Following on from the excellent Steam’s Lament – Bulleid’s Light Pacifics is the next title provided to me by my friends at Strathwood Publishing being Steam’s Lament – Bulleid’s Merchant Navy, Q1, Leader and Other Works . This follows the same wide landscape format and contains 208 pages often with multiple black and white photographs per page along with well researched and informative captions.
Steam’s Lament – Bulleid’s Merchant Navy, Q1, Leader and Other Works features every one of the Merchant Navy Pacifics in both original and rebuilt condition, together with a photograph of every one of the forty Q1s and all three of the Leaders that were built. Also included are some of Bulleid’s other works including his diesel & electric locomotive designs.
The photographs are from a number of sources such as: Colour Rail,Rail photoprints , Anistr.com, Rail-Online.com and the Transport Treasury so will not be new to many of us, there are also a number of photographs from other sources such as Strathwood‘s own library, that are not so familiar and many that I have not seen before. The selection of photographs covers details and variation in liveries and naming and shows the locomotives in action, on shed and in close up. The benefit is that the they are all nicely reproduced in the one book and at a good size afforded by the wide landscape format.
As well as the Leader, the book includes a few examples of: Bulleid’s drafting improvements with Lemaitre multiple-jet blast pipes and their associated large diameter chimneys, his 500hp 0-6-0 shunter 11001, the 350hp 0-6-0 shunters, the 10201-3 main line diesels and also the Bulleid/Raworth electric locos 20001-3.
By covering each locomotive in turn and including images from different periods of their working life it provides a great reference for railway historians and modellers alike, a welcome addition to my library and wholeheartedly recommended.
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.
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:
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.
Following the total sell-out of the Bulleid diesels within two months of delivery, the Kernow Model Rail Centre have today announced that in response to customer demand a further batch of Bulleid diesels has been arranged. You can read my review of the first batch here.
This batch will feature the same four models as the first batch with two additional versions added. The first four will be certified limited editions of 150 pieces and will be supplied with numbered certificates of authenticity and an appropriate named train headboard. The headboard will be supplied loose in the box for customer fitment. The remaining two models will feature 10201 and 10202 in BR Green with Late Crest and a grey roof for the first time and are not limited editions.
A view of 10201.The other side of 10201.
The models available to order are: –
K2701A – 10201 in BR Black with early emblem and Bournemouth Belle headboard
K2702A – 10202 in BR Black with early emblem and Golden Arrow headboard
K2703A – 10203 in BR Black with early emblem and Atlantic Coast Express headboard
K2704A – 10203 in BR Green with Late Crest and Royal Scot headboard
K2705 – 10201 in BR Green with Late Crest (Grey roof)
K2706 – 10202 in BR Green with Late Crest (Grey roof)
10101 and 10202 in black.
As previously, these models will need to be paid for in advance to obtain the prices shown below. To reward the loyalty of our customers who previously pre-ordered these models a special offer will be sent to them direct. If customers wait until they arrive they will pay a higher price, assuming they have not sold out prior to release.
The models will be £179.99 for DCC Ready or £309.99 for DCC Sound Fitted. By paying in full immediately customers will save £10 (£15 for DCC Sound fitted versions).
I realise some will concentrate on the time taken since these models were first announced some time ago by the Kernow Model Rail Centre, it has been well documented that the necessary research for the production of the CADS for these diesels with their complex multiple curved exterior shape has taken much longer than planned. When last year additional information came to light the development process moved on at a fast pace and now production of the first versions has now been completed. These are the first models that Kernow Model Rail Centre have worked directly with the factory on China on all aspects of the design, tooling and manufacture. Has the time taken been worth it… you bet it has!
No 10201 as built. Official BR publicity photograph from my collection.
In 1949 the frames for No. 10201, a 1Co Co1 loco, were laid at Ashford Works under the supervision of Bulleid. Before the first loco was completed the frames for 10202 were assembled. The last of the trio, No. 10203, was constructed in 1953-4 at Brighton Works.
No 10202, Official BR publicity photograph from my collection.
The bolsterless bogie design was similar to that used on the Bulleid/Raworth electric locomotives, CC1 and 2, introduced in 1941, with similar bearing pads, wheels and the mounting of the bogies and brakes. To carry the additional weight an articulated pony truck was included, ingeniously guided by links fitted to the bogie front plate which also carried the buffers. The profile of the body sides was curved to match the profile of the Bulleid coaches of the time.
The first production versions of 10101 and 10202 have arrived.
In February 1953 Brighton Works commenced assembly of the third member of the fleet, No. 10203, which was completed in March 1954. A number of technical differences were incorporated in this loco, the most significant being the installation of a higher powered engine developing some 2,000hp, rather than the 1,750hp of N0. 10201/2. After its commissioning trials, No. 10203 based at Nine Elms joined 10201/2 on the Waterloo-Exeter line where it demonstrated its superior output.
A view of 10201.
Initial trials of 10201 also took place on the London Midland Region, where all three would return in 1955, whilst on the LMR the chime whistle was also replaced by twin air horns. Whilst on both the Southern Region and the London Midland Region they worked alongside their slightly less power cousins the LMS Twins 10000 and 10001.
The other side of 10201.
When built all three were painted in black livery with silver lining, including silver frames, whilst the centre of the roof section was matt black. After the locos were allocated to the LMR, Derby Works outshopped all three in BR standard locomotive green and replaced the waist height silver band with orange and black lining. The roof however was painted a really practical primrose yellow! This of course soon ended up a dirty black colour.
The first two models, No. 10201 and No. 10202 have now arrived in the UK and are starting to be sent out to those whom pre-ordered.
The initial four livery releases are as follows:
K2701 Number 10201 in BR Black livery with early emblem
K2701 Number 10201 in BR Black livery with early emblem
K2703 Number 10203 in BR Black livery with early emblem
K2704 Number 10203 in BR Green livery with late crest
An option for DCC Sound fitted K2701DS and K2702DS is also available, with sound by Legomanbiffo. The models of No. 10203 require slightly different tooling for both the sides and roof which is being worked on at the moment and will therefore at a later date.
I will on the whole let the pictures accompanying this post do the talking but read on for additional information. The models arrive in a very sturdy foam lined box in the Kernow Model Rail Centre house style with the locomotive held in the now usual plastic insert and sleeve. Overall the model has a good weight and matches the solid look of the prototype.
Showing the engine head signal discs in both open and closed positions.
The model accurately follows the complex curves and tumbleholm of the prototype and has a wealth of rivet detail. Above each cab is the whistle (this will be replaced by air horns on the green version of 10203. Also included with the model is a complete set of closed half head signal (route discs) to allow any combination of open / closed discs and head signal codes to be achieved. Buffer beam hooks with and without dummy three link couplings are also included. Tension lock couplings are provided fitted into NEM pockets. The vacuum and steam heating pipes are factory fitted and do not interfere with the couplings.
Directional lighting for the head signal discs shines through the separate lenses within the open discs, but is fully blanked when the half discs are fitted. (Note the discs are a simple push fit and can be carefully prised off, but make sure you place a finger over the disc when doing so to prevent the disc heading off to be difficult to find on the floor!)
A view of the underside of 10201 showing the internal bearing bogies and the pony truck of the 1Co -Co1 bolsterless design. All six main axles are powered.
The models feature a large centrally mounted five pole motor with twin fly wheels, mounted on a die cast chassis block. Drive to each of the 3 main geared axles on both bogies is via articulated shafts. The bogies comprise of internal axle bearings and have both horizontal and vertical play to allow for a variety of track conditions. Electrical pick up is off all main driving axles.
I have found them to run extremely smoothly on at least three different layouts and test tracks complete with undulations and they haulage capability is exceptional and they have handled over twenty Hornby Pullman coaches with ease.
For those using DCC a 21 pin socket is provided and every model, even the non DCC fitted versions, include a 28mm 8 ohm, 4 Watt speaker!
A close up of the roof showing the fine fan grill with fan beneath and also the whistle.
Externally the finish is extremely good, an excellent satin black finish and crisp boundaries between the black and the aluminium silver lining and the aluminium silver roof. The fan grill on the roof is a very fine etching with a representation of the fan itself moulded below.
The flush glazing is very fine without any noticeable prismatic effect at the edges. Behind the body side windows is a representation of the engine block which if anything is slightly too close to the window but that is due to the fact that it is hiding the motor. Often when running in practice these side windows were in the down open position, I assume to give additional cooling, but this is not possible with the model. Windscreen wipers, lamp irons and handrails are separately applied and the latter also are where applicable the correct flat profile. The bogies themselves are a work of art, heightened by being painted as per the prototype in silver, including many separately applied details such as steps, covers, sandboxes, pipes and speedometer drive.
As I said in the introduction paragraph I certainly feel the wait has been worthwhile and is sure to be a winner with Southern Region and London Midland Region modellers alike.
It has been a pleasure to assist the Kernow Model Rail Centre with this project from the outset.
There has recently been a flurry of activity in the Ready to Run world from various manufacturers / model commissioners and this post is a quick update on a number of models that I had the chance to take a look at, run and photograph at the Hornby Magazine Great Electric Train Show (GETS) on their Twelve Trees Junction layout, that I was helping to operate last weekend. Further posts giving a more detailed photographic review of some of the production models about to be delivered will follow in due course.
Hornby H Class
Hornby H class No 1518 on Twelve Trees Junction
First announced in September 2016 as being part of their 2017 range the ex ex SECR / SR Wainwright H class 0-4-4 tank is progressing well and the first of the production samples can be seen pictured left. No 31518 in lined black with late crest is Hornby catalogue number R3539 and is also pull push fitted. She ran very nicely on Twelve Trees Junction layout over the GETS weekend. Also being released are R3538 as No. 308 in full SECR livery, R3450 as No 1234 in lined olive green and No 31551 as part of a train pack with pull push set 602.
Hatton’s P Class
A line up of three of the Hatton’s P Class tank livery samples
Although only announced last month progress on the twelve livery versions of their ex SECR / SR Wainwright P class 0-6-0 tanks is progressing at pace. They have now received in the last week the first livery samples and three of these can be seen left, with all able to seen on the Hatton’s website project update page here.
Shades of a 1960s LCGB railtour the P Class tank along with a Hornby Adams radial tank. The Kernow Gate Stock can also be seen in the background.
These are of course the first livery samples and a few tweaks are still to be made but the excellent attention to detail on these models can be clearly seen.
Shades of a 1960s LCGB railtour the P Class tank along with a Hornby Adams radial tank. The Kernow Model Rail Centre Gate Stock and O2 can also be seen in the backgroundThe full details of the available versions and pre-order details can be found here.
Although being livery samples these were unpowered we could not resist running one the samples as a double header to possibly represent a Locomotive Club of Great Britain railtour in the 1960’s.
Kernow Model Rail Centre, Gate Stock and Bulleid Diesels
Set 363 sits in the bay platform at Twelve Trees Junction
The ex London and South Western Railway pull push Gate Stock has featured on this blog often and now that they have been produced and awaiting shipment from China a small number have been air freighted to the UK for magazine review samples etc. The BR Lined Crimson set 363 (K1003) can be seen left. Three other livery versions are being produced, namely: K1001 Set 374 SR Lined Olive, K1002 Set 373 SR Malachite, and K1004 Set 373 BR Green (plated) See here for more details.
10201 hauls a rake of Pullman coaches with ease
Although announced some time ago, the necessary research for the production of the CADS for these diesels with their complex multiple curved exterior shape has as already documented taken much longer than planned. When last year additional information came to light the development process moved on at a fast pace and now production of the first versions has now been completed. The model ran exceptionally well on Twelve Trees Junction hauling a long rake of twelve wheel Pullman coaches with considerable ease, due to its good weight and a centrally mounted 5 pole motor with flywheels powering each bogie.
These models will each feature in a more detailed review post in due course so watch this space…
Both an example of the the Gate Stock, the Bulleid diesel 10201 and as an exclusive, their first running Engineering Prototype of the Western Region D600 series Hydraulics, also being produced by the Kernow Model Rail Centre will be running on the High Wycombe and District’s Hinton Parva layout this weekend at the Warners / BRM Magazine National Festival of Railway Modelling. if you are planning to attend come and say hello to the Hinton Parva team.
Regular readers of this blog will know that this time of year I tend to head south to where ‘summer comes soonest’, to coin a phrase from that well know Southern Railway Publicity poster.
I am soon heading very South (well about 4 and bit hours and approximately 1600 miles in a plane south) for a blend of Spanish, African and Latin American influences, exploration including a dormant volcanoes and a lavascape, rest, relaxation and hopefully some sun, possibly dark sandy beeches and sea too (might help you guess where). Normal service on this blog will therefore be resumed at the end of the month. Before I get in to full holiday mode I just thought I would give a couple of brief updates on a few Southern related model items.
Engineering Prototype of the Dapol ex LSWR B4
Firstly, Dapol have now released images of the first assembled Engineering Prototype of their 00 gauge ex LSWR B4, announced back in 2014, This follows on the tooling test pieces that they had on display back in March at the BRM / Warners / MRC London Festival of Model Railways . So far the EP of just the one version of the 5 variants promised has been shown but I believe the other variations will follow.
Dapol B4 EP rear 3/4 view.
As a remind those variations so far announced are:
‘Caen’ (Number 90) Southampton Docks brown livery with Drummond Chimney
Number 88 in Southern black
Number 30082 in BR black, early emblem
Number 30096 in BR black, late crest
Secondly, The Kernow Model Rail Centre have received the second batch of livery samples of the their Gate Stock Pull Push sets and also the first main livery sample of the Bulleid Diesel numbers 10201 and 10202.
With respect to the Gate Stock there are still a number of tweaks being made to finalise the liveries.
The Kernow Model Rail Centre Bulleid Diesel 1st livery sample of 10201 . Picture courtesy and copyright KMRC
Although the first EPs of the Bulleid diesels broke cover, like the Dapol B4 tooling samples, back in March at the BRM / Warners / MRC London Festival of Model Railway as reported here, the livery application upon them had been undertaken by the factory from their own research rather than against approved livery artwork. The samples now received still have a few minor corrections to be made as the running numbers and BR early emblems are placed too high on the bodyside. The bogies require the axle boxes and springs painting black and the wheels will be the correct Bulleid pattern rather than the simple wheels provided for testing purposes. (The first engineering sample had the correct wheels).
Builleid Diesel 10202 livery sample. Picture courtesy and copyright KMRC
Production slots for both the 10201 /2 Bullied Diesels and the Gate Stock are currently being finalised but it is hoped should be by the end of August, which neatly gets us back to summer and holidays how this post started.
Kernow Model Rail Centre – Bulled 1C0-C01 Diesels 10201/2 & 3
Although announced some time ago, the necessary research for the production of the CADS for these diesels with their complex multiple curved exterior shape has taken much longer than planned. During last year additional information came to light that has assisted greatly with development progress.
K2701 Bulleid diesel 10201 (incorrectly numbered 10203) in BR black livery with early emblem. Picture courtesy and copyright Kernow Model Rail Centre
I have fortunate to have been party to progress that has been made during the last few months; firstly, with various sets of CADs, initial Engineering Prototypes and now the livery sample versions on public display for the first time this weekend.
By way of a recap four versions are being produced:
K2704 Bulleid diesel 10203 livery sample in BR Green livery. Picture courtesy and copyright Kernow Model Rail Centre
The purpose of the livery samples are of course to check the application and livery details, so being the first such samples there are a few known corrections to be made before these can go to production, such as confirming the colour shades, adding lining and changing to the correct late emblem and no interconnecting doors on the K2704 version. These models are fitted with now standard arrangement, for similar diesel and electric models of a centrally mounted motor driving each bogie via drive shafts and a gear tower.
[update 31/03/17] The Kernow Model Rail Centre have further advised “The factory very kindly decorated this first sample from their own research, rather than supplying the model in unfinished grey. They also provided a sample of the version with a corridor connection that we were not intending to produce in the initial batch, having speculatively decided to tool this in case we wanted it! This again they supplied painted from their own research. Unfortunately the paint finish was incorrect and the running numbers applied were not correct for the tooling combination.”
Kernow Model Rail Centre – SR Gate Stock Pull Push sets and 4-TC Units
After what appears to have a bit of a long and frustrating wait, for potentially a number of reasons, the first livery samples of the Gate Stock Pull/Push sets have been finally received, via DJ Models, by the Kernow Model Rail Centre. Four livery versions are being produced, namely:
1st Livery Sample of K1001 in lined olive green. Picture courtesy and copyright kernow Model Rail Centre
1st Livery Sample of K1004 in BR green livery, and with plated panels. Picture courtesy and copyright kernow Model Rail Centre
There are a number of slight corrections already identified to be made, including the size and weight of the set numbers, running number and Southern sizes and positioning, the droplight colour on the olive green set and handrail colours etc.
Yes it is known that in the pictures left the bodies on these samples have been assembled on the chassis the wrong way around and swapped between driving and trailer cars, hence the steps not lining up with the gated entrances, and has since been corrected.
K1001 livery sample with Chassis assembled the correct way round!
The purpose of these samples is to confirm the liveries (and a small number of corrections made to the body tooling since the last Engineering Prototype) and no further tooling changes are proposed. It is good at last to see further progress made and hopefully once the livery amendments can be made production slots can be allocated.
Bachmann ex SECR Birdcage sets first look at livery sample and other Work in Progress
Bachmann in 00 gauge have a number of SR related developments as work in progress at the moment. The highlight at the show was the first appearance of the first livery sample pf the ex SECR Birdcage sets.
Bachmann ex SECR Bridcage set crimson livery sample
The ex SECR Birdcage coaching stock, are at livery sample stage. Three livery versions have been announced namely: SECR Dark Lake,
SR Olive Green and BR crimson.
Bachmann having now received and showing the BR crimson version so far, with the other slightly more complex liveries to follow soon. The expected delivery dates are currently September / October.
The Bachmann Birdcage set Composite coach livery sample
The ex LBSR H2 class 4-4-2, is awaiting livery samples and expected delivery dates are currently November / December
The Class 450 4 Car EMUs are at livery sample stage and expected delivery dates are currently August/September
The other Brake Third ex SECR Birdcage livery sample
No further news on the progress, other than being at the R&D stage, of the Class 414 2-HAP or Class 410 4-BEP EMUs, or the Ransoms and Rapier 45T steam cranes at the moment.
In N gauge the Graham Farish C Class 0-6-0 announced earlier this year is in the R& D stage along with the Class 319 EMU whilst the SECR Birdcage coaches are in the drawing office.
Dapol put N Gauge models in abeyance including Bulleid Light Pacifics
Dapol have have announced, that due to: “effects of the decision to leave the EU last June continue, particularly on the devaluation of Sterling and the increase in the general feeling of uncertainty as the actual leave date looms. These effects coupled with the continued inflationary pressures being experienced in China means that the decision to invest in projects and develop new lines is becoming increasingly difficult. Not only is the unit cost of models rising at an alarming rate but the cost of the tooling is also escalating.” They went on to say: “Unfortunately, some previously announced and mooted projects will have to be put on abeyance until the economic conditions become more favourable. This is particularly, but not exclusively the case in N gauge were the small size of the market, the relatively high cost of manufacture and natural cap on retail prices means that returns are least favourable. Projects such as the Class 50, Class 59, prototype HST, Battle of Britain and others are being delayed as result of this.”
The Dapol Maunsell 4 Compartment Brake Third in N Gauge Engineering Prototype
Dapol have confirmed that the N Gauge 4 compartment Brake Third and the Brake Composite are still to be released in the Summer and will not be impacted by the recent announcement.
I personally feel we might have to read between the lines a little on this, for example on what abeyance / delayed actually means…
The first test pieces for the Dapol ex LSWR B4 note the cab variations
[update 26/03/17] I can confirm that this not affect the 00 gauge ex LSWR B4, announced back in 2014, as this is in tooling and the had some of the first test pieces on display.
The Kernow Model Centre have today made the following announcement about their exclusive models and commissions and I post it below in full.
In our determination to provide high-quality detailed models we are constantly reviewing progress of our projects. Sometimes this can reveal that changes need to be made, most of which are invisible to our customers.
After careful consideration we have decided to manage the production of our Adams O2 and LSWR Gate Stock OO Gauge models directly with the factory in China, this being the same factory that built our award-winning OO Gauge Beattie Well Tank. We have asked Dave Jones of DJModels to oversee these projects which will continue the close working relationship we have had since we started commissioning exclusive models.
Work on the OO Gauge Tiger Clay Wagons, Bulleid Diesel locos and D6xx Warships also continues as well as other yet-to-be announced projects, all of which will be produced under a new commercial agreement of which details will be given in due course.
All existing orders for these products will be held and there is no need for customers to contact us about this change unless they have changed their phone number, email address or house address and not previously advised us.
A consequence of this decision is that Dapol no longer feel able to progress the O Gauge Beattie Well Tank project and associated clay wagons. We had been working with Dapol to find alternative ways of producing this model, but the pre-orders have been disappointingly low with fewer than 200 orders placed. This is despite a huge discount being offered to encourage and reward customers who placed a pre-order and it being made clear that the pre-order could be cancelled at any time. While we may look at this again in the future for the time being we are going to concentrate on our core OO gauge market. We have already emailed and written to all customers who still held a pre-order for the O Gauge models with details of a special offer to reward their loyalty and patience.
Even after the above changes we had around £275k of special projects remaining with Dapol and it was our intention to continue with these, but Dapol have cancelled all of these with the exception of the OO Gauge models of D1003V Western Ruler and B850ZA and B850ZB Weathered Silver Bullets which are already in production. Our exclusive Class 73s, Bubble Cars, Turbots and Class 22s have all been cancelled and we are obviously very sorry and disappointed that Dapol have chosen to do this. This unexpected act means that we have had to remove these models from our website and have not yet had chance to contact everybody who placed pre-orders but will do so as soon as possible.
We thank all our customers for their patience and understanding for bearing with us and with our new agreement in place we expect rapid progress to be made on the Gate Stock and O2 models and look forward to sharing positive news about these very soon.
I will not make any personal comment on the above other to state that I continue to assist Chris Terise at the Kernow Model Centre with respect to their Southern related models.
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The model railway world and mainly Southern Railway meanderings of Graham 'Muz' Muspratt
