Worsley Works

[Colin R]

Hi all.

I am not sure if any of you have heard, but Allen is calling it a day, so if anyone fancies taking over his Irish etches and keeping them alive, now would be a good time to drop him an email.

I understand that the Irish narrow gauge kits might have already found a home, but his range of 5ft 3ins stock and there are also several other kits which he has not advertised for 5ft 3ins as well, could be available.

 

Regards

 

Colin Rainsbury 

[Mol_PMB]

Thanks Colin. 
From the point of view of buying individual kits rather than ranges of artwork, do you know whether he is still trading at present, maybe a transition period of selling off what’s in stock, or has he shut down already?

[Horsetan]

59 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

....From the point of view of buying individual kits rather than ranges of artwork, do you know whether he is still trading at present....

No updates to his website, so it looks like he may still be trading.

[Mol_PMB]

7 minutes ago, Horsetan said:

No updates to his website, so it looks like he may still be trading.

Though the website does say it was last updated in 2023!

I bought a kit from Allen a few months back, and it was delivered very promptly so must have been in stock. Though I guess many items are etched to order.

To be honest I don't really need anything else he offers, I was idly mulling over a laminate or AEC railcars but I suspect IRM will produce them before I ever get round to putting the kits together!

[Colin R]

I am not sure it might be worth emailing him to find out, to be honest, I am awaiting two T&D 5T loco etches from him. I have had them on order since March, after he said that he had sent them off to be etched, I only found out today that something must have happened, as one of the scale societies has done a deal with him for their complete range in their scale, I am hoping that I hear something positive soon. Once I get the finances back in order, I still want to obtain a few more bits from him to complete my Donegal stock.  

[Horsetan]

2 minutes ago, Colin R said:

I am not sure it might be worth emailing him to find out, to be honest, I am awaiting two T&D 5T loco etches from him. I have had them on order since March, after he said that he had sent them off to be etched, I only found out today that something must have happened, as one of the scale societies has done a deal with him for their complete range in their scale, I am hoping that I hear something positive soon. Once I get the finances back in order, I still want to obtain a few more bits from him to complete my Donegal stock.  

If you paid in advance for two etches, surely the transaction should be completed, regardless of whether control has now passed to whichever society it is?

I don't know if I should see if that Diagram U autotrailer is (still) available.

[Mol_PMB]

As RTR products fill ever more niches, and the modern technologies like 3D printing become more capable, I guess the more traditional suppliers (many of more advancing years) are calling it quits. It's going to make life more difficult for those of us that like to make or modify things ourselves. Lanarkshire Models is another supplier that's closed its doors this week, fortunately just after they had sent me a package of wagon buffers and other detailing parts. 

[Galteemore]

40 minutes ago, Horsetan said:

No updates to his website, so it looks like he may still be trading.

He is trading. I have had several emails from him today in connection with an order 

 

 

[DJ Dangerous]

41 minutes ago, Galteemore said:

He is trading. I have had several emails from him today in connection with an order 

 

 

That’s a relief!

Worsley Works is the only option for O Gauge Cravens, Park Royals and Laminates.

 

[Horsetan]

1 hour ago, DJ Dangerous said:

That’s a relief!

Worsley Works is the only option for O Gauge Cravens, Park Royals and Laminates.

 

Also the only one offering etches for the NCC "W" and "WT"

[Galteemore]

7 minutes ago, Horsetan said:

Also the only one offering etches for the NCC "W" and "WT"

And GNRI U /UG

[commerlad]

2 hours ago, Galteemore said:

He is trading. I have had several emails from him today in connection with an order 

 

 

As far as I read re the take over (And like @Colin R I also got a copy of the email) It's only all the 3mm range that is so far spoken for (By the 3mm society).  He is in discussions with others re the 4mm narrow gauge stuff.

Might be worth someone getting in touch with the 7mm society to find out if they have heard anything and more crucially what they may plan on doing.

[Mayner]

Probabably a case for modellers interested in Worsley Works Irish 'Standard Gauge" models to form a group to open a discussion with Alan on the future availability of these Irish models when he retires.

The Worsley Works etches are an important source of parts for modelling the Great Northern (I), NCC, UTA and NIR, I suspect that a high proportion of kits/etched parts were produced in response to enquiries from modellers in Ulster. MED, UTA 6-7, MPD, 70 Class , 450, GN/CIE AEC, GN 700 & 900 BUT.

It may be worthwhile reaching out to Colm Flanagan or Kieran Lagan who comissioned Worsley Works to produce etches for UTA/NIR railcars and stock and regularly post on RM Web. Its possible that modellers and Clubs in Ulster may already be working to ensure their supply of Worsley Works parts.

As a manufacturer of etched kits/parts I suspect demand at this stage for Worsley Works Irish "Standard Gauge" models is extremely low, best supplied to order direct from the photo-engravers, and would not be viable to supply from stock.

Perhaps supply through a club or an IRRS London Area "syndicate" with a royalty payment to Alan on each sale!

 

[Horsetan]

4 hours ago, Mayner said:

....Perhaps supply through a club .....

That would make them unavailable to thè general public.

Not necessarily a good idea - remember what happened to the Phoenix range of coach kits when they were taken over by the SRG a couple of decades ago. They were so disorganised that the kits were never really available again, and the range is now dead.

[Galteemore]

2 hours ago, Horsetan said:

That would make them unavailable to thè general public.

Not necessarily a good idea - remember what happened to the Phoenix range of coach kits when they were taken over by the SRG a couple of decades ago. They were so disorganised that the kits were never really available again, and the range is now dead.

Can be a success story if done right eg Gauge O Guild and Dingham couplings 

[west_clare_wanderer]

On 2/6/2025 at 6:10 PM, Mol_PMB said:

As RTR products fill ever more niches, and the modern technologies like 3D printing become more capable, I guess the more traditional suppliers (many of more advancing years) are calling it quits. It's going to make life more difficult for those of us that like to make or modify things ourselves. Lanarkshire Models is another supplier that's closed its doors this week, fortunately just after they had sent me a package of wagon buffers and other detailing parts. 

I think we are going to see more and more of this. A perfect storm of a generation of cottage industry modellers coming to retirement, the explosion of 3D printing, the saturation of RTR. It all means more traditional modelling businesses are going to disappear. 

Hopefully, Allen's Irish stuff will find a new home though. Although as mentioned, the demand is probably miniscule in the grand scheme of things, so it's not going to be a multimillion euro/pound/dollar business.

[David Holman]

It is certainly all part of the hobby's evolvement. Often say that, if I was starting again, I'd probably stick with rtr for stock. For me, the problem is finding scratchbuilding parts, like coach bogies, w-irons, axles boxes and the like. The ranges available are now much less than ten years ago, so it is a good job I have most of the stock I need, especially for broad gauge.

[west_clare_wanderer]

3 minutes ago, David Holman said:

It is certainly all part of the hobby's evolvement

Exactly. It's not better, not worse, just different. Few people scratchbuild locos out of biscuit tins nowadays, but for most people there are alternative options. 

Let's face it, if Peter Denny, John Ahern et al had access to superb RTR rolling stock and 3D printing in the '50s they would have been using it!!

 

[Galteemore]

16 minutes ago, west_clare_wanderer said:

Exactly. It's not better, not worse, just different. Few people scratchbuild locos out of biscuit tins nowadays, but for most people there are alternative options. 

Let's face it, if Peter Denny, John Ahern et al had access to superb RTR rolling stock and 3D printing in the '50s they would have been using it!!

 

I’m not entirely sure about that one! I think that some modellers (and I include myself) prefer making to having , if that makes sense. Again, that’s not a better/worse thing. I just like the process of taking a flat sheet of metal and making it look like an engine. I’ll happily subcontract chimneys and domes to a supplier (and have some 3D stuff being designed) but the joy for me lies in the construction. Takes all sorts. I suspect that scratch builders like me will just have to learn basic CAD as another skill on top of soldering etc. I suspect too, that one of the reasons Ahern and Denny’s stuff has aged so well is that their layouts are consistent - the same set of hands and eyes produced everything from buildings to bufferbeams. 

Edited yesterday at 06:44 by Galteemore

[Colin R]

I guess it is horses for courses. I remember many years ago, at the beginning of the HOe/009 boom, when N gauge chassis became readily available, just how many narrow gauge layouts got built My first model layout (as opposed to a toy train set) was a figure of 8 rabbit warren that my brother and I built, it had all the usual Playcraft/Eggar stock and some bits Bro built based on the quarries in North Wales I think it lasted about two or three years then it was taken part.

Since then, I have been playing around in various scale gauge combinations. 

[Tullygrainey]

1 hour ago, Galteemore said:

I’m not entirely sure about that one! I think that some modellers (and I include myself) prefer making to having , if that makes sense. Again, that’s not a better/worse thing. I just like the process of taking a flat sheet of metal and making it look like an engine. I’ll happily subcontract chimneys and domes to a supplier (and have some 3D stuff being designed) but the joy for me lies in the construction. Takes all sorts. I suspect that scratch builders like me will just have to learn basic CAD as another skill on top of soldering etc. I suspect too, that one of the reasons Ahern and Denny’s stuff has aged so well is that their layouts are consistent - the same set of hands and eyes produced everything from buildings to bufferbeams. 

Describes my situation perfectly! I agree with every word of this David.

[Mayner]

2 hours ago, west_clare_wanderer said:

Hopefully, Allen's Irish stuff will find a new home though. Although as mentioned, the demand is probably miniscule in the grand scheme of things, so it's not going to be a multimillion euro/pound/dollar business.

Theoretically it should be feasible for the business or group that takes over Worsley Works to supply their existing Irish models using the photo engraving/etching business that Alan currently uses to produce the models. Basically it should be feasible to supply existing models at marginal cost (cost of etching the model + P&P) the tooling (Digital Photo tool) was a once off cost in producing the initial order.

While in my experience repeat orders/sales of existing etched kits/scratchbuilder parts are miniscule, I still find it worth my while to supply etched kits direct to customers from a photo engraver in the UK.

[Colin R]

I don't want to put anyone on the spot, but there is one person who already has Irish brass etch kits, and I think they would make a good fit, but I suspect that it will be down to the amount of money that needs to be invested to make this a possibility.

Plus, of course, the need to make sure that any castings of bits that are also needed are available, there must be a point where something like this goes from being a cottage industry to something else. 

Edited yesterday at 09:22 by Colin R

[west_clare_wanderer]

4 hours ago, Galteemore said:

I’m not entirely sure about that one! I think that some modellers (and I include myself) prefer making to having , if that makes sense. Again, that’s not a better/worse thing. I just like the process of taking a flat sheet of metal and making it look like an engine. I’ll happily subcontract chimneys and domes to a supplier (and have some 3D stuff being designed) but the joy for me lies in the construction. Takes all sorts. I suspect that scratch builders like me will just have to learn basic CAD as another skill on top of soldering etc. I suspect too, that one of the reasons Ahern and Denny’s stuff has aged so well is that their layouts are consistent - the same set of hands and eyes produced everything from buildings to bufferbeams. 

Sorry, I should have worded my response more carefully. I should have said they would have considered and explored modern techniques. 

Fundamentally, I agree, there are those who prefer to 'make' and I would include myself in that camp. Albeit, my 'level' is at a terrible standard when compared to some of the masterpieces produced here. 

Anyway, it might be good to contact Allen sooner rather than later, as I fear stuff will disappear into a black hole. I for one don't want to miss out. I would like a couple of West Clare Walker diesel etches for 00n3, and a couple of G Class ones for a wider gauge. I've got a feeling I may have missed the boat though! 

[Colin R]

He is still trading, and it would be worth you contacting him. I have just bought a West Clare Drewry railcar from him. I would suggest that, until we know for certain that he has retired, it is worth contacting him. If I had the money, there are still a lot of his products I would love to have   

[Galteemore]

He is actively engaged (as of today) in new drawing work for me. So the lights are still on! 

[Mol_PMB]

23 minutes ago, Galteemore said:

He is actively engaged (as of today) in new drawing work for me. So the lights are still on! 

Good news! Can you tell us what it is yet?

[west_clare_wanderer]

46 minutes ago, Galteemore said:

He is actively engaged (as of today) in new drawing work for me. So the lights are still on! 

21 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

Good news! Can you tell us what it is yet?

If he tells you, he will have to kill you!

[Galteemore]

Just now, west_clare_wanderer said:

If he tells you, he will have to kill you!

He’s kindly making his U class 7mm for me, with a few bits for a J class too

[Colin R]

I reckon he must have been bored and put the rumour out that he wanted to retire, so everyone has jumped on the bandwagon to get him to do stuff before that happens 

[Mol_PMB]

8 hours ago, Mayner said:

Theoretically it should be feasible for the business or group that takes over Worsley Works to supply their existing Irish models using the photo engraving/etching business that Alan currently uses to produce the models. Basically it should be feasible to supply existing models at marginal cost (cost of etching the model + P&P) the tooling (Digital Photo tool) was a once off cost in producing the initial order.

While in my experience repeat orders/sales of existing etched kits/scratchbuilder parts are miniscule, I still find it worth my while to supply etched kits direct to customers from a photo engraver in the UK.

John,

Apologies for going off at a tangent, but in this context can you still offer the tin van etches? 

I appreciate that they were a dozen years ago and you have a lot on your plate at present, so feel free to say no!