Re: Pro Models.

A good number of years ago, two A2/3s originating from Pro-Models, I managed to obtain - I think both did originate on Les Richardson's system.

Both had seen some use and were suitably 'used'. This was one (the front bogie had already fell off!)

A2_0 by Dr Al 60103, on Flickr

A2_1 by Dr Al 60103, on Flickr

A2_2 by Dr Al 60103, on Flickr

These comprised what appeared to be a Langley A3 body (whitemetal) modified with resin cast front end footplate, bits atop the chassis and tender body/underframe. The V2 chassis was also modified with equidistant driving wheels and new coupling rods - the chassis block had a new slot made for this axle using a rather scabby resin piece.

Both these models I completely gutted and rebuilt. They got:

- stripped of DCC
- new Bachmann B1 driving wheels to the V2 chassis
- replace front bogie with Dapol A3 (either bogie, or wheels, I forget!)
- replaced resin axle slot block with mazak part cut from another scrap Farish jinty chassis, for future longevity
- complete replacement tender from Farish A1 - retaining its motor to give both loco and tender drive (!). Somewhat remarkably, despite being from two different eras, with different size motors and completely different geartrains, these are almost perfectly speed matched.
- cab removed and replaced with Foxhunter A1 etched brass cab
- new brass turned buffers, and various other new replacement details including wing deflectors in brass (these were resin or plasticard originally)
- new front end detail under the footplate in the very prominently visible region ahead of cylinders.

After new wheels:

A2_3 by Dr Al 60103, on Flickr

Replacement cab

A2-2-3 by Dr Al 60103, on Flickr

After complete stripping and rebuild (this is second model)

A2_1 by Dr Al 60103, on Flickr

Complete with test A1 tender

A2_1cab by Dr Al 60103, on Flickr

Painted, with Farish Tornado tender backdated

A2Tender3 by Dr Al 60103, on Flickr

Vs original Resin tender (which was pretty rough representation)

A2Tender2 by Dr Al 60103, on Flickr

I never took a complete picture of 60501 when complete, so below is 60506 which was!



And the powerhouse of a drive



Was it sacrilege to gut these?

I guess if you are an N Gauge collector or historian, yes!  For me they actually were bought pretty cheaply (IIRC ~£60 for one and £50 for the other), so the value was in their potential.

Was the Pro-models attempt good?

I think I'd say ingenious adaption of all the bits to get there, but mediocre execution of it all. Having said that it provided the basis for the above models, both of which are still part of the active fleet.

Searching "Pro models n gauge" doesn't bring up much, so the old URL would need to be found to see if it's still on the 'way back machine' internet archive (I'd suspect it will be). They certainly had a range of different models from what I recall, all of similar early 2000's style basis.

Best,
Alan

Quote from: icairns on January 09, 2026, 10:26:45 PM@Roy L S

Roy:

Your models of the A2 and B1 look absolutely superb!  I also have a Langley B1 but mounted on the then Langley recommended Black 5 chassis.  I think I built this around 1980 before I had the confidence to try lining, so my model has remained in unlined black. 

Am I correct in thinking that you may have posted photos of your A2 on the old N Gauge Yahoo group or some other forum? It seems very familiar. 

I am not sure if the Pro-Models RTR A2 was a resin model from Fifty-Six and a Half Inch Models.  The only reason I say this is because Les Richardson reported on the N Gauge Yahoo group many years ago that he had bought one from Pro-Models and the body was a metal casting but the tender body was resin.  He stated that the Pro-Models loco used a modified GF V2 chassis. 

I would be interested in learning more about these relatively obscure companies and their N gauge kits. 

Ian

Hi Ian

Thank you for your kind words. Amongst my collection I also have another B1 which I converted to tender drive using the Union Mills tender and mechanism (I may well have been the first!), Fred H did the paint job on that one, no other than preserved 61264.

As to the A2, my "Blue Peter" was definitely a "fifty six and a Half inch" kit and I think I may well have posted it's picture on the Yahoo Group before. I feel 90% sure "Pro Models" did the Peppercorn A2 RTR using this kit, but I recall they also did a RTR model of the very different Thompson A2 which used the Farish V2 chassis, this a loco I would love to have a model of, but I didn't have the £250 odd they cost back then and I doubt it will ever be done by a mainstream manufacturer these days (Hornby making it in OO).

Yes, I would like to know more too, and wish I had paid more attention at the time, of course there were also lovely RTR models made in the late 90s by Duncan Hazledene (can't remember the company name) of LMS prototypes too, and Fred Hempsall planned to do some resin models under the "Cempro" brand some of which I think my have appeared. My last recollection is that originally Union Mills also mentioned plans for locos like the V2 with outside valve gear in his early material, but clearly decided against them.

All in all, the early 1990s to about 2005 was in it's own right an interesting and much overlooked period for N models, and in terms of history, not very well documented...

Roy

Quote from: Newportnobby on January 10, 2026, 09:15:03 AM...one on Fleabay I might possibly win tomorrow

I thought you didn't use the site that must never be spoken of?

(better tell me in PM so that I don't bid against you    )

Oh and nice to see you like that photo of the DMU I posted for you!

Bob

I currently have 130 pieces of motive power split roughly 50/50 steam and diesel with a few hybrid/electrics purely as they were iconics (to my mind)
Some of my justifications for them appearing on my own layout(s) are, admittedly, horribly contrived whereas our club layout is of no fixed location so could be anywhere in the UK
I also have another half dozen on pre order and one on Fleabay I might possibly win tomorrow

Got one when they came out..........

Two members of the local constabulary just walked through the bowlo looking for underage drinkers. I said, "Okay, I'll come quietly officers"

They were not amused. The only reason they were here was to get out of the 45 degree heat, I'm sure 

Excellent idea. Still on the way up though, until about 9pm tonight.



Pay no attention to times on the screen. I can't be bothered setting the date and time.

In N gauge I have 75 locos or DMUs. They were all bought for a reason and fit in with stock required for running various eras on my two N gauge layouts. Every one of them does get used although not all at the same time of course. I have not got anything that doesn't fit in except for the NGS shunter which I felt I should buy to support NGS. Even Thomas fits in with my strategy as he is used to entertain little ones on my branch line layout.

I also have 31 G scale locos/ railcars and recently six 009 locos have mysteriously appeared, don't know where they came from. I have just two 00 items in the form of a railbus and a San Francisco street car. I have to admit the street car was an unplanned impulse buy and it serves no useful purpose other than a holiday memento.

luckily we got the cool change yesterday evening, a very pleasant 27 degrees today.
A few years ago we bought a portable refrigative air con unit, as we have an evap system which works for most temps but once you get the 40's it really struggles.
a few VB's should help to cool you down.

God, I hate summer. The digits on the bottom are the outside temperature, but the inside is almost 30, with the air conditioner going full blast!!



No wonder the whiskey bottle is empty.... even that has evaporated