This months picture…
Picture of the Month – December 2023
London Calling… Canute Road Quay to appear at The Model Railway Club’s 10th December mini-exhibition
Canute Road Quay will be making another appearance at The Model Railway Club’s open day / mini exhibition being held on Sunday 10th December at their London Keen House club rooms.
It will be six years to the very day when Canute Road Quay last appeared at Keen House, having managed to still attend the event despite four inches of snow having fallen the night before!
The event at Keen House, 4 Calshot Street, London, N1 9DA is open between 11am and 4.30pm, £5 for adults £1 for children.
The MRC shop stocks a wide selection of pre-owned models for sale and refreshments (including a selection of freshly made rolls and Greene King beers) will be available.
Please note there are steps or stairs to all rooms.
Keen House is ideally located for travel by public transport with King’s Cross station a few minutes walk away and a number of bus routes stopping even closer, parking is available in local side streets free of charge on Sundays.
When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today #Remembrance #lestweforget
If you so wish, wear your poppy with pride today, pause respectfully for two minutes at 11 am this Armistice Day and again tomorrow for Remembrance Sunday remembering all those, both service and civilian personnel whom have given their lives for the freedom that we all enjoy today, and should you feel so inclined, support the sterling work of the Royal British Legion.
As the current situation of conflicts around the world are a concern to us all, please importantly remember that the poppy is neither a religious, racial or a political statement, nor is it a “sign of support” for any war or conflict, but instead a symbol of remembrance and hope”.
This post is written to not only commemorate the fallen service personal from any conflict, but it is also, as in previous years, dedicated to all Railway companies across the country and indeed the world that lost many staff; not only those drafted into the military services, but also those lost whom continued their duties on the railways keeping the networks up and running, we should honour and remember them all.
When You Go Home,
Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Their Tomorrow,
We Gave Our Today
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Locomotive 333 was built originally by the London Brighton and South Coast Railway, designed by Billinton, as an L class 4-6-4 ‘Baltic’ tank. She was given the name Remembrance and became the companies War Memorial engine and carried a plaque with the inscription:
“In grateful remembrance of the 532 men of the L.B.& S.C.Rly. who gave their lives for their country, 1914-1919″
In 1934, under the auspices of Maunsell they were rebuilt as Class N15x (an appropriate Brighton-style suffix) 4-6-0s, and fitted with standard Urie LSWR tenders along with smoke deflectors. Now number 2333 ‘Remembrance’ retained its name, plaque and status within the Southern Railway.
Inscribed on James Scott’s Victory Arch, at Waterloo station: “Dedicated to the employees of the Company who fell in the war.” and the names of those London and South Western employees who gave their life are honoured within the arch.
And just to end this post, as written by Paul Hunter – as I stressed above, the poppy is more than a one time of a year symbol:,
I am not a badge of honour, I am not a racist smear,
I am not a fashion statement, to be worn but once a year,
I am not glorification of conflict or of war.
I am not a paper ornament a token,
I am more.
I am a loving memory, Of a father or a son,
a permanent reminder of each and every one.
I’m paper or enamel, I’m old or shining new,
I’m a way of saying thank you, To every one of you.
I am a simple poppy, a reminder to you all,
That courage faith and honour,
will stand where heroes of all kinds fall.
Rapido Trains UK announce SECR/SR O1 Class 0-6-0 in 00 gauge.
Rapido Trains UK have announced they are to produce the SECR/SR O1 Class 0-6-0 in 00 gauge. This will complement their range of SECR /SR goods wagons.
Between 1878 and 1899 122 O Class locos were built designed by James Stirling. Following the first group of 20 that were built by Sharp, Stewart and Co., several more batches were completed, both by them and by the South Eastern Railway Ashford Works. The final five locos were built in 1899 By the South Eastern and Chatham Railway. In 1903 Wainwright started rebuilding the class, to become the 01 class, with domed boilers and a squared cab. 58 were so treated by 1918, with another rebuilt by the Southern Railway in 1927. Those O Class locomotives not rebuilt were all withdrawn by 1925.
A total of 49 members of the O1 class survived into British Railways ownership with the final member of the class 31065 earning one final claim to fame by leading the ‘Farewell to Steam’ railtour on the Hawkhurst Branch, before being withdrawn from service in June 1961. Thankfully she is now preserved in full working order on the Bluebell Railway.
The Rapido Trains UK model will feature a smooth-running mechanism, a factory-installed speaker, a 21pin DCC interface, a sleek tender connection and a firebox glow. The model is currently ready for tooling, and it is hoped to have samples in the spring. At the moment only the 3D test print and livery renders have been made available.
- 966001: 65 Wainwright Green, As Preserved
- 966002: No.373 Wainwright Green
- 966003: No.385 SECR Grey
- 966004: No.A7 SR Lined Black, Maunsell Lettering
- 966005: No.1437 SR Plain Black, Maunsell Lettering
- 966006: No.1046 SR Bulleid Black early Bulleid lettering
- 966007: No.1379 SR Bulleid Sunshine lettering
- 966008: No.100 East Kent Railway Black
- 966009: No.s1065 British Railways Sunshine lettering
- 966010: No.31064 British Railways Early Crest Unlined Black
- 966011: No.31065 British Railways Late Crest Unlined Black
These are now available to pre-order with an RRP of £199.95 DCC Ready or £309.95 DCC Sound Fitted. This announcement is part of Rapido trains UK winter range announcement (the hint of a format to come..) and prior to the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition 25/26th November, for completeness Rapido trains UK have also announced the Cornish Bagnall Port of Par ‘Twins’ 0-4-0ST, the GNR Stirling Single No.1 (with small tender) and the GNR J52/2 0-60T, these and the O1 are available to pre-order at Rapido trains UK or with a discount at stockists such as KMRC.
Bachmann announce the SR Bulleid/Raworth Electric Locomotives CC1/20001 & CC2/20002 as part of their EFE Rail Range and the refurbished 4-cep joins the Bachmann Branchlines range
As part of their quarterly British Railway Announcements for Winter 2023 Bachmann have announced the the SR Bulleid/Raworth Electric Locomotives CC1/20001 & CC2/20002 in their EFE Rail Range. I have developed these models in my role with Kernow Model Rail Centre for the Bachmann EFE Rail brand. The Refurbished CEP in the Bachmann Branchline range has been bolstered with a fourth vehicle to create a Refurbished 4-CEP.
By the late 1930s the Southern Railway’s electrified system had expanded beyond the suburbs sufficiently to consider using electrical traction on more than just multiple units. Accordingly, two experimental Co-Co mixed traffic electric locomotives were designed and constructed by Oliver Bulleid and Alfred Raworth (who was chief electrical engineer for the Southern Railway from 1938 until 1946).
To overcome the problem of ‘gapping’ when the gap between conductor rails is longer than the distance between the locomotive’s pickups the traction power from the 3rd rail was used to drive two motor generator sets with heavy flywheels. Thus, power to the traction motors would be maintained by the motor generator sets being driven by the flywheel when the traction supply was briefly lost. These motor-generator-flywheel sets were referred to as “boosters” which also became the nickname for the class (and sometimes “Hornby’s”). These locomotives were also fitted with a pantograph for tram style overhead pickup in sidings and depots where a conductor rail presented danger to staff.
The first locomotive numbered CC1 (renumbered to Nº20001 by BR) emerged from Ashford works in 1941. Until 1942 it ran in photographic grey livery with three horizontal lining stripes, two on the body sides, one on the lower part of the roof, which were extended round the cab front, rounded down, and brought to a point which in later years would be known as “speed whiskers”.
Being introduced under wartime conditions the front cab windows had metal protective plates added top and bottom to reduce the glass area, although these plates were soon removed.
The grey livery was replaced by malachite green livery with “Sunshine” Southern lettering and yellow lines at solebar and cantrail level. The second locomotive NºCC2 (Nº20002) emerged from Ashford in 1945 in malachite green livery. These two locomotives were used on both express passenger and goods trains.
Various modifications happened to these locomotives throughout their lives. MU jumpers were an early addition to CC1/2. Three sandboxes from each bogie were also removed to give just two per side. CC1 was built with a stencil headcode panel which was subsequently modified to be a boxed lamp / disc along with five other lamp / disc positions to allow route head signals to be shown (as per steam locomotives) but later converted to a roller blind headcode panel. CC2 (20002) was introduced with engine head signal lamps / discs and also received a roller blind headcode panel in later life.
They settled down to a productive but unremarkable life doing exactly what they were designed to do. They were closely associated with Victoria-Newhaven boat trains and Royal trains.
From 1949/50 they adopted the black and aluminium colour scheme chosen by British Railways for diesel, electric and gas turbine locomotives, however prior to this in 1948/9 Nº20002 carried an experimental light blue livery. From the late 1950s they carried green livery with a red and white line halfway up the side stopping short of the cab doors.
Nº20001 was withdrawn January 1969 in BR blue with full yellow ends, by which time it had also gained twin air horns on the roof. Nº20002 was withdrawn in December 1968 in plain green with full yellow ends.
The extensive KMRC / EFE Rail tooling suite allows for variations across and between CC1 (20001) and CC2 (20002) throughout their lifespan that includes: different cab fronts (route stencils, discs or roller blinds, MU pipework, lamp bracket positions, whistle and wiper positions), solebars, central steps, and bogies (sandboxes, fuse styles, flash guards and axleboxes).
The models feature a centrally driven five pole motor and flywheel driving all axles. A sprung pantograph is fitted that can clipped in the down position, and the buffers are also sprung. DCC is via a 21-pin decoder socket and a speaker is factory fitted. Directional lighting is included with either user fitted open or closed discs, alternative route stencils or roller blind numbers depending on the version.
The cab lights are switched on or off via a magnetic wand on DC or via functions on DCC. Third rail shoes are provided to be user fitted, via a simple clip on or off fixing to the shoe beam, for those with suitable clearances on their 3rd rail.
Initially five versions (RRP £184.95) have been announced:
- E82001 CC1 As introduced with head code stencil, wartime window guards in Southern Grey as running between 1941 and 1942.
- E82002 CC1 As modified to head signal lamps and discs in Southern Malachite Green with two yellow stripes as between 1942 and 1948.
- E82003 20002 with engine head signal lamps and discs and with MU jumper cables, whistle and wiper positions as in BR Black Silver as between 1950 to 1952.
- E82004 20002 with engine head signal lamps and discs in BR Green with red / white stripe, light grey solebar and window surrounds and late crest as between 1956 and 1964.
- E82005 20001 with roller blind box and roof mounted horns in BR Rail Blue with Full Yellow Front Ends as carried between 1968 to withdrawal in 1969. [Edit: Unfortunately the buffer beam on this E82005 BR Blue version should be BR Rail Blue (Railmatch 207), we/I are somewhat frustrated that this managed to get through the review processes. We are very sorry that this oversight has occurred, and we hope that this won’t detract from your enjoyment of this model of a very interesting prototype.]
Note: Pictures above are courtesy and copyright KMRC.
Bachmann Branchlines Refurbished 4-CEP
The 4-Cep is being released in BR Blue & Grey, the colourful liveries of BR London & South East Sector, affectionately known as ‘Jaffa Cake’ livery and also Network SouthEast livery.
- 31-421 Class 411 4-CEP 4-Car EMU (Refurbished) 411506 BR Blue & Grey
- 31-422 Class 411 4-CEP 4-Car EMU (Refurbished) 1512 BR Network SouthEast
- 31-423 Class 411 4-CEP 4-Car EMU (Refurbished) 1522 BR London & South East Sector
The full Bachmann BRA Winter announcements video can be viewed here.
You can of course pre-order the SR Boosters, that are currently being shipped to the UK, and all their newly announced items, at retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre here.
Picture of the Month – November 2023
Picture of the month…
On the ‘Canute’ Road ‘Quay’ again, Tolworth Showtrain – 11/12th November
The final appearance, for 2023, of Canute Road Quay being on the road again, is the Hampton Court Model Railway Society’s Tolworth Showtrain exhibition the weekend of 11/12th November.
This excellent show, I attended with Fisherton Sarum in 2017, is held in three halls of Tolworth Recreation Centre, Fullers Way North, Tolworth, Surrey, KT6 7LQ. The show is open Saturday 11th Nov 10.00am – 5.30pm and Sunday 12th Nov 10.00am – 4.00pm. Canute Road Quay will be located adjacent to the South Western Circle membership stand, so an ideal opportunity to join if you are not already a member of this excellent line society, that not only covers the London and South Western Railway but also its successors.
Additionally, my usual operating colleague, Simon Paley, will be missing from action with Canute Road Quay, as he is exhibiting his excellent Collingwood layout. This is one of the best portrayals of the modern Southern 3rd scene on the exhibition circuit today. Being a Signalling designer by profession his attention to signalling and lineside details is spot on, although see if you can spot my input on his layout…
As always if you are able to attend please drop by and say hello, it is always good to see everyone.
Canute Road Quay at Southern Railways Group Open Day and AGM this Saturday 28th October
Canute Road Quay is back on the road this Saturday, 28th October, at the Southern Railways Group Open Day and AGM.
Following the AGM, there will be guest speakers: David Brown “The colour of Southern Electric” and Brian Jackson “Photographs from 1954” (you many be familiar with either David’s or Brian’s books).
There will be sales of modelling components, photographs, plans and second hand books. Mike King will also be present with his excellent drawings for sale.
Included as part of a display of models, I was quite honoured to have been asked to take Canute Road Quay along , please drop by and say hello, you might even end up having a go at playing trains…
Also check my On the road – exhibition diary page here to see the newly booked appearances for Canute Road Quay during 2024, including a visit to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and also Solent Sky museum in Southampton only one road away from the real Canute Road!
#onthisday William Adams 200th Birthday. His T3 class enters service again
Today the 15th October marks the 200th birthday of William Adams (15 October 1823 – 7 August 1904). He was the Locomotive Superintendent of the North London Railway from 1858 to 1873; the Great Eastern Railway from 1873 until 1878 and then of course the London and South Western Railway until his retirement in 1895.
Appropriately, and not coincidentally, this month has seen two William Adams related events.
During his time on the LSWR over five hundred locomotives were built to his designs, including many graceful 4-4-0 express classes regarded by many as his greatest achievement. Adams also proved himself a very capable designer in developing locomotive and carriage works at all three railways, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
This book covers his early years, time on the North london and Great Eastern Railways along with his successful time on the LSWR vastly improving locomotive and carriage fleets. It includes a summary of all his locomotove designs and his legacy covering the preserved Adams locomotives, including T3 Class No. 563 detailed below. Overall it tells the story of a genial man with a love of music, who was undoubtedly one of the finest late Victorian locomotive engineers, and is well worth a read.
Secondly, and one close to my heart, as I have been assisting the Swanage Railway Trust 563 Locomotive Group, the completion of the restoration of LSWR Adams 4-4-0 T3 Class Number 563.
This 130 year engine was last steamed on 11th June 1948, albeit at a low pressure of 25psi to move from Micheldever to Waterloo to be on display as part of the Waterloo centenary celebrations.
First introduced in March 1893 she initial worked from Nine Elms before spells being allocated to Guildford from 1905 and Salisbury from September 1935.
She was initially withdrawn on 9th March 1939 after a failure on the Fawley goods, before being repaired and reinstated in November 1939 due to WWII.
She survived in further use until August 1945 and withdrawn and put into storage, despite being stored at Kimbridge Junction to await scrapping at Dinton.
She was thankfully reprieved (by Bulleid) in January 1948 and restored into Adams condition wearing Drummond livery for the Waterloo celebrations in June and July 1948 (the 11th July being the actual anniversary date).
She along with ex LBSC A1 Terrier ‘Boxhill’ was a regular at works and shed open days during the 1950s. She underwent a further refurbishment, mainly to the underframe and running gear, but not the boiler or the life expired firebox in August 1559 emerging in Adams livery.
She entered the National Collection 25th January 1961.
563 spent many years on display firstly at the Clapham Museum before relocation to the National Railway Museum at York then Locomotion at Shildon and subsequently being a theater prop in a production of the Railway Children at the ex Waterloo International Platforms and incredibly Toronto Canada.
The next major milestone was in March 2017 when ownership was bravely and controversially at the time transferred to the newly formed Swanage Railway Trust 563 Locomotive Group with the intention to restore her back to working condition.
Following a six year project to raise funds, in excess of £650K and carry out the restoration, including a brand new copper inner firebox, 563 has steamed again for the first time since 1948 and last weekend (7th/8th October) hauled passengers for the first time for over 78 years.
A magnificent achievement by all involved with the Swanage Railway Trust 563 Locomotive Group and the vision of the Senior Curator, Anthony Coulls, of the National Railway Museum, that has certainly proved naysayers and vocal complainants of the time wrong, that has enabled the wonderful restoration to working order of 563 as can be seen in the pictures on this post. I am honoured to have been able to play a small part in her restoration assisting the Swanage Railway Trust 563 Locomotive Group with some archive research, drawings and livery advice.
Overall both the book and especially the T3 restoration are a fitting tribute to William Adams on what would be his 200th Birthday today.
Train Times Announces new 3D Printed RTR Wagons the LB&SCR Diagram 1433 in 00 Gauge
Train Times of Eastbourne have announced a new range of 3D Printed RTR Wagons, the LB&SCR Diagram 1433 in 00 Gauge.
All LBSC built covered vans were 18′ 4″ over headstocks on a 9′ 9″ wheelbase. The Diagram 1433 covered vans were built between 1878 and 1915 and included a number of variations within the diagram including roof height and brakes type, some were also fitted with Westinghouse brakes for poultry or fish traffic. 400 of these vans became Southern Railway stock at grouping with a number lasting into British Railways ownership. A small were also transferred to the Isle of Wight from 1927.
The 3D printed and tampo printed wagons are being made in-house and will be available for £28. Pre-orders will open soon, once the second EPs are finished. Train Times of Eastbourne will be offering 14 different livery/number combinations initially, covering the whole life of the wagons, including some Isle of Wight variants.
The list of the initial variants is below:
- TTLBSC001001 – LBSC 1870 – 1890 No. 8205
- TTLBSC001002 = LBSC 1890 – 1905 No. 8043
- TTLBSC001003 – LBSC 1905 – 1923 No. 8091
- TTLBSC001004 – LBSC 1905 – 1923 No. 8225
- TTLBSC001005 – LBSC Departmental No. 8145
- TTLBSC001006 – SR pre-1936 No. 46389
- TTLBSC001007 – SR pre-1936 No. 46293
- TTLBSC001008 – SR post-1936 No. 46311
- TTLBSC001009 – SR post-1936 No. 46221
- TTLBSC001010 – SR CME Ashford
- TTLBSC001011 – SR Departmental No. 1128s
- TTLBSC001012 – SR IoW Fish No. 46943
- TTLBSC001013 – SR IoW Fish No. 46946
- TTLBSC001014 – BR IoW No. TBC
Second EPs are being worked on and should be available soon, at which point the order book will open.