Just when I'm talking about more commercial support for S...

[Guest]

...this comes along.

 

http://www.s-scale.org.uk/Locomotive.htm#62C

 

This is great stuff and I'd like to see more of it. Reduction of 7mm etches (or, indeed, enlargement of 4mm etches) can't be rocket science, and even if the result were to be marketed as "scratch aid" items rather than full-blown kits, I think there could be a serious temptation for more people to dip a toe into S-scale waters.

 

 

[ScottW]

...this comes along.

 

http://www.s-scale.org.uk/Locomotive.htm#62C

 

This is great stuff and I'd like to see more of it. Reduction of 7mm etches (or, indeed, enlargement of 4mm etches) can't be rocket science, and even if the result were to be marketed as "scratch aid" items rather than full-blown kits, I think there could be a serious temptation for more people to dip a toe into S-scale waters.

 

David,

 

The reduction of the said 7mm etches was a private venture instigated by myself. Peter Mullen of 62C models was very cooperative and agreed to reduce his 7mm photo tools for me. The project was entirely funded by myself and I must point out that the initial process of producing the new S-Scale photo tool was quite costly. Once the tool is produced any number of etches can be produced relatively cheaply. I think many kit manufacturers would be happy to either reduce or enlarge their artwork but I think it's the matter of cost that prevents them. With so few S-Scale modellers manufacturers are unlikely to cover their overheads. In the past S-Scale members have clubbed together and had etches reduced/enlarged, the problem with that is you need to find enough people who want to model that particular prototype to keep costs down to a reasonable amount. That said I agree with your comments, if there were a wider range of scratch aid kits available then maybe more people would be tempted into S-Scale.

 

Scott

[Guest]

Hi, Scott.

 

Thanks for your reply. My point wasn't about the costs involved but rather the technology. I do understand that the work involved must be expensive but that fact is the technique is established. That is what concerns me here.

 

We're in a bit of a viscious circle, aren't we? There aren't many people working in S because there aren't that many parts available, and there aren't that many parts available because there aren't many people working in S! Would you be averse to contacting me via PM to discuss this in more detail, particularly on the question of costs?

 

David

[Horsetan]

I thought Alan Gibson had been offering precisely this sort of thing for many years?

[Guest]

I thought Alan Gibson had been offering precisely this sort of thing for many years?

 

He did indeed, and the new owners still offer them. Catalogue can be found here:

 

http://www.alangibsonworkshop.com/

 

It's in PDF format and the S-scale stuff is on p.36.

 

Rather excitingly, there's more in the pipeline. Follow this link and all will be revealed (page updated from time to time so see entry for 27/5/2013)...

 

http://www.s-scale.org.uk/new.htm

 

And rather interestingly for our American cousins, I see S-Scale Loco and Supply are back. 

 

http://www.sscaleloco.com/index.htm

 

Their parts list shows machined stainless steel driving wheel tyres available in 51", 57", 60", 63", 69", 72" and 79" sizes. Admittedly, they're RP25 code 110 but someone somewhere will be interested. All they'd then need is a 3D Printed wheel centre...

[Colin Stewart]

And rather interestingly for our American cousins, I see S-Scale Loco and Supply are back. 

 

There is also some good news for fans of GE prototype road switchers (U18B/U23B etc), there is a project going on in the background to resize some O scale etched brass kits to S scale. The kits will be more than just a resize of the O scale etch  and will be specifically adapted to use the available S scale trucks and running gear.

 

Colin