New facts flood in over rare model lifeboats

shop to see if he could sell us some cast metal kits of four-wheeled GWR Clerestory railway coaches and Alan passed him on to me.

“I was intrigued by both the man and the models, with the fact he made the originals and the castings himself. They were very finely detailed and beautifully made so I asked our model railway engineer, Keith Watson, if he would have a look and give me his opinion.

“Keith had worked for BR for years after leaving school and was also a very keen railway modeller.

“The chap’s name was Don Longley from Meltham and I asked him if he could leave a sample so I could discuss it further with the family.”

They invested £400 in the Clerestory Coaches project and, during the first year, turnover exceeded £12,000.

All the money was put straight back into the firm, now called D&M which stood for Dixon and Milnes, to expand the range.

Geoff says: “Over a period of a few years the range expanded to include several locomotives and lineside accessories. The kits included a J52 tank engine up to a Stanier Princess.

“It went from strength to strength but, eventually, as a result of recession in 1979 I left to take up another job.

“Due to rising rents, rates and expenses, the shop was closed shortly afterwards and Alan took over D&M.

“From what I recall, he set up production on a floor of an old mill (Calverley’s old textile mill) in Millmoor Road, Meltham, and from there he started to produce the lifeboats.

“I moved out of the area completely around this time and I have no idea as to how long Alan managed to keep D&M going but if anyone else has any information, it would be most appreciated.”

Email andrew.hirst@examiner.co.uk