Ixion Model Railways Ltd
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Welcome to the website of Ixion Model Railways Ltd, manufacturers of fine scale models in British 'N' Scale (1:148), and On30 (1:48 scale).

Please scroll down the page for current and recent  news items

 LATEST UPDATE - THURSDAY 4th FEBRUARY, 2010:

 

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.

 

 

 UPDATE - SATURDAY 16th JANUARY, 2010:

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

(Note, the video has no sound and requires Windows Media Player to view).

 

 

UPDATE - TUESDAY 12th JANUARY, 2010:

Please scroll down this page to see:

 

1. Factory hand-prepared samples of the four versions of the N gauge 'Manor' Class 4-6-0 locomotive

There are corrections to be made to these samples, including:

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.

 

2. N gauge Manor Customers - please read the notices below the pictures about the Mk 1 Manor recall

 

3. A Final CAD image of the On30 S.A.R. 'Coffee Pot' steam rail motor coach No 2

We have signed off on all drawings, and tooling has commenced on both No 1 and No 2! For more information

about this fascinating prototype, click here. We anticipate releasing the Coffee Pot in the second half of 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

 UPDATED - SATURDAY 5TH DECEMBER, 2009:

AS ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK, THE MANOR RECALL COMMENCES...

N gauge Manor Customers - please read the notices below:

1. Ixion Model Railways is asking all customers who purchased a Mk 1 Manor - either Torquay Manor or Cookham Manor - to now return them.

To view the letter containing full details, please click here.

2. For customers who ordered Frilsham Manor or Hook Norton Manor, there is information for you, too.

To view the letter containing full details, please click here.

 UPDATED - November 15th 2009

NEW MANOR IMAGES!

Below you will find the latest images of the 2nd Engineering Prototype of the N Gauge GWR/BR 'Manor' 4-6-0

Please read the notes which accompany each set of photos.

 

MANOR MARK 2 - SECOND EP!

The photos above and below show the second Engineering Prototype (EP) of the Mk 2 Manor.

The EP is an unpainted test build of the first "test shots" from the new tooling moulds. We are very pleased with them, and the evident improvements which can be seen.

This version will be approved for production following the posting of these photos - keep an eye on the website for a projected release date.

Items to note include:

  • Loco and tender brake gear and rivets now added.

  • The whistle shield was removed in the checking process and was not refitted for the photos, and the whistle was bumped too, we now note...

  • The improved tender-loco gap, now down almost to prototype distance. Pickups will be blackened on production locos.

  • Improved detail - look inside the new safety valve cover compared to the Mk 1, for example.

  • Improved specification - the loco now features a 50:1 gearbox, and weighs 25% more than the Mk 1 Manor

  • Improved slow running - the Mk2 EP takes 60 seconds to travel 30mm!

  • Improved haulage - this second EP hauled 25 NMRA-weighted US boxcars round 14" radius curves without slipping

  • Further details of the specifications follow the photos.

 

  • The specifications of the new Manor now include stainless steel rods, and satin-finish paint.

  • Regrettably, the diminutive size of the correct-scale 3500 gallon tender means that there is no room for a DCC plug, meaning that the Manor will no longer be 'DCC ready'. See the reason in the tender cutaway view here.

  • The Manor has again been designed to negotiate a 10.5" radius curve. A new design of coupling means that the distance between loco and tender is now virtually to scale - see the original CAD images of the new Manor images here.

  • We are now awaiting the Mk 2 Manor's production schedule from the factory, and will post news of the expected delivery date as soon as we have the information.

    The Mk 2's  first four livery variations will be exactly the same as the Mk 1:

  • 7800  Torquay Manor. British Railways passenger lined green livery with later British Railways emblem

  • 7808  Cookham Manor. GWR unlined green with the GWR shirt-button emblem on tender.

  • 7816  Frilsham Manor.  GWR unlined green with the lettering “GWR” on tender.

  • 7823  Hook Norton Manor. British Railways unlined black livery with early British Railways emblem.

 UPDATED - November 15th 2009

Coffee Pot Mechanism image

 

PREVIOUS NEWS - posted on May 22nd 2009

  • In exciting O Scale news, we have finally tracked down the drawings of the second version of the South Australian Railways "Coffee Pot" steam railmotor. Designated NJAB 2, the second version was all but identical to NJAB 1, but included a short luggage compartment at the rear of the coach. Ixion will be producing both versions.

  • The 1:48 scale On30 Coffee Pot CADCAMs are now being altered to include this variation before being finalised. As previously stated, this project awaits only sufficient funds to proceed. As soon as our coffers are replenished by sales of the Manor, the Coffee Pot production cycle will commence.

  • Click here for the full story and pictures of this model.

  • On January 3rd 2008, following a number of requests from correspondents, we have added a Gallery page containing photos of some of the models built by the Ixion directors, Phil Badger, Chris Klein and Lindsay O'Reilly. All the photos were also taken by the relevant model's builder, except where otherwise noted.

  • Click this link to view the Gallery page.

Elsewhere on the site...

  • Regularly check the Latest News pages for further updates on the progress of our Manor locomotive, due to be released at the 2008 N Gauge Exhibition in September.

  • Our Products page will soon feature details and pictures of the Manor. The specifications can be found there now.

  • Visit the Guestbook page to share your thoughts with us, and to allow us to stay in touch.

  • Try our website's Search page if you're not sure where to look for the information you're seeking.

  • Click here to contact us directly.

  • Who are Ixion Models? Check out our About Us page to find out more.

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