00n3 Special Interest Group. Report for meeting 2nd July, '25.
Eleven attended the meeting – Alan G., Alan P., Brian, Colin, David, Henry, Julian, Martin, Peter and Paul. We were pleased to welcome Bob to his first meeting.
Two apologies were received – Alan O'R and Simon S.
The first part of the meeting discussed the future of the Worsley Works range of 00n3 kits now that Allen Doherty is winding down the business.
There is at present no certainty as to what may happen in the future.
Julian (Chairman of the 009 Society) wanted to ascertain the feeling of the group members about these kits so that some sort of decision can be made by the Society re their future. The Society recognises that they have been integral to this scale/gauge combination and also that it is highly unlikely for a commercial company to commence production of models for 00n3.
Whilst 00n3 is a niche section within the Society there may be a possibility that it will in some way assist the kits continued availability in some way or another following Allen's retirement.
The group members do appreciate that Allen has been a good supporter of small batch model production for 00n3. Furthermore most, if not all, attending the meeting had purchased and constructed kits from Worsley Works, proving their worth.
Alan described how he constructed a West Clare Railway Drewry Railcar from a Worsley Works etch. He used a small open frame motor to power the chassis so that a false floor could be fitted above the motor to fit the passenger seating. He found that the original wagon wheels he used with the railcar chassis did not pickup current sufficiently well to give good running. Replacing these with live tender wheels greatly improved current pickup and gave far better running on the layout.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54690886555_bde4708835_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rjR6aV)finish4 (https://flic.kr/p/2rjR6aV)
Brian talked us through the modifications he'd made to Irish 3' gauge rolling stock - this was clearly a widespread practice. Thus inspired he'd been busy kit-bashing the Dundas Tralee & Dingle van and the Society's cattle wagon kits. Doors have been changed, planks removed along with a trial of making corrugated iron roofs. Brian says "It's very much the sort of modelling I enjoy and there's more to do."
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54689736197_e48719788d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rjKcda)
Bob introduced himself to the group. He first became interested in 00n3 when he read the April 1964 Railway Modeller with an article on the Augher Valley Railway.
The Covid lockdown led to a rekindling of interest and he had restarted modelling the 3' in 4mm scale.
David flagged up the newly reprinted book on Isle of Man - Barry Edwards; Railways of the Isle of Man: locomotive, tram and rolling stock directory. Revised; Blackboard Publishing, 2025. £23.00 - which had some very helpful stock photos including the E van that is David's next project.
Paul continued to toil with the Clogher station building; it is progressing even if slowly at times.
As a diversion he'd also built the Branchlines CVR 1st Class coach. Quite a fiddly kit and of its time (first produced in 1988). It's done(!) – just the painting to complete now.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54690554666_5585b7dbfa_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rjPovG)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54690554621_2d325c7061_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rjPouV)
News from Model Engine Works.
1. David has now produced a coach bogie for CDR coaches (wheelbase 5'). It is designed to accept waisted bearing cups and this should aid smooth running. The bogie is in 3 parts, to be glued together. Additionally there is a NEM socket and spacers (not shown) to mount the bogie on.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54690886500_55db6e4914_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rjR69Y)
2. David has also completed a first print of the CDR/IoMR/WCR Walker Bros railcar.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54690554656_6aec3fc08d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rjPovw)
The exact type of motorised chassis for the model is yet to be decided. It was colour printed in sections for its outing to the Oldham group meeting where the photo was taken.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 3rd September (tbc) at 8.00pm and joining details will be circulated nearer the time.
Following that we will try a meeting of photos of 'prototype inspiration'; photos of actual railways or railway artefacts, "preserved" or still public service carriers of about 3' gauge (say from the Swedish 3' to metre gauge and a little bit more) to be held on Wednesday 1st October (tbc).
s.p.t. 4 -7 -25
Posted by Julien Webb