BEC-KITS Model Trams

Links

These Web links are provided to connect to the main tramway societies and those model tram manufacturers directly linked to BEC-KITS products. This small list is not meant to be comprehensive but should provide sufficient connections to enable you to find other internet resources.

Tramway Societies

Tramway Information web site run by John Prentice. This is the main information source for model trams in the UK, the home of the Festival of Model Tramways and has a wide range of links to tram web sites in other countries.

TLRS Tramway and Light Railway Society web site is also run by John Prentice. The TLRS is the main UK society specialising in modelling trams and tramways in all scales, as well as covering historical and modern tramways. It has a branch in Germany. The TLRS Web site describes the various services they offer, including contact and membership details.

LRTA Light Rail Transit Association promotes the study and development of modern tramways. They publish the monthly magazine 'Tramways and Urban Transport'. The LRTA Web Site is the main UK reference on the development of modern light rail systems and includes a calendar of tram-themed meetings in the UK.

Seaton Tramway is famous for their open-top trams and tram driving days. Seaton Tramway operates narrow gauge heritage trams between small picturesque towns in Devon. This site contains galleries, booking information and an online shop.

TMS Tramway Museum Society preserves the tramway heritage of Britain at the Crich Tramway Village, Crich, Near Matlock, Derbyshire. There is an excellent tram historical and photographic archive at the NTM library with an operating vintage tram service for most of the summer.

Several other UK and Overseas tram societies and Email groups are listed in the links pages of the Tramway Information web site.

Model tram manufacturers and suppliers

A.B.S Models manufactures whitemetal British model tram kits, truck kits and parts in OO gauge and O gauge, plus several ranges of railway, bus and road vehicles. The ranges include some of the OO gauge and O gauge whitemetal British tram kits previously issued by Anbrico, BEC-KITS, Model Tramway Systems and Varney.

A major UK model tram supplier and parts manufacturer is East Lancashire Model Tramway Supplies.

Most other UK model tram manufacturers are listed among the pages of the Tramway Information web site, including Alphagraphix, Blackpool in the Box, Chris Cornell, Corgi, DunRon Products, EFE, Mabex Transfers, Mark Hughes, and many more.

Some UK model tram shops are listed in our list of UK suppliers and some Overseas model tram shops are listed in our list of Overseas suppliers .

History of BEC-KITS products

BEC-KITS was established by Mr. Frank J. Vescoe in the 1960s at the Tooting Bec Model Railway Shop in London. He produced several ranges of whitemetal model kits. These ranges have now become dispersed amongst several manufacturers and BEC-KITS continue only his range of HO scale Continental Tram Kits, some ready-to-run tram truck mechanisms and static models. Some of the original BEC-KITS products are available from the manufacturers listed below:

A.B.S Models took over the OO gauge and O gauge whitemetal British model tram kits. Some of the OO gauge tram kits are produced at present.

3SMR - 3mm Scale Model Railways

3mm Scale Model Railways manufactures a wide range of British model railway kits and supplies many other useful parts for 3mm TT Scale. They took over the 3mm scale whitemetal model railway engine kit range from BEC-KITS/ESANEL.

Tower Models run a model shop in Blackpool. They used to manufacture and sell a range of model trams and tramway parts. The Tower Trams range of plastic tram kits are now manufactured and supplied by BEC-KITS.

The BEC-KITS range of separate motorised bogies and trucks is now manufactured by "The Tram Man".

Ian Williams,
69, Maidstone Road,
Paddock Wood,
Tonbridge,
Kent, TN12 6AE.
Tel: 01892 836565
Email: rocketsue@lineone.net