009 Society 'exclusive' kits

[Graeme Dunbar]

Is there any significance in the description of Society kits as variations on 'exclusive' in the shop?

Besides who is permitted to buy them from the online shop, is there a difference in their origin and supply? I understand that some are made using moulds specially commissioned by the Society, but clearly the Colin Ashby kit has a different origin as with the Hudson coach using Dundas bogies.

[JulienW]

As far as I know there are a couple of different categories involved here.

The Colin Ashby kits are exactly that - the old Colin Ashby kits, made from his moulds.  I'm not sure of the exact details of the deal involved (do the Society now own the moulds, or do we have an exclusive deal with Colin to supply kits?) but as far as I know the 009 Society is the only source of these kits as new.

The other Society kits (Hudson toastrack coach*, T&D Cattle Van, RNAD stock and the freelance small 4 wheel wagons) were entirely commissioned by the 009 Society, though if memory serves they moulds were made by the late Richard Hollingsworth (that may not be the correct spelling) of Parkside Dundas and were produced for us by them. My understanding is that Peco now do the moulding, in common with all of the original Parkside (standard gauge) and Dundas (009) ranges.

(* note that the Hudson coach does indeed use the Dundas WD bogie mouldings, but the rest is a specially commissioned 009 Society mould)

As to them being 'exclusive' as far as I know these are only available to 009 Society members, whether bought online, from the Soicety's sales stand or from those publicity stands that can sell them - I have a feeling that Bill Luty's Leeds-based stand has sold them and I know the West Mids one does when it can as I've had some people joining specifically to buy some of the RNAD kits in the past (as I couldn't sell to a non-member).

I hope that's answered your question Graeme.

[Julian Evison]

Thanks Julien fior summarising the position.

There is one correction to make, as afar as I am aware. The Colin Ashby kits come to the Society from Colin Ashby via a member who knows him in NE England. I am sure we don't own the moulds or rights, but it is a mutually convenient distribution arrangement which suits the parties involved.

The rest are 'ours' and in principle only for Society members. I can't absolutely promise that none have 'escaped' to non-members from the sales stand, but sales to members is how we try to keep it!

Julian

[Stan Williams]

Colin Ashby still owns the moulds for his kits but has been winding down now for a number of years.

The 009 Society is not the only stockist of the above kits as the Merseyside &SWest Lancs Group sales have stocks of the
4 wheel open wagons, which can be purchased with metal spocked wheels or just the kit without wheels.

Stan.

[B.Meldon]

Just to add..
The Hudson coach as well as having the main plastic specially commissioned 009 Society mould now produced by Peco via Dundas and the Dundas WD bogie mouldings, it also has a etch again commissioned by the 009 society from Neil Sayer and more recently I think, like the other society kits they now have the Greenwich wheels, then there is the instructions and the packaging.

This is just to illustrate how difficult it is to produce these kits; it is far from simple and as a member I am very grateful to all those that were involved with their development and their continued production for members.

[Graeme Dunbar]

Many thanks for the replies. I had an inkling there would be a story to it and not a simple "make is so, number 1"  :)

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Talk like this attracts me to the sales page which is bad for my wallet  ;D

However I have T&D cattle wagons which I bought from Dundas, and they look to be very similar to the Society ones, are they from the same mould or just look similar in small photos?

[JulienW]

Talk like this attracts me to the sales page which is bad for my wallet  ;D

However I have T&D cattle wagons which I bought from Dundas, and they look to be very similar to the Society ones, are they from the same mould or just look similar in small photos?

The chassis and floor will be the same, but the body of the 009 Society kit has slatted sides rather than the opening vents on the Dundas kit which is a 'dual purpose' van (vents closed for general goods, open when carrying livestock).

The only other kit for this type of van was a white metal body and brass chassis produced by Backwoods Miniatures (note that it may not be exactly the same design of cattle van). I'm not sure if Neville Kent has reintroduced them as part of his range yet.

[Graeme Dunbar]

I found a set of instructions and checked last night. The only thing I can add is the roof is also part of Parkside Dundas/Dundas original mouldings and the curve is ever so slightly different to the 009 Society ends. The instructions suggest they might be bent to shape. Alternatively the instructions suggest the might be left off as the prototypes lost or had their roofs removed apparently.

Edit:

I see there are parts lists for commercial locomotives on the web site. I wonder if electronic copies of Society kit instructions on the web site would be of any use? A number of small kit manufacturers distribute their instructions that way. If 009 Sales is viewable by the public then also having instructions on view might attract further interest?

[MickT]

While this topic is still current, can anyone give a steer on what the current situation with the Society kits is please?

I'm aware that action was taken to re-issue some of the earlier kits that had gone out of production (such as the cattle van for example) and improve the provision and distribution of the kits after a period of uncertainty about supplies etc, but as far as I can remember, I don't think there's been any progress reports about the issue of new kits?

Last thing I was aware of was that a year or two or more ago, the next kit being made ready was a bogie coach, that had been in development for a long time, and included etched components as well as injected plastic and was very near to being ready for production.

Are there any updates available about this please, as it seems to have "dropped off the radar"? Additionally, are there plans to produce more different Society kits or other useful and exclusive to members items such as chimneys, domes, boiler fittings, wheels (which seem to be a popular topic with members trying to source suitable wheels for various purposes) etc in the near future?

Mick

[clayliner]

Unofficially, Mick, I think it's true to say that the 'regular' (and exclusive!) Society kits are now back in stock, including the Hudson coach. This also includes the Colin Ashby wagons but I seem to remember that it will be some months before any new stock becomes available after the present ones have been sold. Thanks especially to Bill Luty who has recently been busy packing kits in addition to his usual sterling service stuffing envelopes.

As to new items, that's obviously for others to comment upon - Sales only sell what is available! I'm sure someone from The Management will be able to add a comment.

David.


(Comment moderated by Webmaster)

[Graeme Dunbar]

Additionally, are there plans to produce more different Society kits or other useful and exclusive to members items such as chimneys, domes, boiler fittings, wheels (which seem to be a popular topic with members trying to source suitable wheels for various purposes) etc in the near future?

Ears prick up at mention of this....   :)

Various fittings for 009 does sound an interesting proposition. Established kit-bashers and scratch builders are likely to have a good stock of parts but I wonder if suitable 'bits'  being available might encourage others to try taking it up?

Another potentially useful 'bit' might be a wagon chassis or just frames and axle boxes. Also bogies perhaps. Anyway, the sort of thing that could turn a box into a piece of rolling stock.

[Stan Williams]

There is at least one problem with the idea of producing rolling stock parts for scratchbuilders etc.
A lot of work involved and generally you end up holding stock for sometime.
Model railway modellers purchase far more locos than rolling stock or their parts.

Good idea, but would the prices be prohibited ?

Stan.

[Hobby]

I suspect numbers for chassis only kits (especially if made to various lengths) would be as good if not better than prototype based kits, Stan. I think it's a good idea, as is the boiler and other fittings one.

[Hobby]

A thought...

Why do the kits have to be rolling stock related? How about lineside accessories? Water towers/tanks, goods sheds, station buildings, etc.. You could make them using a combination of laser cut card and 3d printing.