http://www.cjmmodels.co.uk/newsleters/July_2013.html (http://www.cjmmodels.co.uk/newsleters/July_2013.html)
Always sad to hear a modelling source closing, did anyone use his services?. Cheers john.
I just wish I'd had enough cash to afford one of his models, they always looked top notch with extreme attention to detail... I'd have always been scared to run it though for fear of dropping it or derailing it
Hi Gang;
Chris' models are sublime and well worth the money....they will outlast many replacements of some manufacturers....
Although CJM locos don't (and never will) have directional lighting, the detailing on these is just awesome. I don't know of an unhappy CJM customer across the country!!!
As with everyone, time to retire arrives with us all, and I am sure Chris has his business plan well laid out for the last few years before he quits the business. It can be said that I believe these to be the halcyon days of modelling and it will be visibly different in 20-30 years time....but that's probably another thread.....
Later;
STU from EGDL
A real shame. I've always wanted one of his 92s. I must say though, the lack of directional lighting does put me off a bit!
Still look stunning though, shame no one's taking the moulds on.
Quote from: njee20 on July 19, 2013, 06:33:45 PM
I must say though, the lack of directional lighting does put me off a bit!
Eh? why's that?
I've got a couple of CJM 92s and lighting wasn't a consideration for me, nor, I doubt, any of his regular customers..
H.
Coz I like twinkly lights :-)
The quality is stunning, and I get why he doesn't fit them, but I personally think that's a +1 for the mainstream manufacturers.
But... but... but... I want an 89! :'(
Time to learn 3D printing then!
Alan
I have to admit I have a couple of Cjm master peices and they are a work of art. And im sure
He will be missed.
Kinda feel sorry for Chris as his 66,67,56,60,67,59 And 73 locos were always a hit until the big boys upped their game. So in all fairness his orders were always going to take a dip as these are available at 1/5th of his prices.
Who knows maybe tpm will by his 89 moulds and restart their old kit version again
With my fat fingers I'd be as well taking two HST bodyshells and splicing them together... :-[
Quote from: Luke Piewalker on July 19, 2013, 09:29:09 PM
With my fat fingers I'd be as well taking two HST bodyshells and splicing them together... :-[
Can be done.. but doesn't quite have the right angles on it. In fact I've got an "89" built this way from two much hacked about old ECM white metal class 47s in GNER livery then stuck on a Farish 47 chassis.
Surely someone must pick up the baton of making a model of the awesomest electric engine ever :uneasy:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the CJM Class 50, which is just sublime. I am the proud owner of 50 032 'Courageous' which has pride of place on my layout.
[smg ID=2825]
Also worth a mention is the quality of Chris's Saturn chassis. This puts everything else to shame; slow speed control, haulage capacity, smoothness (even running on dirty track).
I will be saving my pennies to get one more CJM loco before Chris retires
Hi all
As far as I recall Chris isn't planning to hang the airbrush up until 2018. This is when the guarantees run out on the chassis of his locos. So there seems to be
Quite a bit of time to save up for a few more locos!
In recent years, Chris announcing a new loco has been a very good way to get one of the leading manufacturers to announce a ready to run version.
Regards
Pete @ EGLM
Yep - he's currently soliciting interest in his 58 to decide whether to complete it despite the Dapol version.
Quote from: njee20 on July 19, 2013, 08:24:52 PM
Coz I like twinkly lights :-)
The quality is stunning, and I get why he doesn't fit them, but I personally think that's a +1 for the mainstream manufacturers.
Really? Each to their own, but I think lights look toy-like. More of a gimmick than giving any added sense of realism, unless you're doing a model set at night of course.
Back on topic; it'll be sad to see Chris go, although it is a few years away. Over the years he (and Bernard Taylor of TPM whose done patterns and masters for CJM) have shown what can be done in British N, especially when it was overshadowed by the quality of American, European and Japanese N products. And during the late '90's and early '00's CJM models kept British N alive almost, at a time when it looked doomed.
Carl
Quote from: porkie on July 19, 2013, 09:12:22 PM
I have to admit I have a couple of Cjm master peices and they are a work of art. And im sure
He will be missed.
Kinda feel sorry for Chris as his 66,67,56,60,67,59 And 73 locos were always a hit until the big boys upped their game. So in all fairness his orders were always going to take a dip as these are available at 1/5th of his prices.
Who knows maybe tpm will by his 89 moulds and restart their old kit version again
Actually Chris's orders haven't been effected that much by the announcement of R-T-R products. In his newsletter he said he's struggling to keep up with demand and he saw an increase in orders for his 56 when dapol released theirs! Strange but true.
Carl
Shame to hear about Chris M winding down the business for retirement but im sure he deserves it.
I own a class 60 that i got Chris to build for me 2 years ago. It is the best model in my stable, and before 2018 comes i will be buying at least one more of his excellent models.
All the best Chris for the next few years! :thumbsup:
Hello all,
I think Carl makes a very good point - there was a time when the only 66 available was the CJM version, while the Class 59 - arguably the most significant new locomotive design of the last 40 years as it (a) was the first privately owned type to be introduced in squadron service and (b) blazed the trail for the massive GM invasion that was to follow - has only ever been available RTR from him.
His models are exquisite and working with Bernard Taylor there is no doubt that Chris did show people that British N gauge could match anything achievable elsewhere.
However, I do think that for modern models a lack of working lights is as issue. They don't show up that well in photographs of real trains, but every time I see one "in the flesh" so to speak I am always struck by how bright the lights are!
cheers
Ben A.
I bought my first CJM loco at Warley in 1996, the 89. It was on his stand and i wanted it so paid the 248 notes required.
17 years on, the finish is still as the day i purchased it and the Minitrix derived chassis still runs sweetly.
I went on to get a National Power 59, Freightliner 66, Loadhaul 56 and a 92, the last two at Kettering show in 2007.
RTR have caught up over the years and I do think the Dapol 58 would take some beating now, the running is now as good as CJM, and that for me was always the big attraction for buying.
It will be a sad day when Chris packs in, but the world as always, has moved on. I have enjoyed his work over the years.
I know a man who needs a job and is more than capable of taking CJM onwards and upwards..
Cheers
Mark
Quote from: scruff on July 25, 2013, 12:26:42 AM
I know a man who needs a job and is more than capable of taking CJM onwards and upwards..
Cheers
Mark
Me too. I wonder if a soon to be former Dapol employee has been seen in Whistable recently...
Quote from: Chetcombe on July 25, 2013, 12:43:08 AM
Quote from: scruff on July 25, 2013, 12:26:42 AM
I know a man who needs a job and is more than capable of taking CJM onwards and upwards..
Cheers
Mark
Me too. I wonder if a soon to be former Dapol employee has been seen in Whistable recently...
I doubt it. This is quoted from Chris's newsletter; " Once I do retire there are no plans to pass CJM to my sons and in reality CJM is not really a saleable proposition either. "
Carl
Seems fair enough, doesn't want to risk devaluing it.
Oh well 5 years to buy a 92!
I see that CJM's website seems to have disappeared - has he now retired?
Chris had some health problems soon after announcing his intention to retire, which rather brought forward his plans. I suspect the website expired and he's not bothered to renew it.
A real loss to the hobby. He was very responsive on email still earlier in the year if you had any specific questions.
Should've bought a Hanson 59 :(
I resisted the urge to use a "holy thread resurrection" meme, mainly as Chris's website has only gone within the last couple of weeks, so it is quite relevant!
As there was already a thread there didn't seem much point creating another one...
Its a shame Chris is no longer trading in the hobby but i wish him all the best for the future . I previously mentioned owning a class 60 built for me by CJM. Still faultless after 10 years now.
Chris's workmanship is second to none and now he is out of the game, his models will no doubt start to fetch a Kings ransom if and when they start to find themselves on the 2nd hand market.
Weirdly that doesn't seem to be the case. I think now most models have been done by RTR manufacturers there's a dwindling pool of people who'd pay even the original price for them. There's been a couple of 57s on eBay for ages. There was a 66 which went round and round for ages too before selling.
The 59s and 89s will probably always sell well Until there's another option, although again there was a DB 59 a year or so ago and that didn't sell well.
I think the issue, to an extent, is that CJM was a relatively little-known manufacturer who hasn't released a model in years, so many casual participants in the hobby won't have heard of him - much like Union Mills.
When people see those prices for an old model, they just think it's ebay madness - especially when, for the most part, they can get a new DCC ready version with lighting from a major manufacturer at a fraction of the price. That, coupled with one rather prolific ebayer's attempts to pass any terrible kit build or respray off as an original CJM, doesn't help the image among those who don't know that these are actually the Rolls Royce of the hobby!
Quote from: Capri_sam on August 10, 2020, 09:36:29 AM
I think the issue, to an extent, is that CJM was a relatively little-known manufacturer who hasn't released a model in years, so many casual participants in the hobby won't have heard of him - much like Union Mills.
When people see those prices for an old model, they just think it's ebay madness - especially when, for the most part, they can get a new DCC ready version with lighting from a major manufacturer at a fraction of the price. That, coupled with one rather prolific ebayer's attempts to pass any terrible kit build or respray off as an original CJM, doesn't help the image among those who don't know that these are actually the Rolls Royce of the hobby!
Not really sure that that's true - those who are interested certainly will know about them. The fact that some of his recent models at not unrealistic prices on buy it now sit on ebay for months suggests that they are no longer as popular now that there are RTR models of all apart from the 59 and 89 - both of which are fairly niche anyway (one small class, and a one-off). The lack of lights and the difficulty in fitting DCC to some of them may also put some people off. When these models were first released they were vastly superior to the RTR options at the time (if those even existed), but RTR has to some extent caught up and the difference is now much less significant than it was.
I have a couple of the 67s, and they are excellent models. However, I bought them second-hand and I don't think the difference between them and the Dapol ones is sufficient enough that I would have paid the full new price for them.
I think it's probably a bit of both. Unless you know the provenance you're unlikely to pay more than you would for an equivalent Dapol/Farish model, you've got to know about CJM and actively want one, which limits the market in the first place. I also had a 67, it was nice, but I sold it on, as it wasn't really any better (to my eye) than the Dapol one. I bought it (and sold it) for a similar amount to a Dapol one anyway. It didn't have a saturn chassis to be fair - many of the BO-BOs have a Kato chassis, which is obviously very good still. I think anything with the Saturn chassis is inherently more valuable.
Some of his models are definitely utterly stunning, the 50 stands out as being truly magnificent to me. It surpasses Dapol's efforts, but (at new prices) they're 5 times as much, and is it that much better?
I hadn't even noticed that the last post before resurrection was by me regarding the 92. I actually went to an exhibition with cash metaphorically in hand to buy a 92, but when I held one in my hand and looked at it, I was a bit underwhelmed, most notably by the painted headlights. I totally get not having them working, but glazed would have looked better. It also had real hallmarks of being hand painted; a bit of a wobbly cant rail stripe IIRC, and the pantographs are the generic Sommerfeldt offerings which feels like a bit of a let down! That said - I've seen other examples on layouts which have looked better, but in the end I couldn't bring myself to spend the £750 (IIRC) on one. Then Revolution announced theirs, and I've got 7 coming, for barely any more money.
I'd definitely still buy a Hanson 59, but I've literally never seen one come up. I'd probably have a 66 too frankly, for moving heavy trains, but I can't see me spending more than £200 on one. I have a recurring eBay search saved, they do come up periodically, but I'd definitely say, if anything, they've gone down in value.
CJM had a time and a place which may be passing, however the Saturn chassis were and are head and shoulders above most RTR chassis.
I would have no interest in a "touched up Farish" but I do seriously consider 100% CJM models (with Saturn and his own bodies) not that I have many. The other CJM model of note was the White Rose repaint of the Eurostar.
Quote from: Snowwolflair on August 10, 2020, 12:29:07 PM
CJM had a time and a place which may be passing, however the Saturn chassis were and are head and shoulders above most RTR chassis.
I would have no interest in a "touched up Farish" but I do seriously consider 100% CJM models (with Saturn and his own bodies) not that I have many. The other CJM model of note was the White Rose repaint of the Eurostar.
Yep, totally agree with that. The Eurostars were exorbitant, but were very nicely finished. I've done a couple myself, but Chris's were lovely!
Got a 92, direct from source, very special to me.
Agree the Revolution ones will knock it out of the park (got two on the way as well), but at the time there wasn't an option and there still isn't for 92022 which I ordered from Chris.
At the time the 59 was already promised from Dapol so though I desperately want at least 2, they had a potential alternative. I would still like one / two CJM 59s in the correct livery because I can almost be 100% sure they will pull better than a Dapol chassis.
Alas, 2nd hand 59s are as rare as the chicken dentures and almost always not the spec I want.
Plus I am broke.
Skyline2uk
Quote from: Skyline2uk on August 10, 2020, 05:48:18 PM
Got a 92, direct from source, very special to me.
Agree the Revolution ones will knock it out of the park (got two on the way as well), but at the time there wasn't an option and there still isn't for 92022 which I ordered from Chris.
At the time the 59 was already promised from Dapol so though I desperately want at least 2, they had a potential alternative. I would still like one / two CJM 59s in the correct livery because I can almost be 100% sure they will pull better than a Dapol chassis.
Alas, 2nd hand 59s are as rare as the chicken dentures and almost always not the spec I want.
Plus I am broke.
Skyline2uk
Not seen any 59s listed recently, but four or five years ago Rails had several listed on ebay as buy-it-now for months on end before they sold.
Quote from: davidinyork on August 10, 2020, 06:01:10 PM
Quote from: Skyline2uk on August 10, 2020, 05:48:18 PM
Got a 92, direct from source, very special to me.
Agree the Revolution ones will knock it out of the park (got two on the way as well), but at the time there wasn't an option and there still isn't for 92022 which I ordered from Chris.
At the time the 59 was already promised from Dapol so though I desperately want at least 2, they had a potential alternative. I would still like one / two CJM 59s in the correct livery because I can almost be 100% sure they will pull better than a Dapol chassis.
Alas, 2nd hand 59s are as rare as the chicken dentures and almost always not the spec I want.
Plus I am broke.
Skyline2uk
Not seen any 59s listed recently, but four or five years ago Rails had several listed on ebay as buy-it-now for months on end before they sold.
Might actually have been longer than that, and each and every one of them had a problem with it. Probably could have been repaired by Chris but seemed like a risk for me personally.
Skyline2uk
I remember those 59s and bought one of them. This was 6 years ago and the model had been sold by Chris 4 years earlier. It looked really good, finished in Amalgamated Roadstone Corporation mustard/grey livery along with a rake of bogie wagons resprayed in a comparable livery. However, something seemed to be wrong with the bogie next to the coupling - it made a nasty grinding sound when attempting to run it, possibly a broken gear or something stuck in the gear train. I showed it to Chris Marchant at TINGS that year and he discovered that the problem was ballast not only in the gears on both bogies but also around the worm drives. As a precaution a number of gears were replaced as were two wheels. Rails covered the bill for the repairs and now it runs really well. Top marks to both CJM and Rails for sorting the problem and solving it.
Quote from: msr on August 10, 2020, 06:15:10 PM
I remember those 59s and bought one of them. This was 6 years ago and the model had been sold by Chris 4 years earlier. It looked really good, finished in Amalgamated Roadstone Corporation mustard/grey livery along with a rake of bogie wagons resprayed in a comparable livery. However, something seemed to be wrong with the bogie next to the coupling - it made a nasty grinding sound when attempting to run it, possibly a broken gear or something stuck in the gear train. I showed it to Chris Marchant at TINGS that year and he discovered that the problem was ballast not only in the gears on both bogies but also around the worm drives. As a precaution a number of gears were replaced as were two wheels. Rails covered the bill for the repairs and now it runs really well. Top marks to both CJM and Rails for sorting the problem and solving it.
Well that's a great outcome!
Impressed Rails honoured the repair costs, I suppose if the problem wasn't mentioned on eBay (don't recall running issues being mentioned, just cosmetics), they didn't have much choice.
Skyline2uk
Quote from: msr on August 10, 2020, 06:15:10 PM
I remember those 59s and bought one of them. This was 6 years ago and the model had been sold by Chris 4 years earlier. It looked really good, finished in Amalgamated Roadstone Corporation mustard/grey livery along with a rake of bogie wagons resprayed in a comparable livery.
I remember those too! Although didn't ARC stand for Amey Roadstone Construction...?
I am lucky enough to own several CJM 59's and all are still superb with more than enough pulling power for any rake of wagons I own. They easily pull 25 plus bogie stone wagons around my layout. the Saturn chassis is something else. Just a happy customer.
JW
Still pride of the line :D
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/91/5885-270420200751.jpeg)
Quote from: njee20 on August 10, 2020, 06:43:19 PM
Quote from: msr on August 10, 2020, 06:15:10 PM
I remember those 59s and bought one of them. This was 6 years ago and the model had been sold by Chris 4 years earlier. It looked really good, finished in Amalgamated Roadstone Corporation mustard/grey livery along with a rake of bogie wagons resprayed in a comparable livery.
I remember those too! Although didn't ARC stand for Amey Roadstone Construction...?
Taken from this link (https://www.amey.co.uk/about-us/our-heritage/), "1972 – the business was taken over by Consolidated Goldfields and was renamed Amey Roadstone Construction". I only looked it up because I always thought it was Amey Roadstone Corporation :doh:
The Saturn chassis is in its own league. It also runs so very quietly. I would argue that my CJM class 60 could quite easily pull a real Brush class 60 :D
Quote from: OwL on August 11, 2020, 12:42:03 AM
The Saturn chassis is in its own league. It also runs so very quietly. I would argue that my CJM class 60 could quite easily pull a real Brush class 60 :D
Miniature Wunderland have done something similar in HO:
https://youtu.be/vC-dmKHiCnY
I think you might need to double head your CJM class 60!
Steven B
Quote from: njee20 on August 10, 2020, 10:56:08 AM
It didn't have a saturn chassis to be fair - many of the BO-BOs have a Kato chassis, which is obviously very good still. I think anything with the Saturn chassis is inherently more valuable.
Is the Saturn chassis not built using mainly Kato components, then? I'd assumed that it was.
Pretty sure it's a Kato motor and flywheels. I don't know the source of the geartrain etc. It has lots of weight and is held together with brass sheet shapes.
Quote from: Trainfish on August 11, 2020, 12:25:49 AM
Quote from: njee20 on August 10, 2020, 06:43:19 PM
Quote from: msr on August 10, 2020, 06:15:10 PM
I remember those 59s and bought one of them. This was 6 years ago and the model had been sold by Chris 4 years earlier. It looked really good, finished in Amalgamated Roadstone Corporation mustard/grey livery along with a rake of bogie wagons resprayed in a comparable livery.
I remember those too! Although didn't ARC stand for Amey Roadstone Construction...?
Taken from this link (https://www.amey.co.uk/about-us/our-heritage/), "1972 – the business was taken over by Consolidated Goldfields and was renamed Amey Roadstone Construction". I only looked it up because I always thought it was Amey Roadstone Corporation :doh:
I only remembered because I also thought it used to be Amey Roadstone Corporation, and had previously looked it up!
Quote from: davidinyork on August 11, 2020, 10:07:36 AM
Quote from: njee20 on August 10, 2020, 10:56:08 AM
It didn't have a saturn chassis to be fair - many of the BO-BOs have a Kato chassis, which is obviously very good still. I think anything with the Saturn chassis is inherently more valuable.
Is the Saturn chassis not built using mainly Kato components, then? I'd assumed that it was.
Not sure. But the bo-bo chassis is far more Kato than the co-co ones. It wasn't sold as a Saturn chassis.
I picked up this mint 47 for £60 almost exactly 1 year ago. I think it was a steal just for the chassis.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/98/5885-110820115706.jpeg)
Quote from: njee20 on August 11, 2020, 11:44:02 AM
Not sure. But the bo-bo chassis is far more Kato than the co-co ones. It wasn't sold as a Saturn chassis.
The Saturn chassis page on the former CJM website (courtesy fo the Wayback Machine) states that:
"In addition, a Bo-Bo version is available for the class 26, 33, 67 and 73 with a small number of HST units also available"
I asked Chris explicitly with regards to my 67, his quote:
QuoteThe chassis was indeed a reworked Kato unit. I had a BO-BO Saturn design but with so few applications it wasn't cost effective, all Saturn chassis do have many Kato parts anyway
Photo here (https://photos.app.goo.gl/Y3BZhvSZtZQBKStu7), very different to the Saturn, by which I meant the co-co ones, I can't say definitively that there wasn't a 'proper' bo-bo Saturn used under any of the models. Hence saying "most" had a Kato chassis.
Quote from: njee20 on August 11, 2020, 01:57:28 PM
I asked Chris explicitly with regards to my 67, his quote:
QuoteThe chassis was indeed a reworked Kato unit. I had a BO-BO Saturn design but with so few applications it wasn't cost effective, all Saturn chassis do have many Kato parts anyway
Photo here (https://photos.app.goo.gl/Y3BZhvSZtZQBKStu7), very different to the Saturn, by which I meant the co-co ones, I can't say definitively that there wasn't a 'proper' bo-bo Saturn used under any of the models. Hence saying "most" had a Kato chassis.
Thanks - must admit I've never taken my 67s apart so can't say what the chassis looks like from the top, but that one does look like Kato- seem to recall that they have a bespoke DCC decoder board which replaces that brown-coloured blanking piece in the photo.
I have a class 73 with a CJM custom chassis.
Quote from: davidinyork on August 11, 2020, 02:13:55 PM
Quote from: njee20 on August 11, 2020, 01:57:28 PM
I asked Chris explicitly with regards to my 67, his quote:
QuoteThe chassis was indeed a reworked Kato unit. I had a BO-BO Saturn design but with so few applications it wasn't cost effective, all Saturn chassis do have many Kato parts anyway
Photo here (https://photos.app.goo.gl/Y3BZhvSZtZQBKStu7), very different to the Saturn, by which I meant the co-co ones, I can't say definitively that there wasn't a 'proper' bo-bo Saturn used under any of the models. Hence saying "most" had a Kato chassis.
Thanks - must admit I've never taken my 67s apart so can't say what the chassis looks like from the top, but that one does look like Kato- seem to recall that they have a bespoke DCC decoder board which replaces that brown-coloured blanking piece in the photo.
Yep, a Digitrax DN163K0B, among others. I fitted one to the 67 just after I took that picture! Same as used in the Eurostar. A very easy install as there are no lights to worry about.
Quote from: njee20 on August 11, 2020, 02:17:14 PM
Yep, a Digitrax DN163K0B, among others. I fitted one to the 67 just after I took that picture! Same as used in the Eurostar. A very easy install as there are no lights to worry about.
Didn't he advertize a Lenz decoder when he fitted them? Guess there might be room between the chassis and the roof but the usual decoder position on CJM locos (inside the fuel tank on the bottom is filled with a weight on the 67s.
This is my 73. Several recognisable Kato parts (motor, pickup strips and board, bogie blocks etc.), but to me the chassis block looks like a custom casting as Kato are usually a split chassis block design.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/98/5885-110820143314.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=98066)
That looks terrible this is the one I have
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/98/3761-110820144431.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=98067)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/98/3761-110820144456.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=98068)
Quote from: davidinyork on August 11, 2020, 02:21:51 PM
Quote from: njee20 on August 11, 2020, 02:17:14 PM
Yep, a Digitrax DN163K0B, among others. I fitted one to the 67 just after I took that picture! Same as used in the Eurostar. A very easy install as there are no lights to worry about.
Didn't he advertize a Lenz decoder when he fitted them? Guess there might be room between the chassis and the roof but the usual decoder position on CJM locos (inside the fuel tank on the bottom is filled with a weight on the 67s.
Yes, but again the 67 explicitly is different - taken from his site:
Quotehilst most locomotives can be converted by customers, it is not recommended and may invalidate your warranty.
Class 67's must be chipped by CJM to maintain guarantee. (Tampering with the CJM class 67 will almost certainly end in tears and a large repair bill)
Quote from: Snowwolflair on August 11, 2020, 02:45:48 PM
That looks terrible this is the one I have...
The screws on the ends do look a bit amateurish on mine, other than that it's fine and she's as smooth as silk with loads of momentum. Dates from 1997.
Does yours have flywheels? That doesn't look like the usual Kato motor.
Yes flywheels and smooth running. I think Chris developed this chassis and others like it when he produced kits for a number of years (that is what this unit is from).
It's a US Bachmann diesel copy - maybe Chris even sourced the motor and bogies from Bachmann. The skew wound motor, the phosphor bronze pickups over the wheels and the direct worm to central gear on the bogies are a dead give away - I've just finished deconstructing a number of these and this is all very familiar. The casting is obviously custom made but everything else is a $10 mechanism... :-)
@ijmsmith (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=3459) good spot, I thought it looked like a Bachmann motor not Kato. Now you mention it, the "hoop" pickup wipers are a classic Bachmann design as is the large central gear in the bogie (I've got early 70s Bachmann locos with that design, though metal gears).
Quote from: ijmsmith on August 11, 2020, 05:33:20 PM
It's a US Bachmann diesel copy - maybe Chris even sourced the motor and bogies from Bachmann. The skew wound motor, the phosphor bronze pickups over the wheels and the direct worm to central gear on the bogies are a dead give away - I've just finished deconstructing a number of these and this is all very familiar. The casting is obviously custom made but everything else is a $10 mechanism... :-)
That would make sense, chris used to source what he thought was the best available kit (for the time) and modify it to give the results he wanted. I have a pair of the Eurotunnel locos he did and they are pure Kato 4-4-4 chassis.
I've been comparing the picture of the 67 chassis posted above (and what is visible from the bottom on the 67s I have) with pictures of a Kato F3 chassis. Does look like many components, including the bogies, are used - but the chassis block looks different - is that a specially-made item?
Looks very much like the chassis block for Bernard Taylors Class 31 kit, which used Bachmann bogies and motor, with cut down driveshafts.
Quote from: njee20 on August 10, 2020, 01:38:27 PM
Quote from: Snowwolflair on August 10, 2020, 12:29:07 PM
CJM had a time and a place which may be passing, however the Saturn chassis were and are head and shoulders above most RTR chassis.
I would have no interest in a "touched up Farish" but I do seriously consider 100% CJM models (with Saturn and his own bodies) not that I have many. The other CJM model of note was the White Rose repaint of the Eurostar.
Yep, totally agree with that. The Eurostars were exorbitant, but were very nicely finished. I've done a couple myself, but Chris's were lovely!
There is a CJM GNER White Rose Eurostar on EBay at the moment, currently at a good price.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133765338527?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133765338527?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649)
Bob
That is a thing of beauty. If you fancy a GNER Eurostar and don't win the auction, there are alternatives :wave:
I was surprised how cheap it was, but it's gone mad in the last few hours. Still cheap compared to the new cost. I've got one on the workbench, where it's been for a few years!
Wow - just looked at the archive of the CJM website, these were "from £1400" for an 8 car set and "from £2200" for 16 car set, using the customer's own Eurostar as a base?
eBay is £535 and 20 mins to go!
Correct! Madness. But then how much for Mercig to repaint one? probably a similar sum frankly. It always struck me a bit as being so expensive because Chris didn't want to be a paint shop, but if someone wanted to pay enough...
Interesting the decals from Fox have his name on them, so he obviously commissioned them.
Quote from: njee20 on May 29, 2021, 07:53:07 PM
Correct! Madness. But then how much for Mercig to repaint one? probably a similar sum frankly. It always struck me a bit as being so expensive because Chris didn't want to be a paint shop, but if someone wanted to pay enough...
Interesting the decals from Fox have his name on them, so he obviously commissioned them.
Agreed.
I seriously doubt Mercig would be less than 4 figures.
And as for Chris having his name on the decals, he had a hand in the Eurostar model so makes sense he would commission the GNER elements :thumbsup:
Skyline2uk
Winning bid:£787.79
[ 42 bids ]
plus £12 postage.
Finished at £787.79