Taff Vale Models

17/01/2026

Another new 4mm scale kit!

https://www.taffvale.wales/4mm-Scale-8-10T-Wooden-Underframe-Oil-Spirit-Tank-Wagon-p809259549

This is for a 4mm/ft. scale 3D printed kit for an early type wooden framed oil/spirit tank wagon of 8/10T capacity.

In addition to the 3D prints, the kit contains metal buffer heads, pinpoint bearings, wire and 3-link couplings

Numerous examples of this type of private owner wagon could be found from the 1890’s onwards. The kit is derived from a drawing dated 1901 (Tourret, 2009) described as a Home Office (as opposed to RCH) design by Oldbury for 8/10 ton on Petroleum, Oil or Spirit Tank Wagon (1). The wagons had a 9’ wheelbase and for the time, fairly standard 15’4” length over headstocks timber frames.

Photographs of similar wagons are on the HMRS website (4) including (but are not limited to) the following:

Blagden Waugh (EC3) 10T tank wagon No.20 [OP] 1899 F3R Tare: 7-17-0
BR (ex-LNER/NBR?) Old tank wagon. Worksplate shows LNER 1899 10T No 903025.
Brooke Simpson & Spiller (Hackney Wick) 10T tank [OP] 1900 Side Regd: GNR 9437/1900
Homelight (Glasgow?) 10T tank No.278 [OP] F3R Paint date 17 Aug 1904
Railton & Son (Newport) 10T tank wagon No. 3 [OP] 1904 F3R wood frame, Tare:7-14-0, Regd:GWR 84078/1
Sharpness Chemical (Glos) 10T tank wagon No.24 [OP] 1899 R3L Tare: 7-17-0
Youngs Oil (Uphall Wks),10T tank No.60 [OP] 1902? R3L Addiewell & Uphall Works. Registered NBR 1902

There are further imges Images of these wagons with Regent (1) and Shell BP lettering (3)

References and Sources

Tourret, R. (2009). Petroleum Rail Tank Wagons of Britain

Tourret, R. (2001). British Railway Private Owner Wagons. Cheona Publications, p.10. See Plate 11.

Blogspot.com. (2016). 15q4 Phoenix - RVR’s Tank Wagon – an appeal. [online] Available at: https://rvrailway.blogspot.com/2016/01/15q4-phoeni... [Accessed 6 Jan. 2026].

Hmrs.org.uk. (2017). HMRS Photos. [online] Available at: https://hmrs.org.uk/photographs.html [Accessed 6 Jan. 2026].

04/01/2026

Belatedly wishing you all a Happy Newy Year!

Now the bugs have finally cleared, it's time to announce a new 4mm scale 3D printed wagon kit - available now.

The kit contains parts to build a Great Western Railway outside framed early (pre-diagram) covered goods wagon. Some of these wagons were transferred to the Rhondda & Swansea Bay Railway around the time of the First World War.

* 3D printed kit with metal buffer heads, bearings, wheels, couplings and wire.
* Can be assembled with adhesive - no soldering required.
* Grease and OK oil axlebox types are included in the kit.
* The 3D printed roof is separate to facilitate painting.
* Can be built to OO/EM/P4 gauges

This model represents the type with iron "bulb" type underframes which appeared around 1886. Instructions include as much historical detail as I could research, however any further insight into the history of these vehicles would be welcome. The kit represents prototypes with single sided brake gear. The brake gear can be positioned for any 4mm/ft. scale gauge variant.

The wagons would have the early GWR red wagon livery until the transition to all over GWR grey livery occured - thought to be around 1904 but there is much debate on this. They would have lasted until the 1930's or possibly later in various guises such as stores and sand vans.
Available here:
https://www.taffvale.wales/4mm-Kit-Great-Western-Railway-Outside-Framed-Early-Covered-Goods-Wagon-p805522849

I'm looking to produce a 7mm/ft. scale version sometime this year once I have released the 7mm/ft B&M '1' Class, 7mm/ft 11 Ton F.C Hibberd Planet 4wDM shunter and caught up with a couple of other projects.

A 4mm scale version of our 18 ton Hibberd Planet 4wDM shunter will be read for Aylesbury RailEx this year too.

11/03/2025

Test etches arrived last Friday so now we have the hurried test build of our 7mm/ft. O gauge RCH 1907 pattern 10 Ton sulphuric acid tank wagon kit.

A few minor deign updates have been completed post build. The wagons will be available to buy in three weeks and we'll take some to NewGoG. These can be pre-ordered (no deposit) here https://www.taffvale.wales/O-Gauge-RCH-1907-design-sulphuric-acid-tank-wagon-p733446744

The kit contains laser cut timber frames and etched brass overlays to form the chassis. Registration plates are included though I haven't fitted them to the test build. The tank is pre-rolled in brass and is formed from two overlapping sheets as per prototype. The wheels are independently sprung using the usual method of spring carriers and wire. The draw bar is centrally sprung as per the prototype. Couplings are included on the etch and 3-link chain will be supplied. Stanchions and valves are 3D printed from a quality resin.

The 1923 version will be available later this Spring.

The design is derived from a 1913 drawing based on a 1907 design.

At 15'4" length over headstocks, this earlier version has shorter frames than the RCH 1923 version. The stays are different and the timber baulks and stanchions are formed from chunky sections of timber.

Unlike the later RCH 1923 design, the tank outlet is mounted centrally - there would have been an internal crank connected to the tap to operate the mechanism.

These vehicles were operated by a number of owners and are well documented in the various private owner wagon books. Operators included "Briton Ferry Manure and Chemical Company", "John Summers & Sons Ltd." and Spooner & Bailey Ltd."
HMRS also have a good number of sulphuric acid tank photo's.

05/12/2024

New 4MM Scale RCH Sulphuric Acid Tank Wagon Kits available now:

1907 version https://www.taffvale.wales/1907-4mm-scale-Sulphuric-Acid-Tank-wagon-p713152564

1923 version https://www.taffvale.wales/1923-RCH-4mm-scale-Sulphuric-Acid-Tank-wagon-p713150579

This is a 4mm kit to build a model of a 10 ton sulphuric acid tank with wooden underframe based on either the RCH 1907 version or the later 1923 specification. Both have rivetted tanks. Welded tank versions will available at a later date.

* Work is in progress on 7mm scale version too.

The kit comprises:

Detailed instructions with drawings
3D printed superstructure
Pinpoint Bearings and couplings
Whitemetal buffers
Wire
Rolled wire section for vertical strapping.
Requires 3’1” equivalent wheel, either closed or open spoke.
Requires paint and lettering.

Brakes can be spaced for OO/EMP4

The kit can be assembled with cyanoacrylate adhesive.

This early version represents a wooden underframe acid tank with 9’ wheelbase and length 15’4” over headstocks as per RCH Drawing reprint March 1922. This design is documented as originating in 1907. It is described in RCH drawing 107 as:

10, 12 & 14T Tank wagons for Sulphuric Acid with Wood or Steel underframe.
The following panel is noted on the diagram.

To BE CLEARLY MARKED :- “TO CONVEY SULPHURIC ACID ONLY"

EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREON FOR FURTHER PARTICULARS REFER To STANDARD SPECns FOR 10 OR 12 TON TANK WAGONS DATED DECmr 1907, AND14 TON TANK WAGONS DATED FEBry 19ll.

The later version represents a wooden underframe acid tank with 9’ wheelbase and length 16’6” over headstocks as per RCH drawing reprint February 1927 described as:

Drawing 1202 1923 Standard 10, 12 or 14T Sulphuric Acid Tank Wagons with Wood or Metal Underframe

23/10/2024

Our first 7mm narrow gauge kit is now available to buy online. The kit is for a Corris/Talyllyn Railway Kerr Stuart "Tattoo" Class locomotive. The kit comprises nickel silver etches for chassis, cab rear and roof, 3D prints for boiler, cab, cylinders,other 3D parts and hardware. Both early and later cab types can be orderd and the kits come with a Giesel ejector type chimney and a round chimney. More details and ordering here:
https://www.taffvale.wales/NG7-O-16-5-Corris-Talyllyn-Railway-Kerr-Stuart-Tattoo-Locomotive-p704540943

12/08/2024

Our new 4mm scale kit for a Taff Vale 'V' Class locomotive is now available to buy on our website. It features a one-piece 3D printed smokebox/saddle/boiler, other 3D printed detailing parts and an etch in nickle silver for cab, footplate and chassis. The later cutaway saddle tank type is available as an option. Chassis options for OO. EM & P4 are included on the etch.

Taff Vale Railway crest transfers by Mark Seward

Model Kit Description The kit will build a 4mm to the foot scale model of Taff Vale Railway /GWR/Industrial V-Class locomotive. There are two versions available, one with original tanks and the later option with cutaway tanks. You can select your option at checkout. Kit Contents 1 x nickel silver et...

21/06/2024

Our 1833 Mashima fit motors are back in stock and can be purchased via our website below.

This is a very powerful "1833" size motor with longer shafts intended as a drop in replacment for the Mashima 1833 which is now out of production. With 15mm length shaft at the front and 11.5 mm lemgth shaft at the rear, this motor is more powerful and somewhat quieter than the Mashima …

12/05/2024

A 3D print from a little project currently in progress in 4mm scale. Can you guess what it is?

Update:
This is the test print of a 4mm/ft. scale Taff Vale Railway 'V' class locomotive smokebox, tank, etc. I’ll check this against the measurements for the etched design of the kit to confirm everything integrates as it should and I will then order test etches to create a prototype. The safety valve will be removable to allow both Ramsbottom and GWR types to be fitted. I am also producing the option of cutaway tank corners introduced later on to improve motion lubrication access. The print is hollow internally with lots of space for a gearbox, ballast weight and DCC equipment/speaker.