The NEW Unifrog Conversion

The latest conversion to Unifrog is now available. This time we have updated the Streamline OO/HO scale Code 100 Small Radius "Y" turnout to conform to this new format. Produced from brand new tooling this replaced the former Insulfrog and Electrofrog SL-97 and SL-E97 (both of these are now discontinued and out of stock).

Y Turnouts are really useful track components - their main benefit being as great space-savers. By combining the Y with the short crossing you can create a tight radius double junction and using several Ys together allows you to fit more routes in a restricted space. Ideal when building small loco yards and goods sidings. It's what the real railways would have done after all! 

The Unifrog Conversion

On a Unifrog turnout the frog tip and wing rails are electrically isolated from all other rails. The turnout can be used as supplied on a DC or DCC layout without any modification, using the standard SL-10 rail joiner. If desired, the frog tip and wing rails can be powered by connecting the wire welded underneath to a changeover switch or microswitch working in unison with one of our turnout motors. Basically, as supplied the turnout operates as an Insulfrog turnout. If the frog is powered then it operates as an Electrofrog turnout. So, the best of both worlds in one unit!

Based on the buildings at the Ffestiniog Railway Boston Lodge base in Porthmadog, North Wales, these two new kits perfectly complement our OO-9 scale rolling stock, and of course, the Small and Large Engine locomotives. Produced from fine plywood sheets the kits feature some very exquisite texture detailing replicating either the stone or corrugated iron  finish. Both kits include some interior detail such as roof bracing.

The stone engine shed kit LK219 has two alternative roofs, depending on whether the modeller wishes to use the chimneys and roof vents, and this kit also includes a separate and authentic FR disc signal. The shed can also be built single or double-ended. Footprint 167 x 97mm.

Based on the buildings at the Ffestiniog Railway Boston Lodge base in Porthmadog, North Wales, these two new kits perfectly complement our OO-9 scale rolling stock, and of course, the Small and Large Engine locomotives. Produced from fine plywood sheets the kits feature some very exquisite texture detailing replicating either the stone or corrugated iron  finish. Both kits include some interior detail such as roof bracing.

The corrugated iron building, LK220, which at Boston Lodge sits alongside the older stone building, is a simpler single-track structure but again can also be built single or double-ended and with or without the chimneys. Footprint 167 x 64mm.

The NEW Laser-Cut West Bay OO Station Building

PECO is happy to present one of its new laser-cut station buildings, along with detailed interior that can be removed and re-inserted, to add lighting and other detail. This is a typical stone-built branch line station building, in this case based in West Bay in Dorset. The prototype was opened in 1984 as the new terminus of the extended Bridport railway, operated initially by the Great Western Railway and from 1948, British Railways Western region. It closed in 1962, but the building has been renovated and is now in use as a lounge bar and waiting room for a restaurant on adjoining carriages, called the Station Kitchen.

This kit comes with some plastic components to complete the model and includes a full interior detail, which can be removed to add LED lighting should this be required.

One of the fundamental aspects of safety on the railway was that wagons should never be overloaded. To do so would risk trains not having sufficient braking capacity to slow and stop safely. To manage loading at many industrial locations, each wagon would pass over a Weighbridge - to check their weight. Each wagon would display its tare weight, which could be deducted from the total weight, to ascertain the net weight of the load - simple mathematics! The new Ratio kit is a great representation of a typical Weighbridge, not dissimilar to the one, once located at Shildon Wagon Works in the North East. Combining a mixture of materials, the plastic parts make up the hut and laser-cut wood parts form the actual weighing scales, which fit in and around a length of ST-201 PECO Setrack track, included in the kit. 

Another useful addition to the extensive range of Ratio OO/HO scale railway structure kits.