Australian On30 'Coffee Pot' Steam Railmotor

[Mike Bellamy]

I hope that the Bachmann won't mind me passing on this information about another new On30 product - after the recent Bachmann announcements this is very good news for us all   

Copied from Dapol http://www.dapol.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=281&Itemid=66 and Ixion http://www.ixionmodels.com/news.htm

IXION MODEL RAILWAYS ANNOUNCES THE "COFFEE POT" STEAM RAILMOTOR IN On30

14 July 2008

Ixion Model Railways, the Anglo-Australian model railway company, announces the production of the South Australian Railways NJAB Class "Coffee Pot" Steam Motor Coach (railmotor) in On30. Preliminary design work has been completed and progress to full production will be subject to a satisfactory level of demand from the public. The "Coffee Pot" project will run concurrently with Ixion's N Gauge locomotive program, and is the perfect prototype for the space-conscious O scale narrow-gauge modeller. On30 uses 1:48 (1/4") scale models running on 16.5mm (HO) gauge track.

Photo by kind permission of Chris Drymalik. See Chris' site http://comrails.railpage.org.au/cr_locos/p_njab.html for more images.

The "Coffee Pot" was built in England by the Kitson & Company in Leeds, and the Metropolitan Amalgamated Railway Carriage and Wagon Co in Birmingham, in 1905. It was built to 3'6" gauge and entered service with the South Australian Railways in 1906. It was transferred to Commonwealth Railways ownership in 1921, and was withdrawn in 1932. After being displayed at Alice Springs, the "Coffee Pot" was restored, and survives in active preservation on the Pichi Richi Railway in South Australia. It is currently undergoing boiler restoration before being returned to service.

The ready-to-run model is expected to feature:

· DCC ready (up to 21pin)

· 5 pole motor and flywheel driving 2 axles

· Operational headlight (yellow glow) wired to DCC board for DCC on/off operation

· Internal coach lighting (yellow glow) wired to the DCC board for independent on/off operation under DCC control

· Opening smokebox door with steam pipe detail

· DCC sound compatible with provision for a speaker

· Accurately modelled scale connecting rods and valve gear and RP25 spoked wheels

· Flickering firebox glow.

This model is anticipated to initially be available in at least two liveries: the deep red loco/varnished timber coach livery as preserved; and Commonwealth Railways green, as per the prototype photo in the Photo Gallery. A small number will be lettered as per the prototype, all others being suitable for freelanced railroads.

Price is yet to be determined, but will be in line with On30 models currently on the market.

However, we are seeking to gauge the level of demand for this model before determining where to fit it into our schedule of model releases.

As shown here, our computer modelling is at an advanced stage, and tooling can commence quite soon, if we believe customer demand to be high. If you would like to see this model produced, could you please register your interest using the Ixion feedback form - click here. Please note - these messages will not be answered or acknowledged. If you wish to receive an answer to a query, please use our email address [email protected]

For the photo gallery of images of the prototype visit the sites mentioned above - many drawings are on the Dapol site although when I just tried it there was no response - hope it's fixed soon  as they will be the US sales agent.