Etches

Etched carriage components

These are reproduced at 7mm scale (unless otherwise stated), and in most cases the production films have been scanned from the original drawings. They are generally supplied with sides, ends, droplights and steps. Separate bolection mouldings are present where appropriate, and the solebars and bufferbeams are usually included as well, along with many other detail components such as end steps and door ventilators.

They are not kits, so a certain degree of research, and reference gathering is recommended due to the numerous modifications carried out during long and varied service lives. A good etch does provide an accurate set of scale reproductions to economically avoid the most time consuming and repetitive scratch building exercises.

The typical component layouts of the etches generally follows the illustration opposite, which shows a Swindon, Marlborough & Andover Railway six wheeled composite carriage built by the Metropolitan Wagon Company of Birmingham in 1881. The five compartment layout was initially a 2-1-3-1-2 arrangement, with an official downgrading of the original second class compartments in 1904.

The 7mm etches are produced in either 15 or 20 thou brass sheet and I will list the small range of separately listed 4mm etches as soon as possible. These are done in 12 thou brass.

To keep a simple layout I have reproduced only the carriage sides from scans of the actual films, and this allows them be checked against your reference photos. Please do have a look at the range, and if you would like to see a copy of a particular etch plate, just contact me and I will either E-mail you a scan, or send it in the post.

7mm Etches in stock

This GWR N16 Paco 'C' horsebox etch is really comprehensive. It comes with a half etch roof with rainstrips, a compensated underframe, and a separate etch including all the ironwork strapping. Obviously the rest of the parts to finish except wheelsets are available too, so this will be the main part of a future kit. I'll re-stock with these next batch £50.00

Diagram H35/29 Collett Bow end 37059. £ 60.00

Diagram H36 Collett comp bow end. £60.00

M.S.W.J.R. Passenger brake van Nos 45/7 M64430 £45.00

Diagram C70 42043 Sides ends & bufferbeams £55.00

Collett H39 & Brake sides only so £65.00 the pair.

4mm Photo Etched Brass

4mm sheets

These finely etched sides can either be used either as a basis for a finescale build from prototype drawings, or as replacement sides and ends for modifying good quality existing RTR stock.