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This edition is a bit later than planned
but has been held back to incorporate a few items that we were waiting
for. Well, that’s partially the excuse. We do have 3D images
of the 38s that we were waiting for and which we only received in the past
few days (see below) but the main reason for the delay was that we were
overwhelmed by correspondence, emails, phone calls etc. relating to the
31 May cut-off date and we are only now catching up with the paper work.
In the process of catching up the preparation of this edition was pushed
into the background so if you are one of those whose order or payment we
were late in processing and acknowledging my apologies, and to all those
who have been waiting patiently for this issue my apologies also.
We do have plenty of news to report largely arising from our last visit
to China so lets get on with it.
The NSWGR 38 Class As announced last edition our next locomotive
project after the AD60 will be the NSWGR 38 class express passenger engine
in both streamlined and non-streamlined versions. Design staff at our manufacturer
confirmed this week that the design drawings for the 38 class are nearing
completion and we are starting to receive 3D images associated with design
matters that need consideration. Once the design process is complete
and we have checked and signed off on the drawings the tooling process
will follow. Whilst the tooling is being carried out we will have
some decisions to make. Apart from the usual decisions on what numbers
to run we will have to decide which paint liveries to offer both the streamlined
and non-streamlined versions in. When it comes to the various green
liveries we will have to decide which is the correct shade of green to
use. Expect some pretty lively debates in this area when the time
comes.
The 38 Class Project Official Launch Last edition we also announced that Eureka Models would be hiring 3801 for the day on the 21st of August to re-enact the Newcastle Flyer. It was intended that this would provide a fitting occasion to officially launch our 38 class project and in the process by asking all participants on the day to donate $30 to 3801 Limited, raise the necessary funds to pay for a currently being undertaken feasibility study into the provision of a spare boiler for 3801. Usually Eureka Models does not announce a project until the design process is complete., which as mentioned above in the case of the 38 class, will not be for another four to six weeks. However, it was decided in this instance to announce the 38 class project early in order to allow about three months which was considered to be sufficient time to fill the train for the Newcastle trip. As it turned out we need not have worried as the train was booked out in five days.
To those who missed out my apologies, we were just overwhelmed by the response.
To those who will be joining us on the trip my thanks, I am sure that it
will be an enjoyable day and 3801 Limited is expected to benefit to the
tune of around 15 to 20,000 dollars as a result.
Numbers and Paint Schemes Final decisions on numbers and paint liveries
for the 38 class are at least six months away. However, we will be
offering the following numbers: 3801, 3803, 3805, 3813, 3820, 3827 and
3830 as well as at least three other numbers. We are considering
offering a number of paint liveries including two shades of green to represent
the “in service” shade and a “preserved” shade of green. We haven’t
had any discussions on what shade of black to use yet but I half expect
some argument on that score before too long.
CURRENT STATUS of our other
PROJECTS
Eureka
620 set painted in original Tuscan running on Werris Creek
Photo by Ian Dunn
A history
of the prototype 620/720 class 2 car Diesel trains has been prepared
by Ian Dunn and can be found on the 620 page..
We have more or less decided on the numbers
and colour schemes in which the 620s will be available:
Photo
by Ian Dunn
We are about to confirm production numbers
with the manufacturer. All persons with 620/720 rail motors on order are
invited to advise their final preferences for colour scheme and number
(where applicable) to be certain of receiving your livery of choice.
THE AD60: The factory confirmed this week that they have test shots for some of the cavities (sprues) for the AD60. They are waiting for a few more and will then send them to us. They expect to do this within a week. Announcement of additional numbers for the
AD60 has been held over to the next newsletter. There will be four
numbers in addition to the four of the preserved engines already announced
A Note About Weathering Weathering, particularly when associated with a heavy freight engine such as the AD60 is very much an “in the eye of the beholder” affair. My mental image of a Garratt is one of an all over rust brown engine. Others may think of a western engine with heavy white salt stains. Whichever image you conjure up it will almost certainly be different from mine. As a result any attempt to supply heavily weathered models will be unlikely to please most modellers so our approach to weathering will be to apply a light dusting only to give an impression that the locomotive or rail motor has been in service just long enough to collect a coating of dust. Rail motors were washed regularly and would not have become badly weathered in any case unlike the goods engines. When we receive factory painted samples we will produce a weathered sample for the factory and will put photos up on the web site.
ROLLING STOCK DEVELOPMENTS For over twelve months now we here at Eureka have been searching for ways of bringing to the Australian modeller quality rolling stock at an affordable price. The challenge has been to over-come the small production runs that arise from the small size of the hobby in this country. This search has led us to the doors of a new manufacturer located in India. This manufacturer has a background in the production of museum models and is seeking to expand into the RTR injection moulded plastic field. To test the capabilities of this manufacturer Eureka has been working on the production of a NSWGR “D” wagon.
This is very much a test project which if successful could lead to the production of further models. The Indian manufacturers have set themselves very high standards and at this stage it has to said that they have come a long way with the latest production samples exhibiting a very high level of detail and accuracy. There are still issues to be resolved but
the project is getting close to the point where a decision on whether or
not to proceed to commercial production is possible. The next newsletter
should contain further details.
Next Issue The next edition is planned for an early
August release.
Numbers for the AD60
Email Addresses If you have receive a paper copy of this
issue but would prefer to receive an email copy or just read it on the
web site please email Ron at: eureka.m@bigpond.net.auso
that we can put you on our email notification system. You'll get
the latest Eureka Times faster and we can use the money saved
on printing and paper to produce more models!
Postage and delivery We have finalized postage and delivery arrangements
with Australia Post which will allow us to offer postage, receipted delivery
and insurance anywhere in Australia for a flat $10-
Feedback We are getting plenty
of feedback and comments mostly by email which we appreciate very much.
I try to answer all emails as quickly as possible but inevitable some replies
are delayed. My apologies for this but there are only so many hours
in each day so hang on and you will get an answer.
Ron Cunningham EUREKA
MODELS
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