andysollis1

Sadly, the 47 left earlier this year after a group had spent over 10 years working on it on behalf of the owner. Sadly, the group didn’t have the funds to pay the owners asking price for it to remain at the CVR, and we heard it’s now being stripped for scrapping at another railway, which seems daft after all the restoration that had gone in to it. A number of the group found that quite upsetting. Cabs, Aux room and engine room had all been refurbished, only the boiler room needed work and the engine refitting which was under overhaul. however, the restoration of Tamworth Castle now looks more closer, along with some of the lines history - a preserved PAA sand wagon, which worked on the line between 1986 and 1988 prior to its mothballing by BR. soon there will be a new extension started towards Leek, they are gearing up for it with the Acquirement of some ballast hoppers. Then there is talk of the return south to Oakamoor with the new holiday complex being built within the old sand quarry. exciting times again.

Hi, thanks for your kind comments. I am the guy behind NB3DM and the designer. Just to clarify, the white tops are an earlier version (pre preservation of the real item) and the super detail version was post preservation when I could start to crawl over one. To be compared to Cavalex is quite pleasing. Many thanks.. there are now 5 versions. Single door open and closed (for any static ones) dual door open and closed and also a 5th no door. Some of these were converted to PGA (see Paul Bartletts web site) but only one survives in preservation which is BIS 7954. i have also now released this I N gauge to fit the Graham Farish model hopper (there is still some artistic licensing with the body side supports on the original models sadly) im also working on an O gauge one produced by SimonBRBlue who’s done an excellent job in 7mm. I’ve three to build and just about done number 1 the artwork is my own, but the arrangement display on the website page quoted is a little wrong in that I modified a PGA so it shows the wrong brake gear etc. But it’s mainly for layout of the transfers. hope this helps. andy NB3DM

Sorry, only just found the post again after no notifications..(being a newbie to the forum) obviously we have spoke on PM since. Shapeways would be an option. The museum at the railway may be interested in one for display too. But will have to ask re that. They are after all part of the Churnet Valleys history pre preservation years. Andy

Hi Simon, Very interested in your PAA project in O gauge. Is any of this (file wise) available? I’ve been involved in the preserving of the last one as the rest were scrapped at booths last month. I’ve been working on an OO conversion for the Hornby PGA for a while which I sell on Shapeways, but really like your 7mm version. Andy NB3DM / North Staffs Railway Co (1978) member.