Loco Components 7mm

My popular and extensive range of 7mm scale steel tyred locomotive wheels has been steadily built up over the last few years and there are now over 30 different types of steam locomotive driving wheels available together with 20 types of bogie/tender wheels. In addition there are 4 types of diesel/electric locomotive wheels available for the modern image modeller.

The prototypical wear factor of 2½" has been taken into consideration when selecting the tyre sizes and although each wheel is modelled on a specific prototype many are representative of other types.

Up to mid 2004 I used white metal castings for the wheel centres fitted to telescopic axles but due to many customer requests we have now switched to plastic for the centres with these being supplied with squared end axles for the drivers and turned shouldered types for bogie/tender wheels.

An added bonus on development was added during mid 2004 in that a group of Scaleseven modellers approached us and after detailed discussion we produced certain types from our range to these new standards. Please note that only those marked # are available to these standards but we are open to requests for others to be released! On this point we have been asked to produce a 6'2" 18 spoke LNER type driver so keep looking.

When ordering it is very important to quote the gauge required together with the code number and the full prototype description of the wheels.

Under the column headed 'Rim' a plain rim usually indicates a pre-1930 wheel while a bevelled rim, also known as a Stanier. denotes a later style of wheel in which the spokes are flared into a heavily bevelled rim. This latter type of wheel was mostly fitted to ex-LMS locomotives and also to the later British Railways standard classes.

The column headed 'CP' (crank pin) has three different notations, explained as follows:
IL indicates a wheel with its crank pin boss in line with the spokes:
PB indicates a wheel with its crank pin boss between the spokes: and
OC indicates a wheel with no crank pin boss for locomotives fitted with outside cranks.

The column headed 'Throw; indicates the crank pin throw and the succeeding column gives the scale equivalent. It's amazing what a difference the correct amount of throw makes when the locomotive is moving!

For the modern image modeller I produce a small range of diesel and electric locomotive wheels which cover a fair number of British Rail classes.

TO complement the steam locomotive driving wheels I also produce a fairly comprehensive range of steam locomotive bogie and tender wheels They have all been scaled from prototype examples and they have high detailed injection moulded centres that havew been fitted into steel tyres which are left in a bright metal finish. All the bogie and tender wheels are available in normal finescale with several also available for Scaleseven and they are sold in packs containing two wheels together with a shouldered 3/16" dia. axle and fixing screws.

A close associate of mine, who needed a set of more realistic looking hornblocks for a pair of super-detailed 7mm scale locomotives he was building, produced the masters for these two patterns of hornblocks and agreed that they should become part of my range. Taking full advantage of the best in cast and machined brass components they feature an exquisitely detailed lost wax casting for the hornblock with an accurately machined adjustable sprung axle bearing which will accomodate 7mm scale's standard 3/16" axle. The keeper plate is profile milled from 0.6mm thick brass and is secured to the main casting by two machine screws (all springs and screws supplied).
Set of two hornblocks for one axle in each pack.

Precision machined in brass to the same high standards as the similar products for the 4mm scale modeller these 7mm scale handrail knobs are amongst the most accurate on the market today. Available in three lengths - short, medium and long - they are supplied in packs of 25. The short type is for use in locations such as smokebox fronts and cab and tender sides: the medium type is for use on the sides of parallel boilers: and the long type is for use on the sides of tapered boilers. The knobs come ready drilled to take my 0.7mm brass wire.

With my range of 7mm scale locomotive kits increasing I have introduced a new design for my own range of 7mm scale sprung locomotive buffers. The barrel of the body is now a brass turning and the backplate, with bolt head detail, is finely cast in white metal. The buffer heads are precision turned in steel for strength and appearance. They are self contained (ie. the spring is actually housed within the buffer body) and they retain their light compression. It is my aim to extend the range and suggestions for future additions would be welcomed. The available range is illustrated here.

---Ref---	----Item----
7901	Midland and Great Central type
7903	LMS and BR type with 16" head
7904	GN/LBSCR/NE/GE round base parallel
7906	GWR, Collett square base, parallel
7909	LNER/SR stepped parallel, 16" head
7910	LSWR/HR/CR/GSWR, Drummond std.

THESE precision machined brass bearings are manufactured to close tolerances and are primarily intended to be used in conjunction with the axles used with my own range of 7mm. scale locomotive wheels. They can, however, be used in complete confidence with any contemporary products.