Just an information page really.

I got fed up with seeing second hand Union Mills locos being sold for twice the price of new ones directly from Colin. I was also aware that Colin is old school, and doesn't use internet advertising. So I created a Union Mills N Gauge locomotive appreciation group on Facebook. The initial idea was to have an internet presence of all the locos that Colin has made over the years.

I've now created an unofficial signposting website on the internet, to help raise awareness of Colin's great models - which directs people to the unofficial Facebook group. The website is also a better way to display text files, such as all the loco sheets compared to Facebook

https://sites.google.com/view/union-mills-model-railway

The unofficial Facebook appreciation group is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Union.Mills.N.Gauge.Locomotive.Appreciation.Group

This web page and the Facebook group are not connected in any way to Union Mills N gauge models.

If you wish to buy any Union Mills Models then contact Colin at colin.h@manx.net or ring him on 01624 852 896 to check availability of these wonderful locomotives. Unions Mills Models Ltd are at Unit 5, Union Mills Trading Estate, Union Mills, Isle of Man IM4 4AB.

The dates of Colin's loco releases are here



A PDF of this is attached at the bottom of the post.

Below are the lists of all loco numbers used, along with the colours and loco numbers used. If you have something different then do let me know

L.M.S. and S.& D.J.R.




L.N.E.R.




S.R. and G.W.R




Colin's locos might be too basic for some, but are reliable and long lasting.
When Colin was asked for the Release dates, Colin advised this of his first locos -

Quote

An early D20, of the chassis used between 1996 and 2003



A later D20, of the chassis used from 2007 onwards




There are some websites that offer detailing accessories suitable for Union Mills Models. They include;

Springside Models offer detailing accessories for 2 mm.

https://www.springsidemodels.com/2mm-detailing-accessories


N Brass locos offer detailing accessories in 2 mm.

https://www.nbrasslocos.co.uk/nhome.html


Fox Transfers, offer waterslide transfers, etched nameplates, and more.

https://www.fox-transfers.co.uk/


Wickness Models are recommended by Colin as a company to convert your DC locos to DCC
https://wicknessmodels.co.uk/services/u ... nversions/


If you would like to share any photographs of Union Mills locos to display on the Facebook page or the website, then please make it clear which model the photo is of. On Facebook, you can either add them directly into the relevant loco's album, or I can drop them into the photo album for you. Please ensure that you are only uploading your own photos, and that they clearly show the loco rather than just a train on a layout.

If you detail or modify any loco, then we would love to see photos and video of that process.

Photo albums are now stored in the Media section, at

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2121268031438640/media/albums

The Facebook group is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Union.Mills.N.Gauge.Locomotive.Appreciation.Group

Thank you

Hi Mark

Don't know if you are aware of the following video produced for last years NGF Virtual Show, @port perran with contributions from various forum members.



Best Wishes
Mike H

Quote from: Nbodger on July 20, 2022, 08:24:16 AM
Hi Mark

Don't know if you are aware of the following video produced for last years NGF Virtual Show, @port perran with contributions from various forum members.


Best Wishes
Mike H

Many thanks, Mike
Coincidentally shared it on the Facebook group at the start of the month.

Original post has been edited to show the lists of all Union Mills locos made, their release dates, colours and loco numbers

I have posted pictures, Mark, of the Dean Goods 2516 which Colin kindly made for me in green livery with GREAT WESTERN on the tender.
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=57244.msg767060#msg767060

Great idea Mark!

In your detailing section, Alan Cummings work would be really useful....perhaps ask him for permission to use photos of his work.

Quote from: Doc Pye on July 23, 2022, 04:12:26 PM
Great idea Mark!

In your detailing section, Alan Cummings work would be really useful....perhaps ask him for permission to use photos of his work.

I think the ones already shown give an excellent example of detailing. The offer is made for anyone to share their photos if they so wish

@mark ellis hi, have you seen the price list that UnionMills i.e. Colin has sent out recently? It says quite clearly at the bottom:-
" After 47 years in the model railway business I am retiring.
I would like to thank all my many customers for their support over 29 years of Union Mills Models. The
locomotives listed here are my remaining stock, -
Dated 12/12/22

A big loss to British N Gauge. I doubt there will ever be models like this again unless Colin is selling his business. Personally, I would like to wish Colin a long and healthy retirement.

Thank you Colin.

Kind regards

Paddy

I see in the above post tht Colin is retiring, does anybody know if the range or part thereof is being taken over by anybody?

It looks like the end to me, Mike.
I, too, wish Colin a long and happy retirement

Wondr if there's anybody on the forum or in the society who might volunteer or be persuaded to take it over.

Quote from: Greygreaser on January 03, 2023, 08:50:55 PM
@mark ellis hi, have you seen the price list that UnionMills i.e. Colin has sent out recently? It says quite clearly at the bottom:-
" After 47 years in the model railway business I am retiring.
I would like to thank all my many customers for their support over 29 years of Union Mills Models. The
locomotives listed here are my remaining stock, -
Dated 12/12/22

Greygreaser, many thanks for the heads up.

I haven't seen any price list for a while. I did wonder in 2018 if he was packing up, but he suddenly made a new batch of stock. Was hoping he was going to make a Dean single before packing up.

I'll let me Facebook group know

I ordered a loco 2.00 pm the Thursday(22nd) before Christmas and received it the next day.
I spoke to Colin and found it to be very pleasant person and ask he was selling his business.
He replied "[No, it can't be handed down.It's a bit like a violin repair business][/i]"
Pity really and great shame and an even bigger loss!
Problem is if a business and skill sets aren't passed on they are lost!
However it's Colin's business and it is up to him to do what he wants with it.
I wish him well in his retirement.
It does make me think may be someone else could make similar style models in the UK for around the same cost and quality?
Put it another way it might had been a small scale cottage industry but I don't think it was a loss making  one.

Bloody shame. Union Mills was an N Gauge institution, really.

A sad loss to the hobby.