Orion Models – anticipated production schedule – as at 01/01/24 This may (will?) slip
All locos and coaches are Gauge 1 – scale as stated – older etches mostly 10mm scale
Possible new narrow stock in various scales
I am thinking of increasing my range to include 1/32 narrow gauge stock to run on either OO or S4 (18.83mm) gauges.
I may also make them available on 32mm gauge (16mm scale) and Z gauge (1:100 scale – 3mm to 1’) or even OO9.
They will all be 3DP printed (probably in PETG). Reason for this is I already have a lot of this drawn up for 16mm scale and I am currently building an NG layout in 3mm scale.
It will make sense to leverage these models and make them available to others.
The larger scale ones (1/32 and 16mm scales) will all be battery powered (using rechargeable LiPo cells) and remotely controlled using either IR or 2.4GHz radio. The smaller ones (4mm & 3mm scales) will be track powered with DCC if required.
The cheapest way to do the 1/32 versions is to use one of the Hornby Playtrains 0-4-0T locos with separate IR controller (£35 for the loco + controller) and fit a new body (and possibly chassis – I will look into that).
A new chassis will be required for different wheelbases and wheel arrangements. Fake steam can be added for less than £2.
Southern enthusiasts could build a model of Barnstaple Town with L&BR on one side and SR on the other – I can also supply live steam SR G1 locos for that, or how about Tywyn with TR on the higher level and GWR on the lower or Minfforth with FR on the higher level and GWR/BR on the lower – maybe even add the interchange sidings. Then there is Blaenau Ffestiniog and Aberystwyth and a few I have forgotten.
I will soon be able to supply GWR live steam locos in G1.
Back to the 18.83mm gauge – it is a close size for 2’/60mm gauge in 4mm scale but no commercial track is available. I could supply3D printed sleeper strips in PETG with correct scale (and spacing) – just add PECO code 100 FB rail. Also points could be 3D printed with or without plastic rails. Then again if you want to use OO track few people seem to notice that is seriously under gauge for 4mm scale.
Email me if you are interested in any narrow gauge stock in any scale.
Radio Control
Please note that all my locos (whether kit or Ready-to-run) come with my new (& unique) computerised radio control system. Full details of the latter will appear on this website when it is ready. See here for a hint.
OSM – lower cost option
Tank locos can be powered by an oscillating steam motor (OSM) at lower cost (maybe £130 less).
A carry box (customised for each loco design) can be provided at extra cost.
Inflation warning
Please note that prices may change as my costs change – I will keep my profit at a constant level, but the prices of parts and materials that I buy in may change with the current volatility of the pound causing suppliers to change their prices as material costs fluctuate plus the return of inflation.
Instructions
All locos and coaches are provided with fully illustrated instructions which can be downloaded from Google Docs before you buy. Even the old ones are still available via links on the appropriate model page on this website.
The newer ones (not GWR 56XX, SECR H (10mm) & SR Q1 (10mm)) have exploded drawings to make assembly easier. The 10mm scale SECR H & SR Q1 have simpler illustrated instructions – photos, not exploded drawings – however the 1/32 scale versions will have the latest standard exploded drawing instructions.
NEW – October 2020 (revised February 2024):-
I have now decided to offer electric versions of all my locos – prices approximately half that of the steam versions. Depends largely on what motor, gearbox and battery you specify, or decide to provide yourself.
Also I was supplying my older 10mm scale locos (GWR 56XX, SECR H & SR Q1) as kits or ready to run. Latest mechanical specification but not up to the current standards of simple etch assembly, or illustrated instructions. The 56XX has now been dropped as it is really not up to current standards. The 10mm versions of both the SECR H class and SR Q1 will probably be dropped as soon as the 1/32 versions are available. The Q1 MAY continue in 10mm scale, but only if there is sufficient demand.
Pull-push castings set for LSWR M7 etc – probably about £50. Westinghouse pump, regulator cylinder, release valve, electric box, main & back pressure tanks. Only 3 of the BR liveried M7s were not fitted with these. Can be fitted to other SR locos too.
I am now taking orders for the following:-
– ** please note for these locos this excludes the new R/C system (not designed for it – generation 2 designs):- I will try to bring the RtR versions up to current standard
| Loco | RtR price | Kit price | Scale | Comment |
| LSWR T9 (4-4-0, 8-wheel tender) | £4000 | £2000 | 1/32 | Click here for details |
| LMS 3F class (0-6-0T) – 1 kit left – future locos will be to 1/32 scale. Price held for existing orders. | £2100 | £1300 | 10mm | Click here for details |
| GWR 14XX (0-4-2T) | £2000 | £1200 | 10mm | Click here for details |
| LSWR Adams Radial tank (4-4-2T) | £2100 | £1350 | 1/32 | Click here for details |
| GWR Collett Goods (0-6-0) | £3800 | £1800 | 1/32 | Click here for details |
| LSWR M7 (0-4-4T) | £2100 | £1350 | 1/32 | Click here for details |
| SECR H class (0-4-4T) ** | £2100 | £1350 | 10mm | Click here for details |
| SECR H class (0-4-4T) | £2100 | £1350 | 1/32 | Click here for details |
| SR Q1 class (0-6-0) ** – see below for revised 1/32 version | £3700 | £1700 | 10mm | Click here for details |
| SR Q1 class (0-6-0) | £3800 | £1800 | 1/32 | Click here for details |
| GWR AEC Railcar (Flying Banana) | £1000 | £700 | 1/32 | Click here for details |
| To follow later – GWR tenders | 1/32 | Click here for details | ||
| Manual for electric power | £1200 | £500 | ||
| Manual for gas fired steam | £1300 | £600 | ||
| Radio controlled for electric power | £1400 | £650 | ||
| Radio controlled for steam power | £1500 | £750 | ||
| To follow later | ||||
| GWR Bulldog (4-4-0) + tender | £4000 | £2000 | 1/32 | |
| GWR double framed 4-4-0s – most of them! Including relevant tender | £4000 | £2000 | 1/32 | |
| LSWR T3 (4-4-0, 6-wheel tender) | £4000 | £2000 | 1/32 | |
| SR Q1 class (0-6-0) – 10mm updated | £3800 | £1800 | 10mm | |
| Metropolitan Railway E class (0-4-4T) | £2100 | £1350 | 1/32 | |
| LNER N2 (0-6-2T) | £2100 | £1350 | 1/32 | |
| LMS Tilbury tank (4-4-2T) | £2100 | £1350 | 1/32 | |
| Much later – | ||||
| LNER J69 (0-6-0T) – OSM only, not enough room for valvegear – 10mm scale probably – this is a VERY small loco | £1870 | £1070 | 10mm |
More future locos – all 1/32 scale:-
GWR Steam rail motor – both steam and electric versions + Auto Trailer (as preserved at Didcot)
LNER J15 (0-6-0)
LSWR O2 (0-4-4T)
GWR 57XX (0-6-0PT)
LNER B12 (4-6-0)
GWR Dean Goods (0-6-0)
Ransomes & Rapier 45T breakdown crane – fully motorised with custom R/C system
Pre-rolled (and possibly painted) boiler cladding
Now that I have acquired my own rollers, I have decided to to pre-roll the boiler cladding for all kits. Additionally, for non-black boilers only, I am offering an optional service of etch priming and spraying the boiler in the final colour. With my transfer system the boiler is usually the only area (other than vermilion for buffer beams and inside the frames) that will require spraying a colour other than black. This service will save you the cost of buying paint just for the boiler. Priced normally at £20 this will be reduced to £15 if I am in the process of spraying other boilers the same colour.
Please note that I am NOT offering to paint oddly coloured frames (e.g. some LSWR & SECR locos, amongst others) as those are best painted after assembly.
2026 update – now that I am producing laser printed vinyl wraps for livery I have decided to withdraw the painting offer for the boiler cladding. This will now be included in the livery wrap for the loco – saving even more work and cost.
Etches (direct from Orion Models) and design drawings only –
Tender locos from £320 in nickel silver prices will vary with number of etched sheets
Tank locos from £201 in nickel silver prices will vary with number of etched sheets
Complete transfer sets for each loco – full lining, coloured panels, customised numbers – see separate leaflet – NOTE these really only fit my etches – price varies according to size – SECR H class is £40 for complex SECR lining, < £30 for others – direct from Orion Models
G1MRA Dee & ARM1G loco designs
DEErivatives are loco designs based around the G1MRA DEE loco design – using this as a basis provides simple to build locos with a proven mechanism. This has now been upgraded to use the ARM1G cylinders and my remotely reversible Southern valvegear. Outside cylinder locos with inside valvegear (e.g. LSWR Adams Radial Tank) use Stephenson’s valvegear and a modified ARM1G block for the inside valves.
I have now dropped the DEErivates description as the current models have moved well beyond the original DEE design.
Coach kits will be available to match most of the loco kits above.
The objective is to make available a complete branch line train kit (small tank loco + 2 coaches) for just over £2000.
PRICE REDUCTION – Coach kits are now expected to cost around £420 for a bogie coach, half that for a 4-wheeler, 2/3 that for a 6-wheeler
The GWR Railcars will obviously cost more as they require motive power (OSM steam or Electric for the SRM, Electric only for AEC Railcar) and include my R/C system. Price not yet decided for the SRM, but expect something similar to a small tank loco. £700 for the AEC railcars.
See the coach kit construction page here for details of materials and contents. The coach types illustrated here are the LMS PI Suburbans, but all coach construction is extremely similar.
Coaches in approximate order of production (all 1/32 scale) –
LMS PI Suburban set – for LMS 3F click here for details
compo D1701, 3rd D1700, brake 3rd D1703
GWR AEC Railcar (Flying Banana) – Diagrams W, X & Y – No.s 5 to 17 click here for details
SECR Birdcage Trio A set – for SECR H class and D class brake compo – sketch S2322/2, diagram 159
compo lav’y – sketch S2311/2, diagram 313 brake compo lav’y – sketch S2322/1, diagram 158
there may be a possibilty of these SECR carriages in 10mm scale – etch done, just need interiors
LSWR “4½” set – for LSWR T9 30′ PBV DB79B, 48′ 3rd D713, 48′ brake 3rd D606, 48′ compo D758
LSWR Pull-push sets for LSWR Adams Radial, O2 and M7
Weddel drawings 6.11 (ex 6.10a/c) also 6.10a/b/d for T9 (Diagrams 118, 265, 269 & 271)
GWR branch sets – for GWR 14XX
A28 autocoach – see Bowaters Models (& others possibly) for E140 B-set
GWR SRM R and matching auto trailer U (as preserved at Didcot)
LNER Quad/Quin art set – for LNER N2 3rd D73, 3rd D75, 3rd D74, brake 3rd D72B, compo D70A,
Quin brake 3rd D85
GWR Toplights – for GWR Bulldog A9, C79, D45, E82, E85, E88, E95, F15, K22 – I am hoping someone else will do these as I have not yet done the 2D drawings for these
GWR Clerestories – for GWR Dean bogie single A4, C10, C14, D7, E57, K14 (non-clerestory) – see Bowaters Models (& others possibly)
IoWR 4-wheelers for LSWR O2
LSWR 6-wheelers
BR Mk 1’s now dropped – see other suppliers
Older models
Some older models are available from Just The Ticket. Call Roger Melton on 01980 610058 for prices and details.
Kits available from JTT (all 10mm scale) include – SECR H class (0-4-4T), SR Q1 (0-6-0), GWR 56XX (0-6-2T)
Please note that I do not provide support for loco kits NOT supplied by Orion Models
Future Models
Future models will probably only be available direct from Orion Models, so supply will be limited.