May the angels protect you, may the sadness forget you, may goodness surround you and may your God always bless you. The budding trees, the new flowers, and birds that sing, whisper to me that it’s Easter, that and supermarkets full of chocolate of all shapes (many irrelevant), sizes and special offers!
Here is wishing a warmth in your firebox for your soul on Easter & always!
May the angels protect you, may the sadness forget you, may goodness surround you and may your God always bless you. The budding trees, the new flowers, and birds that sing, whisper to me that it’s Easter, that and supermarkets full of chocolate of all shapes (many irrelevant), sizes and special offers!
Here is wishing a warmth in your firebox for your soul on Easter & always!
Last weekend saw the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC, as in previous years I have always endeavoured to round-up some of the news and items of interest from mainly a Southern / BR(s) perspective. It has been usual for some of the manufacturers to use the event to make announcements of new items or showcase updates to new products under development, this year however relevant new announcements of any kind were very thin on the ground. Hornby and Bachmann generally do not make new product announcements at Warley and will be announcing their new ranges in January next year, other manufactures such as Heljan made a couple of announcements in the week leading up to the Warley show. However I can post a few recent SR / BR(s) related updates / news below.
Heljan
The only Heljan SR related announcement leading up to Warley was the addition to their 009 range of Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Baldwin 2-4-2T Lyn that completes the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway locomotive fleet. Lyn was built by Baldwin in 1898 for the L&BR and shipped to Devon in kit form for assembly at Pilton Works. At the time, the railway needed additional motive power but Manning, Wardle was unable to supply a similar machine to those already in service (and further models of the Manning and Wardle locomotives will be available in December/January OO9 from Heljan, livery samples were on show and I shall possibly update this post with a couple of images in due course).
The new model will depict Lyn in L&BR dark olive green and Southern Railway Maunsell green with authentic detail variations according to period and livery. The initial research work is underway and more details about price, features and specification will be announced later.
Proposed liveries so far announced are as follows:
Expected Release in 2020. Other new models recently announced by Heljan include a new class 86/1 in 00 and a Clayton Class 17 in 0.
Rails of Sheffield / NRM/ Dapol 00 Terrier
Rails Limited in partnership with Dapol and the National Railway Museum announced at this years London Festival of Railway Modelling in March that they will produce the LBSC Terrier and all its subsequent variants in OO Gauge.
On display on the both the Rails and Dapol stands were a couple of Engineering Prototype tooling components in the shape of the one of the cab versions, boiler top and side tanks. It is still very early days in the process but good to see some progress being made and I look forward to seeing more of the EP parts etc in due course.
Dapol
A bit of a catch up as this was announced a few weeks ago but Dapol have also announced that the previously halted work on the N Gauge Bulleid West County and Battle of Britain light pacifics, has recommence for the original air smoothed versions, at least, they do not appear to advised that the rebuilt version will also be re-instated. The versions that appear to be on the cards, with an anticipated release date of early 2020, are as follows:
I hope that comments previously provided to Dapol after the release of their first CADs get taken onboard further details and specification are still to be confirmed.
Bachmann
Although as stated above no new announcements were expected or indeed made by Bachmann.
They had on display again the 2HAP (Class 414) EMU first announced in March 2016 Engineering Prototype, see my earlier post here for a couple of pictures. Three livery versions will initially be released being: BR green livery, BR blue & grey livery and Network South East livery.
Also on display was the second Engineering Prototype stage is the the 3 car 159 Class annopunced in January this year which is being released as No. 159013 in Network South East livery.
and finally…
Very many thanks to all those who found me, somewhat out of my comfort zone, operating the Hornby Magazine West Coast Cement layout, being non Southern, DCC amd Modelrn Image… enabling me to at least talk about a few Southern topics… It was, as always, good to meet readers of this little corner of the web!
Warley is one of the only shows where due to the nature of the other exhibitions taking place at the NEC where you can share a hotel lift heading for breakfast with a leather clad biker and hobbit in full cosplay outfit!
Hornby have today announced their full range for 2018 hot on the heals of yesterdays Bachmann announcement. For this year’s range Hornby have gone to a single announcement rather than new toolings announced over the last few month either at Warley or via their Engineshed blog, possibly as a result of new broom(s) at the helm. The highlights from a Southern Railway perspective being the brand new tooled Maunsell Lord Neslon class 4-6-0 and Maunsell 59ft Kitchen / Dining First catering vehicles. The now outdated Bachmann Lord Nelson will be easily surpassed by this new tooling that will incorporate variations to chimneys, smokeboxes, saddles and tenders. Last years H Class 0-4-0t also makes an appearance with revised tooling for the flat sided bunker.
The range also sees a welcome reintroduction of the 5Bel Brighton belle Set, in the 1960’s livery with small yellow warning panels, the model has also been updated with revised electrical connections between the cars. Also back in the range is the Devon Belle observation car.
The aim of this post is to round up the announcements that are of a Southern Railway / Southern Region interest and new for 2018, I have purposely not relisted those item previous announced and or still to actually appear. An indication of the planned release date via the Quarter system (eg [Q2] is also provided.
Locomotives
The ex SECR H Class tank makes an appearance as an Exclusive model in the delayed Hornby Collectors Club now launched, R3648 Number 263 as preserved condition on the Bluebell Railway due July 2018. A big clue was of course her appearance on the Hornby Stand at the Warley show last month.
In addition to the Lord Nelson Hornby’s new locomotive tooling for 2018 comprises of LMS 4-6-2 Streamlined Princess Coronation Class and ex North British Railway, Holmes Class C/ LNER J36 0-6-0.
Train and Coach packs
Coaches
Wagons
Hornby’s new wagon tooling for 2017 comprises of a LNER 20 ton ‘Toad’ B and E brake van.
The full Hornby 2017 range can be found on the Hornby website here or RMweb here
This months picture…
Hornby have today announced their full range for 2017. As with the range for 2016 new tooling announcements fro 2017 have already been made during the last year via their informative Engineshed blog and a presentation /launch at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition. These from a Southern Railway perspective has already included the announcement last September of the ex SECR 0-4-4T H class Tank.
[Updated 13/01/17] R3566 – BR 4-6-2 ‘British India Line’ Rebuild Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacific number ‘35018’ has been changed to be 35014 ‘Nederland Line’ due to the unique detail differences of 35018 as the pioneer rebuilt of the class.
[Updated 16/01/17] Confirmation that R3568 – BR Class 71 ‘E5018’ will be in BR Green Livery with plain green ends.
The range also sees a welcome reintroduction of the Bulleid 0-6-0 Q1, Light Pacific Classes; both Air Smoothed and rebuilt, and reverse SR / BR liveries for the two excellent Diagram 1529 and Diagram 1530 SR Cattle wagons introduced last year.
The aim of this post is to round up the announcements that are of a Southern Railway / Southern Region interest, it should be noted that as I advised here a number of the 2016 range announcements have already been moved into the 2017 range for release, Including the original Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacifics (detailed in my post here) and these items are highlighted below by a Red [*]. An indication of the planned release date via the Quarter system (eg [Q2] is also provided.
Locomotives
In addition to the ex SECR 0-4-4T H class tanks Hornby’s new tooling for 2017 comprises of LMS 4-6-2 Modified Princess Coronation Class, BR Class 87 Electric locomotive (including R3582 number 87010 ‘King Arthur ‘) and the latest Hitachi soon to be introduced on the UK network IEP Bi-Mode Class 800/0 units. Although the 2017 range includes a number of post war Southern liveries, suiting the period I model, I would add that as far as I am aware that has not been due in any way to my influence.
Twin Track Sound (TTS) fitted Locomotives
Train and Coach packs
Coaches
It is good to see that Hornby, with a little advice, understand and acted upon the need to produce SR / BR(s) coaching stock to make up suitable set formations. The sets chosen by Hornby for the Maunsell high window style being 243 and 247 in SR and BR liveries respectively were two of the seven four coach sets 241 to 247 formed between March 1932 and April 1933 for use on the South Western section. A further release of the high window version of the Maunsells has been very often requested and these are the most logical sets to choose of that type of restriction 4 coach (as opposed to the narrower Hastings line stock of the same period) as other sets of that type comprised of a greater number of coaches so this creates correct and easily achievable sets.
Hornby’s new coach tooling for 2017 comprises of BR Mk 1 Brake Standard Open (BSO) and First Open (FO) coaches neither of which are being produced in BR(s) green this year.
Pullman Coaches
As is expected the Hornby range always includes a number of Pullman coaches, due Q1 2017 in 1950’s style livery, they are as follows:
Wagons
Hornby’s new wagon tooling for 2017 comprises of a GWR 20 ton Diagram AA15 ‘Toad’ brake van.
Railroad range
The Hornby Railroad range contains models from older tooling to suit a lower costs market segment and includes the following SR related items:
The full Hornby 2017 range can be found on the Hornby website here. The issues affecting Hornby over the last few years has been well publicised and discussed elsewhere but this range, including items carried over from 2016 and the slightly fewer new tooled models for this year shows the practical and conservative approach being taken by the new management team. I hope that this and their apparent positive re-engagement with the retailers will hopefully lead to a prosperous 2017 for all.
At long last, assisted by a few days off work over the recent Easter weekend, I have finally completed a few outstanding items on the workbench. This has mainly been around renumbering, naming and weathering a few items of rolling stock so I thought I would share with you some of the locomotives that I have now finished.
I have detailed a few times on this blog my method of renumbering (see Workbench Witterings #3 here) and also weathering (such as in this post here) so I wont repeat all those details this time.
First up, is a Bullied Battle Britain Class 21c149 ‘Anti Aircraft Command’ for friend and fellow post war period modeller Robin Sweet (Gwrrob on RMweb) for use on his excellent, albeit GWR, layout ‘Brent’ based on South Brent in Devon to represent one the regular SR crew route familiarisation turns, via Dawlish to Plymouth that also took WR engines over the ex LSWR north Dartmoor route.
21C149 was in this period a Salisbury engine, so again like the N Class I have done for Rob before, again a nice link to Fisherton Sarum, but Exmouth Junction must have hijacked her for a while…
She started as a Hornby 21C159 split from one their train packs as this was in the correct condition with the original forward position of the safety valves, She gained the wedge shaped cab modification in March 1948, was named in April that year and not fully renumbered to 34049 until April 1949. In addition to the renumbering and naming using HMRS Pressfix decals and Fox Transfers etched nameplates, I also fitted front steps and cylinder drain pipes from the excellent RT Models range, Springside Models front lamps and real coal in the tender.
Secondly are two Hornby S15s, one as number 829 from the first batch of the Maunsell S15s built in July 1927 paired with a Urie style tender and one as number 845 from the third batch of Maunsell S15s built in October 1936 paired with a Maunsell flat sided bogie tender.
Number 829 was a Salisbury allocated engine during my 1946 to 1949 modelling period, whilst 845 was initially allocated to Feltham but in 1947 was moved to Exmouth Junction and therefore would also have regularly been seen at Salisbury.
Finally for now, is Hornby Schools Class V number 929 ‘Malvern’ whose repainting and numbering was the topic of my Workbench Wittering #2 post way back in June last year! Now finally her weathering is complete. As I mentioned in that post Schools class number 929 “Malvern” was one of only seven members of the class not to regain malachite green livery after the war, but stayed in SR black until January 1949. The Schools Class V were not often seen at Salisbury in SR days but as she was a Brighton allocated engine from 1947 my excuse is that she has arrived on one of the Brighton to Plymouth services that changed locomotives at Salisbury.
That’s all for now, I will post some details of some of the other items of rolling stock that I recently completed in due course.
May the angels protect you, may the sadness forget you, may goodness surround you and may your God always bless you. The budding trees, the new flowers, and birds that sing, whisper to me that it’s Easter.
Here is wishing a warmth for your soul on Easter & always!
Today, 30th January 2015, marks the 50 anniversary of the solemn occasion of the State Funeral of one of our greatest statesman Sir Winston Churchill following his passing on 24th January 1965. Sir Winston Churchill was the only “commoner”, i.e non Royal, in the 20th Century to be awarded the honour of a State Funeral. The day is especially remembered in railway circles, following the service in St. Paul’s Cathedral, due to the his final journey by rail being from Waterloo to Handborough in Oxfordshire for the private family interment in Bladon.
The State Funeral procession led from St. Paul’s Cathedral, via the River Thames on the Port of London Authority launch Havengore, that travelled from Tower Pier and the Pool of London (even the Pool’s crane jibs were dipped as a mark of respect) to the Royal Festival Hall landing stage. From there, the procession went by road to Waterloo Station and onto the funeral train that comprised of Bulleid Battle of Britain class No. 34051 “Winston Churchill”; Pullman brake car No. 208; hearse van S2464S (an SR gangway bogie luggage van repainted to Pullman colours back in July 1962 and stored awaiting its eventual use); Pullman kitchen parlour cars “Carina” and “Lydia”; Pullman parlour car “Perseus”; and Pullman brake car “Isle of Thanet.
Folklore states that Sir Winston Churchill requested that should he pass on before the French head of Government Charles de Gaulle that the train should leave for Oxfordshire from “Waterloo” rather then the perhaps more logical Paddington, however this may not in reality be fact. The official plans for the State occasion first started to be drawn up in 1958 under the code name “Operation Hope Not”. The train attracted large crowds along the lineside for its entire route as a mark of great respect for the man that had led and inspired many though the dark days of the Second World War.
34051, numbered 21C151 in Southern Railway days (as pictured left), was a Salisbury engine for most of her working life (except briefly being at both Nine Elms and Exmouth Junction in 1950) and was sent to Nine Elms, from Salisbury, especially for this occasion and was driven by a Nine Elms crew namely: Royal Train Driver A.W. Hurley and Fireman Jim Lester. The locomotive famously carried a three disc head code representing “V” for Victory. Departing Waterloo at 1:28pm, the train travelled respectfully slowly on Southern Region metals to Reading where it joined the Western Region line to reach Handborough, via Didcot and Oxford, arriving at 3:23pm. 34051 returned back to Nine Elms light engine via the reverse route, whilst the funeral train itself returned to London Paddington.
Jim’s fascinating memories about that day, along with some great photographs, can be read here on the excellent Nine Elms Locomotive shed website. Further information and pictures can be found here on the SEmG website.
After withdrawal in September 1965, 34051 was preserved in the National Collection and now along with hearse van S2464S has been cosmetically restored and is currently forming part of a special exhibition at the National Railway Museum in York.
Finally, as announced last December Hornby are marking the occasion with the release of their R3300 Winston Churchill funeral train pack comprising of Bulleid original style light pacific No. 34051 with cut down tender, in BR livery with late crest, 2 off Pullman cars, (although not prototypically the correct style of 1951 built Pullman cars) ‘Lydia’, ‘Perseus’ and Pullman liveried Gangwayed Bogie Luggage Van S2464 (note existing tooling is being used for the GBL and not strictly as per the prototype van that was modified with additional windows in the centre pair of doors). We await to see when this train pack will actually be available…
Last year Dapol announced their intention to produce Bulleid Light Pacifics in both original and rebuilt form. This is in addition to the 2012/13 range announcements made earlier this week.
They have now released the first off CAD images for these new products as seen here. I should stress on behalf of Dapol that these are the very first CAD versions and there are a number of corrections that have already made or highlighted to them for amendment.
These include items such as: the tender top shapes, cab side profiles, the very distorted shape of the cylinder on the original style version, correct profile pony wheels and taking account of the need for separate valances in front of the cylinders to allow for time period changes etc.
Dapol have also advised that both 4500 and 5500 gallon tender variations are planned. Whilst the versions of the original style so far announced are all 8’6″ wide cab versions, following discussion with Dapol about the cab which will be a separate moulding meaning that they might be able to consider the 9′ wide version or even the original flat fronted cab style with the two side windows should they feel demand would be sufficient.
P.S. Interestingly and coincidentally this is my 110th post since I started this blog of my rambles last August and 110 is of course the number of Bulleid Light Pacifics built!
