I will get some pictures tomorrow
Going to visit our friends at Bendigo tomorrow (Sunday) Taking a break from our own Exhibition and bringing Geoffrey Hope up from the new company Shrike Models who are about to release a NSW C30T injection molded locomotive out of China.
They are also planning a SAR Rx Steam engine later this year.
A survey is being undertaken to help decide the next models to be produced. This one will be a Victorian Steam engine, almost certainly a D3 (D,D2,D4 and DDe) But the survey might change that. Its amazing what people are asking for.
Also on the survey are What 4 wheelers do you want? What passenger carriages? and what bogie freight.
I heard talk of a Victorian car wagon skeletal, hybrid brass and plastic loaded with your choice of autos for about $90
Ford Train, come to me baby I got the two T's and the GM
Cheers
Rod Young

What scale is the 30T and is it a completed model release or news of intended release ? sounds great

What scale is the 30T and is it a completed model release or news of intended release ? sounds great

Hi
The 30T is injection molded with die cast chassis !! Its almost here and release is hoped sooner rather than later, I believe.
Of course the project manager (who is handling several other models, and his success is well known in the trade) is expecting the engineering sample to pass, be approved and go to the next stage quickly. I watched Geoff Hope circulate amongst the principals of the Chinese importing Companies at Bundoora,, and I saw respect and maybe a worrying look as they wondered how far our modelling dollars will stretch. I heard him negotiate the purchase of tenders from Eureka which can be substituted as an add on to mimic prototype operations. Geoff says why do something twice, when you can negotiate in a friendly way with the opposition..how cute is that? Could we even work together like that? I hope so
Did I hear August? But I know they are confident they will have them at Liverpool. I think the "new kids " are showing the old ones up, and getting things done under 12 months> Have a look at the SDS flats...WOW!!

I believe the sample may be at the Post Office, too late to collect before travelling to Melbourne. WE will know when Geoff returns Sydney Thursday. It goes to Phil Badger and James McInerney and will be put up on the web site which is missing in action. Possibly up Thursday as well.

I have confidence in Geoffrey and I think you are going to be happy with the first two engines (C30T and SAR RX)

I hope you are all voting for your favourite Victorian Steamer for 2015

D3 D3 D3 D3 D3 D3 Did I mention I want a D3 and then a D2 D4 and DDE
Cheers
Rod
edit Geoff will also build rolling stock So tell him what you want A survey is being run to find out the most wanted 4 wheeler (wood I truck?)  (ZL)  Passenger Carriage V Vintage Train Cars? 6 wheelers?  Freight wagons? Would you pay under a $100 for a VR skeletal car wagon with 8 Fords, in 5 colours and choosing between 5 year models to make your Ford Train match different years?    So what do we want?

Rod what an announcement. If anyone else had said what you have, I would not believe them. So let's see what comes before we write this off. So I trust Rod and can assure you this is no scam, joke or con.  it is great news and I look forward to seeing Shrike models announce their existance when they are ready.

Regards,
David Head

... I look forward to seeing Shrike models announce their existance when they are ready.

Regards,
David Head

Well you sucked me in David.  I saw the Fred title and thought this is the info we are waiting for.  No doubt they will come out soon with the story.  

Best regards,
John

Yes Guys
I think I am more excited about Shrike than the owner
So I hope I am not moving ahead of what he needs you to know

However I really think it is going to work. All I am saying is that Geoff had impromptu meetings with many important model railway figures this week end, and I saw it happen.
I was not privy to all that was said, but Geoff's enthusiasm was not harmed, in fact he was so gratified by all those who did support him. I warned him not to expect deposits this early, and especially as the Engineering samples did not arrive.

tHis money tin was very heavy when he headed for St Georges Albury today though. He is ecstatic as he was thinking he would have 30T orders and instead was getting Rx orders. Actually people made trips to Bundoora from South Australia!!
If some of you have not noticed. Geoff is a Victorian schooled chap who trained with VR to drive trains. Transferred to NSW where he drove all sorts of trains, was a union leader then Locomotive Inspector before retiring a few years ago due to illness and the death of his wife and becoming a single Dad with a young lad who missed his Mum terribly.
Now that things are back on an even footing, Geoff has decided against all advice from his friends, to give back something to the hobby that has sustained him most of his adult life.
As he worked the Eastern States Railways, his modelling went west to SAR. Work that one out? So Shrike Models is primarily out to do SAR. Geoff needs to hold onto his dollars and whilst he builds up a SAR market by giving them the models they want, he is dabbling in NSW and VR models to keep the company cash positive. So if the Rx is a slow seller, the others wont be.
I think the SAR is an untapped market. I think Geoff will under build and run out earlier than he thinks. Prove me right you South Australians .

Ok so we told him, he did not listen So now we encourage you all to get behind him and help him succeed and put out more models.

Speaking Victorian models? Ok lets do that I am extremely disappointed that my D3 is not going to be a Shrike first model in plastic. So much so that I found a Brass BGM one and bought that instead

Geoff was taken aside by the very person who would know, and warned not to do a D3. Geoff will not elaborate and says nothing except the D3 is a no go. And that's it!

Now anyone who wants steam will buy a D3, so I will let you all do the sums. If its not doable because it wont sell, it must be because.......
I too look forward to the webpage hopefully in a few days time, and I will tell you all 3 minutes after I hear it myself
Cheers
Rod

Edit
I invite all members here to tell us what you want  Primarily SAR but if its NSW, Victorian or Queensland and you can show it will sell, you are  in with a chance.  4 wheelers?  freight or Pass?  Bogie freight or Pass??   Diesels
So its almosy a shoe in the Chinese are going to build Lady Norrie, but the balance in NSW or Victoria will be?

What do you want? Dont be shy?

If I cant get a plastic D3 what about an X?

But I guess a SAR based Company is going to seriously think about an N/750, I guess?

http://www.shrikemodels.com.au/ - getting all goose-bumpy with anticipation

Rod what an announcement. If anyone else had said what you have, I would not believe them. So let's see what comes before we write this off. So I trust Rod and can assure you this is no scam, joke or con. it is great news and I look forward to seeing Shrike models announce their existance when they are ready.

Regards,
David Head

David
great to see you at LaTrobe. Sorry I was on the move all the time though
You met Geoff, he is an interesting guy.
Geoff says in God we trust.
In fact I have known him so long because I knew Ernie, his father who as you know was a DVR man who helped set up DVR in its new home at Eltham all these years ago.
I would trust Geoff with my mortgage, however having said that I am happy he did not need it
Its not much of a risk for me to sing his praises, and I know who is his Engineering Project Manager. You do too
He has every chance of getting this project up and running. I think providing the bottom does not fall out of the Financial markets , any time soon it will succeed. So in Geoff I trust
Cheers
Rod

Actually the RX appeals

Regards,
David Head

I will be a starter for the C30T, perhaps a couple.

John

While there is obviously a difference between RTR and a brass kit, the market for Rx's may be a bit weak due to the recent double run of Model Design Studio's brass Rx kit.

I'd be more interested in a 620 myself.

... but the reason he's running an Rx off of a D3 is pretty clear.

... but the reason he's running an Rx off of a D3 is pretty clear.

I think we have found in Victoria that plastic "Plonking" opens up a whole new market.  SEM keep running out of $600 white metal kits and TrainBuilder and Precision keep running out of RTR Brass that cost more than $1500.
Along comes plnker plastic and where the others sell 100, the Chinese build 1000's and they scramble to buy them at every Exhibition.
Rod Young (Plonker in Charge)

While there is obviously a difference between RTR and a brass kit, the market for Rx's may be a bit weak due to the recent double run of Model Design Studio's brass Rx kit.

I'd be more interested in a 620 myself.

They are listening
Keep them coming!

http://www.shrikemodels.com.au/ - getting all goose-bumpy with anticipation

They weren't expecting the full page up till Geoff gets back to Sydney and goes to the Post Office to see whats in the parcel. We are only guessing it was a sample, but he is expecting several other unrelated parcels as well.

I think the page will go up when the sample gets here, and dealing with Chinese is always difficult...
Heads nodding, lots of smiles and yes yes yes.......  Then when stupid Australian leaves go back to playing whatever and forget the promises...
or so they tell me
Cheers
Rod

Well the D3 came out of the absolutely unmarked, unfaded red BGM box all wrapped up in plastic, and you would have thought it was built yesterday. This model ran nicely as well. However it is getting a sound chip and I will clean out the 30 year old lubrication and put some nice teflon grease in when I chip it
Pictures here if interested?
Comtrain
Cheers
Rod

To me the RX or some of the big Webb engines would be interesting..... SA wise. I know the RX was a fine kit, but to make it etc put me off, so plonkability will open  the model up to more people.

I think in the end Shrike Models will have to decide what locos and rollingstock to do, and not worry about what others have announced.

Regards,
David Head

What scale is the 30T and is it a completed model release or news of intended release ? sounds great

I still do not see a reply to "What scale?" so I am going to assume it is HO.

Guys, no one knows for sure. Until the owner is ready.  information has to wait, due to this being  a  "premature" announcement.

I assume HO scale too.  

Regards,
David Head

I still do not see a reply to "What scale?" so I am going to assume it is HO.

Yes still no scale but a name tossed up earlier was Phil Badger and he is a "N" scale modeller .

Yes still no scale but a name tossed up earlier was Phil Badger and he is a "N" scale modeller .

......... and On30, and 'O' 7mm scale, Phil Badger is not just N scale !!

Regards,
David Head

Guys, no one knows for sure. Until the owner is ready. information has to wait, due to this being a "premature" announcement.

I assume HO scale too.

Regards,
David Head

Sorry mate, Yes its all HO scale
Cheers
Rod

Guys, no one knows for sure. Until the owner is ready. information has to wait, due to this being a "premature" announcement.

I assume HO scale too.

Regards,
David Head

Well yes its premature, but Geoff can't sit at an Exhibition like Hobson's Bay, flogging his new Company and its products, and not expect everybody, interested is going to talk about it
And yes my deal with Geoff is to carefully listen to the words "commercial in confidence" my difficulty is remembering all the time, the many things I am not allowed to say So far so good. I have not told you any more than Geoff has told his customers at Hobson's Bay
Cheers
Rod Young

I hope Geoff can get this venture off the ground though as a couple of Rx's would not go astray on any SAR theme layout and also I would like a C30t as well as both these locomotives look great. Great Hopey and all the best!

think i could go a RX aswell

think i could go a RX aswell

Were the Rx running on all three gauges in SA like the 830 were?
I know this model is to be built for HO gauge track
Cheers
Rod