Autumn 2011

Autumn Newsletter 2011

Dear Customer,

I am very sorry to deliver bad news but I regret to say that the Aster Rebuilt Merchant Navy project has been postponed. The single reason for this decision is the weakness of the Pound Sterling versus the strength of the Japanese Yen.

When this project was first mooted in the summer of 2010, the Pound although weak was relatively stable against the Yen. But since then the Pound has lost value and the prospects for future months do not indicate any immediate improvement, in fact they point to further Sterling weakness. With the prospect of the Rebuilt Merchant Navy kit price rising from the previously announced £4500 – £5000 due to Forex by perhaps 10 or 20% makes us all very uneasy. So a postponement is inevitable.

But it is a postponement and not a cancellation. Nearly all the design work on the Rebuilt Merchant Navy is complete so when the economic situation improves, the Aster Hobby Co Inc will be able to quickly pick up the project again.

However the news is not all bad! The Aster Hobby Co Inc and Aster Hobbies (UK) are planning two new items for the UK market. First of all we are working on an alternative livery variation on the LMS / BR Duchess previously introduced in 2005. The idea is that we will make a limited run in the early BR Blue livery with black and white lining. We think this will make an interesting and attractive model. A prototype will be available for customer inspection before yearend and if there is enough interest then it will be produced on a limited basis.

The second item we are planning is a simple 0-6-0 tender locomotive. Although there is no final decision, the probable prototype to be modelled will be Gresley’s LNER J39 class. These were particularly powerful workhorses at home on heavy freight as well as local passenger services. An LNER or BR J39 model will find favour in many Aster collections and provide a useful alternative to the express passenger types which has been Aster’s British mainstay for 10 years or so.

Prices of both developments are not yet known but we are hoping that the LNER J39 will be priced attractively for all. Delivery late Spring 2012 is possible. The timing and cost of the Blue Duchess is dependent on customer interest in the prototype.

If either or both of the models mentioned above are of interest to you then do please let me know. I will of course keep everyone who has expressed interest in the Rebuilt Merchant Navy class informed of progress when that occurs.

Overleaf you will find the current price list. Please note we have fewer than 5 West Country / Battle of Britain class in BR livery available at what is a bargain price. The SR version will keep going for a while yet. All the other UK items are in stock. Other listed items are either available from stock or can be obtained very quickly.

Andrew Pullen Aster Hobbies (UK) LLP 14 October 2011

Latest News

The good news is that progress is being made on a prototype model. Hopefully we will have this in the UK for evaluation and customer approval during the summer of 2013.

The catalogue illustrates all the currently available models from Aster with a double colour page allocated to each prototype. A very comprehensive 40 page live steam guide is an excellent introduction to the hobby and thoroughly recommended to anyone considering a start in this branch of our hobby.

A few Hints & Tips based on the experience so far with the new Aster Castle. My kit built example runs as well as the production prototypes. The exhaust beat is particularly noticeable even with light loads. Generally feedback from customers has been favourable. There are a few points worth sharing: Wicks. I have found 20 [...]

I am pleased to report that the first delivery of factory built-up models arrived on the afternoon prior to the Gauge One Model Railway Association’s AGM on 28th November 1999. So a number of customers had the good fortune to be the first in the World to take delivery of this new Aster model.