R Class Archive

      In 2009 Eureka Models approached its then manufacturer in China, Sandakan Ltd with a proposal to produce a HO scale model of the iconic Victorian Railways 4-6-4 R class locomotive in both coal and oil burning versions.
      Subsequently, a comprehensive data package covering both versions was supplied and quotations for the drawings, tooling preparation and assembly of the project were obtained. Included in this quotation was an estimate of the time involved in carrying out each of the three phases of the project with the overall time to complete the project estimated to be fifteen months. The data package included options for the supply of units with factory fitted sound utilising decoders supplied by QSI.
      After the usual discussions, the project was given the go-ahead in 2009 and preparation of drawings commenced. Not long after the drawings were completed and signed off, Sandakan were acquired by a US investment bank who began a program of selling off the extensive land holdings on which the Sandakan factories were located, a process which involved Sandakan shedding its existing customers and projects including Eureka Models' R class.
        To say that this caused considerable anxst would be an understatement but by 2011 a new manufacturer (Borka Limited) had been found and the R class project was again underway and in 2014 the R class arrived at Port Botany. 

 

It was not long after delivery before photos of the Eureka Models R class like the one above started to appear. To say that this is the favorite photograph of a Eureka Models' locomotive would not get any argument here at the eureka Models' office.  

The first run of the Eureka Models R class was made up of a total of 1500 units and consisted of the following engine numbers:

         R 700 Coal burner        100 units with sound
                                               50 units non-sound
         R 704 Fest. of Britain     100 units with sound
                                                50 units non-sound
        R 707 Coal burner         100 units with sound
                                                 50 units non-sound
         R 717 Coal burner           65 units with sound
                                                 35 units non-sound
         R 727 Coal burner           65 units with sound
                                                 35 units non-sound
         R 730 Coal burner           65 units with sound
                                                 35 units non-sound
           R 740 Coal burner           65 units with sound 
                                                   35 units non-sound 
             R 761 Coal burner           65 units with sound   
                                                  35 units non-sound
          R 719 Oil burner            100 units with sound
                                                  50 units non-sound
          R 748 Oil burner            100 units with sound 
                                                  50 units non-sound