Forthcoming Wagon Kits

[John Candy]

Following the results of the wagon kit Poll this is an update on progress with new wagon kits.

The order in which the patterns are being produced for wagons to be added to the Williams Models range (and current progress) is as below:-

1) GWR Iron Mink (V6) : Body/underframe patterns completed and with the casters.
2) LBSC 8/10 Ton van LBSC Dia.8 (SR 1433/1436) : Body patterns complete.
3) LNWR 10 ton van  D88/D88a : Work on patterns has been started.
4) LSWR van (Sliding Doors) : Drawings obtained.
5) LSWR van (Folding and drop doors) : Drawings obtained.

An additional wagon is now on the drawing board : LNWR 6-wheeled brake van to D17 and will be slotted into the building programme in view of the need for a brake van to be added to the Williams Models range. If this is of interest to you, please vote in the updated poll.

Of the remaining vans in the survey, it is the current intention that the NER G2 and LYR vans shall follow in due course.
If anyone has large size copies (minimum A2) of the works drawings for the NER and LYR vans that would be a help in progressing the planning.

The GNR horsebox (which would be a brass etch) is a separate (personal) project from the above schedule and a quotation is awaited for the etching.

Further updates will follow as work progresses.

[John Candy]

Update on production of new wagon kits to be produced by Williams Models (provisional availability date).

GWR Iron Mink (V6) - Body castings completed, other fittings on order (late February)
LBSC 8/10 Ton van - Body sent for casting, fittings in preparation (late February)
LNWR D88 10 ton van (including alternative LMS doors) - Patterns well advanced (Spring 2010)
LNWR D88A Insulated van - Patterns well advanced (Spring 2010)

Work as yet to start on:-
LSWR Sliding Door van D1410 (Summer 2010)
LSWR Folding/drop door van D1409 (Summer/Autumn 2010)
NER G2 van (Autumn/Winter 2010)
LNWR D17 20T  6-wheel brake van (late 2010/early 2011)
L&Y 10T van(s) (late 2010/early 2011)

The LSWR vans had a long life and many survived in revenue service well into the BR era and examples have been preserved. The D1410 sliding door van formed the basis for several specialised traffic vans and may later be produced (if there is sufficient demand) with alternative ventilators and underframe parts to build the following variants:- .
D1401 Fruit van ---- AVB; WB 11'0"; Mansell coach wheels.
D1413 Butter van --- Hand brake; WB 10''6"; wagon wheels.
D1481 Meat van ---  AVB; WB 11'0"; Mansell coach wheels.
D1484 Meat van ---  Hand brake; WB 10''6"; wagon wheels.

If you have not yet voted in the wagon poll, please do so now.
This will enable us to judge the probable demand for each of the wagons listed (and could even affect the order in which they are to be produced).

John.