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Well into autumn now most of the neighbourhood and railway covered in fallen leaves after completing a major clearing operation on the weekend. yes we have seasons in this part of the World. Railway under there somewhere. We collect fallen leaves for mulch and weed control in beds around the railway. RGS Works Goose #6 managed to navigate her way round most of the railway, but tended to de-rail her leading truck. Some how or other leaves/debris opened one side of the bonnet😵‍💫 We cleared the deck and railway by lunchtime but covered in leaves by mid-afternoon, but probabably another couple of weeks left at this stage before end of leaf-fall and beginning of winter & time to bring out the live steam loco.  

OK I have said "Artwork" when i do mean "Phototool" which is drawn up from the Artwork but semantics really. And I agree that continuing to use Grainge and Hodder would be the easiest option so accessing the actual artwork is not entirely necessary, But purchasing the "Rights" to use the artwork is required else any future production is in effect copyright theft. Similar to the sales of overproduced Murphy Models items being sold from China. I am considering/trying to purchase said "Rights" from Allen,  Primarily the 3 foot Narrow Gauge Range (YES Irish, I.O.M. & Southwold in the various Scales remaining 4mm, 7mm, and 15mm. (3mm? and 5.5mm having already been taken by the 3mm Society and Neville Kent, NDrive) Depending on the cost of the above I could consider more eg, The Irish Broad Gauge but I have not got as much Idea about the range and amount purchased. A quick look shows about 20 - 35 Scratch Aid Kits over each of 5 Scales. (I am primarily a modeller of 3 Foot Gauge)  That is why I stated that the North West Group although having a "Fire Sale" on premade etches have not conclusively stated that they have bought the "Artwork and Rights" Also my own doubts about the 3mm Society (I need to speak to Peter Leach about this) The immediate statement that they have no plans to produce further etches would make it pointless purchasing the said artwork. (Other than to store for possible future use if they feel that enough demand existed) Maybe a case of a certain number of Pre Paid orders leading to a run of a particular quantity of a certain model or short run batches only to top up some time after when certain lines have "Sold Out". (Much like the business model of certain RTR manufacturers now).    

Provided groups/ individuals come to an agreement to take over Worsley Works items, the simplest & cheapest way to resume production would be to continue using Grange & Hodder to carry out the etching as they are likely to control the photo tooling used to carry out the actual etching. It only becomes necessary to access the "artwork" if there is a problem with the existing tool or intend to use a different etching company. Basically the "artwork" is prepared by the person that designed the original model, 'phototool" prepared by the etching company. Etching companies have a 'set up' or tooling cost for producing a phototool for a particular model and a separate production cost for each sheet etched. Not sure about Grange and Hodder but some etching companies charge a flat rate for each sheet etched & do one off/small orders. It seems a pity that no Irish Model Clubs or Historical Groups appear to have come forward to safeguard WorsleyWorks Irish Broad gauge items which appear particularly significant to modellers of Ulster's railways with Worsley Works collection of sctratchbuilders parts for GN, NCC/UTA locos and coaching stock and distinctive railcars.

The Corkmen have got lost….. a 26 pauses at Malahide this afternoon in the museum…. Meanwhile a Craven set is in Mallow, as the lads down there wonder where their 26 class is… and Dublin, as usual, is choked with buses. Come and visit! .   A down Rosslare skirts Bray Head in the museum today. 

Huge thanks to all for the invaluable advice and guidance. Lots to think about.