High Level Kits

Just top update on the GT3, the artwork is about to go off to be made into the film tool and a production run ordered. Anyone fancying one from the first batch, please drop me an e mail (chris@highlevelkits.co.uk) so I know how many sheets to order. Thanks.

GT3 NEWS There's and update on our GT3 in this thread below. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/93125-building-a-better-gt3/page-4

I'm delighted that this project has created such a buzz. Spurred on by this, I've now finished final artwork and it's just being checked over, then it's ready to go off to the etchers. The new fret won't really look that much like the one above as I've re-organised it to create extra space for P4 spacers and a fan grille. There will now be four versions – GT3 Basic (£32.00), which is the full chassis etch with plain bearings for the loco and tender; GT3 Plus (£40.00) which adds a set of loco and tender hornblocks for those who wish to compensate their model; GT3 Special (£62.00) which has the chassis kit plus a big Mashima can motor with a High Level gearbox; and GT3 Deluxe (£70.00) which has motor, gearbox and hornblocks as well as the chassis. Each package works out cheaper than buying the bits separately. All versions can be built in OO/EM/P4 and include alternative frame spacers for the different scales as well as wheel balance weights, full brake gear, GT3’s distinctive coupling rods and the tender fan grille. There'll be an update about the format of the intructions, but it's likely that they'll be based on our website which means anyone thinking of taking the plunge can view them before buying. Cheers, Chris Gibbon.

The High Level stand will Alexandra Palace this coming weekend. Although there won't be any GT3 chassis kits for sale (the second test etch is being done) any modellers interested in the project can discuss it and/or leave orders? Also, 64xx are now available.

The 64xx etches should be arriving today so I'm hoping to have them ready for sale by early next week. Full contact details on on the website, http://www.highlevelkits.co.uk/ which you may notice has had a makeover. This latest chassis is engineered to our usual standards. It can be built in OO, EM or P4 with either rigid axles or twin-beam compensation. Conversion to CSBs is relatively straightforward using our own components. The kit includes a full set of inside valve gear (non-working) and fully-removable brakegear. It is designed around a large 14 series can motor (we can supply this) and a bespoke double-reduction gearbox, which is included in the kit and available in 30, 40 or 54:1 ratios – please state your preference when ordering. The motor sits snugly inside the boiler and the gearbox is concealed inside the ashpan, leaving the cab completely clear. Sharp-eyed modellers will have realised that the Bachmann bodyshell can, with a little modification, also be used to represent the 5400 and 7400 class versions – apart from not being push-pull fitted, the 74s were virtually identical to the 64s but the 54s had 5ft 2in diameter wheels. If taking the latter route, check that your chosen make of wheels will actually fit inside the splashers. The kit includes alternative patterns of brake gear to cover the principal variations within the three classes.

The 64XX etches and lost waxes are now with the companies that do them, so that's all that's holding things up. Unfortunately, the etchng company is taking forever to do things thses days. As far as 7mm is concerned, I keep dabbling with it, but then get distacted by 4mm as it's my main market. I'll update the website as soon as the 64XX is ready.

Paul, something I've been meaning to catch up with but have been juggling too much this year. I'll try and get onto it... It'll be the 94xx which I've now got to test 1 stage.

Thanks for another very neat and very shiny chassis Dave. As far as CSBs are concerned, I have to watch I don’t make the kits and, in particular, the instructions too long and/or complicated, so I decided against including the options for CSB on a loco with three variants and in three gauges. Some types of valve gear get in the way more than others too, and this was the case in this engine, so you would probably need to do some work here.

It won't take long to implement any changes resulting from the 3rd party build (Dave) but, realistically, my etchers won't deliver anything this side of Xmas, and Xmas itself is always a problem. My lost waxer's not answering his phone (not uncommon) but he's in Carlisle so maybe has good reasons. There should be plenty of time to catch up with him and get the castings (sandboxes and brake journals) for some time in the New Year, so say, mid to late Jan for delivery. In the meantime, I'm cracking on with a 94xx based around the Lima model and that seems to be going nicely up to now. So, as stated above, next and final show of the year is Railex North East...

North Eastern enthusiasts may have noticed that 52F models have gone a bit quite of late – this is due to a health-related issue, but Peter Stanger informs me that he’s recovering well and sees no reason why the business won't be back to full strength in the near future. Peter says new kits for the A8 and D30 are nearing completion: e-mail or post orders for these, or any other kits, would be welcome, although acknowledgement of order and/or delivery will not be immediate, but hopefully soon... Over and out. Chris.

I've just got my hands on a bodyshell and initial impressions are encouraging. The front and mid splashers seem to be the correct distance apart (rear wheels have no splashers) and splasher sizes are almost to scale. Overall quality of mouldings looks very crisp, which I wasn't expecting based what I'v seen of the original chassis. With the footplate off, I can't help but notice how similar it looks to a 1500 class, but I think the work needed to make such a conversion puts it just the wrong side of the line, at least, for most people.

That's all good as being able to take it apart means its easier to fettle and super-detail. On the GWR stuff I put a firebox front in and, on the RTR models, this is usually too far forward to accomodate their mechs. Getting the footplate off will make it easier to cut the excess material away. My biggest worry is dodgy wheelbase!...

At the moment, Dave Franks is working his way through the final build of the 64xx chassis. I've been busying myself with, amongst other things, a 94xx chassis although I don't yet have a body. This is about to go off for 1st test etch and is looking promising. I'm hoping this will end up under either the new Bachmann model, or the Lima model could also offer an alternative solution if customers find the new bodies difficult to find, or too expensive. I've yet to find out what the Lima body is like!... Chris. PS see my request for Barclay drawings in Industrial section.

That’s a good picture Porcy - I knew you must have some use - and those who aren't familiar with the arches, probably won't realise that there were four of them which ran out over the river on staithes. They were truly spectacular... what a model that would make! It’s hard to imagine anyone would want to demolish them!

Great pic ; that bridge is a national treasure. Do you have any info on The Tyne Dock Arches - photos of them seem really scarce. If you have any, post them up...

Thanks David, , yes it will but it still needs a bit of sorting out and testing. Yes you too, let me know if you have any problems. Once you've done one, they're all pretty similar!

Now look, settle down, this wasn't how I envisaged the publicity for my new chassis turning out!!! The kit will go under the Bachmann 64XX with larger wheels fitted, making it a 54XX. This just needs a bit of grinding for P4 and , I think, you may get away without any grinding for OO as the wheels are so far inboard; EM, not sure... Brakes are there for 54/64 and 7400s. I was intending making the springs detachable but, when I looked at the instructions for the 3 types of engine, it was pushing the level of complication over the edge. I am running some tests on a few with a view to offering them as an after-market job, and I'm also looking into the possibility of separate valve gear frets, to detail other stuff.

Hello, just been speaking to Dave Franks who's building the model for the stand. It'll be the 64xx variant. The reason I ask Dave to do the final model is because it's good to have someone work through the instructions afresh (who doesn't know them off by heart) plus, Dave makes a fantastic job of the model. So, I 'm also looking forward to the photos as well... With regard to delivery dates, I realise things are well beyond the date promised for this kit, but there have been a few issues with delivery dates from etchers etc, plus, I decided to put a few castings in which extended the time, so apologies for that but hope you'll think it's worth it in the long run. Cheers, Chris. P.S. Porcy, your obsession with my past is becoming slightly unhealthy. If you use up all my pictures on model railway forums, you won’t have any left for when you write my biography!

If this materialises High Level Kits would be interested in putting a scale chassis under it. The Pug has been very popular over the years it's been available so something similar to that...

Hello jsp3970 If you e mail me at highlevelkits.co.uk I'll send you a set of 03/04 instructions as a PDF file. They detail the versions covered and show how the etches integrate with the bodyshell. Because the kit fits exactly under the RTR model, you're always going to have to do a bit more work if you're using something else. Chris.

Having been lucky enough to have a look at the finished loco, I'm pleased to say that all is well and the final test etch for my chassis kit is being prepared, should anyone wish to go down this particular route. Although I tend to focus on the areas where the body meets the chassis, I couldn't help but note that the model is of a high standard with crisp detail and dimensional accuracy throughout - my etches were based on drawings of the real thing, with a bit of educated guesswork for things like footplate thickness, fixing points etc. and the two matched up perfectly. I'm fairly confident that 54 and 74xx versions will also be possible using this bodyshell. More info on the High Level thread as things progress...

Just getting slightly off the subject, I have limited quantities of discontinued Mashima 16 series round cans for sale. Once they're gone that'll be itI

Hello Marcus, I've just had a look at a pic of the J15 and I'm not sure it would be a goer. My last Great Eastern engine, the Y5, didn't exactly set the world on fire (relatively speaking) although it was well received by those who actually bough it. I'll keep my eyes and ears open and see what the punters' response is to the prospect of the model's release, but you're the first to mention it up to now. Please, do go ahead with all the other stuff on your list of promises and you'll be an inspiration to others...

Glad you enjoyed the pug Steve. The J72 instructions recommend a simplified version of the valve gear and if you choose to compensate in OO then the beam goes through the motion bracket where the valves are.

Mike, for the first time I've actually built in the CSB facility - some of the crosswires that support the brakes can be used as pivots - but have kept this out of the main instructions to avoid confusion (on top of x3 track gauges + rigid + 2 compensation methods). I need to test one, then I'll probably put a page on the site showing how it works.