Just a heads-up for an announcement yesterday which I haven't seen mentioned here yet. Isinglass Models are now able to take requests to shrink any of their LNER 60ft carriage kits to N gauge (to fit on a Dapol underframe) - see the RMWeb announcement here https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/175753-isinglass-models-new-kits-in-n-gauge/ (https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/175753-isinglass-models-new-kits-in-n-gauge/)
The model he's used as "proof-of-concept" is, ironically, the full brake diagram that was the subject of the now out-of-production NGS kit (but his model is in pale resin - much easier to paint teak than the red plastic of the NGS kit). But if you want LNER catering/sleeper vehicles plus diagrams not covered by Dapol, now's your chance!
Isinglass Models website is at https://www.isinglass-models.co.uk/ (https://www.isinglass-models.co.uk/)
Richard
As the bloke who organises the Kit30 Gresley FB packing for the NGS I'd like to point out that the kit is not out of production, it is out of stock at the shop. I'm awaiting some components and then will pack another batch.
Also the body parts are not red, they are a beige colour.
best Norman
Quote from: tunneroner61 on November 26, 2022, 05:04:26 PM
As the bloke who organises the Kit30 Gresley FB packing for the NGS I'd like to point out that the kit is not out of production, it is out of stock at the shop. I'm awaiting some components and then will pack another batch.
Also the body parts are not red, they are a beige colour.
best Norman
My apologies Norman. But the two I've got are in red plastic... which is why I've never built them, as I want to paint them teak. Looks like I'd better try a swap!
Mr Isinglass was alerted to the fact that his first model accidentally duplicated the NGS kit.
best
Richard
PM sent, Norman
Thanks for sharing Richard, i doubt i would have seen this otherwise.
I had recently picked up sides for a Diagram 155 Third Corridor & 186 Tourist Third Open for a project but was unable get a Diagram 40A Third Brake (3 compartment) I also needed.
Looks like Isinglass does both the 186 and a 3-compartment brake in OO.
I must have a look at the restaurant cars to see if any are Close to the Scottish Diagram 187 Restaurant Composite. The Diagram 11 offered by Isinglass certainly looks very similar at a glance, bit of research required on my part and then I may get in touch with a request to scale down.
I hope the push-pull coaches get scaled down!
@Richard Taylor (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=7298)
I don't know why, but when I click on all the links given, my computer comes up with 'locked' and won't open the pages.
I also can't find a direct link to this announcement just by going to the Isinglass website.
Sorry.......
Martyn
Quote from: martyn on November 27, 2022, 11:33:24 AM
@Richard Taylor (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=7298)
I don't know why, but when I click on all the links given, my computer comes up with 'locked' and won't open the pages.
I also can't find a direct link to this announcement just by going to the Isinglass website.
Sorry.......
Martyn
The formatting has broken in the post, Try these instead:
https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/175753-isinglass-models-new-kits-in-n-gauge (https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/175753-isinglass-models-new-kits-in-n-gauge)
https://www.isinglass-models.co.uk/ (https://www.isinglass-models.co.uk/)
Brilliant!
Thanks.
Martyn
No idea what happened to the URLs in my original post - the preview worked OK! Anyway, I've edited the original post and excised the surplus verbiage.
I don't suppose Isinglass will have amended his website yet as he only made the announcement just before Warley.
Also, if I interpret his RMWeb post correctly it's not a matter of waiting for him to announce that he's shrunk a particular kit: the idea is that you can now contact him and then request any of his 4mm 60ft carriage kits to be shrunk as he's proved the concept with his full brake kit.
Best
Richard
A recent addition to the Isinglass N range of kits was some 51ft Gresley coaches including suburban types. For any modeller of the LNER or BR Eastern Region these are very welcome, there hasn't been a complete kit of any 51ft stock since the rarely found Ian Kirk ones from the early 70s and never any ready to run.
So, at Aylesbury Railex last month I picked up three kits, a "Full Brake", All 3rd and composite, where appropriate they come complete with interiors. There isn't a lot of assembly needed and while modelling time has been a bit short lately I have now got them to a stage where basic colours (Railmatch BR crimson) have been applied. Here they are pictured just plonked together, still very much work in progress and so not glued, no glazing yet and the eagle-eyed will notice no wheels either. The Full Brake correctly has "Fox" bogies rather than the Gresley designed ones.
Further update to follow, they will when finished form the basis of my "Ord" which was the name given to the long distance stopping trains on the Great Central right through into BR days.
Aside from being a customer I have no connection to Isinglass but for anyone interested, they have a website here: - [https://www.isinglass-models.co.uk/](https://www.isinglass-models.co.uk/)
Roy
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/153/242-200625110803.jpeg)
Isinglass Models' Facebook page says they're now doing LSWR wide bodied 'Dreadnought Bogies' in OO which should be scalable down to N.
A couple of days work and the Gresley Suburbans are just about finished, a small amount of lettering such as the "1"s on the doors of the first class end of the composite and a little bit of weathering with powders, but not a lot else. I did have a bit of a disaster with the glazing of one coach, because of the heat, fumes from the superglue used to stick the roof on "found" a fingerprint on it in "Death in Paradise" style and very nicely highlighted it! Off with the roof (thankfully not too much glue used) and replacement glazing strip (carefully cleaned!) put in.
The Farish coach wheels were a bit "draggy" in the 3D printed bogies initially, even after a go with the NGS reamer, but after a decent period of running, probably because the resin is softer than a plastic, they have freed up quite nicely. I might nonetheless elect for NGS bogies for any further kits :hmmm: .
Conclusion - being 3D printed kits they do take a bit of care and work, for example clearance between top of the glazing and the lip locating the roof is miniscule, but they make up to very nice models of common LNER coaches, and one up to now unavailable in N. Mine aren't perfect by any means, but I am pretty happy with the outcome, and would say that anyone with a basic level of modelling skill should be fine making them. I will definitely buy a couple more in due course, hopefully to include a 4 compartment Brake if and when available.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/153/242-230625183320.jpeg)
Roy
I have four kits in production from Isinglass. I agree entirely with Roy and will add Andy there was really helpful.
I need to decide on which paint I have best matches the roof colour I want.
Quote from: leachsprite4 on June 23, 2025, 09:38:27 PMI have four kits in production from Isinglass. I agree entirely with Roy and will add Andy there was really helpful.
I need to decide on which paint I have best matches the roof colour I want.
I chose to go darker than ex-works grey for roofs as I wanted to reflect the dirty soot stained look of a coach that hadn't seen a repaint in years. I still need to add a touch of weathering to the coach bodies.
Did you do any more of your own 3D prints, Roy?
Very good work on the isinglas ones.
Martyn
Quote from: martyn on June 24, 2025, 08:20:40 AMDid you do any more of your own 3D prints, Roy?
Very good work on the isinglas ones.
Martyn
Hi Martyn
Re: my own prints, I haven't done any more work on them to be honest, in fact I haven't done much CAD work or 3D printing for a fair while for a variety of reasons. Although superficially the coaches looked OK, I was having difficulty keeping the sides from distorting even though a fair bit thicker than the Isinglass ones. I know I can do better, but to be honest, even at my very best, my limited skills and equipment mean there can be no comparison to what Andy at Isinglass produces.
Re: the Isinglass kits, thank you for your kind comments. I hope that by showing pictures of completed models made by an average modeller such as I, it may encourage more people to purchase them and have a go, a kit complete with everything but wheels and glazing comes in at under £30 which I think very reasonable for a limited production model made in this way.
Of course the motivation is partly selfish - the greater the take-up, the more likelihood there is that Andy will invest more time and effort in the N Gauge range of LNER coaches and other bits.
Roy
I still have a crapload of Dapol Gresley bogies (with footboards) if anyone needs them for this. If they do let me work out what to do about selling some.
Quote from: Roy L S on June 20, 2025, 11:12:08 AMA recent addition to the Isinglass N range of kits was some 51ft Gresley coaches including suburban types. For any modeller of the LNER or BR Eastern Region these are very welcome, there hasn't been a complete kit of any 51ft stock since the rarely found Ian Kirk ones from the early 70s and never any ready to run.
Could have fooled me :D but good to see someone else has taken up making them
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/153/222-240625201355.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=153296)
Quote from: EtchedPixels on June 24, 2025, 08:14:40 PMCould have fooled me :D but good to see someone else has taken up making them
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/153/222-240625201355.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=153296)
Indeed, I have a rake of your suburban's :)
And me.
Ultima (prior to EP) also did at least the 51' BG.
I think Ultima full kits for other non-corridor diagrams came with Bill Bedford sides, the rest of the parts being Ultima. I have some Thompson non-corridors from this source, as well as from EP. As yet, I'm not looking at the non corridor coaches, but the 52' bogie corridor coaches which initially were built for the GE section. As were all but one of the BGs.
Martyn
Quote from: EtchedPixels on June 24, 2025, 08:14:40 PMQuote from: Roy L S on June 20, 2025, 11:12:08 AMA recent addition to the Isinglass N range of kits was some 51ft Gresley coaches including suburban types. For any modeller of the LNER or BR Eastern Region these are very welcome, there hasn't been a complete kit of any 51ft stock since the rarely found Ian Kirk ones from the early 70s and never any ready to run.
Could have fooled me :D but good to see someone else has taken up making them
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/153/222-240625201355.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=153296)
My apologies Alan, I really should have remembered that you made kits of these coaches too, I now recall seeing them on the EP website, I would have bought some too but they were out of stock.
Roy
Quote from: martyn on June 24, 2025, 09:14:56 PMAnd me.
Ultima (prior to EP) also did at least the 51' BG.
I think Ultima full kits for other non-corridor diagrams came with Bill Bedford sides, the rest of the parts being Ultima. I have some Thompson non-corridors from this source, as well as from EP. As yet, I'm not looking at the non corridor coaches, but the 52' bogie corridor coaches which initially were built for the GE section. As were all but one of the BGs.
Martyn
NC Thompsons were done in at least three forms
- Bill Bedford etches with some Ultima bits to make it up
- An etched Ultima kit for a 4 car set
- The 3D print / etched combos
The 52' bogie stock was afaik never done. It was apparently planned at some point before I took over because there's a resin roof casting master (with the 2mm SA now) and most of the other bits would have been reusable so it would just have needed some new etched or printed sides.
Thanks for the info.
I built-at least-two Thompson NC brake thirds from the Ultima/Bill Bedford combination in a kit supplied by Ultima. I also have Gresley composite, of which I'm not now certain of its origin, but most of the rest of my NCs are from your own range, both Thompson and Gresley.
The combination kits were one of the earliest sold by Ultima, I think, and may have been a bit of a test build.
The 50' BG is listed in the last Ultima catalogue produced (which I still have) but I never ordered or built one, so. I didn't know it wasn't actually produced.
Martyn
I believe Alan at Worsley Works did do a run of sides for the 52' Gresley corridor stock. Pretty sure I have some in the gloat box!
Richard
Quote from: martyn on June 26, 2025, 08:15:12 AMThe 50' BG is listed in the last Ultima catalogue produced (which I still have) but I never ordered or built one, so. I didn't know it wasn't actually produced.
Martyn
Hi Martyn,
I have a couple of the 50ft BG to build for the breakdown train rake. I chose them because they are easier to modify with the larger doors I needed.
Phil H
Full Disclosure: I am not a coach kit builder. The last (and only) coach kit that I ever built was a BR bogie luggage van from Highfield Models in the late 1960s. This was a card kit with coloured lithograph sides.**
Reasons that I have not pursued coach building include the fiddliness of trying to get two coach sides, two coach ends, a floor/underframe, and a roof all nice and square and the fact that RTR coaches have generally been of very good quality.
However, as I am running short of new projects, I decided to buy an Isinglass 52'-6" Gresley third open (diagram 216) kit (see photo below).
I have to say I am very impressed for the following reasons:
1. The print is very clean with none of the annoying print lines characteristic of the old Shapeways prints.
2. The print consists of both coach sides, the floor, and one end as a single piece. Only one coach end needs to be secured in position.
3. The roof and underframe are clip-fits into the top of the coach and the underside of the floor respectively.
4. The underframes have been designed to work with either Isinglass or NGS bogies.
5. The bogies, underframe, coach interior, and a scale drawing can all be purchased separately so you do not pay for items you do not need. (I purchased everything with my kit to see the overall quality of the kit).
6. A Dapol underframe can be used on certain kits.
7. Certain coach types available in 4mm scale not listed on the Isinglass N gauge products page can be ordered in N gauge.
8. The instructions and the hints and tips for resin kits included with the kit are good.
More details are available on the Isinglass website: https://www.isinglass-models.co.uk/
Obviously, a lot of thought has gone into the design of these kits and I can thoroughly recommend them, especially to novice coach builders like me.
Ian
** I did mount the sides of the NGS Gresley D113 full brake kit on a Dapol Gresley coach (after removing the coach sides but leaving the Dapol coach ends in place). The sides fitted perfectly.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/153/3276-280625171413.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=153353)
@icairns Ian,
thanks for the review. It is encouraging as I too have generally avoided coach kits having attempted very few and rather tended to stick to wagons (I am also not a great one for loco kits and I very much admire those who can do those well).
Since I have been looking at the Isinglass site for a while your post may well push me over the edge to purchasing.
Of course it will still leave me with my perennial concern of painting teak (its like tartan paint, very difficult to apply with a single brush stroke :smiley-laughing: ) ,
Colin.
Thanks for the further update, Ian, and best wishes for the build.
I don't need any more coaches, but could be tempted by a 52'6" corridor one-these were built for the GE section which I model, and were long lasting.
The early builds were dual braked, and as time passed, the 'short' coaches became more widespread.
As you say, lots of general information on the website, and it seems they would listen to scaling down any of the 4mm designs.
Martyn
Quote from: cmason on June 29, 2025, 07:13:57 AMOf course it will still leave me with my perennial concern of painting teak (its like tartan paint, very difficult to apply with a single brush stroke
@cmason Yes, I sympathize. It seems that LNER modellers all have a different way of applying teak colour. It's like their "secret sauce."
I have a similar problem with my Isinglass coach kit for the BR era According to the drawing notes that were included with the kit:
"It is understood that all received BR crimson and cream livery but none the maroon."
Living outside of the UK gives the perennial problem of trying to match BR Colours. Shipping from the UK is not possible due to regulations.
Unless anyone has any ideas, this will require more research and probably more trial-and-error purchases.
Any suggestions for BR crimson and cream colours from paint brands that are available in the United States?
Ian