Welcome to our December roundup of news! Firstly we’d like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. It is usually a quiet time for the hobby but we still seem to be going full tilt. In this edition we bring you news about our forthcoming Bagnall, Rheidol, an update concerning the much-anticipated Shays and further treasures from ‘The Clearing House’. The office will be closed from Friday 22nd December until Tuesday 2nd January for the Christmas holiday. Last orders for pre-Christmas delivery Monday 18th December.
Bagnall 2-4-0T Rheidol
We are really excited to say that we have just had the first images of the production sample from the factory and to say we are pleased would be an understatement! The photo below shows the little 2-4-0T much as she would have been delivered to the Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway and named Talybont. It would be helpful if you could confirm your pre-orders since we don’t anticipate shipping much spare stock first time round.
One of Archangel’s most successful models in the early days of 16mm scale, we are sure many associated with the hobby will have soft spot for this engine! Originally named Treze de Maio (Portuguese for 13th May, the date on which slavery was abolished in Brazil), the engine was built by Bagnalls of Stafford for Collier Antunes for a sugar cane plantation in 1896 but never delivered as the order was cancelled, instead the locomotive was re-gauged from 2’ 5 ½” gauge to 2’ 3” gauge when it was sold to the Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway and named Talybont. In 1903, after the failure of that railway, it was purchased for the construction of the Vale of Rheidol Railway, regauged to 1’ 11 ¾” and renamed Rheidol. Absorbed by the GWR in 1923 it was numbered it 1198, but it was withdrawn and scrapped the following year, having never carried its GWR number.
The model is gauge-adjustable (32mm and 45mm), gas-fired and fitted with a water top-up valve, water gauge with blow-down valve, lubricator and pressure gauge; constructed of stainless steel and etched brass with a copper boiler, the model will, as usual, be covered by our two-year warranty. The anticipated pre-order RRP is £1795.00 (subject to the usual provisos), available early 2024. Fitted with Accucraft chopper couplings, the model will be supplied with two chimneys, the original balloon stack and the more traditional type. Available in six liveries, full details can be found on the website.
Specifications:
Scale: 16mm to 1 foot (1:19)
Gauge: 32mm or 45mm (adjustable)
Length: 268mm
Width: 100mm
Height: 136mm
Boiler: Centre Flue
Working Pressure: 60psi
Weight: TBC
Minimum Radius: 600mm (2 feet)
Reversing Gear: Piston type, reverse by lever in the cab
Valve Gear: Simulated Stephenson’s link
Fuel: Butane Gas
Boiler Fittings: Safety valve, pressure gauge, water gauge with blow-down valve
Cab Controls: Steam regulator, gas regulator, reverse lever, lubricator
‘1198’ numberplates (supplied loose as indicated)
Colours available, subject to production batch:
S19-39A Bagnall 2-4-0T in Lined Black
S19-39B Bagnall 2-4-0T in Plain Black (‘1198’ plates included)
S19-39C Bagnall 2-4-0T in Lined Dark Green
S19-39D Bagnall 2-4-0T in Plain GWR Green (‘1198’ plates included)
S19-39E Bagnall 2-4-0T in Lined Light Green
S19-39F Bagnall 2-4-0T in Lined Maroon
The new Shay is on its way!
The factory is in the final throws of assembling these lovely little Shays and we are delighted to share some more images of the black ‘un. Unfortunately shipping costs have remained stubbornly high since ‘Black Friday’ and we now envisage shipping them just after Christmas to avoid having to apply a large shipping surcharge. We hope you will understand and forgive us for not getting them to you in time to get them under the tree!
‘The Clearing House’
Our ‘pre-loved’ section continues to flourish and yield some rare and unusual treasures. Turnover of some items has been remarkably fast so don’t hesitate if something tickles your fancy, especially if you would like it for Christmas!
Accucraft NGG16 Garratt 2-6-2+2-6-2 in the extremely rare Edison green livery, brand new – £5500.00
Accucraft NG15 2-8-2, brand new, only run to test – £4950.00
Accucraft ‘Lawley’ 4-4-0 in Beira green, ex display model – £2750.00
Roundhouse Darjeeling Garratt, 0-4-0+0-4-0, Black, RC fitted – £3950.00
Aster SNCF 232 U1 4-6-4 live steam with coal grate also available. Superb condition model (more photos available for serious enquiries) – £5250.00
Accucraft Adams Radial Tank 4-4-2T in Southern Black, ex display model – £1795.00 (RRP £1995.00)