Tag: PFA

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Container flat countdown!

The order book for our PFA/KFA container flats will close at midnight on Sunday October 14th.

Please note containers are sold separately.

Any orders received after that are unlikely to be accepted.

These models are being produced for us by Rapido Trains, and now the 00 TEA tankers are almost ready for shipping the factory needs to begin preparations for this new model – clearing space and ordering in any parts and materials needed.

We are offering two versions – one with the original GPS bogies painted in bright yellow as a PFA in Tiphook blue with the side placard and also as a recoded KFA in Network Rail black.

Network Rail black with GPS bogies

We are also offering the more numerous Finnish built versions with cast frame Y25 bogies and body-mounted parking brake wheels.

Tiphook PFA as delivered in blue with traffic blue bogies.

They are equipped with NEM couplers in kinematic close-coupling sockets, and feature high levels of detailing including brake equipment and pipe runs.  The centre spine, air tanks and some other components are in metal to maximise the weight available.

Details include numerous separately fitted parts and wire pipe runs

The wagons have been designed for our own 40’hi-cube and 20′ tank containers, produced in association with C-Rail Intermodal, but will take Farish containers.  Dapol containers can also be made to fit if the overscale corner mounting pins are trimmed slightly.

Models shown are unlettered, hand-painted EP samples.  Production models will be fully finished and lettered.

Please note that no orders can be guaranteed after midnight on October 14th 2018.

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KFAs coming together…

Assembled samples of the forthcoming PFA/KFA container flats in N have been received by Rapido in Canada and are being tested.

These models were put together using some of the very first sprues out of the mould.

The high levels of detail we were expecting from Rapido are evident with lots of separate parts and even an etched brass cover over the cosmetic coupler fixing at the end to give an authentic “see through” appearance.

The pipework and cross bracing also looks commendably fine, though of course this can be better judged when we see the models for ourselves.  The longitudinal members below the deck are cast in metal to maximise weight, though the spindly nature of these wagons means, inevitably, they will be a little light.

Both types of bogie (top VNH-1, bottom Gloucester GPS) can be seen here:

According to Rapido there are some issues around the moulding of some of the parts – one of the decks is a tiny bit bowed and the buffer heads have small sinkholes – but these will be ironed out as they were with the TEA tankers when the tools are prepped for production moulding.

The wagons are being delivered to us next week when we meet with Rapido’s MD Jason Shron and the designer working on these models; this will give us the chance to examine and test run them for ourselves.

Assuming this goes according to plan we will be in a position to check liveries and begin production fairly soon.

If you are intersted in acquiring some of these models but have not yet ordered then please do so soon, or at least register for our email updates so you don’t miss out.

Remember – we only produce models to order, which may explain why a triple pack of our highly regarded TEA tankers recently sold on Ebay for £190 – a profit of £100 on the original £90 price or a cool 111% yield!