time and as such is very happy that it’s complete! Powered by two motors (one per bogie) for now using Pdf Models Gearboxes, it pulls a huge amount on very low settings. It also has been tested with the Loco Remote Mega and works fantastically! In fact, it’s using the very first Mega produced. It’s almost as if the Mega was designed for it......
There is however, a catch. While we are very happy with the loco and as such are ready for release, due to a very low stock of the Accucraft couplings, we may not release the engine immediately. However, if you want IP Engineering Dumb buffers instead, let us know and we can make it available with them as a alternative while we wait for a further delivery of the choppers.
You may also notice, a new coach has appeared! Along side the 91-000, we are happy to reveal BMP-007 South African Railways N-3! Using the same construction as the existing coach, this is the perfect coach for those who want to model a typical passenger train and the revived Apple Express! As with the rest of the range, it is available in both MDF and Plywood on either 32mm or 45mm gauge. It will also have Accucraft Chopper Couplings on release. Naturally both the coach and the 91 are available without these items.
Prices on both will be confirmed once we are able to enter production but we can say the N3 will be the same as the L4 brake coaches already on sale which is £75 in MDF or £90 in Plywood. The 91-000 will be in the region of £350-£375 in MDF or £365-£390 in Plywood.
BME-010 Hibbert Planet 'Conway Castle'
Time for the big reveal! The second of our two Hibbert Planets this time covering Ffestiniog Railway Conway Castle! Modelled in its best known form (before its current rebuild started) and the perfect addition to our push pull coaches, the loco is acrylic and 3D printer construction. As standard it comes with Accucraft Chopper Couplings (whilst our stocks last pending redelivery) and the new 4w drive chassis.
We are hoping to include nameplates once supply starts agains. Price will be the same as Upnor Castle which is £250 in either gauge. We will put it on the website on Sunday with a 5% discount for it’s first week. For those wondering, during tests Conway ran with 8 AAs providing 12 volts using the Loco Remote Maxi. A very good RC and one we strongly recommend!
Please note, while we have successfully tested the engine with 6 coaches/12kg, we strongly recommend running the engine with up-to 4 coaches/8kg for day to day running.
BME-006 South African Railways Class 91-000
Well we did hint this was coming and few days later than planned, here it is! BME-006 South African Railways Class 91-000!
Featuring a laser cut body, 3D printed sections and either laser cut or Etched Grills (awaiting suppliers to restart production), this loco is the one of if not the largest 16mm loco available today in kit form. Available on both 32 and 45mm gauges, the engine is one Jon has been wanting to complete for a long time and as such is very happy that it’s complete! Powered by two motors (one per bogie) for now using Pdf Models Gearboxes, it pulls a huge amount on very low settings. It also has been tested with the Loco Remote Mega and works fantastically! In fact, it’s using the very first Mega produced. It’s almost as if the Mega was designed for it......
There is however, a catch. While we are very happy with the loco and as such are ready for release, due to a very low stock of the Accucraft couplings, we may not release the engine immediately. However, if you want IP Engineering Dumb buffers instead, let us know and we can make it available with them as a alternative while we wait for a further delivery of the choppers.
You may also notice, a new coach has appeared! Along side the 91-000, we are happy to reveal BMP-007 South African Railways N-3! Using the same construction as the existing coach, this is the perfect coach for those who want to model a typical passenger train and the revived Apple Express! As with the rest of the range, it is available in both MDF and Plywood on either 32mm or 45mm gauge. It will also have Accucraft Chopper Couplings on release. Naturally both the coach and the 91 are available without these items.
Prices on both will be confirmed once we are able to enter production but we can say the N3 will be the same as the L4 brake coaches already on sale which is £75 in MDF or £90 in Plywood. The 91-000 will be in the region of £350-£375 in MDF or £365-£390 in Plywood.
angr607
Owner, Bowaters models
That’s why I post in forums as wellDon't 'do' FacileBook..
tac foley
Registered
Andrew Giffin from the SAR Modeller's page, has graciously allowed me to post these images of his latest models - the 45mm track in this case representing the 3ft 6in Cape Gauge of the main SAR network..
He says - Well it's a nice morning so as they're still waiting for their motors to go in, not to mention the tons of detail that still has to go on, why not get them into the sunshine. I added a pic taken from the CAD design last September. They took about 250 drawings and over 400 parts each, not counting fixings. Approx 14kg, 1.2 metres long, apparently the largest narrow gauge locomotives ever to run on 45mm gauge. Dynamic smoke and sound to go on in due course. These are destined for DCC track so are fully insulated.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...PwjsULr6oGh-G8CHXyK5E7WYH3xJsVo4_YRu1INnx2LrE
He says - Well it's a nice morning so as they're still waiting for their motors to go in, not to mention the tons of detail that still has to go on, why not get them into the sunshine. I added a pic taken from the CAD design last September. They took about 250 drawings and over 400 parts each, not counting fixings. Approx 14kg, 1.2 metres long, apparently the largest narrow gauge locomotives ever to run on 45mm gauge. Dynamic smoke and sound to go on in due course. These are destined for DCC track so are fully insulated.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...PwjsULr6oGh-G8CHXyK5E7WYH3xJsVo4_YRu1INnx2LrE
angr607
Owner, Bowaters models
Who knows, I might have something potentially in the works to run with these...........Andrew Giffin from the SAR Modeller's page, has graciously allowed me to post these images of his latest models - the 45mm track in this case representing the 3ft 6in Cape Gauge of the main SAR network..
He says - Well it's a nice morning so as they're still waiting for their motors to go in, not to mention the tons of detail that still has to go on, why not get them into the sunshine. I added a pic taken from the CAD design last September. They took about 250 drawings and over 400 parts each, not counting fixings. Approx 14kg, 1.2 metres long, apparently the largest narrow gauge locomotives ever to run on 45mm gauge. Dynamic smoke and sound to go on in due course. These are destined for DCC track so are fully insulated.
Andrew Giffen
Jon
tac foley
Registered
Do you know him? Does he know you?
The group is mostly based in RSA, and has quite a following of scratch-buiiders of both locomotives and mainline rolling stock. Perhaps you ought to be talking to each? Please excuse me for advising you how to run your business.
angr607
Owner, Bowaters models
I know of him. I suspect he knows of me somehow. I'll be talking to him once I get to the stage of actually designing something! Would be nice to see another SAR range appear as its such a distinctive and fantastic railway system! Will just mean I need to work out what to design and when..... I have a load of Bridgton & Saco River and 7/8ths Bowaters/Sandy River to do first. Along with a small Plymouth in 16mm scale........ (I won't say which Plymouth until I've designed and built it BUT they do live in the UK.
Jon
angr607
Owner, Bowaters models
Thanks to everyone who has shown a huge amount of interest in both the Class 91 and Conway Castle. We are delighted to release both engines on our website! You can find them both under the latest releases section of the website. We are also having a 5% discount on both engines from today until midnight on Sunday to make up for them both missing the sale last week. For now, both engines will be available to order with Accucraft Chopper couplings while stocks last. If you would like them to have IP Engineering Dumb buffers instead, add a note on your order and we will make it happen! We have also released the South African Railways NG-N3 Brake coach as operated by the Apple Express in 16mm scale updating our Apple Express Multipack accordingly.
The price of Conway Castle is £250 in Acrylic, the Class 91-000's is £350 in MDF or £365 in Plywood and the SAR NG-N3 is £85 in MDF or £100 in Plywood! Jon has also been able to slash the prices of the majority of our SAR range by upto £15 per kit! This affects our NG-L4 brake coaches, larger NG-L5 coaches and all our SAR brake vans.
Visit our site for details! - Latest Releases and South African Railways
angr607
Owner, Bowaters models
Just to prove work has started on the first three of what I refer to as generation 2 of 7/8th scale design from Bowaters Models. The latest CAD images of our two SR&RL Flat Cars that along with a revised Bowaters Paper Railway/Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway 8 Ton Pulp Wagon. Covering a 24ft and 28ft option. These are aimed at those who want a train of matching stock for their new forneys at a reasonable cost. As such, these are in a completely different league/Specification compared to the currently available absolutely fantastic/beautiful options. Featuring our own design of Bogies, these models are due to enter prototyping soon. These will be available with dual gauge options (you can choose either 32mm or 45mm gauge when building the bogies) and in a first for Bowaters Models, they are designed for Kadee Knuckle Couplings. A alternative set of coupling mounts aka prototype design will also be available for those who don't want the Kadees.
24ft Flat Car
28ft Flat Car
The new underside layout compared to the older 16mm versions being signifcantly more accucrate!
Naturally, the specification includes the stake pockets and axle boxes as 3D prints. That said, we are open to hearing what you'd like to see on them so let us know! We will be looking at doing a box car (24ft SR&RL Car number 55 being the one we're looking at) with potentially a caboose as well but which one we haven't decided on.
Also shown is the improved Bowaters Wagons including a revised chassis and improved headstocks. Couplings will be the Accucraft Chopper Couplings mainly because in 7/8ths scale they are literally the perfect size for Sittingbourne couplings in 7/8ths scale.
Feedback will be gratefully received and we hope to have the first ones appearing in prototype form in the end of May to the end of June time frame.
We are also looking at some other 7/8ths options but naturally if you have anything specific you would like, let me know! All prototypes will be considered and yes, the ones we're thinking about are a lot smaller length wise than the bigger SKLR/SR&RL stock.
Jon
24ft Flat Car
28ft Flat Car
The new underside layout compared to the older 16mm versions being signifcantly more accucrate!
Naturally, the specification includes the stake pockets and axle boxes as 3D prints. That said, we are open to hearing what you'd like to see on them so let us know! We will be looking at doing a box car (24ft SR&RL Car number 55 being the one we're looking at) with potentially a caboose as well but which one we haven't decided on.
Also shown is the improved Bowaters Wagons including a revised chassis and improved headstocks. Couplings will be the Accucraft Chopper Couplings mainly because in 7/8ths scale they are literally the perfect size for Sittingbourne couplings in 7/8ths scale.
Feedback will be gratefully received and we hope to have the first ones appearing in prototype form in the end of May to the end of June time frame.
We are also looking at some other 7/8ths options but naturally if you have anything specific you would like, let me know! All prototypes will be considered and yes, the ones we're thinking about are a lot smaller length wise than the bigger SKLR/SR&RL stock.
Jon
angr607
Owner, Bowaters models
Bridgton and Saco River Railroad Reveal - Phase 1
As things progress, things start to grow. And Bowaters Models is no different! We've starting to look beyond our current range and starting to look at other Prototypes. As such, we've started work on the next range to follow on from our Ffestiniog, Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes, Chattenden & Upnor and Sittingbourne Ranges.
As such, we're pleased to announce the release of our latest Maine two foot models in the form of the first phase of our Bridgton and Saco River Railroad rolling stock in 16mm scale! Our first Bridgton releases covers 4 different types of Box cars, 4 different types of flat cars, the caboose and two different passenger cars. These items are the first to our knowledge covering the B&SRR in 16mm scale but should look perfect with any American motive power especially since a large percentage of the Bridgton rolling stock formed the equipment of the Edaville Railroad of which a large percentage has survived today in Preservation. This does mean you can realistically combine certain elements of our Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad range with this range to create a prototypical train. The initial range consists of the following items:-
BMR-002 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad Coach 17
BMR-003 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad Combine 25 as built
BMR-101 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 26ft Box Car
BMR-102 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 28ft Box Car
BMR-103 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 30ft Box Car
BMR-104 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 34ft Box Car
BMR-201 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 26ft Flat Car
BMR-202 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 28ft Flat Car
BMR-203 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 30ft Flat Car
BMR-204 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 34ft Flat Car
BMR-301 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad Caboose 301
These kits are designed to operate on both 32mm and 45mm gauge track while retaining scale sizing and should look great on your garden railway/railroad. These are scale kits coming complete with bogies that can be built in the gauge of your choice (32mm or 45mm) and Accucraft couplings. It is also available without these options. The models are available at the end of May and will be priced at between £55 and £120 per kit in MDF or £75 and £140 in Plywood depending on which model is chosen.
All kits include postage to mainland UK only with shipping to other countries being at cost. Please note, this is sold as advanced scratch aids and will require some details to complete them although they are designed to be run as is for those who wish to do so.
We are currently working on phase two of both this and the Sandy River ranges adding an additional 5 Passenger cars across the ranges allowing an even greater number of prototypical trains to be formed including the Parlor Car ‘Rangeley’. Details on this will follow later in the year.
As things progress, things start to grow. And Bowaters Models is no different! We've starting to look beyond our current range and starting to look at other Prototypes. As such, we've started work on the next range to follow on from our Ffestiniog, Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes, Chattenden & Upnor and Sittingbourne Ranges.
As such, we're pleased to announce the release of our latest Maine two foot models in the form of the first phase of our Bridgton and Saco River Railroad rolling stock in 16mm scale! Our first Bridgton releases covers 4 different types of Box cars, 4 different types of flat cars, the caboose and two different passenger cars. These items are the first to our knowledge covering the B&SRR in 16mm scale but should look perfect with any American motive power especially since a large percentage of the Bridgton rolling stock formed the equipment of the Edaville Railroad of which a large percentage has survived today in Preservation. This does mean you can realistically combine certain elements of our Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad range with this range to create a prototypical train. The initial range consists of the following items:-
BMR-002 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad Coach 17
BMR-003 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad Combine 25 as built
BMR-101 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 26ft Box Car
BMR-102 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 28ft Box Car
BMR-103 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 30ft Box Car
BMR-104 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 34ft Box Car
BMR-201 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 26ft Flat Car
BMR-202 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 28ft Flat Car
BMR-203 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 30ft Flat Car
BMR-204 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad 34ft Flat Car
BMR-301 Bridgton and Saco River Railroad Caboose 301
These kits are designed to operate on both 32mm and 45mm gauge track while retaining scale sizing and should look great on your garden railway/railroad. These are scale kits coming complete with bogies that can be built in the gauge of your choice (32mm or 45mm) and Accucraft couplings. It is also available without these options. The models are available at the end of May and will be priced at between £55 and £120 per kit in MDF or £75 and £140 in Plywood depending on which model is chosen.
All kits include postage to mainland UK only with shipping to other countries being at cost. Please note, this is sold as advanced scratch aids and will require some details to complete them although they are designed to be run as is for those who wish to do so.
We are currently working on phase two of both this and the Sandy River ranges adding an additional 5 Passenger cars across the ranges allowing an even greater number of prototypical trains to be formed including the Parlor Car ‘Rangeley’. Details on this will follow later in the year.
angr607
Owner, Bowaters models
Its finally time, Bowaters Models is delighted to announce the release of our Bridgton and Saco River Railroad kits covering a wide range of rolling stock. Available in both MDF and Plywood, the range is the perfect addition to your garden railway. Plus with the arrival of the first Bridgton and Saco River coaches, finally a representative Edaville passenger train is available in kit form for you to buy! We know the well known excursion coaches are missing but with some time, I do plan to add them to the range in the coming months.
To view them, visit our website for more details - Bridgton and Saco River Railroad
However, joining these cars is something truly special as far as I'm concerned. Bowaters Models has finally designed its own bogies to the correct patterns of the many items of rolling stock we produce. Available now with every appropiate kit as well as separately, these bogies fulfil a long held wish and dream of mine to be able to have everything looking as it should. We've got 5 designs in 16mm scale and 2 in 15mm scale available now with our two indevelopment 7/8ths bogies following once the kits they are part of are released.
Available with Binnie Engineering Wheels for now while work continues on another one of my projects involving steel wheelsets is developed and steadily brought upto speed. Material wise, the bogies are available in both MDF and Plywood for the customer to choose from. These new bogies and the design family they belong too wont completely replace the ones we have been using from HGLW as for a number of our kits, they are literally still the perfect choice.
To view our entire range, visit our website for full details and to view the instructions for yourself! - Bowaters Models Webstore
angr607
Owner, Bowaters models
Something we are always aiming to do is improve our products and here’s the next one!
From today, we will be adding Vacumn Pipes to our Ffestiniog, Welsh Highland, Isle of Man and South African Railways ranges! With the exception of the FR Push Pull coaches, these will be included in the price of the kit with no additional price raises! The push pull coaches (110, 111, 112/113, 114, 117 and 121) will see a £5 price increase to cover the extra vacuum pipes needed per coach (4 compared to 2 for the rest of the affected kits).
For those wondering, we are not adding them to Upnor Castle, Conway Castle or the Class 91 yet. All of these require custom vacuum pipes that we can’t cover with the casting we have procured. Jon is still working on them but we hope to have something to show by the end of the summer.
Just off the workbench this evening
After having a rare afternoon off today, I've managed to work out how to convert the procured vacumn pipes into the styles needed for Conway Castle, Upnor Castle and the Class 91. These are all modifications off the standard pipes the required modifications of which we will add to the instructions should we decide to go ahead with it. Naturally, what do you guys think of them! Upnor Castle will stay the same price but the Class 91/Conway Castle will rise by £5 to allow for the extra required vacumn pipes. The changes are certainly easy to undertake but care will be needed to avoid damage during the conversion. We are also looking at 3D printed roofs for the Planets following customer feedback.
Upnor Castle with Vacumn Pipes
Conway Castle with Vacumn Pipes
Class 91 with Vacumn Pipes
From today, we will be adding Vacumn Pipes to our Ffestiniog, Welsh Highland, Isle of Man and South African Railways ranges! With the exception of the FR Push Pull coaches, these will be included in the price of the kit with no additional price raises! The push pull coaches (110, 111, 112/113, 114, 117 and 121) will see a £5 price increase to cover the extra vacuum pipes needed per coach (4 compared to 2 for the rest of the affected kits).
For those wondering, we are not adding them to Upnor Castle, Conway Castle or the Class 91 yet. All of these require custom vacuum pipes that we can’t cover with the casting we have procured. Jon is still working on them but we hope to have something to show by the end of the summer.
Just off the workbench this evening
After having a rare afternoon off today, I've managed to work out how to convert the procured vacumn pipes into the styles needed for Conway Castle, Upnor Castle and the Class 91. These are all modifications off the standard pipes the required modifications of which we will add to the instructions should we decide to go ahead with it. Naturally, what do you guys think of them! Upnor Castle will stay the same price but the Class 91/Conway Castle will rise by £5 to allow for the extra required vacumn pipes. The changes are certainly easy to undertake but care will be needed to avoid damage during the conversion. We are also looking at 3D printed roofs for the Planets following customer feedback.
Upnor Castle with Vacumn Pipes
Conway Castle with Vacumn Pipes
Class 91 with Vacumn Pipes
Last edited:
angr607
Owner, Bowaters models
Having evaluated everything and looked at the sales performance of the the range in question, Bowaters Models is confirming as of the 5th of July, our South African Railways Rolling stock range will be being discontinued in the range as part of a streamlining towards other projects. As such, from today until Midnight on the 5th, we will be having a leaving sale for it of 20% off all SAR rolling stock kits. Please note, this does NOT include the Class 91 as we will be keeping it within the range and are very pleased with how it’s performing. If you visit our website, the discount will be applied automatically at checkout.
Please note as a result of this decision; the vacumn pipe upgrade for SAR stock has been cancelled.
Naturally if you have any questions, please let us know and Jon will be very happy to answer as best he can/is allowed too.
Website - Bowaters Models Webstore
angr607
Owner, Bowaters models
With the removal of the SAR range, time to move on and what a way to move on from. Coming soon from Bowaters Models will be a range of rolling stock covering the Burma Mines Railway in 16mm scale! Designed by Richard Williams, these stock are amongst the highest detailed models currently available from Bowaters Models and are definitely a sign of things to come! Suitable for both 32mm and 45mm gauges, these wagons are the perfect addition to your garden railway for those looking for something different! Each wagon scales out at a scale 25ft long each. For those wondering, there are at least 1-2 more kits to go with these in the works for a release at a later date including a 4 wheeled version of the Bogie Van!
For those wondering, the minimum radius of these stock with the chopper couplings being used as supplied is 4ft. However, when you remove the springs from them, they will happily go around 38 inch radius curves.
The prices for them are as follows - The Flat Wagon is £45, the Coke (Open) Wagon is £50, the Tank wagon is £55 and Bogie Van is £65. All prices are for MDF with Plywood being £15 more. Please note, the MDF Bogie Van kit does include some Plywood parts to better represent the prototype. They are not on the website left with a planned release of the end of the month of July
