Paul Windle and Meridian... a newby enquires

[Andy_Elms]

Hello there.

Just a quick couple of Qs.. roughly relating to locos so they're in this section.

Joined Soc. back in March - have been enjoying putting together some PD Festiniog wagons, planning some distinctive locos and even investigated the Society sales stand at Street a few weeks ago. So many useful and tempting things...

I've seen reference made to Paul Windle produced locos (generally very tasty looking ones at that). The impression I get is he is a loco builder and kit assembler. Saw some of his Big locos in NGW&NGM recently and was impressed.

T'other thing was that I was trying to buy some Meridian outside frame cranks t'other day and was told they were not available [1]. Without wishing to spread rumour and disinformation, are the Meridian kits/parts range still available to order?


Cheers

[1] Ended up buying some from the 3mm Assoc,  whose size sort of fits-ish with the "Blanche" and Sierra Leone Hunslet models I'm outside framing.

[garrywhiting]

(1) Merdian Models are expected to continue, but obviously there will be an interuption to production and service. Advice is to patiently wait and see although it may be that some of items may not come available for some time.
(2) Paul Windle does not produce or assemble kits. Each model produced, to specific order and cash deposit only, is hand crafted mostly fom plasticard, but also including brass, whitemetal and resin parts as appropriate. The locos your saw in Narrow Gauge World were all special commissions from the purchasers,  built to order. For the special commissions the purchaser usually provides the N gauge chassis, which is usually used unmodified. Paul does not undertake substantial chassis modifications. The special commissions are also usually provided unpainted. Price about

[MickT]

Hi,

Garry has covered just about everything on Paul Windle's locos If you go to my Fotopic site at: http://mickthornton.fotopic.net/ and trawl through the galleries you will see many locos built by Paul, both of the productin and special commission variety - including a few owned by Garry I think! There's too many and they are too widely spread for me to give you specific references to which galleries the photos can be seen in, but a good start point will be the South Yorkshire 009 Group members day late 2007 collection of photos. If you are after a suitable "starter" Windle loco, then both the Beyer Peacock tram loco, styled after a three quarter size Clogher Valley loco, which runs on a Bachman 6wh diesel chassis, and the more recent 0-6-0 saddle tank which is on the Lifelike chassis are very popular and can be seen on many 009 layouts. Do try to get to Expong on 25 October - where you will be able to see many Windle locos on several layouts and of course his current full range at his own sales stand.

Best wishes

Mick

[JulienW]

<snip> Do try to get to Expong on 25 October - where you will be able to see many Windle locos on several layouts and of course his current full range at his own sales stand.

Best wishes

Mick

And don't forget your bib! ;D

Paul really does do a wonderful job on his scratch builds, and are worth the money, especially when you compare them to the cost of the chassis and a body kit PLUS the time to build it.

[Graeme Dunbar]

I have received my first Paul Windle "standard", a Peckett, in the post yesterday. I agree, it is beautifully made and I will asking for more when the budget allows.