As some may have seen, we made an annoucement at the beginning of September about our joint project with Chrezo of Royan, France. Due to pressure of work, we could not publicise this further until now, so apologies for the delay. We hope the following will be of interest.
Minerva Model Railways and Chrezo of Royan, France announce the joint production of a finescale, injection-moulded 0 gauge model of theS100/030TU/USA tank in 7mm scale (1:43.5, for 32mm standard gauge).
By 1946 the Southern Railway needed either to renew or replace the ageing tanks used in Southampton Docks. The replacement locomotives would need to have a short wheelbase to negotiate the tight curves found in the dockyard but be able to haul heavy goods trains as well as full-length passenger trains in the harbour area. Oliver Bullied, the CME, therefore inspected the available surplus War Department tank locomotives. The S100s had a 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m) wheelbase, outside cylinders and had hardly been used, being built by Vulcan and Porter in the USA. One was taken on approval in May 1946 and tested it thoroughly over the next few months. A further thirteen were purchased in 1947, some from Vulcan and some from Porter, but all bar one of the Porters, were exchanged for Vulcan engines. These were given significant modifications by the Southern Railway and Minerva’s models will reflect these modifications, whilst Chrezo will offer them with the original cabs and fittings as appropriate.
The USA tank will be built to the same general specification as Minerva’s other locomotives, GWR 57XX/8750 0-6-0PT, Kerr Stuart Victory 0-6-0T, Manning Wardle K 0-6-0ST, Peckett 0-4-0ST locomotives and the Class 14 Diesel 0-6-0
Technical Specification
- An injection-moulded body
- Over 250 individual components
- Die cast metal chassis
- Fine scale wheels
- Six-wheel electrical pickup
- High-torque flywheel-equipped motor
- 40:1 precision gearbox for slow, smooth running
- Options include DC/DCC ready, DCC-fitted and DCC sound-fitted using the latest technology
- Detailed cab
- Sprung buffers and hook draw-gear with cosmetic screw coupling•
Finished in five liveries, Black lettered Southern Green, Black with BR early Crest, Black with BR late Crest, Lined BR Green, Brown lettered ‘Worth Valley’
Design work is almost complete, and the USA is expected to be delivered in 2024. The retail prices, including UK VAT are expected to be:
DC – £390
DCC fitted – £445
DCC and sound fitted – £525
Advanced orders taken before the end of business on 31st December 2023 will qualify for a discount of £25. Minerva does not take deposits and payment is not taken until the models have been delivered, tested and are ready for dispatch.
Order forms for either version can be found here:
https://www.minervamodelrailways.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Order-form-USA-tank.pdf
https://www.minervamodelrailways.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Order-form-SNCF-030-TU.pdf