This months picture…
Picture of the Month – May 2021
Tag Archives: British Railway Modelling magazine
Canute Road Quay features in the April 2021 issue of BRM Magazine and Fisherton Sarum makes surprise appearance on BRM TV
I am pleased to advise that Canute Road Quay makes an appearance in the April 2021 issue of BRM Magazine available now for digital subscribers and next Thursday 25th March for the printed version.
This allows a wider range of rolling stock to be used giving a range of different locomotive traction, classes and livery choices that would be still be applicable to such a quayside location. I then continue to describe the layout itself.
The article, similar to some of my “Making Quay Changes” posts, covers time periods from the 
Being only a small layout, the scenic section is only 4ft x 1ft, in this issue of BRM Magazine it joins two other ‘compact’ layouts which is the theme for the issue.
I have used my Canon G7x camera along with my set of studio lights and spent some time one weekend in January utilising the camaras ability to automatically take a series of ‘Focus Bracketed’ images, i.e. multiple shots from the same position but with slightly different focus point, and then combining them in post processing into one image to give an increased depth of field. Hopefully you will enjoy the article and the accompanying photographs.
It includes video footage, that to be honest I had forgotten had been recorded, from the appearance of Fisherton Sarum at the Doncaster Festival of British Railway Modelling way back in 2012 and also includes another look at some of the images that accompanied the article about the layout in the February 2021 issue of BRM Magazine.
Bachmann Bulleid coaches Engineering Prototypes arrive
To give us Southern modellers some additional cheer just before this strangest of Christmas periods the first Engineering Prototypes (EP) of the much anticipated brand new range of Bulleid 64ft coaches have arrived. I was privileged earlier this week to be able to assist the Bachmann development team with evaluating and reviewing the excellent EPs first hand.
I can honestly say they are exquisite, simply stunning and offer levels of detail and tooling variations that raise the already high bar for recent ready to run coaches and capture the Bulleid profile and style immediately you see them.
The tooling suite allows for a multitude of correct variations to suit the not only the coaches as introduced but modifications throughout their lifetime. These include:
- Window Ventilators: original 10 inch vents or later 15 inch vents (plus the corresponding toilet window ventilators – original horizontal-opening vents or later vertical-opening)
- Bodysides: As-built or with later reinforcing strips added
- Braking System: Original single vacuum cylinder or twin cylinder system
- Battery Boxes: Multiple positions and Bulleid or BR Mk1 type
- Dynamo: Bulleid or BR Mk1 type
- Footboards and bogie footsteps: Multiple lengths and positions
- Guard’s Handrails: Two or One / Short or Long
- Water tanks: Long and short and central tanks
- The correct style of end handrails / water tank filler pipes as appropriate
In addition to the variations each coach incorporates a superb level of detail including: separately fitted components, some etched, such as: roof vents, lamp irons including the one as part of one of the end steps), etched underframe corner steps, toilet tank filler & overflow pipework and the portrayal of a complete vacuum pipe-run between the sockets at each end of the vehicles.
The beautifully detailed SR 8ft steam bogies incorporate free running electrical pickups (for future light bar fitting) and bearings, brake details and the correct footsteps as appropriate. The underframe gear is incredibly detailed with the different style of brake cylinders and brake pull rods.
Authentic interiors as we would expect are also included that will be clearly visible through wonderfully flush glazing that has been superbly achieved with next to no prismatic effect, and this also even applies to the characteristic Bulleid lozenged top lights above the door droplights.
The four body toolings in the initial release will include: Semi Open Brake Third (BTK) to Diagram 2123, Corridor Composite (CK) to Diagram 2318, Brake Composite (BCK) to Diagram 2405 and Corridor Third (TK) to Diagram 2019.
This will allow number of possible correct set combinations and liveries, with the potential for after the initial releases, versions to be released in the future in different livery and era specific detailing options.
The initial releases to make up correct sets are as follows:
- 3 coach ‘L’ set 790 (BTK-CK-BTK) from range 770-793 with 10″ window vents in Southern Malachite introduced 1946
- 5 coach ‘H’ set (BTK-TK-CK-TK-BTK) 847 from range 830 -849 with 15″ window vents in BR Crimson and Cream introduced in 1950. These sets often also ran as 3 coach ‘L’ sets (often a winter formation) minus the two TKs’
- 2 coach ‘R’ set (BTK-BCK) 69 from range 63 – 75 with 10″ window vents in BR Green livery with side strengthening ribs
The individual coach initial releases are as follows:
- 34-725 Bulleid Semi-Open Brake Third Dia 2123 (10″ Vents) in Southern Railway Malachite Green No. 4341
- 34-725A Bulleid Semi-Open Brake Third Dia 2123 (10″ Vents) in Southern Railway Malachite Green No. 4342
- 34-750 Bulleid Corridor Composite Dia 2318 (10″ Vents) in Southern Railway Malachite Green No. 5771
34-725/725A/750 will make set 790 - 34-775 Bulleid Corridor Third Dia 2019 (10″ Vents) in Malachite Green but with BR “S” prefixes as delivered in late 1948, this coach is a ‘loose’ coach that would be added to strengthen sets. No. TBC from range s1932 to s1936
- 34-726 Bulleid Semi-Open Brake Third Dia 2123 (10″ Vents) in BR (SR) Green No. S4377S
- 34-800 Bulleid Brake Composite Dia 2405 (10″ Vents) in BR (SR) Green No.S6706S
34-726/800 will make set 69 - 34-727 Bulleid Semi-Open Brake Third Dia 2123 (15″ Vents) in BR Crimson & Cream No. S4005S
- 34-727A Bulleid Semi-Open Brake Third Dia 2123 (15″ Vents) in BR Crimson & Cream No. S4006S
- 34-751 Bulleid Corridor Composite Dia 2318 (15″ Vents) in BR Crimson & Cream No. S5865S
- 34-776 Bulleid Corridor Third Dia 2019 (15″ Vents) in BR Crimson & Cream No. S75S
- 34-776A Bulleid Corridor Third Dia 2019 (15″ Vents) in BR Crimson & Cream No. S76S
34-727/727A/751/776/776A will make set 847
Due to the attention to detail already engineered into these models there are very few further amendments to the tooling necessary and we can now look forward to the fully decorated samples in due course. The range can also be found on the Bachmann website here and they can be Pre-Ordered from Kernow Model Rail Centre here.
One omission from the current range is the ‘Loose’ Brake Composite to Diagram 2406. These were used on West of England services and were dropped of at junction stations to provide a single through coach to various branch line destinations in the South West and so are important for anyone modelling such services. These loose version differed from the Diagram 2405 by having the pair of lavatories in the centre of the coach between the 1st and 3rd class compartments rather then at the non brake end. The corresponding roof mounted water tank was therefore also in the centre of the coach. I have discussed the requirement for such a Diagram, so they are aware of the potential demand.
The images are copyright and courtesy of Bachmann Europe plc.
I am certainly looking forward more than ever now for these to complete the development process and go into manufacture, as I know it will be well worth the wait.
Picture of the Month – December 2019
This months picture…
Model Railway Awards for 2018, like buses two come along at once, vote now, vote Southern of course… (and a bit of a shameless plug!)
It’s the start of 2019 and two separate votes for UK Model Railway Awards have opened.
Voting for the 2018 British Model Railways Awards promoted on RMweb and British Railways Modelling Magazine is now live and open for voting until 20th January with the winners being announced in the Spring edition of British Railways Modelling Magazine and on RMweb.
As well as giving you the chance to vote for your favourite models and manufacturers of 2018, the categories also celebrate excellence and innovation in the wider British model railway scene such as websites, retailers and exhibitions.
Also voting has also opened in the Model Rail Magazine Model of the Year 2018 (MOTY) which is live until January 18th
There have of course been a number of excellent Southern / Southern Region related models released during 2018 so I urge you to support the production of these models by choosing your best in the relevant category and voting accordingly. These Southern models are as follows:
N Gauge:
- Dapol Maunsell Brake Third Coach
00 Gauge
- Bachmann H1 / H2 4-4-2
- Dapol ex LSWR B4 Class 0-4-0T
- Hatton’s ex SECR P Class 0-6-0T
- Hornby Lord Nelson 4-6-0 (BMRA only)
- Heljan 07 Class 0-6-0
- Kernow Model Rail Centre Bulleid Diesel 10201/2 (MR- MOTY only)
- Kernow Model Rail Centre Bulleid Diesel 10203
- Hornby Maunsell Restaurant Diner
- ’00’ works ex LSWR D15 4-4-0 (MR MOTY only)
I am also very humbled to see that this little corner of the blogosphere of mine has once again been nominated in the British Model Railways Awards (it was voted 6th in last years awards) within the website of the year category, so and this is a bit of a, well a big, shameless plug, please feel free to vote for it, if you have enjoyed my ramblings over the last twelve months.
Also if like me you have received excellent service from a particular retailer such as Kernow Model Rail Centre please also vote accordingly.
Please make sure you vote counts to support the Southern / Southern Region models that have been produced in 2018 by voting here in the British Model Railway Awards open until the end of Sunday 20th January and by voting here in the Model Rail Magazine Model of the Year (MOTY) open until Friday 18th January.
Here endeth the shameless plug(s)….
Picture of the Month – October 2018
This months picture…
A bit of an update:- Hornby Lord Nelson, Hatton’s P Class, Oxford Rail, Milton Keynes Exhibition and British Model Railway Awards
This post is a bit of a smorgasbord of updates including product development updates from Hornby and Hatton’s, a new announcement from Oxford Rail, Fisherton Sarum’s next outing and finally the 2017 British Model Railway Awards…
Hornby SR Lord Nelson 4-6-0
Announced only earlier this month as part of the 2018 range Hornby have, via their Engineshed Blog here, shown off how much of an advanced stage in development the model is at, with the first fully decorated Engineering Prototype sample having been received. Hornby are already aware that a few slight tweaks are still needed but that is the point of such samples.
Generally the process of the development of such a model is around two years, so it demonstrates how much work had been competed before the announcement earlier this month.
To see more images and a video of the model running click here.
Hattons ex SECR P Class 0-6-0t
Hatton’s have this week confirmed that the majority of the production run of their ex SECR P Class 0-6-0t locomotives are on their way to them and will be arriving in two batches. Product codes H4-P-003 to H4-P-012 will be arriving on Friday 9th March 2018 whilst H4-P-001 and H4-P-002 will arrive in May 2018.
Originally only announced in September last year the progress made on these models has been excellent, although the over delivery dates have been delayed slight from that first stated, I feel that Hatton’s can be excused for such a slight slip in the delivery schedule.
Having had the pleasure to handle and indeed run some of the Engineering prototypes I can safely say it will be worth the slight additional wait.
For more information and to see all the sample photos, click here.
Oxford Rail announce Rail Mounted Guns
- OR76BOOM01 WWI Boche Buster – Camouflage and ROD2330 (Dean Goods locomotive)
- OR76BOOM01XS WWI Boche Buster – Camouflage and ROD2330 (Dean Goods locomotive) with DCC Sound
- OR76BOOM02 Railgun Gladiator WWII
Some might be wondering why I have mentioned this here on a Southern related blog, however I am reliably informed via a number of sources that the Gladiator rail mounted gun was for a while based on the Elham Valley Railway in Kent during the Second World War. Apparently, although it was never actually used in anger it has certainly been recorded that at least one test firing broke lots of windows in the area. See here for more details on the prototype.
The have also announced a further ex LSWR 4-4-2 Adams Radial in a presentation box as OR76AR008 25th Oxford – Southern Late Sunshine Lettering 3520. New wagons to be added to range include 5 plank mineral wagons and 12 ton tank wagons.
See the full announcement on the Oxford Rail website here.
Fisherton Sarum to appear at Milton Keynes Exhibition Sat 10th February
Making its second and possibly last appearance this year Fisherton Sarum,on Saturday 10th February, will be at the Milton Keynes Model Railway Society exhibition being held at Stantonbury Leisure Centre, Stantonbury, Milton Keynes. MK14 6B
This popular and large show will comprise of over 40 layouts, including scales T, Z, N (including BR(s) Bodmin General), H0 (including Prospect Point from the High Wycombe and District MRS) , 00, 009, EM and G. Also attending will be over 30 traders. The show is open between 10am and 4.30pm.
Please drop by and say hello.
British Model Railway Awards for 2017 (a shameless plug)
As well as giving you the chance to vote for your favourite models and manufacturers of the year, the categories also celebrate excellence and innovation in the wider British model railway scene such as websites and exhibitions. There have of course been a number of Southern / Southern Region related models released during 2017 so I urge you to support the production of these models by choosing your best in the relevant category and voting accordingly.
I am also very humbled to see that this little corner of the blogosphere of mine has once again been nominated for the third year running, within the website of the year category, so and this is a bit of a, well a big, shameless plug, please feel free to vote for it, if you have enjoyed my ramblings over the last twelve months.
Also if like me you have received excellent service from a particular retailer such as Kernow Model Rail Centre or maybe Hatton’s please also vote accordingly.
Please make sure you vote counts to support the Southern / Southern Region models that have been produced in 2016 by voting here before the 31st January.
Here endeth the shameless plug…
Picture of the Month – December 2017
This months picture…
The first Bachmann ex SE&CR 60ft Birdcage coach sets arrive
Bachmann first announced the introduction of these ex South Eastern and Chatham Railway 60ft Birdcage coaches back in March 2013. Has it been worth the wait? Although at the time of writing only the BR Crimson versions are due this month, I have to say, yes very much so. The review is is a version of one I have written for British Railway Modelling magazine the electronic version of which is published today with printed copies to be available next week.
These 60ft three coach ‘birdcage’ sets were introduced by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SE&CR) between 1912 and 1915; and comprising of 62 sets were the most numerous sets compared to the previous 50ft examples. With the birdcage lookouts over each of the guards compartments these sets typify the standard SE&CR non-corridor coaching stock.
The sets comprised originally of: 2nd / 3rd class composite Brake Lavatory (later declassified to Brake Lavatory Third (SR Diagram 162), a 1st / 2nd (later declassified to 1st / 3rd) Lavatory Composite (SR Diagram 315/6) and the Brake Third (SR Diagram 160), The Composites were built in batches with two distinct body side variations, with the initial batch having two wide windows on each side for the saloon, whilst the later batch had one wide and one narrow window for the saloon; Bachmann have tooled for both versions. The Southern Railway renumbered both the individual coach and set numbers between 1923 and 1929.
The initial Bachmann releases are as follows:
39-600 SE&CR 60’ Birdcage Brake Composite SE&CR Dark Lake, No.1174 Set 138
39-610 SE&CR 60’ Birdcage Composite SE&CR Dark Lake, No. 1178 Set 138
39-620 SE&CR 60’ Birdcage Brake 3rd SE&CR Dark Lake, No. 1182 Set 138
39-601 ex SE&CR 60’ Birdcage Brake Lavatory SR Olive Green, No. 3518 Set 613
39-611 ex SE&CR 60’ Birdcage Composite SR Olive Green, No. 5423 Set 613 (Two wide saloon window style)
39-621 ex SE&CR 60’ Birdcage Brake 3rd SR Olive Green, No. 3446 Set 613
39-602 ex SE&CR 60’ Birdcage Brake Lavatory BR Crimson, No. 5468 Set 595
39-612 ex SE&CR 60’ Birdcage Composite BR Crimson, No. 5468 Set 595
39-622 ex SE&CR 60’ Birdcage Brake 3rd BR Crimson, No. 3428 Set 595
The SR versions are due to follow in October / November with the SE&CR versions November / December.
Separately applied fittings include the roof vents, vacuum pipes, handrails and grab handles. The brake ends also have separately applied lamp irons and brake control apparatus. The glazing is commendably flush and the window corner radii, especially in the drop lights are very nicely prototypically small. A representation of the internal window bars is included on the luggage compartment door window glazing.
The body is removed via easing the four clips located on each side to reveal a moulded interior with partitions, table in the saloon and even lavatories (where appropriate) and the seating painted in respective colours.
The underframe detailing is exquisite with finely mounded brake details, 4 sets of very finely moulded queen post truss rodding and even the turnbuckles. The buffers are separate moulded items and not sprung.
Dynamos and battery boxes are fitted only to the the SE&CR composite, and on the SR / BR versions the Composite and the Brake Third as the electric lighting was through cabled to the other coaches in the set.
The all new well detailed 8ft Heavy Fox coil spring bolster bogies fitted with metal wheels sets and pin point axles running in metal bearings are very freewheeling. Detachable couplings in NEM pockets are mounted on the now standard close coupling mechanism.
The resulting gap (4mm on the straight) between coaches could still benefit from being reduced slightly with perhaps an alternative to the supplied tension lock coupling (I test fitted Kadee No.18s, although of course the prototypes were not buckeye fitted, and this reduced the gap to 2mm) if your minimum radii allows. The coaches when test ran, run very smoothly both hauled and propelled though a complex range of pointwork.
No internal lighting is fitted but each bogie includes wiper pickups so this might be a potential option in the future.
Depending on the lighting that the coaches are viewed under the rendition of the crimson livery might appear to some to be slightly on the dark side, although it does match previous ready to crimson releases in that respect. The initial SE&CR Dark Lake livery sample as previously shown by Bachmann has been commented on as being too brown and Bachmann I believe are currently looking at revising this to give a deeper red colour.
Please note: all the images on this post are copyright and courtesy of A York and BRM Magazine.
Bachmann have been given assistance in the research and preparation of these excellent models by friend Trevor Rapley the owner of, albeit one of the earlier 50ft version, birdcage Brake lavatory Composites preserved on the Bluebell Railway and the results speak for themselves (although I am sure someone will moan cryptically due to finding maybe a rivet slightly in the wrong place). The introduction of these sets with their distinct character, being of pre-grouping origin, that were long lived and little modified during their lifetime; along with recent and planned (check back on here after midday on Monday 11th for a further announcement) South Eastern & Chatham Railway / Eastern Section Southern Railway locomotives; will ensure that these excellent coaches prove popular.
Picture of the Month – September 2017
This months picture…
