Nigel Lawton was demonstrating a 7mm:ft scale version of his 20hp bow-framed Simplex kit at ExpoNG 2008. Originally developed for OO9, the etch artwork for the new loco has been (literally) scaled up with some changes the drive system allowed by the larger size.
While the OO9 loco relies on a friction drive for the reduction gearing, the 7mm kit has a more conventional belt drive and the further modification of a working radiator fan. Currently this is linked to the direction and speed of the Simplex but Nigel has some ideas to keep a constant fan operation even on DC power. There should also be room to fit a small DCC chip inside the engine cowling.
The kit should be available late 2008 or early 2009 and can be built to 14mm and 16.5mm gauges.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Many thanks to Stephen for introducing my upcoming debut kit to the 7mm world. I can confirm everything Stephen has reported. The scaling up of this model was requested by a couple of keen 7mm scale WWI military modellers who will receive the first kits. Although the body is a straight scale-up its worth noting that there is quite a lot of detail on the original artwork which is too small to be reproduced in 4mm scale. This includes hexagonal bolt heads and the name ‘Simplex’ in curly writing on the clutch pedal. The model in 4mm scale is highly detailed anyway and in some cases photos can be mistaken for a larger scale – please see my website http://www.nigellawton009.com (altough there are no 7mm scale pics there yet). The end result is that the 7mm scale model IS more detailed than its smaller 4mm parent. As for the 4mm scale kit I expect to include whitemetal castings for the radiator and exhaust. The chassis will be redesigned before release, this is the main task I have to complete. I would like to include an option for compensation if possible and will also develop both the main and fan drives further before finalising them. An option for independent fan drive may be added as a cost-on accessory for the non-DCC modeller. There is definately room for a DCC chip under the hood and I will try to provide a suitable bracket on which to mount this as a part of the chassis mods. I’ll be sure to announce the arrival of the kit in this forum. Thanks to all who have expressed interest both at ExpoNG and online. This is my first foray into 7mm modelling having resisted for several years and I already have a clutch of KBScale kits to build to go with my Simplex! BTW it will be 14mm gauge for me….but whatever I produce will be made available in 16.5mm too. Others have enquired about 9mm & 12mm gauges, and at present although I do not intend to make specific variants for these the wheelsets should be fairly easily re-gaugable.
October 31st, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Nigel:
This is a wonderful development. Are you planning to make the drive available separately? Selfish reason for asking is I am working on a Tin Turtle and your new drive would probably fit the bill quite nicely.
Bruce Wilson
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
November 4th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Ditto from me on the chassis – I too have a tin turtle that I want to build to 14mm gauge. Though I guess I will have to build an enclosed one as your motor will be centrally mounted! I hope the wheelbase is similar? I think the tin turtle is about 26mm (from memory – which is not good at the moment).
Regards,
Robin Edwards
Gloucester, UK
Desperately trying to get permission from HWMBO to start the new layout
January 12th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Gents,
Sorry for the delay in responding to your questions, I do not visit forums very often. Please email me if you would like a prompt response Nigel@NigelLawton009.com.
I will be making the mechanism available seperately. The wheelbase is 26mm (25.6mm on my plan). There is a central object inside a tin turtle, you may well be able to disguise the motor under such an object (fuel tank?) or move the motor to a more inconspicuous position.
Regards
Nigel Lawton
May 6th, 2009 at 10:35 am
All,
I have now posted a progress report and photos of the 7mm scale Simplex on my website. Sorry for the slow progress on this project, difficult to find the time but I will (soon I hope).
http://www.nigellawton009.com/.....ducts.html
Regards
Nigel
November 16th, 2009 at 1:26 am
All,
I’m pleased to say that the 7mm scale 20HP (bow-framed) Simplex kit is now available in O-14 and O-16.5. Please see my website for details.
http://www.nigellawton009.com/.....mplex.html
Regards
Nigel Lawton
May 24th, 2010 at 9:43 am
All, Alles,
Just a brief footnote to say that I have recently supplied a chassis at 12mm gauge for this model. This combination of scale and gauge appears to be popular in Germany.
Gerade eine kurze Fußnote, zum zu sagen, dass ich vor kurzem ein Chassis bei der 12mm Spur für dieses Modell errichtet habe.
Regards/Grusse
Nigel Lawton