Narrow Planet - 009 kit for ex-RNAD crew van released

[cornelius]

Narrow Planet as a custom nameplate service for narrow gauge and industrial modellers has been running for a couple of years now, but alongside this I've also been working on kits in 009. The first to come to completion is a model of the modern (circa 1980) 2'6" gauge Baguley-Drewry diesel which was operated by the RNAD at various ordnance depots around the UK.

There were two versions of the loco, the 99hp design which is represented here and the shorter 60hp which will follow as a kit later.

Since leaving RNAD service the 99hp loco can now been seen at Whipsnade, Statfold Barn and (albeit subject to modifications to fit the loading gauge) the Talyllyn. I believe at one point the Welshpool & Llanfair were also looking at acquiring one but this didn't come to pass.

The 60hp model is in use at Amberley, Bredgar and (I think) Bala.







(and as a size comparison with some Ffestiniog stock)




The kit is a combination of a 3D printed bodyshell and etched nickel silver detailing which all glues on to the plastic body - no soldering needed! A Kato N gauge 11-104 tram chassis is required, available from UK model suppliers or eBay, other versions of this mechanism may also fit but this one has the narrowest side frame detail. A Greenwich-type coupling can be fitted in the buffer blocks.

Price will be £30 excluding chassis.

I'll be hitting the "go" button on production this week to have stocks available for ExpoNG at the end of October, and online sales shortly afterwards. I'm planning for an initial batch of 25-30 locos based on current interest, and I will be emailing everyone who has registered interest shortly, so if you'd like to sign up for one please use the form on the website or PM me with your email address.

http://narrowplanet....k/products/kits

[Hippo]

That looks really nice

[cornelius]

I don't have the time (or arguably the talent) to do a paint job on the sample model justice before ExpoNG so I have sub-contracted this out. Still a work in progress but I think you'll agree its shaping up pretty well!

 

 

 

[46444]

Not sure if this kit has been discussed on here but noticed this on the Narrow Planet website:

 

http://www.narrowplanet.co.uk/products/kits

 

With some discussion on NGRM as well:

 

http://www.ngrm-online.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1690&start=210

 

Here's a photo of the real thing too!

 

 

Looks like there could be some possibilities with this kit.

 

I have no connection with this business except as a customer. The custom etched nameplates are superb and the service is excellent.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

[Neil]

I'm likewise a very happy customer, having had some of Steve's standard works plates and custom etched number plates sent my way. The photos I've seen of the model look excellent and the use of the Kato mechanism should guarantee excellent performance.

[46444]

It does look good and like you say the photos I've seen of the kit look really well produced. It's a good price too for £30 including p&p. The Engine Shed are selling the Kato tram chassis for around £18 so it's not a bad price for a 009 scale loco.

 

Out of interest does anyone know how many of these were built and do the RN still have any in use?

[Kenton]

Isn't this the same loco as the RT Models kit? or very similar?

[46444]

Isn't this the same loco as the RT Models kit? or very similar?

 

Looking at the RT Models website it looks like an older design of loco. The version represented by the Narrow Planet kit is of a 1980's design built for Royal Naval Armourments Depots. I'm not sure if the RAF had them too? I've seen a picture of one preserved in RAF blue. I'm not sure if this is protypical or not?

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

[cornelius]

I did start a thread in the smaller suppliers forum but this one has already had more replies!

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/62639-narrow-planet-009-kit-for-ex-rnad-99hp-baguley-drewry-diesel/

 

Thanks for your comments - its been an interesting experience developing it and I'm glad people are interested.

 

Kenton - yes this is a more modern design than the RT Models 'Chattenden' kit, the prototype of which was built for the Chattenden & Upnor railway in the 1950s.

 

46444 - as far as I know they have all been disposed by the RN now. I can't remember off the top of my head how many there were in 60hp and 99hp versions but they seem to be quite numerous in preservation now. The loco at Whipsnade is blue and there is also a bright purple one knocking about!

 

 

I've also seen a green MoD one which has the cab door on the other side to all the rest - not sure if there were any more of these.

 

[46444]

Thanks for the reply Steve

 

Sorry, I hadn't seen your posting in the small Small Suppliers section. Not sure if Andy wants to combine these threads?

 

Out of interest how much modification does the Kato chassis need to fit the kit?

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

[cornelius]

Out of interest how much modification does the Kato chassis need to fit the kit?

 

You need to chop the ends off (all plastic so not too challenging) and trim down the sideframe detail. The 11-104 is the thinnest of the various versions which is why I specifically recommend that model, although I'm sure others could be made to fit.

[Hippo]

Hi Cornelius

I was wondering if you will be offering these through your website, as i will be un-able to get to Expo Ng this weekend

 

Ta Owen

[cornelius]

Hi Cornelius

I was wondering if you will be offering these through your website, as i will be un-able to get to Expo Ng this weekend

 

Ta Owen

 

Yep, either from Saturday or shortly afterwards. If you'd like me to put one by for you drop me a PM.

[Fenway Park]

Hi,

Wellington Models stock the Kato chassis 11-104 as well as the other 4 wheel variants. 11-104 has the plastic balconies which can easily be removed.

 

Please contact Chris on 01823 669636 or visit his website. Gaugemaster maybe the Kato importer but their stock levels are poor to non existent despite their website.

 

No connection but a satisfied customer of Wellington Models.

[cornelius]

The kit is now available to order - http://narrowplanet.co.uk/products/NPL-001

 

Stocks are limited after ExpoNG but I will be ordering more parts this week.

[PaulRhB]

Just for info I picked up a couple of these at ExpoNg and they are super kits, very little work required and I suspect the most difficult part will be the wasp stripes. Heads for the transfer paper drawer! Highly recommended.

[46444]

Evening,

 

My kit arrived from Steve today. Excellent service and well packaged too.

 

On opening the package was greeted to this neat piece of packaging design and a well thought out presentation of the kit in its box.

 

 

 

Here's a few shots of the loco bodyshell and the etch which comes with it.

 

 

 

All the mouldings are extremely crisp and clean. I've ordered the Kato chassis from Gaugemaster and am awaiting this.

 

I envisage this to be an quick build and I'm really looking forwards to getting on with this loco. Once I get cracking with the build I'll post some images on my blog.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

[Mike Bellamy]

A comprehensive review today in Model Railway Express - see here

 

http://www.mremag.com/news/bulletin.asp

 

Mike

[cornelius]

We have just released a complementary rolling stock kit for our Baguley-Drewry diesel - the RNAD bogie crew van built by Hudson in the 1980s for the Trecwn depot (and probably others).

 

The kit is comprised of a 3d printed underframe and interior with etched nickel silver body and details, and is complete with wheels and bogies.

 

 

See http://narrowplanet.co.uk/products/NPR-002 for more details. It will also be available from Parkside Dundas - probably your best bet for ordering in the short term as most of my stock went at NG South last weekend.

 

The 99hp Baguley-Drewry is still available, and the smaller 60hp version will also be on sale shortly.

[Kenton]

Now who is going to be first to motorise it?

[cornelius]

I've added a few number plate styles to the Narrow Planet website - all customisable. Our focus is on narrow gauge and industrial prototypes but I've had a few requests for standard gauge styles which may be of interest:

 

Southern Railway: http://narrowplanet.co.uk/products/NPP-408

GWR: http://narrowplanet.co.uk/products/NPP-409

Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway: http://narrowplanet.co.uk/products/NPP-411

North Eastern Railway: http://narrowplanet.co.uk/products/NPP-412

Great Central Railway: http://narrowplanet.co.uk/products/NPP-413

British Transport Commission: http://narrowplanet.co.uk/products/NPP-414