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Rail Model	Andy Pearce
22 Berrow Park Road	Email: andy@railmodel.co.uk
Peverell	Web: http://railmodel.co.uk
Plymouth
PL3 5QA

Purchased, built and reviewed by Tony Sparks

Being a Great Central fan (and past Director), I decided to purchase the model of the GC Killamarsh signalbox kit, having seen the photograph on Rail Model's website which captured the essence of the delightful prototype. Rail Model are the new owners of what was previously Lasercraft Devon, and can be found on the traders websites' section of the Guild's website.

What is not apparent from their website is that the 'box is available either as a left-hand or right-hand version, although I am uncertain if this would apply to other ‘boxes in the range. On accessing their website, it is frustrating to see no tab for signalbox es, so you have to go to the catalogue tab on the menu tab to get there!

Opening the packaging revealed a comprehensive set of parts, some extremely delicate, and in the main is well produced. Windows are particularly finely made, but are extremely fragile as will be seen later. Included are full instructions, plus a CD with staged views of the construction. The only minor issue here is that the photos do not have references to the stages of construction. The set included glazing, handrails, gutters and downpipes. Assembly was undertaken using a 'fast grab' PVA adhesive.

On working through the kit, I soon learned that it is advisable to prepaint items or sub-assemblies, as I fell into the trap of sandwiching the glazing between the inner and outer walls as instructed, and then having to paint the window reveals without getting paint on to the glass. I also slavishly followed the instruction to hold the window frames down with double-sided tape and then to spray them with white primer. This was to prevent the very light frames from blowing away during the spray. But of course the windows were now painted to the back-board, and stuck firmly to the tape as well. Disaster! Most of the delicate frames were damaged in attempting to remove them. But Rail Model came up trumps, and provided a second set. This time, I gripped each one in a paper clip which was pushed into a block of polystyrene, thus suspending each frame clear of anything to stick to. By rotating the frame in the paperclip, the edges were held rather than the face. There are double the number of windows supplied, because each frame is made up of two frames as a sandwich with glazing material between. Because the frames are sliding on the prototype, they are mounted one behind the other, and this looks very convincing on the model. A small drawback is that the resultant double-sandwich assembly is thicker than the signalbox walls, but is not readily apparent, unless you know where to look.

As with the windows, some parts were very fragile, and the finials supplied were totally unsuitable being so thin that they broke at the first touch. This was remedied by constructing new ones from cocktail sticks, 0.6mm wire and a bead. I finished the roof with tiles cut from stout paper. The kit would benefit from Rail Model including plastic or resin finials to complete the job.

The remainder of the assembly went well but it was found that some stair treads were missing, but again Rail Model supplied these. I decided not to use the guttering as it was of the wrong shape, and used Skytrex ones instead. Intending to have the roof removable to view the interior, I fitted the gutters to the main building, rather than the roof. My only other niggle was that with a plethora of tiny parts, identifying these from the photos and instructions was well-nigh impossible. This particularly applied to the roof- to- barge board interface, and I had to assume that there were battens to the upper edges of the barge boards.

Rail Model do not produce an interior fittings kit, so I had to resort to competitor LCUT Creative to satisfy this part, and it is interesting to note that this latter company will modify their product to include any number of levers as required. I asked for 20. This kit included other useful parts such as block instruments, token machine plus a table and chair, and really set the model off well.

All in all, a nice signal box kit that produced a pleasing model which will sit centrally in my new layout now under construction. I was extremely flattered to receive Best Model for the 'box at the KLOGG Christmas Bash.

A copy of this review was sent to Rail Model for their comment and they responded; Thank you for sending me this it is greatly appreciated. I've noted the signal box tab and will try and accommodate that, if the restrictions of a templated web site will allow. The only thing I would like to add is that I understand that many smaller components can get lost during manufacture or parts can be broken during building and to this end we offer no quibble, free of charge replacements for these quality kits. Thank you again, Andy Pearce, Rail Model.