Welcome to Tower-Models.com
This site is being constantly updated and any new items and details being
added on almost a weekly basis. If you have any questions then please feel
free to e-mail us for further details. The website is designed to work with
Microsoft Internet Explorer but may work with other web browsers. Also some
firewalls have strange effects, so be aware. It may be "belt-and-braces"
technology but it works. The site is also just an online catalogue, it is
not an online shop. To order just use the good old-fashioned phone!
NAVIGATION
Use the navigation side bar on the left hand side to look up the various scales and the ranges in those scales we stock.
NEWS 19th May 2026
Gauge O Guild Show, Wigan Saturday 30th May
Less than 2 weeks now until the annual O gauge show in Wigan. The show is at the Robin Park Leisure Centre, Loire Drive, Wigan WN5 0UL. We are attending the show but as always we cannot bring everything we offer through the shop or via mail order. We will be bringing a good cross section of the most popular items but if there are any items you would like to collect on the day a simple call or email can ensure we have them ready for you to collect on the day. Help us to help you and avoid any potential disappointment, especially on quantity of the same items.
As a result of us attending the show the shop will be closed from mid day on the 29th of May as we travel to the event to set up and also closed on the Saturday of the show.
Bank Holiday, Monday 25th May
It is a Bank Holiday here in the UK on Monday the 25th of May and the shop will be closed as a result of the National Holiday. We are open as normal on Tuesday 26th as we then begin to prepare for the show.
NEWS 12th May 2026
Good news from Peco today. Their O gauge wooden halt has now been released. The kit is modular with ten separate modules joining together to form the full length of the platform (630mm) plus two ramps (overall length with ramps 830mm) The width of the platform is 58mm which extends to 100mm when the rear steps are taken into account. At just £31.50 this is a great value addition to the Peco lineside range.
NEWS 5th May 2026
We received last week the new Slaters Road Tank kit and have completed all advance orders. We are now awaiting restocks from Slaters hopefully later this week. Good to see a new kit released for this GWR / BR six wheel road tank carrier.
Gladiator Kits Caprotti Black Five.
Good news from Gladiator kits that the forthcoming Caprotti Black Five kit should become available before the end of May. Two versions are being produced depicting it as either the plain bearing or roller bearing version of the loco. We are taking advance orders for these now for despatch as soon as they become available. As always we can also supply the parts required to complete the loco; namely wheels, motor gearbox and couplings.
For those people panicking about the Heljan 153's we still have a good selection available for immediate despatch. We have sold out of the Gaugemaster Ltd Edition GWR livery and the sound fitted example in the Regional Railways livery. All of the rest are in stock. If they are going to re-run these will be at least 2 years I would imagine before they receive any more. Once they have gone we cannot replace them
Five standard liveries have been produced and for the first time from Heljan there was the option of either DCC ready or factory fitted sound for all liveries.
We also have stocks of all versions of the Heljan PCA's available off the shelf and also offer custom weathering on these if required. A simple call on 01253 623797 can secure yours now as they have sold out at the manufacturer.
NEWS 15th April 2026
PRMRP Open Day.
The PRMRP open day at the shop went very well and was great to see so many of our customers and for their support. PRMRP were also happy with the results and we plan on another one later in the year when we can check out suitable dates.
We also had the Dapol test samples of the Class 66's and Ivatt Class 2 tanks on display in the shop over the weekend and they did look rather splendid. Yesterday we had a meeting with Dapol to discuss future projects and now have potentially eight Limited Editions in the pipeline with them for new items over the new few years; it is nice to have some good news as we shift our focus for O gauge.
Accurascale acquire Heljan
Last week it was announced that Accurascale have acquired Heljan.
Accurascale are renown for quality and innovation and will be a leap forward in quality with their future projects in all scales.
We have now had a good chat with Accurascale about how important to Tower Models O gauge is and how important Tower has been to O gauge over the last 47 years.
For the time being we are keeping a record of Heljan advance orders and our Limited Editions until we can clarify the status of these further in the coming weeks.
In total we had six Limited Editions either announced or ready to announced which may well not be produced.
No matter what we still have good stocks of Heljan O gauge, many of which are already sold out at Heljan; enough to keep us going for a good number of years and we still offer many other O gauge brands which may well grow in the future.
Must also say has been touching the number of our loyal customers who have reached out to us. We will survive and adapt as we all adjust to the new reality.
As always we will also still be offering our custom naming, numbering and sound fitting service as required.
Examples being:
• Class 26 various liveries including out Limited Edition 26032
• Class 27 last few
• Class 31 factory numbered blue as 31427
• Class 33 ~ All liveries apart from BR Blue
• Class 37/0 ~ Split Box
• Class 37/0 ~ Centre Headcode
• Class 47 (early)
• Class 47 (with high intensity headlight)
• Class 50
• Class 55 Deltic
• Class 56
• Class 117 ~ last few, best to call to check what's remaining.
• Class 153 both with and without factory fitted sound
On top of all of the standard production models there are also many of our exclusive Limited Editions including the recent reintroduction of the Cargowaggons which have been very successful.
NEWS 25th March 2026
We are running very low on the Heljan Mk2's in BR Blue now, especially on the TSO coaches which have been sold out at Heljan for some time now. We could very easily run out of the TSO's when completing a couple of decent orders for these as we are down to less than ten examples.
As such we are introducing a limit on the number of blue grey TSO's you can buy to one TSO per other Mk2 you buy at the same time. As an example want 2 TSO's you must buy any mix of 2 BSO's, BSOT's,FK's or BFK's in either blue grey or any of the coaches in any other livery. Just trying to preserve the stocks of the TSO's whilst we can as once gone the others become redundant without the key vehicle.
We have also recently had restocks of the Heljan lighting bars. This interior lighting will also be extremely simple thanks to Heljan's new battery-powered LED lighting bar which will simply drop into the locating slots provided on the interior unit. Featuring a built-in motion sensor, the lights switch on when any movement is detected and remain illuminated for two minutes when your train is stationary.
NEWS 20th March 2026
Dapol have also announced the production of a new livery of the Stroudley coaches which should become available towards the end of May 2026 in the fetching LSWR salmon and chocolate livery. There will be four versions of the coaches produced (Brake Third, All Third, Composite and First Class) but with two number options of the brake third to enable a brake at both ends of the train. We are taking advance orders for these now for despatch as soon as they become available.
NEWS 19th March 2026
Dapol 6 wheel milk tanker re-run
Dapol have today announced a re-run of the ever popular six wheel milk tankers which should become available in the first quarter of 2027. A total of five liveries are being produced, with re-runs of United Dairies and Express Dairies with new running numbers and then three new liveries. We are taking advance orders for these now for despatch as soon as they become available.
NEWS 16th March 2026
Heljan Spotlight
Had a good size restock from Heljan last week and we have now bought all remaining stock of the recently released Heljan Class 31/4s in BR Blue numbered as 31427.
Thought it was worth doing an update on BR Blue diesels that are still available from stock, which is still the most popular livery:
BR Blue O gauge locos in stock:
• Class 24/0
• Class 26
• Class 27
• Class 31 factory numbered as 31427
• Class 37/0 ~ Split Box
• Class 37/0 ~ Centre Headcode
• Class 47 (early)
• Class 47 (with high intensity headlight)
• Class 50
• Class 56
• Class 73 un-numbered
Also have stocks of large logo variant of the 37's, 47's, 50's and 56's all available from stock for immediate despatch.
Within the order was also restocks of the B4 and Commonwealth bogies, the Mk2 lighting strips and restocks of the BSO, BFK and FK BR Blue Grey Mk2 coaches. We also still have a small number of the blue grey TSO examples which Heljan sold out of almost on the day of launch.
Peco & Parkside Price Increases
Peco had a price increase the beginning of the month and now we are back from the show we have updated the website with the new prices that are now in effect. This covers all scales of their trackwork and also the Parkside range of kits. Frustratingly the magazine adverts will be wrong for a few months though due to the lead time for the advertising is at least ten weeks.
Recent visitors to the new shop may of noticed the addition of the live feed for Blackpool North Railway station and a good number of people have asked for the contact details so I have now added this to the website for those who wish to order one. The title bar above takes you through to a page for this to order direct from them. The departure boards are very versatile and worth investigating.
NEWS 18th February 2026
Heljan / Tower Models IWB Cargowaggons
Our Limited Edition Carowaggons have now arrived and we have been busy arranging despatches for everyone with advance orders for these
There has been a massive hole in modern rolling stock to go with the number of later diesels being produced so we commissioned Heljan to re-run popular IWB Cargowaggon. We recognised the need for a re-run of these with the growing demand for more modern rolling stock. There is a total of seven different number options in the various Cargowaggon liveries and the addition of new liveries not previously produced in O gauge.
The IWB Cargowaggons were produced to transport palletted cargo internationally between Europe and the UK with a total of 120 built nearly fifty years ago. In later years some of these wagons have also been used as barrier wagons for the delivery of new rolling stock. These were one of the first large bogie wagons used on Britain's railways.
Along with the Dapol HIA's released last year and announced PFA / KFA container flats they are perfect companions to the Dapol Class 66's which are due out later this year
NEWS 3rd February 2026
Dapol Updates.
A few updates this week from Dapol in regard to new releases expected in 2026:
Production of these should be completed before Chinese New Year. Whether they actually leave China before CNY is down to the shipping costs. This means they should become available between mid April and the end of May, depending on if they leave port before the holiday shut downs.
A total of twenty different are being produced in a mix of BR and GWR liveries. We are taking advance orders for these now for despatch as and when they become available.
Final production samples should be shipped to Dapol in the next few weeks. Assuming these are approved they should go into production after Chinese New Year. That means they should be completed before the end of April and available late June or early July if everything goes to plan. The the analogue model will be immediately available with the DCC and Sound fitting is being done here in the UK so will follow on 2-3 weeks after the release of the standard model.
Lionheart / Dapol Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T
The Ivatt Class 2 should be available late 2026.
Dapol have also indicated that the un-numbered examples are only being produced subject to demand and to complete the advance orders received. We have not been given a deadline for this as of yet but I would guess it would be Easter in regard to the un-numbered examples. As and when we get images of the decorated samples we will update the webpage for these.
On the webpage for these I have broken down which versions have which option of chimney, push-pull fittings, Southern lamp brackets and cab. The un-numbered version of each type will have the same optional fittings as the numbered type with the same stock code.
NEWS 7th January 2026
Heljan Class 117 Diesel Multiple Units
Class 117's arrived yesterday and has been a busy few days as a result. Stock is already running critically low and Heljan are already sold out on the most popular liveries. I have today updated the web page for these with the remaining stock. First come first served on these. It is obvious that Heljan have not produced many of these units and no plans to re-run them.
NEWS 8th December 2025
Heljan's new batch includes an unnumbered Class 31/1 in Railfreight large logo grey, a Railfreight Coal Sector Class 31/1 for nuclear traffic, the ever-popular BR Blue Class 31/4 and a ‘Dutch’ grey/yellow Class 31/5. Only a small number are being made in this limited re-run. Also featured in this new run of models is an exclusive special edition for Tower Models depicting 31327 Philips-Imperial in Thornaby depot’s unique interpretation of mid-1980s Railfreight Red Stripe livery. Above we are showing an example of this that has been custom weathered.As always our Tower Models Limited edition at the same price as the standard issue models.
NEWS 25th November 2025
The long awaited re-run of 57xx and 8750 are now all available and we have completed all advance orders for these. We also have stock of the standard models available off the shelf for anyone who did not take advantage of our advance ordering services.
This release includes an all new livery with the Stephenson Clark blue example and a re-run of the ever popular London Transport livery as L90 to compliment the previous numbered LT example they have produced. .
New Heljan Class 37 Centre Headcode
At the same time we have received our Limited Edition Dutch Transrail version of the latest Class 37/0 as well as HJ3735 (Intercity Swift Livery) , HJ3737 (West Coast Railways) , HJ3738 (Network Rail Livery)
The new batch includes unnumbered BR Blue and Large Logo Blue locomotives, unbranded Railfreight Sector grey and Cornish china clay favourite 37196 Tre Pol and Pen in mid-1980s Railfreight Large Logo grey. New liveries include BR General grey and the much-requested InterCity ‘Swift’ livery applied to Scottish sleeper locomotives in the early-1990s. For post-privatisation era modellers we have also included 37248 in West Coast Railways red and a Network Rail yellow Class 97/3.
Following our normal theme, Tower Models have done a Limited Edition of the popular mid-1990s Transrail Grey/Yellow livery as shown above.
After completeing all advance orders we have stocks available off the shelf.
NEWS 21st October 2025
Dapol 20ton BR Brake Van re-run
Dapol have announced a thrid production run of the ever popular BR 20 Ton brake vans. A good selection of the most popular liveries are being produced again along with some new liveries including S & T livery and London Transport livery which will compliment the LT pannier that is expected later this year. The expected release date for the re-run of the BR Brake Van is Winter 2026 and we are taking orders for these now for despatch as soon as they are released. We still have limited stocks available from the previous production run available for immediate despatch.
NEWS 9th October 2025
The EFE Rail re-run of the Ixion Hudswell Clarke Locomotive came out in February of this year. We have now bought all remaining stock of the Manchester Ship Canal livery as show above and also have a special offer on these. The RRP is £299.95 but we are offering the last few of these at just £150.00 each whilst stocks last.
NEWS 18th September 2025
Dapol PFA / KFA and shipping containers
At Stafford show Dapol had an update in regard to the PFA / KFA Container Wagons. Latest information is that they should receive samples of these by Christmas and hopefully they should become available Autumn 2026 depending on how smoothly everything progresses.
Dapol also had samples of the 20 foot, 40 foot and 45 foot containers on display at Stafford show so these should become available before the wagons. The first batch of the containers are being produced in China but subsequent containers will be made at Dapol themselves in Chirk
We are taking orders for both already and marrying the orders together for despatch at the same time as one is not much use without the other. A simple call can secure yours now for despatch as soon as they become available.
NEWS 12th August 2025
We have just received the first new Parkside wagon O gauge wagon to be released in many years. This is PS116, a BR 13 ton Steel Hopper wagon. The RRP of these is £55.95, Our price just £47.45 each and in stock and available for immediate despatch now.
NEWS 29th July 2025
Dapol 4575 / 55xx 2-6-2 Prairie Tanks
Later on this afternoon we are expecting the first delivery of the sound equipped version of the Dapol / Lionheart 4575 Small Prairie along with restocks of the analogue examples. We have now begun calling everyone with advance orders for these to arrange suitable days for delivery and to confirm details in regard to custom numbered and weathered examples
They were a development of Churchward's 4500 Class with larger side tanks and increased water capacity. We have stock of most versions available for immediate despatch for anyone who did not take advantage of our advance ordering system.
We still have a small number of the analogue and DCC Sound fitted versions of the original 45xx that was released last year for anyone who missed their release.
NEWS 2nd June 2025
Dapol EWS MHA Coalfish Ballast Wagon
Wednesday last week saw the arrival ahead of schedule of the brand new Dapol MHA Coalfish. At Tower Models we like to give people additional number options for freight vehicles so we are also producing a pack of three with different numbers to the standard four being produced by Dapol for a total of seven different numbers being available for this EWS model.
At the same time as the release of the EWS MHA Coalfish we also received the re-runs of the Dapol HAA MGR wagons with both the red and brown cradle. We also still have our Limited Edition examples of these in Coal Sector livery with the yellow cradles both clean and with factory applied Graffiti. All of these are in stock and available for immediate despatch.
Just before the show last week we received the brand new Heljan PLV and PMV CCT's, the majority of these have now been despatched to customers or through to the workshop for custom numbering or weathering.
After completing all despatches we have stocks of most available for immediate despatch. The second delivery of these has now been received and we are awaiting the third delivery with additional restocks of few liveries which are expected in about a weeks time. A simple call can secure yours now.
NEWS 24th April 2025
The Class 02's arrived yesterday and we were busy calling everyone with advance orders yesterday to arrange suitable days for delivery and to confirm details for those with custom numbering, weathering and sound fitting before their locos are sent to the workshop for completion.
Still waiting on some people to get back to me with confirmation for suitable days for delivery and we have stocks of all versions available off the shelf for anyone who did not take advantage of our advance ordering system.
NEWS 3rd April 2025
Following on from the first production run of the HIA's with graffiti Dapol have announced a limited second batch with all new artwork. As with the first graffiti set these feature different graffiti on all sides of all six vehicles for a great variety. They are just graffiti examples of the standard models though so sadly do not feature any different numbers to the standard models. We have the standard clean examples and first series with graffiti in stock now which are available for immediate despatch and are taking advance orders now for the next series with graffiti which should hopefully become available in May.
NEWS 14th March 2025
We are expecting the new Dapol ground signals later this afternoon and are working today on arranging despatches for everyone who has placed an advance order. Smaller orders will be going via normal Royal Mail, larger orders via DPD. We still have spares available for anyone who has not taken advantage of our advance ordeirng system.
NEWS 15th February 2025
Yesterday we received the new Austerity J94 from Dapol and have been working our way through all of the despatches for the last two days. The sound and DCC fitting is being done here in the UK and will follow on, up to a month after the standard analogue release so we would expect these early March at the latest. A total of ten liveries have been produced with analogue, DCC fitted and DCC and sound fitted models options available. We still have stocks of all versions for anyone who did not take advantage of our advance ordering system for immediate despatch. As always we will be offering our weathering service on all liveries options if desired.
DAt the same time as receiving the J94 we also received the re-run of the popular Sentinel Y1 / Y3 . So far we have only received the analogue version with the DCC Sound fitting being done at Dapol in the near future. Again we have stocks of all of the analogue examples for anyone who did not take advantage of our advance ordering system for immediate despatch.
NEWS 15th December 2024
Lionheart / Dapol British Railways 3MT 2-6-2T
We have now received about half of the DCC and DCC and Sound fitted examples of the 3MT with more expected this week. We have been contacting people to arrange suitable days for delivery of these and also phoning everyone with custom locos to go through the workshop to confirm the specifications before we start on them.
We still have stocks of the analogue examples for those people who did not take advantage of our advance order system for immediate despatch.
NEWS 8th October 2024
NEWS 4th October 2024
Two new releases from Bachmann this week in their O gauge Scenecraft range, both of which are now in stock and available for immediate despatch.
NEWS 27th September 2024
Heljan Class 37 Split Headcode bodies
The Heljan Class 37/0 Split box bodies have been incredibly popular and I have now updated the list of these. These are complete and include the cabs, glazing, roof fan and wiring and useful for spares or alternate bodies to put on your locos for alternate eras or loco numbers rather than having to buy entire locos or even just to practise your numbering and weathering skills. These are at extremely good prices.
NEWS 17th September 2024
The workshop have finally had the time to complete a good selection of Gauge 1 stock this week and we now have rakes of coaches available off the shelf in BR Maroon, Southern Green,Crimson Cream and Blue Grey livery. They have also just completed a splendid rake of six BR Crimson and Cream Collett coaches and the last five 45xx Praire tanks in BR lined green livery. There is also a rake of Collett coaches in the workshop for completion in GWR shirtbutton livery which should be completed in October.
NEWS 14th September 2024
The last few days have been focused on the Dapol launch of the 24 Ton Iron Ore Hoppers, 14 Ton sloped sided minerals and GWR / BR Toad Brake Vans. We spent Thursday and Friday marrying orders for all three products together, which saves on postage costs, and calling customers to arrange suitable days for delivery.
Finally today all three new items turned up and we have spent the day making up the orders. Firstly was the orders for the Iron Ore Hoppers as these were the biggst orders as block running trains and then mixed orders for all three. We will start on the singles over the next two days and the overseas orders will be done on Tuesday in peace and quiet as these take the most effort with customs paperwork and the like.
If you have placed an order with us for any of these and have not had a phone call just call us on Monday morning and we can arrange a suitable day for delivery. We have left answering machine messages where we could. We also have stocks of all types available for immediate despatch for anyone who did not take advantage of our advance ordering system.
NEWS 9th September 2024
We have also today received the re-run of Class 08's from Dapol. There are both numbered and un-numbered examples of the green livery both with and without chevrons then a re-run of the Blue livery and the Railway Support Services as shown above. There are DC, DCC fitted and DCC Sound options on all liveries and I have split these across both the early and late 08 web pages for now. We also still have a limited selection of 08's available from both previous production runs available off the shelf. So far it is just the analogue versions that have arrived with Dapol starting work on the sound fitting once the Class 09's have been completed for Gaugemaster.
Dapol have also received the Toad brake vans but are yet to complete the checks on these but they are in Chirk and should appear in the coming weeks. We are still taking advance orders for these now for despatch as soon as Dapol releases them and is highly recommended as these are going to be incredibly popular and will sell out quickly.
Dapol BR 24 ton Iron Ore Hoppers
Not only have Dapol received the GWR / BR Toad brake vans but both the 24 ton hoppers and 14 ton sloped sided minerals have arrived. This includes three Tower Models Limited Editions as shown above. Only 100 each of the limited editions are being produced, in what is considered the most iconic of the BR liveries, giving customer's more choice of numbers. We are taking advance orders for these now for despatch as soon as they become available. Demand is expected to be high for these and advance ordering is highly recommended. Again these have yet to undergo the quality checks but should appear later this month.
Dapol BR 14 ton sloped sided mineral wagons
The Dapol 14 ton mineral wagons should also become available at the same time as the 24ton hopper later this month. These are a perfect companion to the previously produced range of 16 ton BR mineral wagons and an easy addition to any existing rake of mineral wagons. Looks like they are staging the launches so as not to swamp us with the Class 08's, 09's, Toads, 24t Hoppers and 14t sloped sided mineral all at once which would of been sheer madness!
NEWS 26th June 2024
Heljan BR Mk1 Full Brake & GUV
Today we have been busy with the launch of the re-run of both the Heljan BG's and GUV's. A mixture of all new liveries, like the RES livery shown above, along with the popular liveries that have been produced. We have stock of the majority of liveries available off the shelf for immediate despatch for anyone who did not take advantage of our advance ordering system.
NEWS 11th June 2024
New Heljan Class 37 Split Headcode
Yesterday we were busy with the release of the brand new Heljan Class 37/0 and have made despatch for all advance orders. Last night all locos for custom naming, numbering, sound fitting or weathering were also delivered to the workshop so they can begin working on these over the coming month or so. We have stocks of all version available off the shelf for immediate despatch for anyone who did not take advantage of our advance ordering system; a simple call can secure your now.
Shown here is the new Tower Models Limited Edition Dutch Transrail all new Class 37/0 that has been custom numbered and weathered This model has the post 1970's cut away buffer beam cowlings,and at the same time the images of the standard production models. Models are being produced with either the steam heating boiler or later high intensity headlight. A total of eight standard production models have been produced and Tower Models are producing a Limited Edition un-numbered Transrail Dutch livery.
We have now received the balance of the maroon Mk1 coaches with window beading which completes the full production run of this batch of coaches. Most advance orders have now been despatched for those people who placed advance orders with us and we will have spares available for anyone who did not take advantage of our advance ordering system. Hopefully before the end of the year we will see the two new body types of coach released, more details on these as and when we receive it.
Dapol announced the second production run of their superb Mk1 coaches late last year. This latest production is of vehicles that have the beaded window frames, so a different, later variant of the coaches than the first production run. As before four coach types are being produced; BSK (Brake Second Corridor, SO (Second Open), SK (Second Corridor) and CK (Corridor Composite). Both numbered and un-numbered versions of each coach will be available as well as the option of either analogue and DCC fitted options on all coaches. This makes a total of 96 variants and as before they will be released in batches. To save confusion we have listed these later Mk1 coaches separately from the current range of Mk1 coaches which are already available. As before we have separated them out by both coach type and by colour.
We have today received all liveries of both the Class 121 and 122 re-runs. As they came late this afternoon most people have been requesting despatch on Tuesday after the bank holiday break.. This is a re-run of the most popular liveries and the addition of a Network South East livery that has now previously been done . We can also confirm that the speed whiskers have been corrected on the Class 122 to meet in the middle of the front. Dapol have now also surprised us with the limited edition Chiltern Rail green Class 121 with small yellow panels which we did not previously expect. The DCC Sound fitting is being done here in the UK at Dapol and will follow on from the analogue versions in the coming weeks.
NEWS 23rd March 2024
Proud to announce we now have in stock John Emmerson's excellent book on O gauge. It's a basic primer for those entering O gauge for the first time, covering origins, history, development of RTR, and practical layout planning and building features. We have a limited number of signed copies of this book in stock at just £18.99 plus our usual postage costs (£2.50 on orders below £35.00; £6.00 on orders between £35.00 and £150.00, post free over £150.00 to mainland UK addresses, overseas postage and packing at cost)
NEWS 3rd March 2024
Bachmann have decided to clear off the last of the Class 15's that were released in October last year. We have bought all of the remaining stock of the two most popular liveries; the green with small yellow panels. We have not got a great number of these and expect them to sell quickly at the bargain price of just £225.00 each. As with the previous Little Loco Company production the loco is DCC ready and will take a Plux22 DCC chip and is already fitted with two speakers. First come first served on these..
NEWS 9th January 2024
Advance Orders.
We welcome advance orders on any O gauge Dapol or Heljan project. How to do this; just call us on 01253 623797. We would rather talk to you than just "click here" with an online shop. Then when there is any major launch we will call you to arrange a suitable day for delivery, better to have final confirmation then go to the trouble and costs of shipping an item if you have changed scale or period modelled and had forgotten you had items on order.
NEWS 2nd January 2024
New Year and New Venue.
Today marks the 45th year that Tower Models has been trading and also the first day we are open at the new site. The relocation has been a lot of hard work but we are almost there now with just a few minor bits and pieces to complete.
NEWS 8th December 2023
Tower Models Limited Editions sets of Dapol TTA's
It is looking like the new Dapol TTA's will be with us on Monday. Dapol did despatch these to us yesterday but it is looking like the palletts of them will arrive on Monday now rather than today. Handy is some respects in that it has allowed us to get the PCA launch out of the way before the TTA's arrive
NEWS 3rd August 2023
Good news today, we have now received the LMS vans, GWR standard vans and fruit vans, GWR MOGO's and SR elliptical roof vans. We have been busy all day calling people to arrange a suitable day for delivery via courier for the orders for four or more and despatching the smaller orders via Royal Mail. Tomorrow we will be starting on the custom weathered examples to go through to the workshop and dealing with the international advance orders. We still have stocks of all types available for immediate despatch for anyone who did not take advantage of our advance ordering system.
NEWS 7th July 2023
Following on from yesterdays update in regard to the Dapol maroon Mk1 coaches due in January we can confirm that yesterday Dapol received the Blue Grey livery of the latest Mk1coaches with the window beading. We are hoping to receive these either tomorrow or Monday at the latest. We have already begun calling customers with advance orders for these to arrange suitable days for delivery.
NEWS 7th June 2023
We have been busy today with the launch of the the long awaited Dapol LSWR / BR 0-4-0 B4 locomotives. This is the DC version that has come and Dapol have confirmed the sound fitted and DCC fitted examples will be available later as they are still awaiting the delivery of the required chips. We have contacted as many people as we could get hold of today to arrange a suitable day for delivery and hope to complete all advance orders tomorrow and get all locos for weathering to the workshop for custom weathering where required. . For those people who did not take advantage of our advance ordering system we still have ample stock of all types available off the shelf, a simple phone call can secure yours now.
NEWS 23rd May 2023
Heljan Class 52 Western re-run
Good news today that we have received the latest re-run of the Class 52 Westerns today and have been busy all day calling customers to arrange suitable days for delivery. One un-numbered example is being produced in BR Blue and then five numbered and named examples. We still have stocks of all liveries available for immediate despatch for anyone who did not take advantage of our advance ordering system.
At the same time we also took delivery of all remaining stocks of the Heljan Class 03's; there were not many so it is last call on these now.
NEWS 18th April 2023
Peco White metal lineside accessories
Peco have decided to discontinue the white metal range of platform furniture and their 2 packs of O gauge figures. We have now bought all remaining stock of these popular items whilst we could still get hold of them. There is no change to the standard plastic trackside accessories and kits and this only effects the whitemetal range. The porters trolley and luggage and platform trolley have always been popular and we expect these to be the first to sell out but all of these have been a good selling line for many a year. A simple call can secure yours now whilst stocks last
NEWS 20th February 2023
The brand new Heljan Class 27's have been available a little while now and we still have stocks of all liveries available for immediate despatch for anyone who did not take advantage of out advance ordering system. The three later examples of the blue there has been a slight omission. These later examples should of had the outer sandboxes on the bogies but not the inner sandboxes as these had been removed in latter days. The test samples were like this but on the production models they have all been omitted. Today we have received the missing sandboxes and have made despatch to everyone who has bought a loco from us and requested a set of the sandpipes. If you have bought one of the effected liveries (HJ2773, HJ2774 and HJ2777) from us but have not requested the pipes then juust call us and we can get them in the post. Examples of the three blue locos that customers have requested numbering and weathering can now progress no we have received the parts.
NEWS 12th January 2023
We have now received al of the new Bachmann Scenecraft buildings and have despatched all advance orders for these now where we have been able to confirm a suitable day for delivery with customers. The fuel tanks and pump house have been very popular and Bachmann have themselves sold out but we still have a few of these available for immediate despatch.
NEWS 20th December 2022
Custom weathering price increase
Sadly we are having a slight increase the custom weathering charges from the beginning of 2023. Here is a breakdown of the new charges:
- Custom weather a wagon £25.00
- Custom weather a tank engine £30.00
- Custom weather a coach / CCT / PMV £40.00
- Custom weather a tender engine or bogie diesel engine £50.00
NEWS 1st December 2022
We have now received the Class 26's and have been busy all week arranging suitable days for delivery for everyone who had an advance order with us. We have stocks of all liveries, including some of our Limited Edition livery available for immediate despatch. If you have not heard from us in regard to a delivery then just give us a call to arrange a suitable day for delivery.
Tower Models Limited Edition Open Wagons
Yesterday we receive the latest Tower Models set of Coal Trader wagons covering the Oxfordshire area. As standard they come clean finish, the image above shows some of the custom weathered examples that have been completed through the workshop
In total we produced 4 sets of these during 2021 covering South Wales, London and the Home Counties, the Welsh Borders and the Midlands based on the Dapol / Lionheart 9 foot wheelbase Gloucester wagons to be produced at the Dapol factory here in the UK. Have to say putting them all in the cabinets they make an impressive series of wagons that we are proud of.
NEWS 24th September 2022
We have now received all liveries and versions of the HBA / HEA hoppers and these have been selling very fast. We have produced a Limited Edition set of six of the HEA in Railfreight Red Grey livery, all with different running numbers to compliment the two standard Railfreight red grey models that Dapol are producing and will make a nice rake of eight if required. Over half of the Limited Edition set of Railfreight HEA's are already sold but we still some sets available. We also have a very small number of the previous sets of six Railfreight VEA vans availlable if anyone wishes to pick these up at the same time.
We have now also bought all remaining stocks of the recently released railfreight red grey 20ton brake van from Dapol which are a perfect companion for these or the set of VEA vans in railfreight that was released a few months ago. We are still taking advance orders for these now for despatch as soon as they become available.
NEWS 17th August 2022.
The long awaited re-run of Dapol Turbot wagons are due with us later this week. This re-run gives additional number options on both the Dutch and EWS liveries produced two years ago. We still have stocks of the original EWS numbers options from the first batch available for anyone who did not pick these up in 2020 giving a total of six number options in the EWS livery.
NEWS 13th July 2022
Dapol bracket junction signals
We have now received all four versions of the new GWR bracket signals with the release of the right hand junction signal today. We will be despatching all advance outstanding advance orders for these today and still have plent of stock of these available for anyone who did not take advantage of our advance ordering system.
NEWS 29th October 2021
Tower Models Limited Edition BR Conflats
We have now received all twelve of the Tower Models Limited Edition BR Conflats. All of these have different numbers for both the conflat wagon and containers compared to the standard production run that Dapol produced enabling you to create a descent rake of these. There are still a number of these available for immediate despatch for anyone who did not take advantage of out advance ordering system.
NEWS 19th June 2021
European Export changes
After the 1st July 2021 on exports to Europe there is a new system coming into effect on small orders where the local European VAT is to be collected by the shipper and subsequently we have to submit a European VAT report and payment every month. This only counts on small orders under £150.00 and we do very few of these through the year so from the 1st of July our minimum order size for Europe will be £150.00 so that we avoid this paperwork.
With orders over £150.00 the system remains the same and we are deducting the VAT component of the prices on orders for the EU, with the local VAT being collected by local customs in the destination country. This basically works out about the same price as before but with some handling changes for the local VAT charges by the courier company.
Low value orders for Europe a rare and it isn't difficult to reach the £150.00 figure when dealing in O gauge and simply put the paperwork involved is not worth the hassle for the low volume of orders we receive through the year that are below the £150.00 figure.
This comes into effect on the 1st of July so our European customers basically have just over a week if there are any small orders they have been considering.
NEWS 19th May 2021
Tower Models exclusive Bachmann Platforms
Folllowing on from the successful launch of the latest building from Bachmann in O gauge we have commissioned Bachmann to produce both platform straights and ramps in O gauge exclusively for Tower Models and they have today confirmed that we should receive them late on tomorrow. The basic set as shown here makes a good representation of a station halt and the additional straight sections can be added to make a decent length of platform. Each set of additional straights is three pieces which is approximately the length of two coaches. More images are available through the above title link or via the Bachamnn Scenecraft O gauge section of the website. We still have stock available of these for immediate despatch
NEWS 24th April 2021
Tower Models Limited Edition 16ton minerals
Yesterday we unexpectedly received the Dapol re-run of the standard rivetted and welded 16ton mineral wagons along with the Tower Models Limited Edition blue ICI Soda Ash wagons. This has made for a busy week along with the launch of the Heljan Mk1 coaches. All despatches for these have made and we still have stocks available for immediate despatch.
NEWS 2nd September 2020
Tower Models Limited Edition London Salt Vans
Just over a month ago now we received the brand new Tower Models Limited Edition A Cant & Sons set of six different numbered London Salt Vans. We have now had chance to complete some weathered examples for sale off the shelf with a full set of the six available with custom weathering for immediate despatch. At the same time we also decided to have a play with a few example of the London Salt vans as shown above with a few replacement planks as part of the weathering and the wood finish really nicely contrasts against the blue and makes each one very much unique. This can also be done as part of the standard weathering service if required.
These have been a lockdown project that was only started the begining of June which was the first day the studio at Dapol returned to work after lockdown and have been made here in the UK . This Salt Merchant bought it's salt from the Stafford salt works and were maintained in Stoke on Trent so is a very useful company wagon as it can be used on layouts based either around London or the Midlands.
NEWS 26th June 2020
We have now received restocks of the popular Heljan O gauge diesel depot and extensions. These have also been very popular during isolation as it is a sizeable modelling project and relatively cheap and can keep you occupied for a good week and gives plenty of oppurtunity for super detailing and turning into a little diorama in it's own right. At the same time people have also been picking up the Bachmann Scenecraft Diesel Refueling Point to complement the shed.
A REALITY CHECK ON CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS
We offer a wide range of kits and ready-to-run items from a number of sources. our aim is to offer a quality product at an affordable price. This seems to satisfy 99% of our customers. However, there appears to be a growing number of people in the model railway fraternity who expect perfection for a pitance of a price. Let me make it clear that the perfect model does not exist. It is utterly unreasonable to expect full working inside motion on any of the models we sell or any other complex working details that can barely be seen, especially at the price and no, the cab gauges don't really work! All our items are for standard 'O' gauge finescale. They are made from plastic, resin, white metal, pewter and brass. They are powered by electric motors. Real locomotives are made from iron, steel, brass and copper. they are powered by steam, diesel or electricity. If anyone wants to duplicate all the features of a real locomotive may I suggest he buys a real one. They are much bigger than ours and cost many times more than the ones we sell. At the end of the day model railways are big boys toys and meant to be fun, let's not forget it.