Miniature Scale Models LLP lamp post

16mm scale, Victorian lamp post
Miniature Scale Models LLP
49 River Mead
Braintree, Essex CM7 9AX
Great Britain
Available in the US from: C&OCRy
PO Box 57
Rogue River OR 97537
Price: $16.95 each + s&h
Web sites: www.miniaturescalemodels.co.uk or www.cocry.com

Plastic-and-metal lamp post; available in green and black; 12V light bulb included; intended to be mounted on a board or solid surface. Height (not including mounting stem), 6½”

Pros: Attractive model; well made; secure mounting system; nice glow to light when run on 9V; excellent finish
Cons: Mounting system may not be suitable for outdoor use

This is a good looking, well made, Victorian-style lamp post that would be right at home on many railways. It is made primarily of plastic, but has a brass tube extending all the way up the post. The tube is threaded on the bottom portion, which extends an inch below the actual base of the lamp. There is a nut on this threaded section. Light is supplied by a 12V grain-of-wheat bulb attached to long leads that extend out the base of the brass tube. These leads are wrapped with shrink-wrap inside the tube, and can be easily removed, along with the bulb, just by pulling. While the bulb is rated at 12V, the manufacturer recommends running it on 9V. This will not only give it a softer, more realistic glow, it will extend the life of the lamp.

This product is available in both green and black. While nominally 16mm (1:19) scale, it would be suitable for any scale down to 1:24, including 1:22.5 and 1:20.3. In 16mm scale, it measures 10’6″ tall (not counting the lower extension); in 1:20.3, it measures 11′ tall; in 1:22.5 it measures 12’2″ tall; and in 1:24, it measures 13′ tall.

Mounting the lamp on an indoor railway is accomplished by simply drilling a hole in the baseboard, inserting the lamp, and tightening the nut. Wiring it is also straightforward. Outdoors, things become more problematic. The lamp would have to have a hollow space under it and a secure platform on which to mount it, as it is not intended to be simply pushed into the earth. The top of the globe unit appears to be securely glued to the “glass” portion, so should withstand the elements fairly well.

This is an attractive, accurate, and well-made product that should add life and character to your railway.