7mm 14XX and 74XX

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James

James

Western Thunderer
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My son's main birthday present this year - he's unfortunate in being a Christmas Day birthday!

I really like the Dapol 14XX, I did a similar loco for the NRM a couple of years back - the main bits to be added are the missing parts of the push-pull equipment. The plastic vacuum and steam heat pipes are awful and detract from what is a lovely model - Laurie Griffin's range came in very handy.

1420 was chosen as it was a regular loco on the Presteigne branch which is a line which interests him.

It just needs couplings adding as I ran out of time. Despite this, he's completely besotted with 1420 :)

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simond

simond

Western Thunderer
The costs are probably not much different.

There will be (7/4)^3 (approx 5.35 times) more plastic & metal, but the packaging, assembly, moulding etc costs will be more or less the same, and I suspect the material costs are somewhat less than 10% of the selling price of an RTR model.

The same factor applies to shipping costs, as you can get fewer in a container. Again, shipping likely <<10%

It may be of course that the 7mm RTR market has been massively overestimated and there are hundreds of models looking for a home, but I doubt it (from a position of no useful / relevant knowledge at all).
 
AJC

AJC

Western Thunderer
simond said:
It may be of course that the 7mm RTR market has been massively overestimated and there are hundreds of models looking for a home, but I doubt it (from a position of no useful / relevant knowledge at all).
Click to expand...

There's fairly strong evidence to suggest that might be the case: certainly in less popular liveries. The astonishing bargains recently seen with Dapol 14xx and some Terriers hint that the economics are a bit different in 7mm. The niches are quite a bit more niche, simply. A 14xx for £110 is very much a discretionary purchase for a lot of people. Not for me, I spent a little bit less than half that on a discount Siphon G in 4mm (a more niche livery again, but suitable for repaint).

Adam
 
simond

simond

Western Thunderer
I guess it could be a loss leader.

Dapol appear to do a good trade in colourful wagons at about fifty quid a shot. I’d guess there will be some punters who would love to dabble but fear that the cost of a loco would be unaffordable, and so don’t splash out on the wagons. But once you’ve got a loco, a £50 wagon is almost pocket money, and certainly in birthday & Xmas territory. So a 110 quid loco is a gateway to a £500 train…

I’m very sure that with plastic mouldings, the key to profitability is volume sales. The more the merrier!
 
74XX
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    • James

    James

    Western Thunderer
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    This Christmas 7416 has joined 1420 :)

    I bought a Castle Models 74XX from Footplate Models Loco Works (demic) section for £100. Built, painted requiring a replacement cab roof and a motor. In theory this £100 project should have been straightforward but no!

    If I was going to model a 74XX I wouldn't start from here!

    On first inspection the rods struck the underside of the footplate, hmmm... Wrong wheels. The throw was too great.

    Rods removed then wheels - screws wouldn't budge. Slitting disc to slot screws. No. No movement. I had to drill the screws out - I think the builder loctited them in place!

    New wheels ordered from Slater's.

    New rods from Premier Components

    New motor and gearbox from Roxey.

    Pretty bits ordered from Laurie Griffin.

    I stripped it bare, a few bits fell off...

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    I made new steps all round, cab roof, whistle shield having reattached the splashers that had fallen off. Then putting everything back together.

    It runs nicely too now :)

    Repainted, glazing, Railtec numberplates, Modelu crew and weathered.

    It's not perfect, far from it. The original builder didn't do a job. I suspect it was sold after the builder abandoned it, removing the motor for reuse. Now the loco is finished :)

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