D&S Models, Ian Kirk Coaches

Frazmataz · Post by **Frazmataz** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:10 pm

I keep hearing good words about D&S Models for LNER coaching stock, but after resarch I am still confused about purchasing from them, as there do not seem be any clear details. Can anyone provide me with the following information:

- Can they be contacted by email, snail mail or telephone?
- Do they do mail order, or would I have to go to their store for purchase?
-Is a catalogue available? (If anyone could provide me with one that would be terrific

or alternatively, a brief summary of the kinds of products they sell would also be appreciated)
-What are prices like?

Thanks

rob · Post by **rob** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:37 am

Bass,
D&S are superb products but are no longer producing in 4mm.That said Dan still had a few 4mm etches available last summer and I had a batch of GER coaches similar to the Worsley Works versions currently on Jons workbench so it may be possible to source a few from Dan yet.
No hi-tech contacts but try a letter to
46 The Street,
Wallington,
Nr. Baldock,
Herts.,
SG7 6SW.
(0763)288353 might also make contact.
A small no. of his tools have been sold elsewhere,ABS have some GNR wagons available,LRM a few non-LNER coaches IIRC,and MSE have some signal parts-the somersault semaphore on my workbench utilises Dans very nice etch for the arm,spectacles etc.Fiendishly ingenious might be a description for some of his work,its at the very advanced level of construction,but very well engineered. Probably the only area of his kits that causes real headscratching are the roofs on clerestories and GNR domed coaches.
The range was vast,a really incredible achievement,mainly "our" constituents,esp GNR and NER
I am awaiting a few kits from his "leftovers",the bogie coaches being quoted at £36.40.
There is a ECJS clerestory full brake on my workbench on RMweb but to see them in all their glory check out Mick B's threads here and on RMweb-staggering work!
They do seem to be available on E-Bay and Dan did comment to me that he reckons a lot of kits have never been attempted by the original purchasers so they may come available from time to time S/H.....and if anyone ever hears of a NER bogie roadvan like Micks being available.......
Cheers,
Rob

wehf100 · Post by **wehf100** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:40 am

the 7mm stuff he now concentrates on is superb= very nicely engineered tab-slot construction, and includes such nice things on the etch as wagon no' plates, which saves some headaches searching the aftermarket.

Recommended (as usual- no affiliation, just a satisfied customer)

Post by **richard** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:13 pm

Is there a website?

I keep forgetting which suppliers' lists I've looked at, but if he has NER then I could be interested...

Richard

Frazmataz · Post by **Frazmataz** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:42 pm

D&S are superb products but are no longer producing in 4mm.

Please let this be an April Fool's Day joke! It's hard enough for me to find Secondary stock at a price I can afford as it is...

wehf100 · Post by **wehf100** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:43 pm

no website, just good ol' post. I have a pricelist somewhere- I'll dig it out and give you a rundown on what he does. A large amount of it is NER if I remember correctly

W

jwealleans · Post by **jwealleans** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:17 pm

no longer producing in 4 mm

Sad but true. As yet, no-one has taken up the range although as Rob mentioned, bits have been sold off.

lnerjp · Post by **lnerjp** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:40 pm

I'd be most interested to hear about what he produces in 7mm!

Frazmataz · Post by **Frazmataz** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:14 pm

What about Ian Kirk Coaches? Does he still produce in 4mm (according to ukmodelshops.co.uk, he only does 7mm, but I'm not convinced that that's correct)? And if so, what kinds of secondary coaches are available in his range?

jwealleans · Post by **jwealleans** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:23 pm

The Ian Kirk LNER range in 4mm is now produced and sold by Coopercraft. They are very helpful and will supply component parts as well as whole kits if asked.

Look back through my workbench thread for a rake of Kirk Gresleys built and bashed from their components.

Their website here

Ian Kirk is still producing in 7mm, though he now makes panels rather than sides - the idea is that you buy the combination of panels for the coach you want and assemble it. One of my club colleagues recently built a 7 mm non-corridor coach in this way and very nice it looked.

Frazmataz · Post by **Frazmataz** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:21 pm

Thanks, jwelleans

In fact, it was looking through your thread that made me consider them.

jwealleans · Post by **jwealleans** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:18 pm

I haven't updated my workbench for a while but I am working on some etched coaches from Worlsey Works. They do both GC and GE types.

Bill Bedford also has a large range of etched kits and parts and the one I've built so far I've been very pleased with.

mick b · Post by **mick b** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:27 pm

Hi
I have written twice to D&S re anything 4mm still available sadly without reply so far.
The prices on e bay are now just daft!! along with most other stuff on there, people are paying more than retail price on current items so be warned!!
Kirk kits are very poor in comparison, I am just starting on some Tourist Stock the bogies and other detail parts will have to be replaced for better running and detail.
Comet do some LNER coaches which I have never built but look good.

Mick

jwealleans · Post by **jwealleans** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:33 am

The Great Central Society have recently commissioned some kits from D & S and are looking at commissioning more. They are strictly members only, but you can save the £12 annual membership when you compare the D & S prices to Ebay.

I agree with Mick on the Kirk kits - the bogies can be made to look OK, but battery boxes, etc aren't worth it. I only buy sides, ends and roofs now and make the rest myself.

I'd forgotten about Comet - they make up into nice models.