Welcome Page

Welcome to the website of Ixion Model Railways Ltd, manufacturers of fine scale models in N and O scales. Please scroll down the page for current and recent news items

We have received the first three pictures from the factory of painted decoration samples of the On30 Coffee Pot.

The pictures are only of the loco units, and work continues on the coach bodies.

We expect to have the finished decoration samples in our hands for evaluation in a matter of weeks.

July 7: Mercig Studios in the UK have kindly provided us with stunning images of a detailed and weathered N gauge Frilsham Manor that they have produced for a customer. See the pictures in our Manor images gallery, or visit their website www.mercigstudios.com .

July 7: James McInerney at the Australian Model Railway Magazine has provided us with this outstanding image of the pilot model of the On30 'Coffee Pot'.

July 7: Ixion customer Nigel Box has sent us this unsolicited testimonial, and we were so delighted we asked his permission to include it here. Nigel wrote:

Gentlemen, I know that you have received many accolades for the superb Manor model, but I would still like to add my congratulations on producing an absolutely superb N gauge locomotive. I purchased “Cookham Manor”, a locomotive that is very familiar in 12” to the foot scale, from numerous visits to Didcot. The level of detail and accuracy are superb and the running characteristics first class. Electrical pick-up is very reliable and pulling power is much in excess of anything that I would need on my late 1930s GWR layout. The weight distribution is well balanced across pony truck and driving wheels and the locomotive rides turnouts particularly well. I also appreciate the packaging, which not only protects the contents well, but eases the unpacking and repacking compared with other packaging concepts.

Thanks, Nigel! We look forward to producing many more models that will make modellers happy for years to come.

UPDATE - SATURDAY JUNE 20th 2010

The N Gauge Manor has now been reviewed in the major UK model railway magazines.

Read the reviews on our new Ixion Press page.

UPDATE - Saturday June 5th, 2010:

First On30 Coffee Pot pilot model photos.

Click here to see more!

RTR 7mm scale O Gauge tank engine - Preliminary Announcement

As advised in the June 2010 issue of the Australian Model Railway Magazine, Ixion Models is investigating the production of a brass O gauge 7mm scale painted ready-to-run model of the NSW Government Railways Manning Wardle 0-4-0 standard 'H' Class saddle tank locomotive No. 1021.
The model will be available in unlined black with red buffer beams, and lined blue as shown at right. Decals will be provided for the NSW numbers and 'Cardiff' name, allowing the loco's use in industrial applications also.
All research has been completed, and the model is ready to commence production should the level of interest support its production now.
Expressions of interest are invited from potential purchasers in Australia and the UK - please use the "Contact Us" link above to register your interest.

1. Fitting the N Gauge Manor's Detail Parts

A guide to fitting some of the parts supplied with the Manor has been added to the website.

Click here to view the guide.

2. Fitting DCC to the N Gauge Manor

UK customers can now have a DCC chip fitted by Dapol's Authorised DCC installer Shady Lane Models. This fitting will not void the Ixion warranty. For more information and contact details, visit their website http://www.shadylanemodels.co.uk/

For "do-it-yourselfers", or customers in other markets, Ixion customer Julian Thornhill has successfully fitted a TCS Z2 decoder to his Manor without any modifications being made to the tender body or chassis. (The tender body is removable after easing out the large 'dome'. at the rear, and undoing the screw underneath.)

Julian has written an illustrated description, and posted it at http://www.ness-st.co.uk/links.html#IxionManorDCC

IMPORTANT NOTE: This installation should only be attempted by experienced DCC modellers, and in the knowledge - as previously stated - that customers hardwiring a chip into the tender will void the manufacturer's warranty.

ALL AUSTRALIAN AND UK PRE-ORDERS WERE SHIPPED ON TIME, KEEPING OUR DELIVERY PROMISE.

The Ixion Directors would like to place on record our gratitude to Dapol CEO George Smith, and all the Dapol staff for their unstinting work on our behalf which has allowed us to keep to our promised UK release date.

We also appreciate the patience and support of our loyal customers, and the dozens of positive emails we have received from them since receiving their models.

2. Photographs of the Pilot model of the On30 'Coffee Pot' steam railmotor have been added to the site.

High-resolution images of a production run version of 7816 Frilsham Manor have been added to the site.

A number of modellers have also made videos of the Manor which demonstrate its running qualities and pulling power.

One video, by Ben Lawson in Australia, shows the final Engineering Prototype - the basis of the production model - hauling thirty bogie coaches

up a 1 in 75 grade (including a 15" radius curve) without slipping. In fact slipping did not occur until thirty-six coaches were attached! Enjoy!

Decoration charts for the On30 'Coffee Pot' have been received from the factory.

The first run of 1000 models will consist of 500 each of the Coffee Pots No.1 and 2, both in the livery currently worn by NJAB 1 in preservation.

The Commonwealth Railways green livery will appear in the second run. These are the images of the first paint schemes.

A photo of the 3rd EP of the N gauge Manor in BR unlined black as 7823 Hook Norton Manor has been added below to replace the photo of the body only.

This decoration sample has been approved, as have the two Great Western liveries, and production has commenced. We only await a correction to the lining of the boiler bands on 7800 Torquay Manor before all versions are in full production, and a delivery date can be provided by the factory.

Ixion Models is pleased to advise that the Mk 2 Manor will smoothly traverse a 9" radius curve.

Click here to see a video of the third EP on an oval of Peco Setrack with 1st radius curves

Please scroll down this page to see factory hand-prepared samples of the four versions of the N gauge 'Manor' Class 4-6-0 locomotive

Guttering and rear edge of cab roof to be black; Chimney top to be copper, not brass colour; Boiler bands on BR green livery to

have black line in centre; Boiler handrails to be black; Smokebox number plate placement; Note new semi-gloss paint finish.