4mm products

LMS Coach Underframes - 57ft and 60ft accurate and easy to build coach underframes

Based directly on the LMS drawings from Derby works these underframes are etched in nickel silver. They cater for both the rivetted or welded underframe and are easy to build, indeed we have made over 10 of them for the Slattocks Junction layout. Angle iron truss rods are easily made up in accordance with the prototype.

Note: these kits are ideal for use with our 9ft twin torsion bar full bogie kit. You will need to source castings for the vacuum cylinder, buffers and battery box, they are not included in the kit, it is an etch only.

£22.00 LMS 57ft Underframe

£22.00 LMS 60ft Underframe

Download instructions

Wagon Baseplates - a solid foundation upon which to build successful 4mm wagon chassis

Etched wagon baseplates on which you can build your w-irons and brakegear. Produced specifically to assist you, the specialist railway modeller, to quickly and easily build a robust and reliable working wagon chassis using sprung w-irons.

The baseplate has been designed to use Bill Bedford and Masokits w-irons and it provides you with several ways of accurately positioning your w-irons for truly perfect running. These baseplates are designed to ensure that your axles are exactly parallel and you can build up your brakegear directly onto the plate.

The WGB01 baseplate allows for wheelbases from 8ft up to 12ft in steps of 1 foot. WGB02 has been added to the range and allows you to use any wheelbase setting from 8ft up to 26ft in units of 6 inches.

WGB01 - 3 plates £7.00 WGB02 - Single plate £5.00

Download Instructions

Alex Jackson Coupling - a range of jigs designed to assist with the manufacture of consistent AJ couplings

Those who have not yet learnt of the ingenuity behind this fully automatic coupling that was developed in the early 1950s by the late Alex Jackson should take a look at the Manchester Model Railway Society website to learn how simple and effective this coupling is. http://www.mmrs.co.uk/technical/ajcoupling.htm

We have developed several items that are needed to help you to make AJ couplings quickly and easily and with the correct angles which will help you to use them successfully first time round.

The bending jig designed by the late Graham Turner is without doubt the cleverest idea produced so far to aid the simple but accurate construction of this coupling. Although Graham believed the jig could not be made by etching we have managed to produce it. Using multi-layers of metal we have designed and made this ingenious jig which works very well. Used in conjunction with our 180 jig, it allows consistent and accurate couplings to be made every time.

The 180 jig has been designed based on an idea by Tony Williams, the Manchester Model Railway Society regular demonstrator of the Alex Jackson coupling. The most awkward task when making the AJ coupling is to make the first 180 degree bend and Tony's design makes this just so simple.

We also have a set of hinge plates and mountings which can be used to fix the couplings to your stock. These are sold in a set for 5 vehicles and comprise the base and the hinge plates. The hinge method is described on page 20 of the AJ book. There is also a useful jig to ensure that all the bends you make in the wire are in the correct plane.

The Starter Pack combines everything you need to begin the construction of these ingenious couplings.