A History of Ixion Model Railways
in the UK and Australia
Ixion Model Railways Ltd was founded in 2007 by three renowned modellers; Chris Klein in the UK, and Phil Badger and Lindsay O’Reilly from Australia, in order to create finescale locomotives according to the interests of the owners.
These diverse interests have been reflected in our products. Ixion has released six models; all but the NSW 32 Class are now sold out.
The GWR/BR ‘Manor’ Class 4-6-0 in British N scale (1:148). This loco sold out quickly, a second run was delivered, and then the tooling was sold. This loco is still available in its third production run and under their brand, from Dapol Model Railways in the United Kingdom.
The South Australian Railways’ “Coffee Pots” steam railmotors Nos 1 and 2 were produced in On30 (1:48 O scale, running on HO scale 16.5mm gauge track).
These models have long since sold out, but were popular in Australia, the UK and some were even sold to customers in the USA.
The third model from Ixion was a limited run hand-built brass model of a standard ‘H’ Class Manning Wardle 0-4-0 saddle tank, modelled on the New South Wales Government Railways’ loco number 1021.
This model, in British 7mm/ft O Scale (1:43.5) was made in China and supplied in unlined black and lined blue liveries, with a small number of unpainted locos produced specially for Dragon Models of Wales.
The photo shows Ixion director Chris Klein’s own loco, which he has weathered and fitted with a brass nameplate (not supplied). This model has sold out.
Ixion’s fourth loco was the 1:43.5, 7mm O scale Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST. This model of a popular standard contractor’s loco was the first mass-produced finescale injection-moulded ready-to-run steam loco released to the UK and NSW 7mm markets.
Enthusiastically received, the loco won “Steam Locomotive of the Year” in the Model Rail magazine, RMweb and MREmag 2012 Model of the Year awards. It was produced in the three liveries shown below. Eventually 2000 were produced in two production runs and four liveries.
The loco came with a range of etched brass name and number plates plus Hudswell Clarke maker’s plates. Also supplied was a set of injection moulded loco tools which were available separately from Ixion stockists.
A handful may still be found in some UK model shops, new and second-hand. They are sold out at Ixion.
Ixion’s fifth model was the 7mm scale Fowler 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical, representing the Great Western Railway’s sole example, which they designated No.1. This loco was released in November 2013 in GWR and unlined green liveries.
It is sold out at Ixion, but some may still be available in shops – a Google search may turn one up.
In 2014, Ixion announced its next model would the New South Wales Government Railways ‘low-frame’ C32 Class 4-6-0 tender locomotive. As the market for this loco would be in Australia solely, we established a new company registered in Australia, Ixion Model Railways Australia Pty Ltd.
Two production runs have since been produced of the 32 Class, nominated by one of Australia’s premier modellers as “undoubtedly the finest mass-produced NSW steam locomotive model yet produced”.
In 2019, after more than a year’s research and design, Ixion announced its seventh loco would be the Victorian Railways J Class 2-8-0 in both coal-burning and oil-burning tender versions. 2019 was also the year in which Ixion wound up its UK arm, Ixion Model Railways Ltd.
Our UK Director Chris Klein exited the company to concentrate on his successful and award-winning 7mm scale venture Minerva Models, in partnership with his friend Chris Basten. This leaves Phil Badger and Lindsay O’Reilly as the sole owners and Directors of Ixion Model Railways Australia Pty Ltd.
