Tag Archives: Class 07

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.

I open the article by discussing; how although I usually model the 1946 to 1949 Southern Railway time period but to allow for additional interest and how I have purposely built Canute Road Quay without having any fixed item that dates the period modelled or really identifies the area modelled.
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 mid 1920s through to the 1960s starting with Southampton Docks liveried Adams B4 0-4-0t  through to the USA 0-6-0 Tanks, industrial locomotives and the Class 07 diesels.

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.

Due to the current Covid restrictions rather than being able to enjoy the company and a new pair of eyes photographing layout, I provided all the photographs myself to go alongside my text.
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.

As a surprise bonus the April edition of BRM TV that is available for digital subscribers of the BRM magazine this month has Fisherton Sarum as its main layout feature (remind me to teach Howard how to pronounce Sarum..).
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.

Making Quay Changes #5 the Class 07 diesels take over at the Docks

This is the fifth in the series of ‘Making Quay Changes’ posts with the Canute Road Quay being transported to either a different location or era or both.  In this post we are firmly in the Southampton Docks but after 1962 when the Class 07 diesels were specifically introduced to modernise the operations in the docks.

A pair of Heljan Class 07 models meet at Canute Road Quay
Class 07 D2985 arrives at the quay
D2988 is from the second Heljan production batch
Passing Class 07s at Canute Road quay
A busy moment in time at Canute Road Quay
D2985 arrives on the quay and passes D2988 awaiting to depart
D2985 arrives at the quay

Although my usual modelling genre, as regular readers will know, is the

Southern Railway between 1946 and 1949, however due to Canute Road Quay has very few visual references to either period or location (yes there are a couple, but hey…) items such as the vehicles and other details such as crates, sack stacks and oil drums etc. are loose, so it enables them to be both be moved around, to give some variety in photographs, and or replaced with other items to different periods.

The USA 0-6-0 tanks had been in service within Southampton Docks since 1946, Due to the various tight curves within Southampton Docks utilising existing Diesel shunters such as the EE 350HP, later 09 class was not going to be an option. Therefore in 1962 Fourteen 0-6-0 diesel-electric shunting 275HP locomotives specifically for use in Southampton Docks were purchased by British Railways from Ruston Paxman.  They had a wheelbase of only 8 ft 7½ in, compared with 11 ft 6 in for an 08. With their high well glazed cab offset between long and short bonnets they certainly had their own distinctive character.

The Heljan models, as per my review here, have captured the look of the prototype well. The feature a multi part injection  moulded body with fine etched front and rear nose grills on a heavy diecast chassis. Separately fitted items include: metal handrails, sprung buffers, windscreen wipers, pipework, roof mounted air horns and factory fitted screw link couplings. Underneath the body the chassis features the correct air cylinders, sand boxes, sand pipes, other pipework and brake gear. Also fitted is a working lubricator linkage on the left hand side (when viewed long bonnet forward. Included with the model are discs, including those with duty numbers, as used within Southampton Docks.

When paired with the suitable later era rolling stock, that I have now collected and weathered, the Heljan Class 07s certainly look the part and with their smooth running make shunting at Canute Road Quay easy and a refreshing change from my usual period.

I hope you enjoy this post, the next ‘Making Quay Changes’ post with Canute Road Quay may or may not be set in its usual location, so once again, where and what era will it be…?

 

 

Warley 2016 updates from a Southern Perspective [updated 30/11/16]

Well the annual event that is the Warley National Model Railway show at the NEC has now been and gone and by all accounts it appears that it was a good show, not that I was able to see as much of it as I might have liked. I had a good weekend on the Hornby Magazine stand operating friend and Editor Mike Wild’s latest layout Grosvenor Square, despite it being Western Region and DCC, but I think I just about coped. I apologise to anyone whom overheard and didn’t like my complaints (usually timed to gained maximum effect depending on whom was in earshot…especially that nice Mr Pete Waterman on the stand opposite…) that all Western region locomotives look the same, it was in jest… honest!

As is becoming more usual now a number of suppliers and manufacturers time announcements, product development updates and availability of new product around the time of / during the show and this year was no exception. This post attempts to round up some of those items of interest seen at the show from a Southern perspective, although this was slightly more limited than it has been in the past.

Hornby

Like last year, Hornby used the Warley show to give a presentation on some of their plans for 2017 and make some new product announcements, including a  Hitachi IEP Bi-Mode Class 800/0, which can be found via their website on their Engine Shed Blog. The full 2017 range including all the liveries variations from existing rather than new tooling is planned to be launched in January 2017.

Hornby H Class EP

Further to the ex SECR H lass 0-4-4T announced in September  they have also now clarified the planned initial releases as being as follows, which differs slightly from the initial information I was given at the time:

R3538 number 308 SECR lined green.  No.308 was built at Ashford Works in June 1906, entering traffic at Slades Green and was repainted to Maunsell Dark Green in 1925, when also renumbered as A308. Moving to Gillingham in July 1931, her last shed was Tunbridge Wells West, from where she was withdrawn in December 1962.

Hornb y H Class EP rear 3/4 view

R3539 number 31518 BR late crest (with Overhead Electric warning flashes) lined black and pull push fitted. No. 31518 was built in July 1909 at Ashford and entered traffic at Orpington, numbered 518, Being dual braked, 518 mainly worked Chatham section trains. In December 1923 she became A518, then 1518 in July 1931. Post Nationalisation she was renumbered 31518 and later  pull push fitted in March 1952, Withdrawal took place from Three Bridges shed in January 1964.

A further view of the Hornby H Class EP

R3549 number 1324 SR Maunsell Olive Green. No.1324 was built at Ashford Works in May 1907, entering traffic as No.324 at Ashford. In 1924, based Tonbridge, she often operated services between the Eastern and Central sections of the Southern Railway. Renumbered as No.31324 under British Railways, withdrawal from Three Bridges shed occurred in July 1962.

It therefore appears that the previously advised release of the BR early emblem version will not materialise as part of the first releases.

Hornby livery samples of 21C1 and 21C3 together

The running samples of the new original style Bulleid Merchant Navy pacifics were on display,  the malachite green versions of 21c1 and 21C3 can be seen left, and they represent the condition that these locomotives first ran between introduction in 1941 and early 1943.

Hornby livery sample of 21C1 note the cover for the chimney

There is one correction to be made to the livery to 21C3 which will be reflected on the production models in that the side numbers and Southern lettering on the tender will be correctly shaded in black not green. The four releases of these models are due first quarter next year (delayed from 2016) and are as follows:

Hornby livery sample of 21C3

R3434 – SR 4-6-2 ‘Channel Packet’ ’21C1′ Merchant Navy Class (Original Air Smoothed) in as introduced 1941 condition with widows peak

R3435 – SR 4-6-2 ‘Royal Mail’ ’21C3′ Merchant Navy Class (Original Air Smoothed) in as introduced 1941 condition with widows peak

A further view of Hornby livery sample of 21C3

R3436 – BR 4-6-2 ‘Clan Line’ ‘35028’ Merchant Navy Class (Original Air Smoothed) – BR Brunswick Green. early crest ,

R3382TTS- BR 4-6-2 ‘Holland-Afrika Line’ ‘35023’ Merchant Navy (Original Air Smoothed) – BR Brunswick Green, early crest with TTS Sound

Look out for a post likely to be published next week detailing the exact condition and dates applicable to all these four versions which I hope will assist those wishing to purchase the correct version for their time period or those potentially wanting to renumber to other members of the class.

Hornby also announced a brand new ‘King Arthur’ tooling!  Although this is in the form a Class 87 AC electric number 87010 ‘King Arthur’ in BR Intercity ‘Swallow’ logo, (I can now remove my tongue from my cheek!)

The SR cattle trucks announced last year have this week also arrived in the shops, once my versions arrive I will post a picture review.  Just to clear up some misunderstanding on what versions have been released in this batch, as information on some retailers websites has been inconsistent due to changes in the information originally supplied / described by Hornby, the following versions are available:

  • R6735 – late SR livery, Bulleid designed version to SR diagram 1530 as introduced in 1947
  • R6735A – late SR livery , Bulleid designed version to SR diagram 1530 as introduced in 1947
    (although it would not doubt have been a while before these ended up in BR livery)
  • R6737 – BR livery  ex SR Maunsell designed version to SR Diagram 1529
  • R6737A – BR livery ex SR Maunsell designed version to SR Diagram 1529

It is still hoped that further livery versions, perhaps the inverse of the above, will be part of the 2017 range, although it should not be beyond the skills of many to re-livery the diagram 1529 version to the SR period.

I also remind readers that the 2016 livery versions of the excellent S15 4-6-0 model have also arrived at retailers namely

  • R3411 – SR 4-6-0 ‘827’ Maunsell S15 Class, Urie style tender – Post war Bulleid black with ‘Sunshine’ lettering
  • R3412 – BR 4-6-0 ‘30842’ Maunsell S15 Class, flat sided tender – BR Black early crest
  • R3413 – BR 4-6-0 ‘30831’ Maunsell S15 Class, Urie style tender – BR Black late emblem

Peco

Following on the recent announcement of their intention to produce 00 bullhead plain track with a more prototypical sleep spacing (bearing in mind that 00 being 16.5mm gauge rather the prototypical 18.83 it is still a compromise that the majority of us modellers accept) Peco also had on display an early mock up / EP of a large radius turnout which certainly looked good. It is my understanding that the geometry will match their existing code 75 streamline turnouts.

Bachmann

No new announcements from Bachmann, as is often the case at Warley, as their 2017 range is planned to be announced on January 8th next year, slightly earlier than their usual March date.

The EP of the Bachmann ex LBSC H2 Class Atlantic 4-4-2 picture courtesy and copyright of A York / BRM

In their usual display cases at the show were a number of Engineering Prototypes of current work in progress this included the first views of the ex London, Brighton and South Coast (LBSC) Brighton H2 Class Atlantic  Engineering Prototype  as seen pictured left. The planned initial releases, although it looks like tooling will allow for future further variations, for the H2 class are as follows:

A further view of the Bachmann H2 EP. Picture courtesy and copyright M Wild / Hornby Magazine

31-920 H2 Class Atlantic 4-4-2 No. 2426 ‘St. Alban’s Head’ in Southern Railway olive green livery

31-921 H2 Class Atlantic 4-4-2 No. 32424 ‘Beachy Head’ in BR black livery with early emblem.

Also on display were the EPs of the ex SECR Birdcage Stock that have been seen for a while now.

Trafford Model Centre (TMC)

TMC announced a number of wagon commissions, via Bachmann one of which being one of the 14 Cycle branded PMVs which were introduced in 1952, primarily for use on boat trains, being essentially a modification of ex SR Parcels and Miscellaneous Vans to incorporate hooks inside to hang cycles.

The TMC cycle branded PMV Picture courtesy and copyright M Wild / Hornby Magazine

Numbers  so converted were 1055,1103,1208,1728, these had 60 hooks presumably for up to 30 cycles, whilst 1057, 1113, 1175, 1282, 1293, 1305, 1314, 1317, 1454, 1882 had 24 hooks each. Number 1317 in addition to the bike symbols on the outside was additionally stenciled, until 1966, for use between Ashford and Cannon Street to convey cycles by manufacturer Normans of Ashford. These vans, except numbers 1175 & 1208 withdrawn in December 1962, had all returned to the general pool by 1969. The version being issued by TMC is number S1282S correctly in BR crimson livery with yellow lettering and the white cycle stencil.

TMC have also commissioned Bachmann to produce the ex LNER /BR 22T double bolster wagon and this is at EP stage

Dapol

There were no new announcements made by Dapol at the show in either 00 or N, as they are looking to get to market all outstanding products currently under development before making any new announcements. The ex London and South Western (LSWR ) B4 0-4-0T announced back in March 2014 is still at the CAD stage. They did have on show some of the results of the alignment of the Dapol and Lionheart ranges in 0 Gauge but none of these were SR related.

Kernow Model Rail Centre

Likewise no new announcements but the Kernow Model Rail Centre has on disaply their EP samples of the PBA/JIA clay tigers, the ex LSWR Gatestock as featured last week on my post here, and also, although GWR origin, the delightful diminutive 1361 class 0-06-0T saddle tanks with all the correct detail variations that they are producing.

Heljan

Back in January this year Heljan announced their intention to release an 07 Class 0-6-0 Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Shunter numbers D2985-D2998 (TOPS numbers 07001-07014).

Heljan 3D printed sample of their proposed Class 07 shunter (version 1). Picture courtesy and copyright A York / BRM

Introduced in 1962 this class of 14 locomotives was designed specifically for use in the Southampton Docks complex on trip and shunting duties. With the decline of traffic within the docks the class was re-assigned to duties in the Eastleigh area before withdrawal and finding further work with a number of industrial companies.
Heljan advise that initially two versions will be produced reflecting ‘as-built’ condition and later modified locos with waist height air brake connections as follows:

Heljan  3D printed sample of their proposed Class 07 shunter (version 2). Picture courtesy and copyright A York / BRM

Version 1 non-air braked

2900  D2985 BR Green
2901  D2990 BR Green
2902  D2992 BR Blue
2903  07010  BR Blue

Version 2 air-braked (extra cabinet, air receiver compartment and air pipes (high level)
2910  2993  BR Blue
2911  07005 BR Blue
2912 (07001) Peakstone yellow
2913 (07003) British Industrial Sand white

Proposed for release in 2017, Heljan had a early 3D print mock ups of this model on display.

Note: that the images of Engineering Protptypes sometimes show combinations of components that are mixed and matched and do not necessarily correctly represent the combinations for model variations announced (but can be a hint at possible future variations as well!)

Heljan announce Class 07 0-6-0 diesel shunter in 00 for 2017 [Updated 30/11/16]

Danish manufacturer Heljan have made a new year announcement that they are to produce a Class 07 Diesel electric shunter in 00 gauge with a release anticipated in 2017.

Introduced in 1962 this class of 14 locomotives was designed specifically for use in the Southampton Docks complex, replacing the SR USA class of 0-6-0T steam locomotives (which are being produced as Model Rail magazine commission by Bachmann). The locomotives were a modified version of a standard Ruston and Hornsby design. They had a wheelbase of only 8′ 7½” and were powered by a Paxman 6RPHL Mk III six-cylinder diesel engine, rated at 275 hp at 1,360 rpm., compared with 11′ 6″ in for the larger 350hp English Electric powered 08 class, which made them ideally suited for use within the docks and its associated tightly curved trackwork.

Class 07 number 07012 in its later BR blue guise. Picture courtesy of Heljan

They were originally numbered D2985 – D2998 and became 07001 to 07014 under the TOPS numbering scheme. Initially, the locomotives were finished in dark green livery and carried British Railways badges of the type use on coaching stock. All were later painted in the standard BR blue.

With the decline of traffic within the docks the class was re-assigned to duties in the Eastleigh area before withdrawal, that commenced in 1973 with many finding work with a number of industrial companies, including 07009 that ended up in Italy. Six examples are preserved.

Two versions will be produced reflecting ‘as-built’ condition and later modified locos with waist height air brake connections.

Rumours of Heljan producing this model have been around for a while now so it is nice to have it finally confirmed. Heljan have made a bit of a niche for themselves producing some of the smaller and slightly obscure classes of locomotives and this is a welcome addition to the range.  Further details of liveries and numbers etc. will be announced as the project develops.

With Dapol having announced the ex LSWR Adams B4 0-4-0 tanks and the SR USA tanks already mentioned above, the Class 07 completes yet another era of Southampton Dock locomotives that will be available in 4mm scale.

[Edit 30/11/16] The versions being initially produced are as follows:
Version 1 non-air braked
2900  D2985 BR Green
2901  D2990 BR Green
2902  D2992 BR Blue
2903  07010  BR Blue

Version 2 air-braked (extra cabinet, air receiver compartment and air pipes (high level)
2910  2993  BR Blue
2911  07005 BR Blue
2912 (07001) Peakstone yellow
2913 (07003) British Industrial Sand white