Hot off the press is the leaked images of the Southern Model Supply (Australian Railway Models) C38 samples. A competitor to the Eureka 38cl?

If the photo doesn't work, this link: https://ibb.co/VJH7qxf

Hot off the press is the leaked images of the Southern Model Supply (Australian Railway Models) C38 samples. A competitor to the Eureka 38cl?

If the photo doesn't work, this link: https://ibb.co/VJH7qxf

It does appear to be an HO 38 class....

Peter

Are we to assume then, its the same mob as:

https://www.railpage.com.au/f-p976730.htm

Regards,

Catchpoint

The only Southern Model Suppies I can think of is the old Lima importer?

whats to say that this isn't just an Eureka 38?

more info from the OP is required me thinks

Regards,

Catchpoint

I believe the 38 model is on display at the Melbourne Toy Fair at present on the Southern Models Supply stand.
Perhaps it might still be around by this weekend, at Sandown?

whats to say that this isn't just an Eureka 38?

more info from the OP is required me thinks

Regards,

Catchpoint

Looking at the photo, and given several areas with it not sure its HO gauge especially when looking at the track it sits on.

While some aspects of it look ok, the rivet detail is too heavy for mine.

On Facebook - see some photos, $300 mark, I think may be too low but we'll see.

Regards,
David Head

On Facebook - see some photos, $300 mark, I think may be too low but we'll see.

Regards,
David Head

Yes, Some discussion of it on the Aurora Trains Facebook page. Confirmed HO around $300 for "DCC ready".

https://www.facebook.com/AuroraTrains

Tony

Is it a beefed-up Lima model?

Brave or foolish?

Is it a beefed-up Lima model?

Brave or foolish?

The Lima model used the frame (and particularly cylinders) of a German Class 18.5 and the tender from a French 141R.

This model has a correct frame and cylinders and a correct tender.

The body is more detailed than the Lima model so it seems unlikely that it is related to the Lima model.

On the other hand look at photos of James McInerny's Lima model which looks as good as most Eureka models...

Peter

Metro Hobbies in Melbourne also has it on their front page as does Little Train Shop in Tasmania.

Is it a beefed-up Lima model?

Brave or foolish?

The Lima model used the frame (and particularly cylinders) of a German Class 18.5 and the tender from a French 141R.

This model has a correct frame and cylinders and a correct tender.

The body is more detailed than the Lima model so it seems unlikely that it is related to the Lima model.

On the other hand look at photos of James McInerny's Lima model which looks as good as most Eureka models...

Peter

There are too many errors on the model for me, even at the cheap price that is advertised for it would need a lot of time and careful work to fix some of the problems and that includes both versions of the model.  When comparing it to other plastic models of 38cl it pretty much comes up last as far as accuracy goes.  Sort of takes me back to the Triang and Hornby repaints and numbering of models and say they are NSWGR models.

In the original Aurora post, it did mention the following

I would also like to know where the model is being made, as I have heard rumours about a particular country being involved that has a very poor track record in producing models that are of the quality and accuracy that is expected of today.  If the final samples have the areas of inaccuracies fixed, and the drive chain/motors etc are also of the standards expected today, I would get a black one when they arrive.

Casula Hobbies have a pre order page up on their website for this model
Expected delivery August 2020
$299.00

Now that release is imminent, what’s the general consensus on quality of this loco? Would it be perhaps of a similar level to the Wombat C30T?

At $300 it might be a reasonable gamble, not so much if the price rises after delivery

Now that release is imminent, what’s the general consensus on quality of this loco? Would it be perhaps of a similar level to the Wombat C30T?

At $300 it might be a reasonable gamble, not so much if the price rises after delivery

GW,  Last Weekend I was sent an email that showed what I understand to be the model that was most likely how it will come with the original blurb on the model that ""adjustments were to be carried out"" prior to finalisation. Which I guess meant that some work was to be done in the tooling so some items were to have work on the toolings to fix some un-named/indicated areas on the model.

While the price of these models is very attractive when compared to the other offerings such as from Eureka which according to their Word order page their models come in at $660.00 although I believe will be more than that on delivery. That would suggest that you could get 2 of the Southern 38's for the price of the Eureka model.  Comparing the models, I would say despite some areas of the Eureka model that are not right, it is still a better model with likely a lot less fixing work needed to be carried out on the Cheaper version.

As I did not have a firemans side view of the AMR model it was not possible to really comment on that aspect.  As much as I would like to get 2 non streamlined 38's which would finish my collection, at this point of time there is absolutely no way that I would outlay the asking price for the SMS models the way they are in the photo's.

Basically speaking, the only positive and close to correctness can be found on the top lips of the tender, the terrible oversized rivet detail on the model that were not found on the real 38's is disgusting likewise is the boiler bands and other hatch covers on the boiler areas also not seen on the real 38's,  The cutout groove that runs along both sides of the boiler is fiction, like so much else on the model.

The front apron that has the air pump on it is angled down with the buffers also at the same angle, the actual buffer beam part of the apron is incorrect in detail as is the pump. The traditional incorrect cover plate over the top of the firebox instead of being parrallel with the running board is angled the same alignment as the washout plugs.  Sand box is another item needing a replacement, Valve gear looks too heavy and not shaped correctly.  Regulator pull arm that sits inside the hand rail on drivers side does not exist, only a cut section with heavy looing holding brackets are there but no bell crank handle and connection to the main rods, at the smokebox the hand rail continues with no end connection to the multi valve spindle, Meaning the whole of the drivers side hand rails run parrallel to the footplate at the high side of the cab/firebox section. On the firemans side though, the drop down section of the hand rail does exist at the front end of the firebox. Hard to pick although it would likely mean that as the hand rails are meant to be at the same height both sides of the boiler unlikely to be like that on the model.

The couplers and buffer beam areas are incorrect, Tender ladder is oversized and too high for the bottom rung.

There are so many other areas that incorrect, that to pay the $299.00 for it would still mean you would have to have good skills to fix/replace by sanding the rivets down in depth and overall sizes, the side cut outs under the hand rails would need filling with putty and considerable work needed there.

The is absolutely no way that I would even attempt to the rivet detail, nor the boiler bands along with so many other items, thus my wallet will be firmly closed.

One big obvious items regarding the rivets is that the front of the Smokebox has not just the rivets around the outer section of the whole front, but another thick row is found on the whole of the front of the smokebox looking as if they correspond with those on the front, with the front of boiler jacket instead of covering right to the front of the smokebox is set back behind the rivets with a thick Boiler band over the cladding.  That is a total incorrect abomination as the boiler/smokebox cladding only in latter service had even the boiler band secured by small screw rivets around some of that area, but only enough used to hold the cladding place.

How long and extra costs to fix the rivet and boiler bands is an unknow but a lot would be needed in cost and time, the most affective way to fix would be to try and source replacement sections such as the smokebox front. pump and other equipment.

As said I would like two more 38's but they wont be these ones. even if I saw a production model in my hand, I would not be taking them if they are the way they are atm.  Also no idea what the motors are like in the model either, something said and asked about as well is what gauge are the wheels on the model, they appear to be more akin to 110 or higher than what we are used to.

Check it out before cashing out the money.

Thank you A6. Appears that you get what you pay for

Thank you A6. Appears that you get what you pay for

No Probs GW.  What I would be interested in is where the model is actually being made in, for the reasons being that as soon as I saw the original photo's of it I was wavering, the latest ones also show some areas that have had such things as the clunky double up front end hook that sat over a Kadee type coupler, the general aspect to me sent me thinking back some years to a certain figure who got models made in India, and for those who unfortunately purchased certain models they were binned or sat in sidings as display vehicles as they would not stay on tracks.

I do not understand how the designers got the model so wrong with the terrible detail, I have a number of my old photo's from the steam days, but also some other ones that are taken over the earlier years of the 38cl life, and what they show are very clear boiler casing, with fine boiler bands which were pretty much like spring steel that were basically there to keep the large sections of casings together, likewise the various inspection areas that had either slide up covers or some with hinges, as the loco's got older those casings were still used and small threaded rivet heads were used to hold those items in place.  Some 38's in later service had that outer band on the front of the smokebox with spaced rivets to hold the casing and bands in place.

Having worked as a fireman on more than a few when at Enfield in the 60's and with the photo's I have to help me when I see a model with what I believe is akin to our mate Thomas & friends being passed off with detail that really destroys any locomotive, be it steam, diesel or R/S items and passes them off with low cost with the hope of scoring sales, I have no choice but to call it out.

Surelly in this day & age, even with the issues now in regard to China, those wanting to enter the market should be encouraged, but please have them do decent research, there are after all 2 non streamlined 38cl in as operational condition that are available to see and I would expect easily photographed, along with plans available for them to peruse and likely copy to bring out a model that is an accurate one, therefore deemed as such and not akin to an expensive toy replication.

While the issues you point out are comprehensive, I cannot see many - if any being addressed in the loco that will soon appear on shelves

Recent marketing strategies may even see a price rise after delivery. Makes me wonder why a producer would not focus on a simpler but correct model allowing a good base to add detail

It would appear that features were just thrown into the pot to make the model appear more sophisticated

Just my thoughts of course. Like you A6, I’ll probably save my money

I’m sure it will appeal to some regardless

While the issues you point out are comprehensive, I cannot see many - if any being addressed in the loco that will soon appear on shelves

Recent marketing strategies may even see a price rise after delivery. Makes me wonder why a producer would not focus on a simpler but correct model allowing a good base to add detail

It would appear that features were just thrown into the pot to make the model appear more sophisticated

Just my thoughts of course. Like you A6, I’ll probably save my money

I’m sure it will appeal to some regardless

From a distance most people would not notice the various oversized items.  One other aspect I noticed is that of the size of the rail that was underneath the model, wondering therefore what are the flange sizes on them.

Don't forget .... there's always the other brand to choose from.

Allan Brown

Don't forget .... there's always the other brand to choose from.

Allan Brown

And how much better is that? Considering price and and the errors on it.

Don't forget .... there's always the other brand to choose from.

Allan Brown

And how much better is that? Considering price and and the errors on it.

The other brand is much better. I saw a pilot model of the SMS C38 at Hobbyco and it is as bad as others have observed. It has over scale rivets, poor, low definition detail, incorrectly mounted valve gear, coarse over wide wheels with cookie cutter shaped deep flanges, finished with the wrong green for the 1946 to 1950 version being supplied. It lacks pickups on the tender, so do not expect good low speed running over Peco insulfrog turnouts. Compared to the other alternatives, it not good value in my opinion.

Terry Flynn.

Let's wait and decide when they both arrive! I never buy off the plan.

Allan Brown

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/shop/brands/lima-h0-1-87.html

Well well well ....