JM Design October 2021 Update

[Mayner]

Some positive news to report this month including successful test prints of the 17012-17221 series Covered Wagon and our main 3D print supplier resumed production following the easing of Covid restrictions in Auckland.

I will update website later this week

Currently I am focusing on fulfilling current orders.

Brake Vans: Currently I am completing the light grey and brown versions of the Brake Vans.

I expect to complete shipping both versions mid-late November

Fixing the warning stripe transfers (in particular seating the bottom edge) has been challenging to put it mildly due to the slightly coarse surface texture of the 3D prints.

Open Wagons.

I expect to fulfil orders for the "Unlettered" open wagons mid-late November, the first batch of production opens arrived this week.

I expect to fulfil orders for the "Flying Snail" version of the open March-April 2022. Its planned to supply these wagons with snail and tare markings fitted and a selection of running numbers (10) to be fitted by the purchaser

17012-17221 series Covered Wagon.

Introduced in 1946 these wagons were basically an update of a 1915 GSWR design on a traditional underframe with aluminium sheeting covering timber planking.

The wheelbase was increased for 9'6" to 10' and CIE introduced a new pattern of buffer.

I expect to release an un-decorated version of the van (with a decal sheet) for delivery March-April 2022 with light and dark grey decorated versions to follow.

I spray painted the vans with an etch primer with a grey gloss topcoat and a Matt spray laquer to check fine detail is visible on a finished model.

Wheel logos are Railtec, I haven't tare or suitable running numbers at this stage.

 

 

All JM Design wagons are readily convertible to 21mm gauge, the Markits wheels can simply be pushed out on the axle for modellers who adapt OO or EM running clearances

Bulk Grain Wagon

I am considering releasing this wagon in un-decorated form with the alternative of Ranks Ireland or CIE Decals as there has been little interest in these wagons to date.

The wagons were a very small fleet with 8 Ranks and 10 railway company wagons, the CIE decal sheet will cover the main livery variations as some wagons did not receive full repaints retaining GSR numerals and lettering with Flying Snail and 1960s roundel.

I completed a cut of wagons in Ranks livery using custom transfers produced by Railtec-Models.

Discharge wheel side Ranks wagon.

Originally introduced in GSR dark grey CIE repainted the Ranks wagons in red during the late 1940s, I have been unable to find a decent colour photo from this era though the chassis appears black in a photo of one of these wagons from the early 50s.

 

 

We modelled the discharge gear basically to prove that it could be done!

 

18 Months progress:

I had my first meetings with potential 3D designers and manufacturers in May 2020 as business began re-opening as Covid restrictions, it took 12 months to take the Brake Van from prototype to production stage and considerably shorter for more recent models while it generally took upwards of 18 months to design and release an etched locomotive or coach kit.

JM Design 52 Class locomotive & CIE 4W Van kits.

The majority of these models were pre-sales, the 52 Class locomotive kit sold out.

The majority of 52 Class locomotive kits have been delivered to customers despite some drama with An Post

Heating and Luggage and Post Office Van kits are now in stock, a number recently shipped and a number of orders will be shipped with the Luggage Vans.

I am waiting for castings to arrive for the Luggage Van (Hooded Van) kits as we had to order additional castings to satisfy increased demand for both PO & LV kits.

 

 

 

Edited October 21, 2021 by Mayner

[murphaph]

When were the Ranks wagons retired?

[Ironroad]

54 minutes ago, murphaph said:

When were the Ranks wagons retired?

Mid '70s

[Mayner]

I have updated the web site and we are currently accepting orders for the Ranks Grain and the CIE 1946 Covered Wagon https://jmdesignmodelrailways.com/blogs/news/october-2021-update