N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: kirky on November 27, 2017, 05:57:23 PM

Title: Red Imp Railways
Post by: kirky on November 27, 2017, 05:57:23 PM
Hi guys
Just happened to come across this seller - Red Imp Railways- on ebay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/redimprailways/m.html?item=332450412730&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/redimprailways/m.html?item=332450412730&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562)

On first inspection it looks likes/he has good prices and a range of alternatives from the usual manufacturers. Just wondering if any one has bought from them and what the quality of kit is like?

Cheers
Kirky
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: austinbob on November 27, 2017, 06:01:28 PM
Never used them but an interesting range of items for sure.
:thankyousign: :beers:
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: Lawrence on November 27, 2017, 07:46:10 PM
I'll let you know, just ordered the double stack portacabin and builders skips, see what they are like when they arrive.  Thanks for the link @kirky (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=492)
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: colpatben on November 27, 2017, 07:52:25 PM
Quote from: Lawrence on November 27, 2017, 07:46:10 PM
I'll let you know, just ordered the double stack portacabin

:( You just piped me to the last one for now, await your appraisal.
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: Skyline2uk on November 27, 2017, 10:28:07 PM
These look very interesting, like the look of the security gate (been on my to do list for ages).

Probably should not spend more cash post Warley, but it's added to my watch list.

Many thanks!

Skyline2uk
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: Bob Tidbury on November 28, 2017, 10:24:18 AM
Is this the same company from years ago called just IMP MODELS. I think if I remember they were either going to or maybe did release an N gauge Blue Pullman kit.
Bob Tidbury
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: Lawrence on November 28, 2017, 01:36:07 PM
Quote from: colpatben on November 27, 2017, 07:52:25 PM
Quote from: Lawrence on November 27, 2017, 07:46:10 PM
I'll let you know, just ordered the double stack portacabin

:( You just piped me to the last one for now, await your appraisal.

opps, sorry :D
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: Delboy on November 28, 2017, 03:37:53 PM
Thanks for the link.
A bit too modern for my era but have ordered some pallets as they have been available for years.
Dennis.
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: kirky on November 28, 2017, 08:11:36 PM
Just out of interest, I messaged Red Imp Railways on eBay. I got a very pleasant reply back this evening. He's given me permission to reproduce it here:

Hi Kirky,

Many thanks for your interest and kind words. I managed to find your N Gauge forum post and am delighted to see a good response.

The brand is still quite new, with this being the first year. I am always keen to develop and expand my existing range, with an ambition to one day be the UK's biggest manufacturer of model railway goods. I have always been interested in model railways, owning a small N gauge layout when I was younger.
l
All my kits are solely designed, created and manufactured by myself using a mixture of modern day software and manufacturing methods. The parts themselves are made out of plastic and are scaled at 2mm to 1ft (british N gauge).

Hope this answers some of your questions.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Kindest regards,
Rick


I hope this is of interest.
Cheers
Kirky
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: njee20 on November 29, 2017, 12:04:16 AM
Good find, certainly look interesting.
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: Lawrence on December 01, 2017, 05:39:01 PM
My order arrived today, jiffy bagged, parts well wrapped in bubble wrap with detail parts in a plastic container.
Excellent communication from Richard, 3 emails on despatch times and one with an instruction sheet for the portacabins.

Not put them together yet but if they are half as good as the service they will be cracking.
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: kirky on December 01, 2017, 08:26:39 PM
Thanks @Lawrence (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=16) .
I also took the plunge and ordered a couple of pieces from him. They arrived yesterday and Ive had a go at the portacabin.
Ive got a feeling its 3d orinted as opposed to moulded. This basically means its harder to glue conventionally, ie with mekpak. I used runny superglue which work well. An enjoyable little build actually. The emailed instructions are well thoiught out, although I printed mine out cos I had something else on the railway room laptop.
I'll try and post a picture if the children stop being so excited about xmas. Bah humbug  :veryangry:
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: Lawrence on December 01, 2017, 10:38:54 PM
Quote from: kirky on December 01, 2017, 08:26:39 PM
Thanks @Lawrence (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=16) .
I also took the plunge and ordered a couple of pieces from him. They arrived yesterday and Ive had a go at the portacabin.
Ive got a feeling its 3d orinted as opposed to moulded. This basically means its harder to glue conventionally, ie with mekpak. I used runny superglue which work well. An enjoyable little build actually. The emailed instructions are well thoiught out, although I printed mine out cos I had something else on the railway room laptop.
I'll try and post a picture if the children stop being so excited about xmas. Bah humbug  :veryangry:

@kirky (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=492) I did mention to Richard that my instructions didn't print so clearly and that less experienced modellers might do better with a slightly clearer sheet.  He doesn't mention a suitable adhesive and from what you say I guess the usual Humbrol stuff wont work? May have to get some superglue and a pin to apply!
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: kirky on December 02, 2017, 04:22:02 PM
Ok so here is the portacabin.
I've given it a quick coat of primer to hide unsightly glue marks.

It's not too bad.

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/58/492-021217161812.jpeg)

Cheers
Kirky
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: colpatben on December 04, 2017, 04:39:51 PM
My two tier portacabin and skips arrived today and are going to go adjacent to the track below the station where the wall forms a triangle, in what is either going to be a builder's merchants or a scrap yard:

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/52/1337-270617122543-529662264.jpeg)

I am completing a warehouse for the canal basin first before I start on their assembly and painting.
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: colpatben on December 06, 2017, 10:10:45 AM
Red Imp Railways portacabins and skips in primer ready for the builders yard.

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/58/1337-061217100024-589432484.jpeg)
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: RailGooner on December 06, 2017, 10:25:56 AM
 :hmmm: These look a lot crisper and smoother than I was anticipating. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: daveg on December 06, 2017, 01:08:15 PM
Thanks for the info.

Just ordered a security hut & barrier for the brewery on Hurst Hill.

If it's as good as the photo I shall be very pleased.

Dave G
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: David Asquith on December 06, 2017, 02:01:30 PM
I'm going to be having one of the double barrier sets.  Wish I'd known about them before I bought  other products for my for my Maintenance yard and factory entrance.
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: colpatben on December 14, 2017, 09:38:40 AM
Finished as best as I can and ready to plant:

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/59/1337-141217093050-592151029.jpeg)

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/59/1337-141217093051-592661052.jpeg)

Planted here : http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=26446.msg479630#msg479630 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=26446.msg479630#msg479630)
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: daveg on December 14, 2017, 10:59:18 AM
Nice kits, aren't they?

I've just finished the security cabin that includes a neat interior. Pleased with the quality of the sometimes tiny items.

Photo when I get up to the railway room later.

Dave G
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: colpatben on December 14, 2017, 11:35:59 AM
[
Quote from: daveg on December 14, 2017, 10:59:18 AM
Nice kits, aren't they?
Dave G
I do agree with you they are nice, but a bit fiddly especially the stairway.

Not the skips in one piece.

Took a while to get the right adhesive, superglue (cheap version from local hardware store) for the walls & roofs works well but I eventually used two part epoxy for the stairs and handrail as I got stuck to them the first attempt with the superglue.

Next time I will get ZAP CA and accelerator also ZAP-A-GAP , 'cos there is no substitute for the best!
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: daveg on December 15, 2017, 09:23:32 AM
Security cabin arrived.

Very clear build instructions came via email. More than happy with the kit with nice little internal details too..

My paint job could be a lot better (roof deliberately scruffy) but super close-ups of my work are often embarrassing!  :-[


(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/59/1087-151217092136.jpeg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=59325)

Dave G
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: Lawrence on December 15, 2017, 10:07:04 AM
Quote from: colpatben on December 14, 2017, 11:35:59 AM
[
Quote from: daveg on December 14, 2017, 10:59:18 AM
Nice kits, aren't they?
Dave G
I do agree with you they are nice, but a bit fiddly especially the stairway.

Not the skips in one piece.

Took a while to get the right adhesive, superglue (cheap version from local hardware store) for the walls & roofs works well but I eventually used two part epoxy for the stairs and handrail as I got stuck to them the first attempt with the superglue.

Next time I will get ZAP CA and accelerator also ZAP-A-GAP , 'cos there is no substitute for the best!

Had a look for zap a gap, never previously heard of it, there seems to be several variants, which one would you recommend for these kits @colpatben (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=1337)

@daveg (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=1087) really nice work on the cabin Dave, I have a guard house coming from Ancorton models (if santa read my list properly!) so be interesting to compare them
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: colpatben on December 15, 2017, 11:03:59 AM
Quote from: Lawrence on December 15, 2017, 10:07:04 AM

Had a look for zap a gap, never previously heard of it, there seems to be several variants, which one would you recommend for these kits
OK

ZAP-A-GAP is a gap filling Cyano (Superglue) it is slow curing up to 24hrs and you can slide it about a bit for good positioning.  There is also an accelerator called ZAP Kicker available in a spray that will cure the glue for an instant hold when positioned. As I had a gap on the stair platform between the side and end handrails this would have been the ideal glue, as I didn't have any I resorted to a two part epoxy but that tends to slide about till it starts to set.

ZAP is a very thin superglue with great penetration so you can hold the parts together and run the glue along the edges to be joined much as you would with a liquid polystyrene cement on your plastic kits.

ZAP also market a debonder which is essential in your adhesive arsenal and it does what it says on the bottle.


'Debonding agent for all super glues. Softens cured glue so it can be easily removed from fingers and other surfaces.'


I would keep in my adhesive kit:
ZAP CA super thin
ZAP-A-GAP gap filling
ZAP Kicker Accelerator
ZAP Debonder

A wealth of information and many more variants here:
http://www.supergluecorp.com/ (http://www.supergluecorp.com/)

Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: kirky on December 15, 2017, 03:08:04 PM
@daveg (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=1087) Very nice security cabin.
I found some bits of the two story portacabin difficult because it would only stick with superglue and would much prefer to use mekpak. Still it was fun to build and thats what its about.
Cheers
Kirky
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: Railwaygun on December 15, 2017, 05:10:54 PM
Quote from: colpatben on December 15, 2017, 11:03:59 AM
Quote from: Lawrence on December 15, 2017, 10:07:04 AM

Had a look for zap a gap, never previously heard of it, there seems to be several variants, which one would you recommend for these kits
OK

ZAP-A-GAP is a gap filling Cyano (Superglue) it is slow curing up to 24hrs and you can slide it about a bit for good positioning.  There is also an accelerator called ZAP Kicker available in a spray that will cure the glue for an instant hold when positioned. As I had a gap on the stair platform between the side and end handrails this would have been the ideal glue, as I didn't have any I resorted to a two part epoxy but that tends to slide about till it starts to set.

ZAP is a very thin superglue with great penetration so you can hold the parts together and run the glue along the edges to be joined much as you would with a liquid polystyrene cement on your plastic kits.

ZAP also market a debonder which is essential in your adhesive arsenal and it does what it says on the bottle.


'Debonding agent for all super glues. Softens cured glue so it can be easily removed from fingers and other surfaces.'


I would keep in my adhesive kit:
ZAP CA super thin
ZAP-A-GAP gap filling
ZAP Kicker Accelerator
ZAP Debonder

A wealth of information and many more variants here:
http://www.supergluecorp.com/ (http://www.supergluecorp.com/)



Acetone ( nail varnish remover) is good for removing superglue ( may affect plastics though)

you can mix talc with superglue to make a filler or try tippex instead.
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: ntpntpntp on November 04, 2018, 06:27:16 PM
Here's my attempt at the double-stack portakabin kit.  An enjoyable little project.  It is a shame it doesn't work with plastic solvents so I had to revert to gel superglue, but other than that no problems.  I used cheapo clear craft PVA to stick the glazing sheets.

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/71/5885-041118182449.jpeg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=71095)



(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/71/5885-041118182654.jpeg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=71096)
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: kirky on November 04, 2018, 06:37:57 PM
Thats really neat that Nick. I like the subtle weathering. Mine are still in a state of primer.

Cheers
Kirky
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: Lawrence on January 19, 2019, 12:40:04 PM
Put mine together some time ago then forgot all about them! They were very fiddly to put together and has been said, super glue is needed, anyway this was my effort

(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/73/16-190119121721-73294962.jpeg)
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: dannyboy on June 15, 2019, 07:48:04 PM
I am resurrecting an old thread, but felt I needed to sing the praises of 'RedImp'. A couple of weeks ago, I ordered a few bits, including the portable site office, but because of the system, (not sure whether it was ebay or RedImp), I had to use the Argos Click & Collect service, along with a UK address. The items going to Argos arrived promptly with no bother, but the item going to the UK address never arrived. I emailed Ricky at RedImp and I ordered another item. Without any quibble, Ricky agreed to replace the missing item and to putting it in with my new order. When I picked up the new items today, I saw a plastic bag containing some familiar looking bits. Sure enough, on checking the workbench, the 'missing' items were there  :-[. I did not realise, but Ricky had put everything in the one envelope.  :doh: I emailed Ricky, grovelling appropriately and asked how he wanted me to pay for the duplicate items. He has refused to accept any payment. Now that is what I call customer service and I can not praise the ethics that Ricky has enough.

Incidentally, the portable site office is the one shown on Averingcliffe, used by the security officer Danny -
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/77/4209-300519154143-77928104.jpeg)

and contrary to some of the above comments, I am sure I used plastic cement for construction.

Addit: When I make up the third portable site office, I will make a note of what I do and add to this post.
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: andy911john on May 01, 2020, 03:55:31 PM
I wondered if anybody has an email or phone number for the Red Imp guys?

I am in the US and for a variety of reasons I can't get an order placed. (US eBay account etc.)
I know they typically don't ship international - I have a UK address I can use.

Any help appreciated.
Andy J
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: ntpntpntp on May 01, 2020, 04:04:53 PM
@andy911john (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=8320)  are you also on the N Gauge Forum Facebook group?  Pretty sure Rick Bainborrow on there is the man behind Red Imp.  Of course he might also be a member on here but there's more than one RickB   :)

You could also just try the Contact Member option on ebay?
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: andy911john on May 01, 2020, 04:26:14 PM
ntp.,
Thanks as always for your reply.

I tried to message the seller but I can't do that without registering on UK eBay.  I can't register because UK eBay already knows my address through the US eBay site...
(I don't do Facebook...too much time spent working in the valley!)

Tried to place an order but I think the combination of a UK Ship To and a US Bill To causes a problem - order never completes
At a bit of a loss  :(
A

Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: andy911john on May 01, 2020, 04:36:39 PM
Yahooo!
I tried a couple more times on UK eBay and eventually the page reported "order was placed".  I also just recieved an email confirmation.

I guess the inter web is busy at the moment..

So, I need to let my sister know that there's a package coming for me..

Thanks for the help.
A
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: ntpntpntp on May 01, 2020, 04:42:33 PM
Quote from: andy911john on May 01, 2020, 04:36:39 PM

I tried a couple more times on UK eBay and eventually the page reported "order was placed".  I also just recieved an email confirmation.

I guess the inter web is busy at the moment..

Ah good, let's hope it turns up.

Yes bits of the net are struggling, especially the Hornby website - it took me a few hours last night to get a pre-order for a "Captain Tom Moore" loco to actually work all the way through without timeouts and crashes.  I think I've only ordered one  :D
Title: Re: Red Imp Railways
Post by: gavin_t on February 13, 2021, 08:14:16 PM
Bringing this topic back up as I have built my 2nd kit of theirs and am again very impressed.  Lots of detail, fairly priced, clear instructions and some nice touches like grooves for the walls etc to sit in so everything is nice and square  :)

Porta cabin and skips

(https://i.ibb.co/QNkLQ7J/Screenshot-20201025-125824.png) (https://ibb.co/QNkLQ7J)

Security Hut for my yard area is the latest. Paint needs more work yet...


(https://i.ibb.co/0jFx94b/Screenshot-20210213-162131.png) (https://ibb.co/0jFx94b)