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Customer photographs and testimonials

We are proud to share customer comments and compliments and show their modelling success using Poppy's products.

Loco Builder Boxes

The Professionals;

British Railway Modelling, Loco Builder Box review article; “...thoroughly recommend this product. ...any mechanisms made using this jig will be sweet”. Tony Wright

Judith Edge Kits; I've tried out this now with two sets of frames, it's perfect for our kits. I find that many industrial 0-6-0s won't fit in your 6 coupled box but they do fit in the 8 coupled which is why I got one as well as the 6. I use your box for setting up nearly all the 3 and 4mm locos I build and the odd 7mm one if they have 1/8th axles. I'm still very impressed with the simplicity of it and we recommend to everyone. Michael Edge.

Nick Dunhill; -- [If you are considering a compensated chassis this is a great approach to use - Poppy]
My first thought when I saw your loco box was that it was a device for setting the axlebox spacings and not your intended purpose, I was more surprised when you talked [on the Gauge 0 Guild virtual show] about the real purpose and thought it was indeed a great invention.
I always make my coupling rods first and use them as a jig for installing the axleboxes. I use your dummy axles and add expansion springs that go over the axle between the frames and push the bearings against the frame to allow positioning and soldering.
The problem with this is getting the axleboxes level with each other and the chassis, and your box allows easy lining up of the axles. If you're using all hornblocks and guides their ride height isn't important at this stage, as long as they're all the same. But you can see that in my YouTube video I used one rigid bearing, so the hornblocks have to be at the same height. I just eyeball it, as as long as it's very close it's good enough at this stage.
Using your box I'd line the chassis edge up with the top edge of the box. I've just assembled a Z Class chassis axleboxes using your box. It was a massive help. You can watch Nick using our Loco Builder Box on his YouTube video.

The Modellers;

"Since purchasing this magnificent tool, I have built 3 perfect chassis. I wish I had bought it years ago. So easy to build and use. Steve, Scotland

“[The loco kit] was a real challenge to get all axles in line and rigid. The kit went back in the box while I was very frustrated about it. With the builders box it was done in less than five minutes and now the loco rolls very easily. Now I'm really looking forward to complete it and see it running.” Thomas, Germany

"I have now used my loco box to construct 2 different loco chassis , 1 a brand kit , which in the past I have struggled to get square . Both have turned very well & are excellent runners . I can only say that I wish I had the loco box when I first started kit building many years ago ; I would recommend it to anyone whether experienced or not. Ray, York

“thank you for supplying the loco builder box. I've now used it, and it made my first attempt at a compensated chassis in P4 extremely straightforward. I particularly liked the way it was possible to assemble the chassis in the jig with the motor in place, and the plonk the body on to check for clearances” Peter, Nottingham

"I received the Loco builder box this morning. Your product exceeded my expectations. I work in P4 and sometimes struggle to make an acceptable Chassis ( must crawl along without any tight spots).I now look forward to my next 2 chassis and one rebuild! The axles are also superb and better than a set of short ones I made on my friends lathe! Paul, Northampton

"11:12 a.m. The box arrived this morning and is already glued and lightly clamped... 22:30p.m. I have just finished the first chassis I've made with Poppy's 8 Coupled Loco Builder Box. The best chassis I've ever made just ran beautifully straight from the "Box" as it were." Duncan, West Midlands

  • ImgGraham from Bishop Auckland, 4mm ex GCR LNER B3 rolling chassis
  • ImgGraham's 4mm ex GCR LNER B3 soldering chassis spacers
    Note; this is a short wheelbase 6 coupled loco. We would recommend a Medium or Large size for most 6 coupled locos.
  • ImgRené from Netherlands' WD 2-10-0 under construction
  • ImgRené's chassis nearly ready to roll
    See more of René's NS5000 build on his website
    and his free rolling chassis on video
  • Img
    Grahame from Consett's 9F progressing nicely.
  • Img
    Thanks to John from Devon for sharing his loco build. Fixed axle and two sliding axles
  • Img
    Now inverted adding the brake gear and underside detail.
  • Img
    And with the footplate, buffer beams and valance, ready for the body to be added.

Coaches

  • Img7mm NER 6 wheel 5 compartment 3rd, by Peter, Bicester. Here is the end view with vertical panelling, door ventilator and buffer mouldings.
  • ImgThe NER 6 wheel coach showing solebar and foot boards attached with Slater's lost brass hangers.
    Accurately numbered in LNER service.
  • ImgThe NER 6 wheel coach showing the side panelling and arrangements for the roof ventilators and lamp tops.
  • Img
    David from Essex shared thes images of his WW1 Ambulance train - coach and equipment - or maybe equestrian vehicles. Note the rivet detail on the solebars.
  • ImgThe NER 6 wheel Brake in the Ambulance train - showing the recommended interior painting.
  • ImgThe LBSCR Horsebox pressed into military service, interior panelling clearly visible.
  • ImgLaurie from Sydney Australia shared these Gauge 1 NER Clerestory coaches built during lockdown.
  • ImgLaurie's Jumbo makes up a magnificent train. The easy construction meant Laurie had running coaches in a remarkable short time.
  • Trackside

    • Img7mm Cattle Pen arrangement using two kits at Stiffkey, by Ken, Colchester, based on a Great Eastern design.
    • Img7mm Buffer Stop also at Stiffkey.
    • Img7mm Coal siding making effective use of our vertical sleeper coal staith sections, also at Stiffkey by Ken from Colchester.
    • Img7mm Vertical staith sections arranged into an open box arrangement (at the end of the line of staithes in the photo on the left).
    • ImgArthur from Welwyn sent this photo of his cattle Dock facility.
    • ImgJohn from Devon shared some magnificant photos of Worth Way, including this arrangment of cattle pens.
    • ImgJohn's Worth Way has local coal and water facilities.
    • ImgOrgainising some coal for the station fires is obviously
      a 2-man job!.

  • Poppy's 4mm Coaling Stage used to great effect. From the HRCA journal April'24
  • Fences

    • ImgJohn's Worth Way has some wonderful scenic effects.
    • ImgEven at Worth Way you need to define the boundary of the railway.

    Valances

    • Img 4mm Bethnal Green circa1935 by Ian from Melrose


    • ImgIan's 4mm Bethnal Green looking east
    • Img
      Happisburgh layout - new canopies under construction
    • Img
      Martin from Colchester's Happisburgh layout in 7mm
      (ex MRC) with new platform canopies completed
      "to keep the little people dry on the long platforms"
    • Img
      LSWR Station Entrance Canopy, a special valance order in S Scale for Maurice from Exeter

    Wagon Interiors

    • ImgGuy from France shows how he has transformed some familiar 4mm rolling stock using our wagon floor panels.
  • Img
    Special order Louvre Ventilation panels for a Gauge3 GWR Y3 Fruit A van. Gary from Stonehouse

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