High Level Kits

A disassembled 14 inch Barclay is now on the bench in the High Level lab. A chassis for this is going to be quite a challenge. At this stage, it’s looking like the brakes, springs and cylinder/Slidebar assemble from the RTR model will be reused. The mech is not so much of a problem, but locating the leaf springs, which on the Hatton’s model sit ‘outside’ the wheels, will be tricky. Taking it apart to preserve the existing parts is no mean feat!

Just and update eon the post situation. It seems the post is getting less reliable, no doubt due to staff shortages. I’m trying to limit my visits to the local post office, and they say the mail is only getting picked up from them every two days...and this is quite a busy branch. Some parcels are taking significantly longer to reach their destinations so the turnaround time on orders will not be as quick as usual. Please bear this in mind. There’s also quite a few of them going astray so I’m having to send them recorded and signed.

I asked Hattons' Dave this when the model was first released and he said no. There's no harm in others pestering now it's been out for a while - maybe they'll sell you the non-runners for half price rather than throw them in a skip?...

It's looking increasingly likely that we're going to be stuck inside for a good while now. With no shows in sight, I'm finally squaring up to the Hattons Barclay. This will be a chassis for the 14 inch only, EM, P4... not sure about OO (anyone actually want one in OO?)

Message to anyone with an order already with High Level, or thinking of placing one over the next few weeks: We are working our way through the current pile – people are obviously laying down stocks to take them over the lockdown – and will try and keep mail order going as long as it’s feasible. The post is not reliable and we have had a few customers saying they’ve not had goods which were posted well over a week ago. Now we’re going to try recorder delivery, which may add a quid or so on postage costs, but hopefully will be more reliable with a tracking number if needed.

Always nice to see the pair of you, especially in your matching GWR jumpers... and to catch up with all the other customers too. What can you do though!.... we'll just have to be sensible and ride it out. Hope everyone's OK in modelling land.... Chris.

Spring is usually a busy time, kicking off with Scalefour North, then York, EM and Railex, so we were well stocked in anticipation and now only waiting for RR+ etches, which are expected this week. Motors we have are: New iron core 1215 and 20s (very similar to Canons) Mashima 1420/24/26/28s New coreless 1219 and even newer 1320s. They’re all on the website. Kits, chassis, hornblocks and other stuff in stock as well. It’s looking like the post is not its usual, reliable old self, so bear this in mind when waiting for your parcel... and it may yet end up that we send stuff recorder for the foreseeable.

I did post the rod on Monday but I think the post is not so good.

Hello, just letting you know all is well at High Level although things not running as smoothly as normal for obvious reasons, also I was away the beginning of the week so now catching up. Currently restocking with gearbox etches intended for the shows which now aren't going to happen. Hoping to get outstanding orders out sometime next week. The post seems OK althought I don't think it's as quick as usual. Hope everyone is OK... hang in there and don't eat the toilet roll all at once! Chris

I have considered doing the Lewin and did some preliminary work to confirm that a motor and rive train could be fitted. I may return to it but need to sort out that I'm doing this year. The full-on kits are selling in smaller numbers these days so I have to think carefully before committing to the amount of work involved.

These D10 should be ready for sale sometime in the new year. We can supply a motor (1015) on request. More details are on our website: http://www.highlevelkits.co.uk/d10page.html

Our next 4mm scale kit will be for the Armstrong Whitworth 95hp diesel electric, built in 1932 as a demonstrator but destined to remain the only one of its type. This lightweight locomotive could be driven either from the cab or by a man standing on the running board at either side, which facilitated one-man operation on shunting duties. An early photograph shows D10 fitted with a simple cab roof but it acquired a fully enclosed cab before being sent to run trials at a number of locations – Appleby Frodingham steelworks in Lincolnshire, Lyons’ confectionary factory at Greenford, Middlesex and Dunston power station on the banks of the Tyne, just across the river from the factory where it was built. For several months in 1933, D10 – or ‘The Mangle’ as it was affectionately known – worked passenger and goods trains on the 4½-mile North Sunderland Railway between Chathill and Seahouses. Its roomy cab offered the crew some protection from the worst of the weather coming in from the North Sea. Its top speed – a sprightly 27mph – proved useful but the fact that the locomotive had no provision for train braking seemed to have evaded the Board of Trade inspectors. D10 spent most of its career as the resident shunter at Armstrong Whitworth's Scotswood Works. It could easily shift a load of 200 tons, the equivalent of 10 loaded 12T coal wagons. The large, fully enclosed cab with which it had run trials reverted to a simple open-sided structure that gave better all-round visibility. Both cab types are possible with this kit.

Dave Franks of LMS Models has recently finished the final test-build of the Armstrong Whitworth D10 so it's now this is ready for production. If you're interested, drop us a line and include your phone number if possible. Two types of cab are inluded; the Original open, as shown and the North Sunderland Railway enclosed version. Castings are lost wax with nickel etches, high ratio gearbox included with gear driven jacksaft and wheels. This tiny engine will crawl along...

Here’s the latest on the CSB-only J50. I was hoping this would be the last model, but a couple of issues mean it’s likely there’ll be one more test. Differences in frame profile, siderod types and brakeshaft arrangements are covered, meaning most variants of this class can be modelled. Early type brake pull-rods (one pull-rod either side) may also be included even though, at this stage, the bodyshell does not exist in RTR form. The underside shows removable springs - dummy spring units slot into the spacers with one length of twisted wire, or a single nut and bolt, used to prevent them sliding out. It should be on the stand at EM North and Scalefourum...

That spacer is used to take up the gap if the D2 Stretcher is used with the LoadHauler Compact Plus as this box is wider than the RoadRunner Compact plus. If you have the latter, you shouldn't need it. This diagram should clarify things. If you need a copy send me a mail...

Sorry, I missed this. The default is portrait, and that'ss the orientation of the original so it shouldn't give problems in most cases. If you 've been using landscape for other stuff then it may be on that setting and so needs changing. Make sure 'actauls size' is ticked for scaling.

The Fell Drive Coupler Unit is now ready for anyone wanting to make their Fell a 4 plus 4. The link takes you to the instructions... Coupler Link

Hopefully, all the website and e mail problems are sorted now, and anyone who wants to view the site can do so. A couple of new Products: For those who've bought the Judith Edge Fell kit wanting to run as a 4plus 4 with the wheelsets in unison, we have the Coupler Unit, which fits onto one of our boxes. Another addition to the range is a gearbox, the forst in a long time. Occasionally, we have been asked about the possibility of using articulation with the tall HiFlier gearbox. A typical application might be a 9F, in which a LoadHauler+ is a good fit, but the ratios are a bit too high for a decent top speed. So now the HiFlier + gives you the height, with 34/45 or 60:1 ratios to choose from and the option of the using a DriveStretcher. Instructions can be downloaded by clicking the links below: Fell Coupler Unit HiFlier+

Well, it's been a good run of maybe 6 months, perhaps even a bit longer, but the High Level website's playing up again. It's being investigated and hopefully will be sorted soon.

Initially, your post suggested to me that you're packing in/selling up, now I'm thinking you're just having a break and will return to the business at some point. Which is it?...

Hello Clive, sorry if I missed your mail. J72s are out of stock at this point in time, but all kits are being replenished ready for next spring. I've checked the etches, and there are some J72s, so I can make those the first on the list to pack. The other stuff that goes with it is fine. Incidentally, we have a good stock of motors at present.

Glad you liked the new kit. That's moving forward at my usual pace and I should have those ready early next year. The way my suppliers are working these days, Xmas is probably out I'm afraid. The fell drive unit will be going on a test etch film, and that's due to go in in the next two weeks or so. I may just get those back before the end of December.

Sorry about the delayed reply. I haven't had a chance to do much on this job but will have the model with me. One more etch should do it, so possibly ready around Xmas time.

The closest to an 'industry standard' is small holes at 8.5mm centres, so the chances are anything I do would have those anyway. This would allow for 10series, 14s, and a 12 as well with a touch of a file. I won't be leaving anyone with Mashimas high and dry and can keep the current designs running until demand ceases.

Yes, it has been a long wind-down, but we're now down to the last few and some are no longer available at all. I suppose Mashima must've been raking down the back of the sofa! I'm still working on a stategy with regards to how to proceed, post Mashima, but I'll try and keep the current designs running as long as people need them. The big question is which motors to make the new designs compatable with.... and how long will they be available for?