Modelu Figures & Component News

[Modelu Chris]

Good morning,

 

I hope you have all had a good week, unfortunately I forgot to post this previously, this is last weeks newsletter. Please see the below from Alan:

 

We've many changes afoot at Modelu driven by the arrival of our new instant 3D Scanning booth.  We'll be moving office in February, designing new packaging and labels and improving our production and packing processes to ensure we get our products to you as quickly as possible.   We've recently added two new super fast 3d printers to our printing farm which have already helped us to keep on top of orders and clear our backlog. 

Now we are preparing for Warley and hope to see you there - if you'd like to place orders for collection at the show please remember to select 'Collection' at checkout and make a note you'd like to pick up at Warley.

 

We posted on our social media recently asking which exhibitions you would like to see us attend in 2024. Many replies suggested shows in the North of England and Scotland so we are really excited to announce that we will be attending Model Rail Scotland in Glasgow on Friday 23rd Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th February 2024!

This time we'll only be attending with our brand new instant 3D scanning booth and some display models - but for those of you wishing to purchase our products we are working with a new stockist who will be present at the show.  You'll also be able to order anything in our range from us at the show to be posted on with free delivery.

Hope to see many of our Scottish customers and some new ones there in February!  Also don't forget you can see the new scanner in action at Warley in a few weeks time.

 

For our customers in South Wales we are pleased to announce that Cardiff's premier model shop Lord & Butler are now a Modelu stockist! In store you can expect to find our range of bespoke crews and bundles for a wide range of products.   Pop into their shop at the The Old Warehouse, (Next to Pumping Station), Penarth Road, Cardiff.

 

We are humbled to have been involved in this superb project from Rapido which has been receiving 5 star reviews.  Rapido commissioned us to reproduce the Vicar, Bishop and Squire from the film, no small task as this would see us pushing the boundaries in order to achieve a product which would match the high standards of Rapido.  We utilisied a digital sculptor to recreate likenesses of the characters, hired costumes and posed as classic scenes from the film. This was then all combined digitally, textures and colour improved before 3d printing in full colour.

The figures are part of the Titfield Thunderbolt Deluxe Pack available now.

 

Lionheart Trains new highly detailed Lyton & Barnstaple Manning Wardles can now be completed with a new crew pack.  Designed with the assistance of Richard Webster who kindly provided an engineering prototype for test fits and these photos of the crew in situ. 

 

We are pleased to announce 3 new Class 08 shunter crew packs! Suitable for 3 eras including 1948-1968 British Railways, 1968-1982 Pre-TOPS & TOPS and 1982-onwards.   These have been designed for the Dapol O gauge 08 and Hornby OO model but will be suitable for other scales and manufacturers.

Packs include a driver, shunter, and a free shunters pole and lamp!  Thanks to GC Weathering and Nick Gurney's Sidings for these superb images.

 

 

[Modelu Chris]

Newsletter continued: 

Thanks to Ali and Leigh at Didcot Railway Centre we have 3 new workshop storage models in the range.  These were all captured using Photogrammetry and include a wealth of detail and clutter.   Models include a pack of 2 parts bins, workshop drawers and the original wooden fitter lockers. Available now in N, TT, HO, OO, 1:48 and O.  Parts Bins shown here expertly painted by Dan Evason in O gauge. 

 

 

 

We've expanded our range of animals to include pests! Inflict your layouts and dioramas with a murder of crows, a mischief of rats and a scurry of squirrels!  Available now in all scales.

 

 

Over on our Patreon, our November release is almost ready to download for our Hobbyist, Creator and Creator Pro subscribers. This release features 5 Loco Cleaner figures from our archive suitable for the 1930s-1960s.  If you'd like to become a subscriber to get early access to new STL files then please choose a tier and signup.

Last months release of Industrial Crews will shortly be available to buy on our STL Store.

 

 

 

[Modelu Chris]

Newsletter still continued:

Thanks to Stephen Done for this superb photo of a wet cold evening waiting for the train home.  Well done Stephen! You win a £25 Modelu gift voucher. 

If you would like to be considered for Modelu Modeller of the Month, please send us a photo or tag us on social media and send us some details. Good luck!

 

Our latest haul of scans at Didcot Railway Centre have now been cleaned and edited.  These include GWR Coaling Stage coaling tubs for tender and tank locos, the coaling stage ramps and a set of loco cleaners trestles and workshop steps.  Look out for these later in November and on sale at Warley.

 

[barrowroad]

Hi Chris,

 

I really like the latest shed detailing products especially the GWR coal tubs scanned at Didcot.

 

I have a model of Bristol Barrow Road engine shed and would be interested to know if Modelu could model the Ash disposal 'tubs' that were used at most of the LMS sheds that had the concrete tower ash disposal plants?

I have included photos of the two types taken by myself at Carnforth a few years ago.

The tall version ran on narrow gauge tracks alongside the ash disposal pits whilst the short version ran along tracks in the pit.

The black and white photo is of the ash pits at Barrow Road showing both types in position.

I would need a number of each and am prepared to discuss a commission.

 

Robin  

[Worsdell forever]

Back to camp.

 

 

[Enterprisingwestern]

12 minutes ago, Worsdell forever said:

Back to camp.

 

 

 

Which one is Larry Grayson?

 

Mike.

[Ian J.]

Isn't one Melchett and the other Darling...?

 

😏

[The Stationmaster]

On 11/11/2023 at 06:54, Worsdell forever said:

Back to camp.

 

 

There's a lovely bit of date defining detail as they appear to be wearing puttees (not gaiters) and are wearing pre WWII uniform caps.  Excellent colouring

[Worsdell forever]

4 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

There's a lovely bit of date defining detail as they appear to be wearing puttees (not gaiters) and are wearing pre WWII uniform caps.  Excellent colouring

 

Afraid I know very little about such things, they're as they came from Modelu, WW1 soldier on leave and WW1 Sargent. The colouring is pure guessing! (well, not quite)

 

[Bucoops]

5 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

There's a lovely bit of date defining detail as they appear to be wearing puttees (not gaiters) and are wearing pre WWII uniform caps.  Excellent colouring

 

My Mother in law found a set of puttees in her loft when she recently moved. We have no idea who they belonged to and the house was built post WW2.

[Roddy Angus]

Puttes were still being issued and used in the 1980s.  I wouldn't be at all surprised if they are still issued by the army for use with low legged boots.

 

Roddy

[Gypsy]

15 hours ago, Roddy Angus said:

Puttes were still being issued and used in the 1980s.  I wouldn't be at all surprised if they are still issued by the army for use with low legged boots.

 

Roddy

 

They're not and haven't been since the (very early) 1990s.

 

WW1 and immediatly after style puttees are much longer (up to the knee) while the post WW2 type only covered the ankle to the same height as the canvas anklets/gaiters

[Roddy Angus]

1 hour ago, Gypsy said:

 

WW1 and immediatly after style puttees are much longer (up to the knee) while the post WW2 type only covered the ankle to the same height as the canvas anklets/gaiters

 

The only difference was in the length of the material. The WW1 version was longer so that it could be wrapper round your leg in a spiral up to the knee, the WW2 version was shorter and only wrapped round your ankle.

 

Thanks for confirmation of when they went out of use.  They weren't required with hi-leg boots, but a lot of units still issued a pair of short boots and puttees in the mid 80s, for parade use.

 

Best wishes

Roddy

[The Stationmaster]

20 hours ago, Worsdell forever said:

 

Afraid I know very little about such things, they're as they came from Modelu, WW1 soldier on leave and WW1 Sargent. The colouring is pure guessing! (well, not quite)

 

They're spot on detail wise for WWI as far as I can see.  The colour of uniform khaki seems to have varied a bit over the years (and might even have varied with the age of the uniform?  - although that didn't seem to happen with post WWII issued uniform)

[MrWolf]

The khaki of British battledress does vary, but more so around world war two, the 1937 pattern is more green, by 1940 it's a much more earthy shade.

 

For the first war, this is an example of the 1914 (simplified pattern) battledress:

 

Picture IWM.

 

The colour of your uniforms I think is excellent.

[Modelu Chris]

On 10/11/2023 at 16:11, barrowroad said:

Hi Chris,

 

I really like the latest shed detailing products especially the GWR coal tubs scanned at Didcot.

 

I have a model of Bristol Barrow Road engine shed and would be interested to know if Modelu could model the Ash disposal 'tubs' that were used at most of the LMS sheds that had the concrete tower ash disposal plants?

I have included photos of the two types taken by myself at Carnforth a few years ago.

The tall version ran on narrow gauge tracks alongside the ash disposal pits whilst the short version ran along tracks in the pit.

The black and white photo is of the ash pits at Barrow Road showing both types in position.

I would need a number of each and am prepared to discuss a commission.

 

Robin  

 

Good morning,

 

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you about this, the coal tubs we have added to the range were done using photogrammetry. This takes about 100 pictures to produce. If yu know of any that may be residing in the south west it would make it much easier for us to produce. 

 

If you give us an email an info@modelu3d.co.uk we can discuss further. 

 

Kind regards,

Chris

[Modelu Chris]

Happy Friday everyone,

 

I didn't want to fill this feed up too much with two newsletters one after another so please see the newsletter that went out last Friday. This is just a quick reminder also that if you would like to place a pre order for Warley then please do so as soon as possible so we can make sure we can have it printed in time for the show. 

 

The below is from Alan:

After almost 10 years of using handheld scanners we are finally ready to deploy our new 3D scanning booth at Warley!  The new scanner features almost instantenous scanning with 1/200 second capture - making small children and even pets finally possible!

This equipment will revolutionise the way we create models and we can't wait to see it in action.  As well as their scan, customers will also receive and email with a 3D avatar to share with their friends.

Come along to our stand B47 to find out more! 

 

 

 

 

Before we come to all the new projects we can share at Warley, we wanted to let you know we've finally overhauled the category and navigation system on our website! You can now browse categories and sub categories of products from the main menu making it much easier to see what we offer.  Categories have been organised around the Bachmann Era system.

Feedback would be most welcome!

 

 

Following on from our recent release of stores and cabinets scanned at Didcot we have now added workshop steps, cleaners trestles and coaling stage tubs and ramps. All 3d scanned at Didcot using Photogrammetry, these items add the finishing touches to your GWR Coaling Stage and sheds.  These will be on sale in OO and O gauge at Warley

 

 

 

We are really pleased to announce that West Hill Wagon Works will be stocking painted Modelu figures again! These will be available at Warley and include diesel drivers and crews on shed, lineside possession workers, shunters and more.  Look out for more product collaborations with West Hill Wagon Works in the future.

 

On our stand at Warley we'll have product samples of our new bespoke crews for the super detailed Cavalex Class 56!  Scanned at Warley last year, the crews feature Cav and Alex themselves along with a couple of other familiar faces from our hobby.  Packs will feature BR TOPS & PRE TOPS Driver & Second Man, Sectorisation ERA Driver & Second Man and present day Drivers.  See product samples (and perhaps even stock...!) at Warley.

 

 

 

We are pleased to announce another bespoke figure pack designed with the assistance of Rapido.  We've a set of 7 passengers, 5 seated and 2 standing, for the new Wisbech and Upwell Bogie Tramcar.  These will be the perfect set to compliment our J70 crew. See our stand for samples at Warley

 

 

 

[Modelu Chris]

Newsletter continued:

 

We are hugely proud to have been involved in the annoucement of Rapido Trains UK brand new OO locomotives today! Rapido commissioned us to produce 3D printed samples of their forthcoming locomotives - a task which pushed our capabilities to the limit in order to recreate the fantastic levels of detail Rapdio have achieved.  Announcement include re-run of the Stirling Single, LSWR O1, LNER J52/2 and the diminutive Port of Par Bagnall Tanks pair.  All of which will receive bespoke Modelu crews!

 

 

Revolution's Caroline's have long been on our radar for a crew set - we even scanned the Revolution team at Ally Pally in 2022 for this purpose! Come soon will be a complete set of figures to populate these superb models.

 

[Modelu Chris]

Good evening everyone, we are all set up ready for the show at Warley this weekend. We would love to show off what our new scanner can do so do come and see us! 
 

In other news …

 

BLACK FRIDAY is upon us once more! This year we are running a 15% discount promotion for online orders from Thursday 23rd until midnight on Monday 27th. 
 

[Fair Oak Junction]

I was just looking at the Women in Railways section of the website, and I was wondering if figures of Second World War female railway workers had been considered?

Cleaners/shed staff, guards, signalbox/station staff, etc. There are quite a few women out there who re-enact the war after all, just look at any 1940s weekend at a preserved railway.

I've managed to find some 1/72 & 1/76 ATS figures online that I will be repurposing as female shed staff, but it would be great to have some accurate railway figures 👍

[Modelu Chris]

Good afternoon everyone, we have had a busy week in the office with our usual advent calendar. It always seems like such a good idea at the start. Please see the below newsletter from Alan that was published on Friday. 

 

Here is your roundup of the first week of our daily Advent promotions and product launches.  The guys have been busy keeping to our 5 day dispatch target with new printers and a new label printing solution help keep orders flowing out of the door.

 

NEW PRODUCT LABELS

Customers at Warley would have seen our new labels and some of you will start to receive your products with them also.  We now include a reference to the print job, the order bin and your order number on the label to help make sure products are being added to the correct orders and to avoid any packing issues at this busy time.

 

 

Our Photo of the year competition has been running a week and we've had over 50 superb entries already!

If you'd like to enter please upload your photo with your name, email and please include a description with your photograph.   You can also email us your entry, or on social media use the hashtag #modeluphoto2023. The closing date for entries is Thursday 14th December⁠

⁠⁠JUDGING & VOTES⁠

Modelu will shortlist 5 entries to vote upon. Voting will be open from Friday 16th December via the Modelu website - You can decide who's image is the winner - simply like the photo to cast your vote. Voting closes on the 21st December ⁠

⁠The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve!⁠

⁠⁠PRIZES

The winner will receive a £150 Modelu gift voucher, 2nd place receives a £75 voucher, and 3rd place a £25 voucher.⁠

⁠⁠IMPORTANT DATES

14th December - Closing date for entries⁠

15th December -Voting opens⁠

21st December - Voting ends⁠

24th December - Winner announced!⁠

Thanks to Steven Draper / Terrific Trains for this image to get things going!

 

 

We've expanded our range of seasonal products to include a number of themed figures for your Christmas dioramas and cameos!  These include a Victorian Father Christmas as posed by Modelu customer Roger Morgan, a trio of snowmen, a set of Christmas presents and Father Christmas in his sleigh.

 

 

 

 

We are happy to announce a new range of mid-late Victorian people! These have been captured with the assistance of Modelu customers and volunteers at the Ffestiniog Bygones weekend back in October.  Look out for more releases in the new year from this scanning session, including seated Victorian passengers.

There is a distinct air of Dicken's Scrooge: A Christmas Carol about them -  maybe we should add a Scrooge to finish the set!

 

 

[Modelu Chris]

 

Continuing with our late Victorian theme, we have passenger packs designed for the Rapido W&U Tramcars.  Designed with the assistance of Rapido and volunteers from Didcot Railway Centre, the packs feature 5 seated passengers and 2 gentlemen stood on the veranda.

 

 

With the immiment arrival of the Kernow GWR Steam Railmotor we are offering our Passenger and Crew packs at a 15% discount for the rest of December!  Crew pack features Driver, Fireman and Guard and passenger pack features 5 passengers all scanned with assistance from Didcot Railway Centre.  These figures have been pre-cut in OO gauge to fit the Kernow model.  These can also be ordered with full legs for kit built models.  Offer ends 1st January.

 

 

While we were at Warley we loved showing everyone our brand new 3D photogrammetry scanner. Within minutes of your scan being complete you receive an email containing your scan preview and a digital version that you can view in Augmented Reality (AR). This can be moved around and changed in size. ⁠
⁠
For your chance to enter our competition to win a £25 Modelu voucher simply check out our link in bio and follow the VIEW IN AR link on your mobile device. Take a screenshot of Chris' AR figure posed up and the best entry wins the voucher. Please use #modelucompetition or email your image to enter. ⁠ We'll announce the winner on Friday 15th December!

 

https://www.3df.space/3d-fascination-web/viewer/ar.php?client=modelu&event=default&id=21bcc7e565

 

We are really pleased to announce the return of O Gauge figure painters Detailed Miniatures.  Paul and Carole had a break for a time after Covid and are now back bringing our figures to life!  You can view their catalogue of painted figures on their new website (note new .com address). If you would like to get in touch please email Paul or drop them a line on 01732 521474

 

Edited December 11, 2023 by Modelu Chris

[wamwig]

On 27/11/2023 at 08:55, Fair Oak Junction said:

I was just looking at the Women in Railways section of the website, and I was wondering if figures of Second World War female railway workers had been considered?

Cleaners/shed staff, guards, signalbox/station staff, etc. There are quite a few women out there who re-enact the war after all, just look at any 1940s weekend at a preserved railway.

I've managed to find some 1/72 & 1/76 ATS figures online that I will be repurposing as female shed staff, but it would be great to have some accurate railway figures 👍

Only just saw this, presumably you found the Dan Taylor Modelworks and 3dJson ATS figures for repurposing? Several of both are in overalls and only need a head transplant for WW2 railway (or other) workers.

 

Anthony

[Fair Oak Junction]

6 minutes ago, wamwig said:

Only just saw this, presumably you found the Dan Taylor Modelworks and 3dJson ATS figures for repurposing? Several of both are in overalls and only need a head transplant for WW2 railway (or other) workers.

 

Anthony

 

Yep, those are the ones. To me the heads with ATS soft caps are close enough to railway workers caps, especially if painted black.

Between those two ranges I've got enough to cover my needs luckily 👍

[wamwig]

12 minutes ago, Fair Oak Junction said:

 

Yep, those are the ones. To me the heads with ATS soft caps are close enough to railway workers caps, especially if painted black.

Between those two ranges I've got enough to cover my needs luckily 👍

Interestingly Rob Johnson (3dJson) is a railway modeller who intended producing railway figures but somehow got sidetracked and hasn't got round to producing any yet, he does have a growing range of interesting military figures though and I understand there may be some 'civilian' figures in the future.  It really is a great time for small scale figures with these and Modelu (and a couple of other outlets producing 3d printed figures). Glad they met your requirements, sometimes a repaint or head transplant is all that is needed to produce something different from what was originally intended!

 

Anthony