Detailing Items

This is where my design of etchings started. Many ready to run wagons and kits were badly let down by the quality of some fittings.

I started with etched handwheels, where the original plastic or cast metal components were far too heavy. Some etched products were available, but they were either too heavy and crude, or too thin. It is for this reason that I chose the option of a laminated construction to provide the prototypical thickness and the level of detail. Many people assume that, if it is etched, it must be good. Regretably this is not always the case!

CC01D 18" Handwheels

CC02D Sealion Handwheels

CC03D Dogfish Handwheels

CC05D 15" Handwheels

CC06D More Modern Handwheels

CC07D European style Handwheels

CC09D Whale Handwheels

The ladders were a follow-on from the handwheels, but there was a need for flexibility with the width to meet prototypical variations. These ladders, when assembled, are a true scale representation of the prototype, unlike any flat etched alternative. The jigs provided will service the construction of dozens of ladders, which aids in keeping the costs to a minimum.

CC04D Ladders with jigs

CC04De Ladders without jigs

The VDA handbrake levers were a specific scratchbuilding request, but can now be used either to convert the Bachmann model to the long handbrake version, or even to replace the plastic moulded short version. As moulded, the wagon brakes are "on" with the cross-shaft levers half way up the drop links!

CC11D VDA Long brake levers

CC12D VDA Short brake levers

The 25Kv OHLE insulators were also a specific request to improve the already superb rendition of OHLE on P4 New Street. The 0.6mm centre drilling complies with Jim Smith Wright's mode of construction.

CC08D 25Kv OHLE insulators