Road Vehicles. Which Gaps Need Filling?

[LongRail]

The point people are making is that in the ready to run market there are large gaps particularly with regards to cars.

 

I started my layout a few years ago set in the current day there was a real lack of suitable cars  and vans but this is now improving, I managed to hoover up a lot of Cararama current day cars which no longer seem available.

 

I have changed my layout to be in the early 90's and again the availability of suitable vehicles is improving but there are some obvious items such as the Sherpa Van and the mk 2 Transit which were seen everywhere but which are not available. ( I have purchased the Sherpa kit from Road Transport Images but have not built it yet)

 

Had a quick look at your site and looks as if you are producing some interesting vehicles.

I have a couple of comments which I hope you will find helpful.

List of available vehicles with photographs would be a useful addition to the website

Have you considered looking into PayPal as a payment mechanism which may be an easy way of taking payments over the net, you may find these days people are put off by not being able to pay electronically

[Dungrange]

The point people are making is that in the ready to run market there are large gaps particularly with regards to cars.

 

I couldn't agree more.  When I complete my proposed layout several years from now, I will probably require something like 25 road vehicles in total.  If I look at the breakdown of registered vehicles and vehicle kilometres travelled, I can probably subdivide the above into something like:

 

• 18 cars;
• 2 taxis;
• 2 light goods vehicles (ie vans etc up to 3.5 tonnes gross laden weight);
• 2 other goods vehicles (one rigid vehicle and one articulated vehicle); and
• 1 bus or coach

 

That would present a reasonable representation of traffic on any typical road, subject to some variation depending on location.  For example more goods vehicles are likely to be present in an industrial estate and perhaps none on a residential road.

 

Since the number of any particular type of vehicle that I will require is small, I don’t really care too much about a specific prototype.  As far as I am concerned the one articulated truck that I am likely to require can be a Scania, MAN, Mercedes or a Volvo: I don’t care.   There are plenty of existing models to choose from.  The same applies to rigid goods vehicles and buses and coaches.  

 

However, try to find 18 cars largely produced in the period 1993 – 2006 and there is an obvious gap.  I don’t specifically mind what cars from this period are produced, but more are required.  I believe Oxford Diecast’s next announcement will include at least one more late 1980s / early 1990s model for those modelling the 1990s.

[runs as required]

I'd like to put in a plea for some of those characterful BMMO buses and coaches.

 

We do get Birmingham Corp (which are also specialised bodies) but, except for the C9 coach ready for the opening of the M1, we don't get any classic Midland Reds: the post war 1946 pioneering S series underfloor engined buses and the D1 tin fronts plus the elegant C1 coaches.

Then there were the distinctive pre war FEDDs and SONs still in service till the late 1950s - also the prewar art-deco SLR coaches that did the Digbeth-London Victoria run jointly with the North Western RCC's classic Harrington bodied Leyland coaches.

dh

[wamwig]

There is a fair few Midland Red vehicles here  http://www.modelbuszone.co.uk/tmb/kits/lancer.htm including some mentioned in the above post.

[PhilJ W]

You are unlikely to see many r-t-r examples of BMMO vehicles. A diecast manufacturer depends on volume sales to make a model viable and that requires a lot of variations especially in livery. Most Midland Red buses and coaches went for scrap at the end of their lives whereas many London buses for example went on to further service with a myriad of other operators.

[runs as required]

You are unlikely to see many r-t-r examples of BMMO vehicles. A diecast manufacturer depends on volume sales to make a model viable and that requires a lot of variations especially in livery. Most Midland Red buses and coaches went for scrap at the end of their lives whereas many London buses for example went on to further service with a myriad of other operators.

I do accept that,

BUT

as I pointed out: Birmingham Corp were similarly specialised but have been reproduced in diecast.

To my mind the DM Sinclair and Shires inspired buses were particularly characterful in appearance compared to the run of the mill BET or Tilling vehicles - to me the trigger for a memorable model.

And to be fair they did also appear in other operators fleets: Trent and, up here Northern General; s/h they went to Hulleys buses and Silver Service.

 

Thanks Wamwig for the pointer to the BMMO kits

 

dh

[bamford]

given the apparent sales volume of n gauge br blue era locos and rolling stock it is surprising how few trucks/vans are available from the same period ,  manufacturers presumably dont see a market here . Similarly it would appear simple enough to re brand several existing models as the earlier br green engineering dept vehicles , yet they are a rarity in any scale.

[Midland_Red]

Lancer Models do a good range of BMMO/Midland Red kits and spares too :- www.spanglefish.com/lancermodels/index.asp

 

Scalelink now do the W & T Manufacturing range of BMMO kits, some are white metal and some resin :- www.scalelink.co.uk/acatalog/1_76_scale_Midland_Red_bus_kits.html.

 

EFE and Corgi OOC have produced some RTR models such as the D9 and C5 motorway coach and they turn up on EBay quite frequently.

 

Hope those help you.

 

Trevor.

[runs as required]

Lancer Models do a good range of BMMO/Midland Red kits and spares too :- www.spanglefish.com/lancermodels/index.asp

Scalelink now do the W & T Manufacturing range of BMMO kits, some are white metal and some resin :- www.scalelink.co.uk/acatalog/1_76_scale_Midland_Red_bus_kits.html.

EFE and Corgi OOC have produced some RTR models such as the D9 and C5 motorway coach and they turn up on EBay quite frequently.

Hope those help you.

 

Many thanks for those links Trevor.

I am pleased to say that I have already got the W&T FEDD white metal kit waiting for me to tackle (using uprated soldering skills acquired last weekend at RMweb's event at Ricoh Coventry) and am in contact with Mr Finney in Northampton who keeps all the BMMO/Midland Red Lancer kits and spares.

I also have taken the plunge with scratch building post #12 here and will post more on my efforts. I want to model Sinclair's SE6 Northern General  predecessors to the BMMO S1. There was a short lived etch made by Dave Alexander of the NG bus but there were also beautiful pre-war NG touring coaches on the same chassis; these have never been kits.

 

Keep in touch - folks are now posting some useful tips and links on the model bus thread along with some impressive pics of kit built vehicles.

 

dhig

[jcb 3c]

A modern ( or 1980's or 1990's ) 7.5te tipper and a box van , seen absolutely everywhere on our streets, as can be driven by non HGV drivers . ( if you passed your test by a certain date)

 

The old  Leyland (etc) FG used to do this job in 1960s and 70s  and we have models of these now

[PhilJ W]

A modern ( or 1980's or 1990's ) 7.5te tipper and a box van , seen absolutely everywhere on our streets, as can be driven by non HGV drivers . ( if you passed your test by a certain date)

 

The old  Leyland (etc) FG used to do this job in 1960s and 70s  and we have models of these now

Oxford have a Ford Cargo in that class being released shortly as a van in plain white. They also make a MAN L2000  with a box van or curtainsider body for the Stobart shop but no release date yet for an ordinary version. The Ford Cargo is also available from the Stobart shop. 

http://stobartclubandshop.co.uk/models/

[jcb 3c]

Wonder if anyone will do a  7.5 te tipper , Makers seem to often get body proportions wrong with tippers for some reason .

BTW for in period there are a lot of these late teenage or older 7.5 tonners about  and still  at work  like this Leyland  45 seen recently   .

[BristolBill]

How about diecast Bristol KSW`s, BMC J4 and LD vans in 1/76th. scale

[RANGERS]

How about diecast Bristol KSW`s, BMC J4 and LD vans in 1/76th. scale

The KSW would be welcome, they were long lived in many fleets, some even made it into NBC colours I believe, and they survived to see service with independents across the country. The LD is available from Corgi and there was a half decent plastic kit around a few years ago. Classic announced a J4 a good few years ago but it's yet to appear.

[PhilJ W]

The Classix range is now regrettably defunct, not only model railways but diecast manufacturers suffered from production problems in China a couple of years ago. Add to this the guy behind Classix models died and there was no one to pick up the pieces. Apparently the dies etc. have been taken over by Base Toys but no further news yet.

[Merfyn Jones]

I believe that the owner of Classic or Classix passed away some time ago so nothing new from that company for a good while.

Therefore a gap exists for somebody to do a BMC J4 (Oxford please) Or there is I believe still a whitemetal from R Parker.

Merf.

 

Both of us typing at the same time !

[richierich]

Lots of late 1970s, 1980s and 1990s car, vans and lorries to produce:-

 

In lorries:-

Leyland T45 series is missing, thinking Freighter, Constructor, Roadtrain, plus The Roadrunner.

Volvo F10, FL6, FL10

Scania 92/112/142

ERF C, E, EC series.

Seddon Atkinson 400 series

Forden Haulmaster

Bedford TK facelifted cab

 

In buses, I can think of

 

Leyland National 2

Duple Dominant Bus

Plaxton Supreme III / IV coach

Plaxton Paramount 3200 and 3500

Duple 320 & 340

Leyland Olympian / ECW low height NBC specification

Bristol RESL8 / ECW.

Leyland Leopard / Tiger with ECW B51 coach body

Leyland Leopard / Willowbrook 003 coach body

 

Minibus such as the

Ford Transit 190D Caryle Works Breadvan

Mercedes 608D / Reeves Burgess Conversion.

 

 

Vans:

 

Ford Transit MK3

Bedford CF

Freight Rover Sherpa 200/300/400 series.

[Merfyn Jones]

An interesting list Rich.  Although a lot are available as kits. One item the Mk.3 Ford Transit is in Oxford's list for this year in a long wheelbase, medium height van.

Merf.

[LongRail]

I for one would like to see a Mk 2 Transit and a Sherpa Van

Both of which were so common on our roads.

 

I have a Mk 2 transit on my layout which was converted from a Mk1using a white metal casting I purchased previously but I need several more as well.

as shown on the following posting

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/95704-my-road-vehicles/&do=findComment&comment=1771457

 

I recently purchased a Sherpa van kit from road Transport images but have not yet built it

[Norm81]

Leyland T45 series is/was available from Base Toys, only the Roadtrain low datum cab though, I'm bashing two into Cruiser / Constructor cabs. Agree on the rest of the list in post #92

[Guest nzflyer]

I agree that cars from the 1990s is a big gap in 1:76 scale, although I'd extend it into the first years of this century as well, as my modelling period is circa 2007.  Looking at the Oxford Diecast range, I have the choice of a few "brand new" cars such as the New Mini Mk II (introduced Novmber 2006), the forthcoming Vauxhall Corsa (introduced May 2006), the TX4 Taxi (also introduced around 2006) and the Land Rover Discovery III (introduced in 2004).  However, apart from that its cars from the 1980 like the Ford Capri, which are very rare now (although I did see one last year).  What I really would like to see are the popular cars that fill in that gap, preferably those from the late 1990s (in my case vehicles that were around 3 - 15 years old in 2007), so that I can create a realistic age profile.

 

Cars high on my list of desirable vehicles would include:

• Ford Focus Mk I (1998 - 2005)
• Peugeot 206 (1998 - 2010)
• Vauxhall Astra Mk IV (1998 - 2004)
• Renault Clio Mk II (1998 - 2012)
• Nissan Micra Mk II (1993 - 2002)

Lorries aren't quite such as issue for those of us modelling the 21st Century, although I would agree that some smaller delivery type trucks would be good.  Thankfully it looks like Oxford are moving in that direction and in any case, all trucks are vastly out numbered by cars unless you're looking at modelling a freight yard.

 

Regards

 

David

 

Spot on David I love those suggestions!

[PhilJ W]

There is a model of both the Mk. I & ii Nissan Micra available. A Japanese confectionery maker made something similar to a Kinder Egg containing a small 'snap-together' car kit of various Japanese cars. Most were under-scale for 00 but the smaller prototypes were very close to that scale including both Micra's. Also in the series and suitable for 00 scale is a Honda S800 sports car and a c. 1932 DAT which was a copy of the Austin 7. I don't know the name of the manufacturer as everything is in Japanese. I found them on E-bay a few years ago and they still come up now and again.

[Norm81]

I'd also like to see a Bedford TM and Scania 82, they're doing the Scania 113M so not sure how different the tooling would have to be.

[Jon Fitness]

1950's - present day 1:43  (not 1:50!) scale buses....huge gap.

Nuff said.

JF

 BUMP! 

[RANGERS]

I'd also like to see a Bedford TM and Scania 82, they're doing the Scania 113M so not sure how different the tooling would have to be.

Frank Wallers Road Transport Images range has a Bedford TM kit in both versions. He also does a Scania 80 in sleeper version but no 82/ 112/ 113 As yet. Frank regarded th Foden S80 as the ugliest thing he'd produced so far, and it took some doing to get that into the range, I suspect the Scanias will be an even bigger challenge. To my mind they have the looks only a swedish engineer could love.