Reginald Frederick (Rex) Stedman 1893 ‑1959

From our colleagues at AMRA(WA) — news of an interesting book release in the UK:

From 1920 to 1940 three model railway companies, Hornby, Bassett-Lowke and Leeds led the market, supplying enthusiasts with ever increasing product ranges
of models and accessories of every description.

Of the three the Leeds Model Company (LMC), founded by Rex Stedman in 1912, has until now remained without any published history or consolidated record of its products.

David Peacock, archivist of the LMC, and manager of the Leeds Stedman Trust, has – in time for the Centenary of the Company – published an appreciative history entiltled The Leeds Model Company 1912 — 2012.

The hardback book, 170mm x 240mm, of 128 pages has 24 chapters and 19 appendices. Altogether these cover the history of the company, a detailed description of products and notes on preservation, repair and restoration.

There are over one hundred illustrations of which 23 are in colour. The book comes with a DVD which carries two videos and 106 full colour high definition photographs, which can only be accessed on a PC, of locomotives, coaches and goods stock which comprise the 0 Gauge model archive of the Trust.

The videos, which were made for Gauge O Guild programmes and may be played on TV or PC, are The Leeds Stedman Trust, a 55 minute show of slides with commentary by David Peacock and Jack Ray made in 1984 and updated in 1994, and Augurswell and Great Blessingsby [20 mins] made in 2008 which shows LMC and other models in operation on the Trust layout.

The book, which at present can be obtained only from the Leeds Stedman Trust is priced at A$40, this including packing and post to Australia. Arrangements are available for payment in dollars by cheque or cash, contact David Peacock on email hidden; JavaScript is required. For more information about the Leeds Model Company see www.leedsstedmantrust.org