Links

The bits to go with our kits.

Wheels & Axles

Alan Gibson: use the Gibson R-T-R Conversion Packs with 2mm axles throughout. If you already have a set with 3mm undriven axles, the 2mm bearings supplied in our kits can be opened out to suit.

Branchlines: supply all-metal (nickel silver) 14mm disc wheels on hard brass axles, with plastic insulating bush on one side. Also similar non-insulated wheels on stub axles. The blog, which seems not to have been updated for years, gives their phone number which is the best way to contact them.

Ultrascale: wheels from Ultrascale's ‘Disc Diesel’ range are most suitable for use with our kits. Conversion Packs can be used, but often a significant amount of material has to be removed from the inner bosses.

Locos

These days we guess it's usually a case of surfing for the best price, and who's still got what you're after. We have no affiliations with, but have received good service from, these emporia:

Cheltenham Model Centre

Gaugemaster

Howes of Oxford

Model Railways Direct

Tools & Materials

Eileen's Emporium: tools, wire, tubes, fixings, solder and fluxes.

C & L Finescale: for solder and fluxes. The Knowledge Centre on their site includes useful guides to soldering.

Dave Bradwell: carefully researched and well-engineered loco and wagon kits, mostly for prototypes running in the NE in the 50s and 60s. Loco, coach and wagon components for sprung suspensions.

Rumney Models: very tasty kits for coach and wagon suspension and detailing, for prototypes running on the WR in the 60s. And another take on diesel loco springing.

Shawplan: lots of luvverly detailing bits, nameplates and laser-cut flush glazing for diesels and contemporary stock. Select 'Catalogue' on the home page to get to the bits.

PH Designs: more 'modern image' bits and pieces, including cab steps for 26/27, 33, 37 and 47/57.

High Level: well-engineered kits for industrial steam locos, proprietary steam loco conversions, gearboxes, hornblocks and, yes, diesel bogies too.

Judith Edge Kits: more excellent kits for interesting diesel and electric locos; industrials, shunters and others.

www.ukmodelshops.co.uk: "THE British Railway Modelling Directory on the Internet".

Brian Daniels: Brian has a large number of photosets on Flickr. Follow the link to find them listed over several pages. Starting on the second page, detail shots of most classes of British diesels, and of his 7mm models.

Brush Veteran: Graham Wareham's albums of various diesel classes (and lots of buses and coaches) on Flickr.

Paul James' Flickr albums including details of various diesel classes.

BR Diagram Books and other goodies, presented by the Barrowmore Model Railway Group.

If you're planning to come to Long Wittenham to visit the Pendon Museum, you might find the list of links below to be of interest.

The Plough Inn. Liam and Kim's CAMRA award-winning traditional local pub offering great beer, food and accommodation. Cosy, comfortable rooms with log fires in winter. Large garden leading down to the River Thames.

The Vine and Spice. Quality avant-garde Indian restaurant and takeaway. Definitely not 'yer cheap curry house', though lunchtime snacks are good value. One of what were once three excellent pubs in the village, it retains a large bar room with draught beer and lagers on tap.

Witta's Ham B&B.
High Street, Long Wittenham, Abingdon, OX14 4QH. Mrs Jill Mellor. Telephone: 01865 407686
A beautiful thatched cottage in the centre of the village offering one double, one twin and one single room. Highly recommended.

The Earth Trust. “The Earth Trust has one of the county’s natural gems, the Wittenham Clumps, at the heart of its estate. The Wittenham Clumps is an iconic landscape, visited and loved by generations. The Trust’s education and visitor centre, Project Timescape, explores the evolution of the local landscape.” The Wittenham Clumps, and the ancient churches at Long and Little Wittenham, are well worth a visit.

Day's Lock. A beautiful location on the River Thames at Little Wittenham, in the shadow of the Clumps, on the walking route between the Wittenhams and Dorchester-on-Thames. The annual World Pooh Sticks Championships were held here up until a few years ago.

Dorchester Abbey. An easy hour's walk from Long Wittenham, this beautiful and interesting abbey church is one of the most historic sites of the early church in England. The village itself is a favourite of TV location crews, appearing frequently in the county of Midsomer and other popular series. Refreshment at The George or the Fleur de Lys. The abbey regularly hosts musical events, including concerts by the Benson Choral Society in March, June and November.

Museum of Fenland Drainage, Prickwillow: see and hear some real diesel engines in action. Thirty years and more ago we helped in a small way with the recovery of some of these machines. This excellently presented museum now has developed beyond all recognition.