London Road TVR 10T Covered Goods Van and RR Covered Van

[Newport_rod]

London Road Models advertise a TVR 10T Covered Goods Van and a Rymney (sic) Railway Covered Van (see http://traders.scalefour.org/LondonRoad ... us/wagons/).

Has anyone acquired or built either of these kits? Are they accurate? Easy to build?

[Penrhos1920]

Penrhos1920's website click on the pictures for larger ones.

Also RR Vans the London Rd model is a good version of Type 3. Brake gear needs a bit of improvement.

[Newport_rod]

Chris and Richard

Thanks for your responses chaps. Presumably the TVR Horse Box in the London Road range is from the same Mundy stable too (I'll get my coat).

Cheers
Rod

[Newport_rod]

I received these comments on the TVR van recently:

• I visited the WRRC site today and obtained a colour copy of the TV Symbol for painting on the H/Box; and also noted your correspondence in regard to TV Goods Van.
  I purchased most examples of Derek's vehicle kits when he( MSE ) traded at Brighton Modelworld show. Which must now be c.20+ years ago. I think from the errors & etching that this may be one of the first kits in 1988. Whereas the TV Python (early '90's ) looks much improved perhaps with his experience. A common error is the Vac. Cylinder position when taken from the instructions and then compared with the marked postion on the etch. As if confusion occurs when turning the model upside down. Also the pull rod drawings conflict, and sometimes would not even work as drawn . Incidentally Derek provided a Dean Cylinder for a GW version. I understand the GW took over the TV c1922/3. In which case the common Churchward non moving version would be fitted - if they replaced that fitted by the Bristol W&C Co.
  It's a kit not for a modeller with limited experience & little perseverance. I have had to scratchbuild most of the underframe fittings - so far. I have been looking at TV Coach pics for making the Axleboxes, which av. about 11 - 13" top to bottom. The undersized Axleguards allow for only 9".
  It really would be quicker, much the same as the S&D H/Box kit I have made, to scratchbuild the thing. But I will get my £11.50's worth.
  
  The TV Van would look good with an etched owner’s plate on the solebar, which no doubt is not included, or made
  There is one fundamental error that effects any worthwhile running etc. The Axleguards & Brake V Hanger do not fold down ' low ' enough to be in the correct position to correlate with other relative components. Consequently the vac. cylinder will not be workable with the Cross Shaft. But worse still is because the wheel bearings are fixed, the body will be too low, and thus buffer height issue's derived.
  I lowered the Brake V's, and converted the Axleguards to springing, allowing for height adjustment.
  It goes on, with folded down running gear, the floor with large empty spaces becomes flimsy. Thus if bolted to a twisted body - will never run true. So an additional floor was made to strengthen it. I could go on; but it’s apparent this kit wants scrapping. There is next to no Solebar detail, which is not difficult to derive. Do LRModels sell this as is?
  Incidentally, Stephen mentioned he started a 7mm kit of this H/Box. I wondered if all the louvres are etched ok in this scale, as I will have to make jig to reinstate those fitted above the groom's window on one side.
  I think ' Penrhos ' whoever this gent is, mentioned a possible TV Wagon book ( ? ) I hope this happens, particularly with engineering drawings to work & learn from. I thought I saw a Solebar owners plate on his web / van model.
  And - Model Rail / Ynysybwl layout looks v. nice. Being Taff Vale mention was made of MSE kits re passenger stock, but no pics or evidence was shown. There used to be in RM, an advert for brass Welsh loco kits. But there is little in 4mm now, correct me in wrong. But I would like an engine to pull my T Vale/MSE coaches if & when built - another 40 odd Brake Blocks to make !
  I note Derek wrote a recent signal article in MRJ, & thus trust he is well and active. Always remember him at his Stand wearing his smart bright ' Pringle ' style jumpers.

And as London Road Models were mentioned I offered them an opportunity to respond, which John Redrup very kindly did, thus:

• All the former Derek Mundy MSE kits in 4mm scale are available from LRM. Whilst the designs are not state of the art by today’s standards, and there are probably prototypical variations not included in the kits. Based on the amount of them I have seen built most modellers seem quite happy with them. I have built most of the kits in the range myself without major problems. They may not be perfect, but they appear to be quite adequate for most modellers. If however it is possible to upgrade the castings or improve the instructions, then I am more than willing to listen to anyone who knows more about the subject than I do.

So gentle Forum-members here we have an opportunity to improve the breed.

[GTvr]

Possibly not the right thread but....in reply to Rod`s reference to the TVR coaches on Ynysybwl in Model Rail:- they are Branchline`s kits which were discontinued but are now available again, supply is subject to demand. Not really sure what this means but I assume that if enough people order them he will get them into production.

[signal demon]

To begin..at the beginning !
The earliest productions of TVR models under the MSE banner were the arc roofed bogie coaches and the 6 wheeled brake van. I tooled up the all third and the composite. These tools were sold to Fourtrack Models in 1994. I am unsure if London Road Models considered taking them on.
At the same time, the TVR horsebox and the TVR 10t van came out. Castings were supplied by D & S models, to suit.
All of the above are tooled in 7mm scale, together with the TVR brake van, and are under the stewardship of Dragon Models. I don't know if the brake van was tooled in 4mm.
If memory serves me correctly, louvre ventilators were supplied as castings for the Horsebox and the CCT in 7mm scale kits. I don't know what John Shelley or LRM have provided for 4mm versions.

I also produced TVR loco kits in 7mm scale. The original A class 0-6-2 T, and the K class 0-6-0 tender loco.
TVR slatted station seats with the TVR logo and nameboards, are also available in 7mm scale.
These are all available from that nice gentleman at Dragon !
There is also a Barry Railway C class 2-4-2/2-4-0 available in 7mm scalefrom my stable, again at Dragon.

The TVR A class was, just at the end of my tenure, tooled up in 4mm scale, so you can have a Cameron loco to pull the TVR coaches! The rights for this kit went to Adrian Coombes of Newport City Models.com. There is a chassis available for the A class, in the Alan Gibson range and I did make masters for the boiler fittings, but the mould has currently been mislaid, and efforts are being made to locate it. Adrian can be reached on 01989 567197. He also has Flexichas fittings from my original designs in 4mm and 7mm scales.

I hope that the above may clear up some misapprehensions about what went on when we all had dark hair !

[signal demon]

Following my last posting, I forgot to mention that I tooled up the TVR 'V' class 0-6-0 saddle tank in 7mm scale and this is currently in the Dragon range