KitMaster Genesis Glyn Valley Range

Dapol have a long standing tradition of manufacturing self assembly kits in the UK. Some of our Kitmaster tooling dates back to the late 1950’s and is a real testament to how good the tool makers in this country were back then.     

As part of Dapol’s commitment to continue manufacturing as many products in the UK as possible we are launching a new series of laser cut card kits. This represents a major investment in new equipment to be used here in Chirk where the kits are designed and manufactured in house. The new range of models will be marketed under the brand name Kitmaster Genesis to pay homage to the old whilst embracing an exciting new future.     

The kits will be laser cut from the finest self-coloured card and will include all the necessary injection moulded or 3D printed accessory parts (including glazing) to complete the model. Where appropriate the models will be supplied with printed interior decoration. All you need is glue.  

The kits are based on real world prototypes but are easily customizable lending themselves to “kit bashing” should the modeler wish to have something truly bespoke on their layout. Each kit will have a set of detailed assembly instructions available online.  

The latest range of buildings we are producing are those found on the Glyn Valley Tramway and are to be modelled in 4mm scale compatible with 009 and HO/OO gauge layouts .

Potted History of the Glyn Valley Tramway

The railway aimed to connect Glyn Ceriog quarries to the Shropshire Union Canal via the Ellesmere & Glyn Valley Railway, authorized in 1866 but abandoned by 1869. The Glyn Valley Tramway was established in 1870, opening a 6.5-mile narrow gauge track in 1873 that used horse and gravity for transport.

By 1874, the timetable included three daily passenger trips from "New Inn, Glyn" to "Pontfaen (Chirk)," each taking about an hour. An accident in December 1874 near Chirk resulted in no fatalities. The Glyn Valley Tramway Act of 1885 extended the line to Chirk station, but passenger services were delayed until March 16, 1891, due to a fencing dispute. The service included three intermediate stations, improved journey times, and featured locomotives named "Sir Theodore" and "Dennis."

However, following World War I, rising costs and declining revenues led to financial struggles in the 1920s. The railway needed to transport 45,000 tons annually but saw shipments drop from 64,857 tons in 1929 to 21,400 tons by 1932, primarily due to road competition. The introduction of a bus service in 1932 further impacted passenger revenue, leading to the cessation of passenger services in early 1933. Freight traffic continued to decline, resulting in the railway's closure in July 1935 and the removal of tracks in 1936.

By John Thomas (1838-1905) - Flickr, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17568810

Preservation

4B-000-001Glyn Ceiriog Station Building

• Based on Glyn Ceiriog
• Built in 1888
• Steam passenger service introduced on the 15th March 1891
• Last passenger train on the 6th of April 1933
• The tramway closed on the 6th of July 1935
• Converted to a private residence after closure
• Moveable Doors
• Posable Windows 
• Footprint - 222mm x 82mm
•  £34.99  

4B-000-002 Glyn Ceiriog Engine Shed (009 only)

• Based on Glyn Ceiriog
  
• Built in 1888
• Steam passenger service introduced on the 15th March 1891
• Last passenger train on the 6th of April 1933
• The tramway closed on the 6th of July 1935
• Converted to a private residence after closure
• Moveable Doors
• Posable Windows
• Footprint - 222mm x 82mm

•  £34.99  

4B-000-003 Girder Bridge

• Based on the Glyn Valley Tramway’s bridges
  
• Built 1887 / 1888
• The tramway closed on the 6th of July 1935
• The Queen (Dolywern) and Pandy bridges still stand
• Footprint – 244mm x 74mm x 59mm
• Span - 155mm length x 42mm height
• £19.99

4B-000-004 Pontfadog Waiting Room (CAD)

• Based on Pontradog
  
• Built 1896
• Last passenger train on the 6th of April 1933
• The tramway closed on the 6th of July 1935
• Acquired and restored by the GVT Group in 1989
• Transferred to The New Glyn Valley Tramway & Industrial Heritage Trust in 2010
• Moveable Door
• Posable Window
• £14.99

Project Update

The Station building, Engine Shed, and girder bridge are coming to the end of their production cycle, the  small waiting room building will be going under the laser in the next few weeks. We expect the whole range will be available to purchase directly from the Dapol only towards the end of September or the beginning of October, we will keep you posted as to when the products go live.