- Instructions: Kits are considered simple enough to not have any. Refer to these notes plus the item's text, photos, and any videos.
- Supports/Marks: Most parts have supports/sprue removed, but may still require some fine clean up/sanding. Marks are generally on the downward facing surfaces.
- 3D Resin: is hard wearing, but not that flexible. Unlike polystyrene, it doesn't like bending, has a low elastic limit, and will suddenly snap ! Warming on a radiator for an hour will make the plastic a little softer/more plyable.
- Small parts/fittings: (inc couplings) are generally left attached to supports/base, and are designed to easily break off with gentle sideways force
BUT take care with smallor delicate parts, especially figure's hands, use sharp side cutters where possible. Done for ease of painting, or because they are optional.
These are generally easy to loose/break, and often spares are given. May require adjustment to fit, see photos for locations, especially if too much paint applied.
- Handling: always hold models on solid points, usually bottom corners, take great care with handrails, and other small details
- Fitting: some parts may need fine sanding to fit together correctly.
- File or sand: rather than cutting, treat gently, and don't grip too tightly. I cannot be held responsible for breakage during handling.
- Glues: use PVA/White Glue or Super Glue, normal plastic glues/solvents don't work. Avoid UHU - it expands when it dries and can crack the resin !
- Couplings: most stock comes with NEM style pockets and simple couplings with standard hooks and fixed loops to make fixed rakes. Do not paint the shanks of the couplings, this will make them hard to go in the pockets, both for thickness and stickiness !
- Couplings: there is a tolerance to the printing. If tight, gently sand, or apply HB pencil, if loose, you will have to pad/glue. Do not force parts together. If you do break the NEM slot, you can always just glue the coupling on !
- NEM pockets: will also take standard PECO/Bachmann NEM couplings, perhaps with some adjustment.
- Coupling pins: many wagons have a pin on top of the NEM pocket to allow the use of 2mm chains, plastic chains '3-links' are added to some kits.
- Couplings Update: the '3-link' couplings are being phased out, as these don't propel well, but I am normally leaving the pin so you can still use chains if you want.
Most photos show the couplings at launch, and will often have been updated. Most small wagons now (2024) come with the standard and my 2-link couplings, but there is variation, ask if if doubt.
- Brake Levers: if these are supplied separately, then apply a small sideways force to break off, then clip under solebar and into pivot hole.
- Windows: resin ones are translucent due to printing process, apply gloss varnish both sides give great improvement, as an alternative there is a small piece of clear acetate to cut to size.
- Windows Update: I am slowly updating the older kits to use slotted windows, and you will get a printed acetate sheet to cut each window to size, and drop in.
- Nameplates: being added to most locos, these are quite thin, and can curl slightly, clamp them flat (in a thick book) for a few hours to flatten them.
- Chassis: most kits require the couplings to be removed from the chassis. When inserting/removing the chassis it helps to gently pull the body apart a little,
also HB pencil can again help to lubricate.
- Warping:The resin seems very stable over time, but if you do get some spread/warp over time, shape can often be restored by clamping in vice/wooden blocks/rubber bands for a few hours,
or leaving on a radiator or airing cupboard to soften - please let me know if you encounter this.
- Roofs: related to warping, the roofs normally have various ribes to give strength, and to help hold the curve.
They can still warp over time, so it's worth spot gluing them with PVA, corners and centre, so you can still remove if needed later.
- Weight: locos and stock will benefit from adding aquarium lead strip cut to size/shape. Keep weight as low as possible for stability
- Wheel-sets if you want to remove/reinstall, then do this very carefully, using pliers to hold the axles, and only apply gentle pressure to the axle boxes.
It can help to warm up the model on a radiator for an hour, as it makes the plastic a little softer/more plyable
- Washing: parts are supplied clean, but you can wash with water (can be with any soap) or IPA alcohol to remove any dust.
- Painting: 3D resin takes most paints well: Enamel, Acrylic or even car sprays, no priming needed.
- HB Pencil: this is very good for lubrication. 1) On pin-point axles (especially if you have got paint inside them! Or you are using resin ones), 2) on the coupling contact surfaces (also adds a realistic metal effect),
3) Sliding doors and other moving parts/joints, 4) inside-frame axles, especially if using the resin wheels
General Info:
- Unless otherwise stated: kits are OO9/4mm Scale 9mm Track (close to HO9/HOe/HOn30) and are unpainted (resin colour may vary).
- Locos are supplied without chassis but rolling stock includes pre-fitted metal wheels, NEM sockets and simple, fixed couplings.
- Postage and Packing will be combined, if small then Royal Mail 1st Class 'Large Letter' (LL) rate used, else will go 2nd Class 'Small Parcel' (SP) rate either Royal Mail/Evri or Yodel.
- Please ensure you have your REGION (UK, EU, USA, RoW) set to get the correct rates. USA shipping is now done with TRACKED service, and has a £5 surcharge for tariffs.
I do ship to all countries, unless Royal Mail prevents me - check here: International Sanctions
- If the wrong region is selected, or if there is some other human or technical glitch, the price may have to be amended or the order cancelled.
- If you pay through PayPal you are covered by their Payment Protection. There is a direct credit card option - but ensure you untick the 'Create PayPal account' !
- I am also very happy to take BACS/Bank Transfer (ask for details), or at worse (as it means a long drive to the bank) a personal cheque (ask for address)
- Other Scales: I regularly upscale items to 7mm and 5.5mm on demand, those not yet done I usually want sales of at least 6 wagons to make it worthwhile
- 7mm: 7mm items are generally priced at 3x the 4mm/OO9 price - please enquire for items, these can take time, as the NEMs and wheelsets need adjusting as well as supports and some thicknesses. Loads for wagons are not included.
- 5.5mm: 5.5mm items are generally priced at 23x the 4mm/OO9 price - please enquire for items, these can normally be done fairly quickly, the parts are entirely scaled, the couplings work well in the oversized NEM slots, and resin wheelset are provided. Loads for wagons are not included.
- Stock: I aim to hold good stock of all items, and normally dispatch within 2 working days. If there will be a delay, due to holiday or need to print more parts, then I will advise, and you can receive refund if you wish.
- Stock: "OUT OF STOCK" items can still be ordered, but avoid ordering with other items, as they will be also be delayed (due to avoid extra postage costs)
- Stock: "LIMITED STOCK" items may only have 1 available, so large orders may be delayed - you can always ask first
- Stock: Ordering more than 4 of any item will give an automatic warning as I can't control how many are ordered each day, and running stock control is far too complicated !
- Returns and refunds: I normally do not accept returns or refunds except in exceptional circumstances, see here for details: Returns and Refunds Policy
- Some photos show older versions with fewer details, defects or modifications, particularly the painted examples. Check photos/text for actual details and parts supplied. Some models come out with small faults, these are available at a reduced price. Contact me to see what's available.
- B-Grade: items have blemishes, bits broken or missing, or other repairable faults, and are supplied with all the parts.
- C-Grade items have major flaws, and are supplied without wheels or loads, but other parts will normally be included. They are indented for use as 'Lineside Scrap'.
- If you have any problems or doubts, then please email me (I usually do a personal email for each order), use the Contact Page.
- If your parcel arrives damaged, please let me know, and take photos of both the item and the packaging.
- I also want to hear about any long-term issues with the models, in case there is anything that needs addressing.
- I'm very happy to hear of any suggestions, either for improvements to existing kits, or for new items to work on.
- I'm based in Colchester, north Essex, UK. I don't publish my phone number or email on here to avoid junk/spam, please use the Contact Page.