O-AUST KITS

 

NSWGR 44 Class Diesel Electric Locomotive

The 44 class diesel electric locomotives were introduced from 1957 onwards. Based on the Alco DL-500 "World" design and built by A.E.Goodwin, a total of 100 were eventually built for use in New South Wales. A similar loco was also used in South Australia.

O-Aust Kits, in conjunction with Bergs Hobbies and Haskell  is developing a ready to run 44 class kit which will be manufactured in China. 

 

QR 1400 Class Deisel Electric Locomotive

The QR 1400 class diesel electric locomotive was a version of the EMD G12 type of locomotive, introduced in 1954. It was supplied with 4 traction motors on a six wheel bogie to accommodate Queensland's low axle weight restrictions. Other than the bogies it was of similar external appearance to the Victorian T.

O-Aust Kits is currently developing a limited run of this locomotive in 1:48 scale.

 

QR DH Diesel Electric Locomotive

The DH diesel hydraulic locomotives were introduced by Queensland Rail in 1968 to allow the phasing out of steam locomotives that were still in use for shunting and other light duties. A total of 73 were eventually purchased. By 1995 only 11 remained on the QR books.

The kit will be available in 2013. On30 and On42 versions will be produced

 

NSWGR EHO Passenger Guards Van

EHO express brake vans were introduced in 1908 and some remained in use until the early 1980s. The ornate panelling they were initially constructed with was replaced by tongue and groove timber in the 1920s. The tongue and groove was subsequently replaced with either masonite (1950s) or marine plywood (1960s). They were used in all types of of passenger services.

The kit is currently being developed by O-Aust Kits. A Mansard roofed version will be initially produced with other versions considered at a later stage and subject to demand.

 

NSWGR BSV Bogie Sheep Van 

There were also two classes of bogie sheep vans, both coded BSV, but quite different in appearance.  

The older class was introduced in 1895, and had all disappeared by 1957, a couple of years before the 1959 introduction of the modern BSVs, the appearance of which most NSWR modellers should be familiar with. 

Consisting of two GSV bodies mounted on a steel underframe and riding on 2AR bogies, these were the ultimate development of the sheep wagon in NSW.  They quickly replaced the 4 wheelers, and by about 1965, the number of GSVs on the system was quite small. 

The model being produced is based on the 1959 version. 

 

NSWGR C30T 4-6-0 Locomotive

Electrification of the Sydney suburban system in the 1920s rendered surplus a large number of C30 tank locomotives. With considerable running life ahead, an opportunity was taken to rebuild 77 of them to a light tender design to replace ageing motive power on country branche. As converted the locos became known as the “C30T”. Side tanks and bunker were removed and the trailing bogie was taken off to give a 4-6-0 arrangement; tenders of varying capacities came from obsolete locomotives.

The C30T worked successfully and greatly improved the passenger, freight and mixed operations on many lightly ballasted country branches. Almost half of the converted locos were later fitted with new boilers and superheaters.  

They were eventually replaced by the lower horsepower diesels and scrapped as boiler replacements or major overhauls became due.  

The model will be produced in both original and superheated versions with the six wheel “P” class tender as standard or (if specifically ordered) the bogie “T” class tender as an alternative option 

 

NSWGR MHG GUARDS VAN

200 MHG goods brake vans were introduced into service on the New South Wales Railways between November 1951 and September 1953. They were manufactured by Metropolitan Cammell in England. The first two were imported complete while the remainder were shipped to Australia in kit form for final assembly. Their design was generally based on the earlier PHG guards van but they were of steel construction. They were introduced into traffic riding on 2AP type bogies. In the mid 1960s the 2AP bogies were replaced by the 2AT type bogie.

The kit will be representative of the MHG as introduced.

There have been some unexpected delays in the development of this kit but it is still expected to proceed.

Victorian Railways B Box Van

From the late 1950s until the early 1980s the "B" four wheel box vans were a familiar inclusion in most Victorian Railways general goods trains. A general purpose covered wagon they were employed in transporting non perishable products.

The patterns for this kit are expected to be finished by the end of June 2012 and all being well kits will be available later in 2012.