The third and final series of Bulleid's Merchant Navy Pacifics were not introduced until after the formation of British Railways in the Autumn of 1948. As a result they were numbered immediately into the new BR numbering series 35021 to 35030 but still initially appeared in malachite green whilst British Railways developed their own new livery schemes. The locomotives … Continue reading Talking Stock #24 3rd Series Merchant Navy initial livery variations
Southern models show demand in annual wish list poll
The results of the 2013 MREmag and RMweb annual wish list poll has today been announced. The poll provides a simple way for modellers and collectors alike to inform the major manufacturers and commissioners of ready-to-run railway models what they would like to see made from new tooling in N and 00 gauges. Southern models featured well in both … Continue reading Southern models show demand in annual wish list poll
All change… Fisherton Sarum’s exhibition diary update
The past week has seen a little flurry of correspondence regarding Fisherton Sarum's travels. It was due to make an appearance at the British Railway Modelling Magazine's Festival of Model Railways at Peterborough East of England Showground this coming October but to assist with the balance of layouts attending I have agreed to now attend the 2014 show instead. … Continue reading All change… Fisherton Sarum’s exhibition diary update
Talking Stock #23 Pull Push set 734 ex LSWR Emigrant Stock
The Southern Railway following on from its constituents made use of Pull Push sets across the network and this practice carried on well into British Railways Southern Region days. Other railways companies also made of such although they were often also known as autocoach, motor coach or push pull sets on these other railways. Originally many … Continue reading Talking Stock #23 Pull Push set 734 ex LSWR Emigrant Stock
The MREmag & RMweb Wishlist Poll 2013
It's that time of the year again when MREmag and RMweb run there annual wish list poll as a chance for all of us to vote for the railway models (in N and oo) that we would like to see made. The poll provides a simple way for modellers and collectors alike to inform the major … Continue reading The MREmag & RMweb Wishlist Poll 2013
A view from the line # 10 Permanent way workers and huts
Alongside the platelayers hut next to the main line a group of Permanent Way workers, sometimes also known as platelayers, are taking a taking a tea break, one of whom is sat reading the newspaper and another has a mug of tea in his hand. The gentleman leaning on his ballast fork is, as I … Continue reading A view from the line # 10 Permanent way workers and huts
Talking Stock #22 The Missing Mogul – the K class
With respect to the Southern Railway Mogul 2-6-0 locomotive fleet most people probably immediately think of the Maunsell Moguls, the N/N1 and U/U1 classes. Their origins lead back to the SECR for the 5'6" driving wheeled N class followed by the later Southern built, also under the design auspices of Maunsell who was now CME of the Southern, the … Continue reading Talking Stock #22 The Missing Mogul – the K class
50 years since “The Reshaping British Railways” – the Beeching report
It is fifty years to the day when Dr Richard Beeching's report "The Reshaping of British Railways" was officially published on the 27th March 1963. Beeching was at the time Chairman of the British Railways Board. The report identified 2,363 stations and 5,000 miles of railway line for closure, 55% of stations and 30% of … Continue reading 50 years since “The Reshaping British Railways” – the Beeching report
Bluebell Railway officially opens to East Grinstead today
Today sees the official opening of the Bluebell Railway's Northern Extension extending the line from Kingscote back into East Grinstead. This has been a mammoth undertaking both in terms of fundraising, obtaining the land from more than 30 different land owners who purchased the trackbed from British Railways after closure and the considerable effort involved … Continue reading Bluebell Railway officially opens to East Grinstead today
Southern models perform well in Model of the Year polls
Each year Model Rail magazine, RMweb and MREmag join forces to ask modellers to vote for their favourite models of the preceding 12 months. The results of the latest poll, are published today on both RMweb and MREmag . In another busy year for new British ready-to-run models in the three major scales, Bachmann Europe emerged as the … Continue reading Southern models perform well in Model of the Year polls