The Scalefour Society - London Road Models

Last update
26th November 2011

London Road Models
PO Box 643
Watford
Herts
WD24 5ZJ

London Road Models

Designed by modellers for modellers.

London Road Models NE Class O/G5 locomotive kit. - Photograph courtesy Steamline Sheffield Serious about your modelling? We are.

London Road Models has been designing and manufacturing 4mm etched kits since 1988, when John Redrup produced some etched L&NWR 50' non corridor carriage kits for the P4 exhibition layout London Road, to provide some much needed stock. Since then, LRM has grown to provide one of the largest ranges of etched kits available to the 4mm modeller. The emphasis is on the pre-grouping period up to 1923, although the prototypes for many of the models in the range lasted into the post-grouping era of the 1930's, with a significant number surviving into BR ownership.

London Road Models is, like many other well known model railway specialist suppliers, a part time business. The recently introduced kits have been designed by other modellers who have an interest in the particular prototypes and experience of designing etched kits, but the production, packing and despatch of customer orders for this wide range of kits is handled entirely by John Redrup.

Since 1992, a number of other makes of 4mm kits have been absorbed into the London Road Models range. These include:-

George Norton's Connoisseurs range of locos and carriages.
Iain Rice's Riceworks GER and NBR locomotives.
Planit Engineering NSR tank locos.
D&S LNWR NPCS vans and brake vans.
Bob Williams 'Aylesbury' LNWR Samson 2-4-0 and trolley wagon kits.
Steve Barnfield's etched NER/LNER loco kits.

London Road Models L&Y Barton Wright 0-6-0 Ironclad kit. Courtesy L&Y Society The design 'philosophy' of the kits in the LRM range therefore varies according to the original designer's objectives and preferences. Some kits use overlays, others are etched entirely in nickel silver, while the recently designed kits are more sophisticated. However, LRM have upgraded/updated older kits and instructions where appropriate and have ensured that these models continue to be available to the modeller.

Our kits are designed specifically for 4mm. Etched components are in nickel silver for loco and tender chassis. Superstructures are in brass or n/s, as appropriate. Resin castings are used in several kits for large components that would be difficult to assemble from etched parts. Boiler fittings and smaller castings are usually in lost wax brass. White metal castings are also used where appropriate.

Locomotive kits include all the parts required to build the model, with the exception of wheels, motor and gears, to give the option of building to P4, EM or 00 gauges. Couplings and pickups are also excluded, to enable the builder to select the system specific to his requirements. Similarly, carriage, van and wagon kits do not include wheels or couplings. Tender locomotive kits include the tender. Where a choice of tenders is available, the most common version is normally provided, unless one of the alternatives is specified at time of order.

Whenever possible, we carry a small selection of Sharman Wheels to match specific locos and which can only be supplied with new LRM kits.
We are usually able to supply Sharman driving wheels for the LNWR Lady of the Lake, LNWR Precedent (Jumbo), L&NWR Teutonic and Greater Britain, Caledonian Railway 123 and Midland Class 115 Spinner. Loco carrying wheels for the Teutonic and Greater Britain are also available in limited quantities. Prices are £10.00 per axle for driving wheels (including crankpins, bushes and nuts where appropriate) and £4.00 for pair of carrying wheels. As supply of these wheels is intermittent, please enquire for availability when ordering a kit if you wish to order wheels.

Please note that we cannot supply components from other manufacturers that are not shown on our pricelist. This includes wheels, axles, couplings, paint, etc. In addition we cannot enter into correspondence about the compatibility of other manufacturers products, beyond those specific items mentioned in kit instructions.

PRODUCT AVAILABILITY
It is our policy to process all orders as quickly as is practical following receipt of an order. However with such a large and diverse range it is possible for us to be out of stock of an item. Where a kit is out of stock but it is possible to package one from stock of components, that will add a several extra days to turn around that order.
Where we are awaiting delivery of etches or brass castings it may take up to six weeks before we can complete an order. LRM is dependent on a number of component suppliers, so if there is going to be a significant delay we will acknowledge the order and endeavour to advise the probable length of delay. Cheques are not usually banked or credit cards charged until goods are ready for despatch.

Temporary non-availability of specific kits
Following the tragic death of Peter Wright of Aeroclub in March 2010, we are still unable to obtain white metal castings for some LRM kits. Some new moulds have already been commissioned so that these parts can be produced 'in house' in future, but this process is still not yet complete. Priority has been given to the most popular kits that were affected, especially the locos.
At present most of the range of horseboxes (except for the LNWR and L&Y) and goods vans are still affected but will be available in the near future, as we also needed to have new casting patterns made before the moulds can be produced. The Taff Vale Railway kits are also affected and so TVC1, TVC2, TVC3, & TVCCT are not available at present. The LNWR and L&Y Horseboxes are available, as are the LNWR 10T Brake van and the LNWR D14 Deal wagon.

During 2011 & 2012 LRM will be attending the following: