Stop Press - first 32 Class EP arrives

We are delighted to announce that we have this morning received the first EP* of Ixion's HO scale NSWGR 32 Class. 

Ixion's Technical Director Phil Badger and some other keen-eyed modellers have been poring over it today, and as soon as the loco is back together he will send me some photos which I will post as soon as possible. I am currently still in hospital, recovering from three major bowel surgeries in a fortnight and, whilst I am on the mend, I do tend to glaze over mid-sentence and forget what I'm saying; or so my family tell me. So some things like adding images may be more of a challenge than normal, and if there's a delay in posting them, I ask your forgiveness in advance.

After this check over, running trials will be conducted on a layout on Thursday and we would expect to post video of those as well. We have both a bogie tender and a six-wheel tender, so you'll be able to see how both variations look. 

More soon!
Lindsay.

*EP = Engineering Prototype. This is a fully built-up, running sample of the model, but missing a range of things like some rivets etc which are added when all else is correct. There are often also areas of the tooling which have not yet been polished, so the final surface is not yet apparent.

More Test Shot Photos

Here are three extra photos of the first test shots from the C32 tooling. Hopefully, they show the level of detail already evident in the moulds for the footplate and the superstructure of the loco. The tender is looking especially convincing.

Click on the photos to see a bigger version.

First C32 photos!

Ixion is delighted to be able to post these pictures, received from the factory just last night, of the very first test shots from the 32 Class tooling.  

All being well, we hope to have a first EP (Engineering Prototype) for checking within the next fortnight. And the answer to the oft-asked question is "Yes"; our factory does deliver on time and on schedule. We know that other Australian models have been promised, in some cases for years, before delivery, but we hope that will never be the experience of Ixion customers. And so far, so good.

3265 Photos, courtesy of David Potter

As soon as I published the last post, I knew I should have added more pictures! 

As I said there, 32 Class sales are exciting and encouraging. In fact, our first sale came within minutes of the "Buy It Now" buttons going live on Sunday March 22, and I'm pleased to record that Ixion 32 Class Customer Number 1 was David Potter of Sydney, and his choice was the model of 3265 as preserved - the only low-frame 32 to have survived the scrapper's torch. Over a period of years, David recorded the revival of this classic loco. He sent us some of his photos, which chronicle just how painstakingly and lovingly it has been restored. 

All these photos are © David Potter, and are published online here with his permission. 

Enjoy!

Back in steam; 3265 in grey primer, during restoration. ©David Potter

Out in the sunshine! 3265 in grey primer, during restoration. ©David Potter

Inside the cab of 3265. Note the typical NSWGR green colour, starting half-way up the cab sides. ©David Potter

3265 in all her glory, after restoration. ©David Potter

©David Potter

The complex and elegant NSWR monogram applied to the sandboxes. ©David Potter

First Fortnight Brings Brisk Sales

First fortnight brings brisk sales...
Headline writing is hard! I have always admired those sub-editors at newspapers who can come up with classic corny headlines at a moment's notice, under the weight of the pressure of the waiting presses. This is my attempt, going after alliteration as the motif. I doubt I should give up my day job!

What I wanted to say is that sales of the 32 Class are off and running, and we are thrilled by the number of modellers who are prepared to trust our reputation, and invest sight unseen in our first HO loco. Interestingly, sales are covering all version of the loco available - the red edge ones are proving popular, as are the six-wheel tender version, which has never - to my knowledge - been commercially available RTR before. I've only seen bogie-tendered locos in the original brass low-framers.

Unsurprisingly, however, it has been the model of the beautifully preserved, lined maroon 3265 which has attracted the most attention. So, if you want one, don't delay. It seems certain that this loco will be the first to sell out.

3265 fresh out of the restoration paint shops. Photo ©David Potter

32 Class pre-release sales are now open

C32 PRE-RELEASE SALE NOW ON

The HO scale NSWGR C32 Class 4-6-0 is now open for pre-release purchase at $545.00 AUD.

NOTE: this model is not yet available.

This special pre-release price is only available online, and until release of the model. After release, the price will rise to $595.00.

Clicking this "Buy It Now" button completes and guarantees your purchase and reservation of this chosen livery and loco variation.

Postage within Australia (if required) is free with this price.

Click on the 'Buy Online' link on our website's Home page at www.ixionmodels.com or click here.

Ixion's 32 Class loco variations - pictures

These images represent the four variations of the 32 Class, available in twelve numbers in this production run from Ixion. They are, in order:

Curved running plate, 3650 gallon bogie tender (3265; 3223, 3258, 3273, unnumbered)

Curved running plate, P Class six-wheel tender (3208)

Angled running plate, 3650 gallon bogie tender (3333, 3361, 3375)

Angled running plate, P Class 6-wheel tender (3298, 3307, 3372) 

These images will soon appear on the Ixion website, accompanying the 'Buy It Now' buttons for pre-release purchases at the special discount price of $545, post free.