QUOTE (Lindsay O Reilly @ 1 Jan 2008)For us, this is the calendar year when our first loco will appear, and thus 2008 holds great expectations for us. We have revised the first draft of the CAD drawings of our Model No. 1, and sent them back to the toolmakers to make the corrections to the 3D model. Phil's corrections alone ran to five pages!! We are trying very hard to get it right first time, and live up to our promises, no easy thing when we are novices in this whole large-production-run process.
Phil has, of course, produced handbuilt ready-to-run N scale locos for the Australian market, along with many kits, and has a level of expertise in that area that Chris and I don't have. We have built many kits, and I've been involved in writing kit instructions, but RTR manufacture is new to us.
In that vein, and following a number of enquiries, we have decided to upload some images of our own models and layouts to our website, and I'm in the process of putting those pages together now. I'll email you soon when they are there. Despite my background as a Visual Arts teacher, I've never created a website before doing the Ixion site, so this is a steep learning curve for us in all sorts of ways!
When we are satisfied that the CAD models are as accurate as we can make them, we'll post them on the website, and the cat will be out of the bag on its identity. I will, however, email you all first, so that our Internet Friends (surely there's a better collective noun than that - suggestions welcome) will be the first to know.
I have actually received in writing an order for the loco from Kevin Knight, who resides on the Australian eastern seaboard. He says he doesn't mind what it is! So Kevin, you are Ixion customer No. 1. I don't suppose that is worth much now, but maybe later... I wish I had been customer number one for someone like Fender guitars in the 1950s, for example!
I need to post a correction to one of my previous statements; in error, I have said elsewhere that we will be releasing our loco at the N Gauge Society exhibition in September 2008. In fact, the show is not being organised by the NGS, but is quite independent of them. Thanks to Fred Hempsall of the NGS for putting me straight. Apologies for the error; I'd like to blame 20,000 kilometres of distance, though my inattention is a more likely cause...
As most of you already know, our distribution in the UK, Europe and North America is being handled by Dapol. So look for us next to the Dapol stand at the proposed N gauge exhibition at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre in September. We anticipate that two thirds of the Ixion Directors will be present, being Phil Badger and Chris Klein. Phil will make the trip from Australia especially for the launch. Teaching responsibilities preclude me attending at that time of this year; it's just before my Higher School Certificate (like 'matric' or A-Levels) students will finish their courses, prior to sitting their final exams. But Phil and Chris will be delighted to meet you, if you're able to attend.
