Two new books recently published and provided to me by my friends at Strathwood Publishing are Southern Lament – Bulleid’s Light Pacifics and Southern Electrics Scrapbook Volume II. These wide landscape format books contain 208 and 176 pages respectively often with multiple black and white photographs per page along with well researched and informative captions.
The first book, Southern Lament – Bulleid’s Light Pacifics features each of the 110 Bulleid Light Pacifics in turn covering them in both original and where relevant rebuilt form. The photographs are from a number of sources such as: Colour Rail,Rail photoprints 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. They are all nicely reproduced and at a good size afforded by the wide landscape format.
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.
It was good to see the number of detail variations and differences in liveries included and well highlighted within the captions. The differences in liveries and lettering styles around the time of nationalisation is a particular interest of mine and gives further food for thought for some future models. I particularly liked the image of 34036 having been renumbered but still in malachite but with a large early British Railways emblem on the tender one of only four to have that particular combination. I certainly recommend this book to any Bulleid enthusiast.
The second book Southern Electrics Scrapbook Volume II is another new selection of excellent photographs to compliment all of the previous volumes detailing the Southern Region’s fleet of EMUs, Different chapters cover topics such as: Blue is the colour, Kent Coast electrics inside and out, Snow worries, Passing the box, Everyday service, Towards push & pull on the Bournemouth line, and Specials.
As with the Southern Lament book some of the photographs being from sources such as: Colour Rail, Brian Stephenson and Anistr.com might be familiar to some however a large number are from other collections and were certainly new to me.
All the photographs include informative and detailed captions from David Brown the renowned author on all matters Southern Electric.
Obviously the majority of the photographs cover the variety of Electric Multiple units ranging from the: 1940 Waterloo and City stock, early variety of 4-Subs, 2-Nols, 2-Hals , 2-Bils, 4-Cors, 6-Pan, 6-Pul and Brighton Belles through to the BR built MK1 based units. The book doesn’t forget the locomotive scene either with classes 71, 73 and, of particular interest to me at the moment, the Bulleid Raworth booster electric locomotives.
Not all the images actually include an EMU or locomotive but include the infrastructure of the time and along with many of the photographs allowing the eye to be drawn away from the main subject the combination of details and entire scenes within the photographs will assist modellers of the period and give or take a few years as well.
Both these Strathwood Publishing books are well worth a read regardless of your particular direct interest as they include a variety of information and inspiration across a wide range of areas.
The winners of the first British Model Railway Awards for 2016 have been announced today and can be read here. This year saw a resurgence for Hornby wining not only 00 manufacturer of the year, but also Overall Manufacturer of the year, helped by within a number of the categories Southern Railway / Region related products winning and or polling highly.
Set 45 comprising of a Dia 418 Brake Composite and and Dia 99 Brake Third
Also polling well was their Class 71 electric locomotive with over 25% of the vote in the 00 Gauge modern traction award; therefore ensuring that the Southern Railway is well represented in the awards, which is always good news. With the Hornby original Merchant Navy and ex SECR H Class 0-4-4T due to the hit retailers this year in my opinion they will also have a strong contenders for the awards in 2017 as well.
Also well done to the UK Model Shops website for justifiably winning the website of the year award, for the second year in a row, a category in which I was surprised to have been again nominated and came a creditable 5th among a wide range of high quality and informative websites, so many thanks to all who did take the time to vote.
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 (see below).
There have of course been a number of Southern / Southern Region related models released during 2016 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:
Although not SR related the Hornby W4 Peckett 0-4-0t is also an excellent little model
Following a few difficult years Hornby certainly appear to have turned a corner, and with the Cattle trucks to Diagram 1529 and 1530 and the ex LSWR Muansell 58ft non corridor stock alone have provided us Southern modellers with some excellent models (and more are to come in 2017 I assure you) so must be in with a good chance in the 00 manufacturer of the year category this year…
I am also very humbled to see that this little corner of the blogosphere of mine has once again been nominated (it was voted 4th 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.
Regular readers will also know that I am member of the High Wycombe and District Model Railway Society and our annual Wycrail exhibition is once again of those that has been nominated in the Exhibition of the year category, so again if you attended it, enjoyed it and think it deserves your vote…
Also if like me you have received excellent service from a particular retailer such as Kernow Model Rail Centre please also vote accordingly.
[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.
R3515 – SR 4-6-2 ‘Kenley’ ’21c168′ Bulleid Battle of Britain Light Pacific – 4500 gallon tender – SR Malachite Green. Part of Hornby’s ‘The Final Day Collection’ Marking the 70th Anniversary of the end of the ‘Big Four’. Represents the condition she ran in between introduction in October 1947 and September 1948. The Final Day Collection range also includes a GWR King Class, LMS Royal Scot Class and LNER A3 Class. [Q3]
R3521 – BR 0-4-4T Drummond ex LSWR M7 Class number ‘30129’ long frame, pull push fitted in BR Lined black with late emblem, as she ran between April 1960 and November 1963. [Q2]
R3524 – BR 4-6-2 ‘Trevone’ Rebuilt Bulleid West Country Light Pacific number 34096 in BR Brunswick Green with late emblem representing her condition between April 1961 and September 1964. [Q3]
R3525 – BR 4-6-2 ‘Sir Archibold Sinclair’ Bulleid Battle of Britain Light Pacific number ‘s21c159’- 4500 gallon tender – Malachite Green with s prefix to number and Sunshine ‘British Railways’ on tender. Representing her condition between Feb 1948 and March 1949. [Q2]
R3527 – SR 4-6-0 ‘Camelot’ Urie N15 Class number 742, Urie style tender – Post war Bulleid black with ‘Sunshine’ lettering representing her condition between June 1942 and August 1946. [Q2]
R3528 – ex LBSC A1X ‘Terrier’ Class – Number 4 in Weston, Clevedon and Portishead green livery.[Q3]
R3538 – [New Tooling for 2017] ex SECR 0-4-4T H Class number 308 in full 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. [Q4]
R3539 – [New Tooling for 2017] ex SECR 0-4-4T H Class number 31518 BR late crest (with Overhead Electric warning flashes) lined black and pull push fitted. As she ran between post 1956 to January 1964. [Q4]
R3549 – [New Tooling for 2017] ex SECR 0-4-4T H Class number 1324 SR post 1931 Maunsell Olive Green. 1324 I believe also made it through the war still in olive green! [Q4]
R3559 – SR 0-6-0 Bulleid Q1 class number C24 – Post war Bulleid black livery. [Q4]
R3559 – BR 0-6-0 Bulleid Q1 class number 33032 – BR Unlined black livery late emblem. [Q4]
R3566 – [Updated 13/01/17] BR 4-6-2 ‘Nederland Line Rebuild Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacific number ‘35014’ in BR Brunswick Green with early crest and black backed nameplate representing her condition between May 1956 and December 1960 (when a speedometer was fitted. [Note: This replaces the originally announced 35018 due to the unique detail differences of 35018 as the pioneer rebuild of the class]. [Q4]
R3568 – BR Class 71 ‘E5018’ [Updated 16/01/17 to reflect confirmation of the livery as being with plain green ends] – BR Green, with Plain green ends. [Q2]
R3569 – BR Class 71 ‘E5005’ BR Blue. [Q4]
R3577 – Not Southern related, but included on this post just because…, Sentinel 0-4-0 diesel shunter Oxfordshire Ironstone Co, red livery with connecting rods named ‘Graham’. [Q3]
[*] R3412 – BR 4-6-0 ‘30842’ Maunsell S15 Class, flat sided tender – BR Black early crest. [Q1]
[*] R3422- SR 4-4-2T ‘3125’ Adams Radial 0415 Class – Bullied post war black and Sunshine lettering. [Q1]
[*] R3423 – BR 4-4-2T ‘30583’ Adams Radial 0415 Class – BR lined black late emblem. [Q1]
[*] R3434 – SR 4-6-2 ‘Channel Packet’ ’21C1′ Merchant Navy Class (Original Air Smoothed) represents her very early condition from when first introduced in February 1941 and May 1941. [Q1]
[*] R3435 – SR 4-6-2 ‘Royal Mail’ ’21C3′ Merchant Navy Class (Original Air Smoothed) is as introduced in September 1941 condition again and when she was painted in wartime black livery in May 1943. [Q4]
[*] R3436 – BR 4-6-2 ‘Clan Line’ ‘35028’ Merchant Navy Class (Original Air Smoothed) – BR Brunswick Green. early crest. Modelled without the fairings between the front of the cylinders and the buffer beam and with safety vales in the forward position representing the condition she ran in between June 1953 and December 1954. [Q3]
[*] R3445 – BR 4-6-2 ‘Camelford’ ‘34032’ West Country Class – BR Early – Air Smoothed representing the condition she ran in between January 1951 and October 1954 when safety vales were resited. [Q2]
[*] R3457 – SR 4-4-0 ‘116’ Class T9 – Post 1931 lined Maunsell olive green [Q1]
[*]R3458 – SR 4-4-0 ‘Shrewsbury’ Schools Class number ‘921’ – SR Black with Sunshine lettering, Lemaitre large diameter blast pipe and chimney as her condition between April 1944 and January 1948. [Q1]
[*] R3468 – BR 4-6-2 ‘603 Squadron’ ‘34077’ Battle of Britain Class – Rebuilt – BR Lined Brunswick Green with late emblem as her conditon between July 1960 and August 1967. [Q2]
My version of how R3525 s21c159 will look (but not weathered).Although not 742 ‘Camelot’ as per R3527, this is my weathered version of her sister 744 ‘Maid of Astolat’
[*] R3382TTS – BR 4-6-2 ‘Holland-Afrika Line’ ‘35023’ Merchant Navy (Original Air Smoothed) – BR Brunswick Green, early crest with TTS Sound representing the condition she ran in between gaining Brunswick green in March 1952 and the fairings being removed in May 1953. [Q2]
R3507TTS – BR 4-6-0 ‘30832’ Maunsell S15 Class, Urie style tender – BR Black early crest representing the condition she ran in between March 1951 and June 1957. [Q3]
Train and Coach packs
R3512 – H Class Pull / Push Train Pack – Limited Edition, comprising of Wainright ex SECR 0-4-4T H Class tank number 31551 in BR Lined Black with late emblem livery and BR ex Maunsell Pull Push set number 602 – coaches S1318S (SO) and S6681S (BCK) in BR(s) Green. Set 602 was unusual in that the outer end of the SO also had the set number applied, which will be correctly recreated by Hornby. [Q4]
R4534E BR ex Maunsell Pull Push Coach pack set number 601 – coaches S1315S (SO) and S6687S (BCK) in BR(s) Green. [Q2]
[*] R3398 – Lyme Regis Branch Line Train Pack – Limited Edition, Comprising of Adams 0415 radial tank number 30583 in BR lined black with early crest and two coach set No. 42 made up from Brake Third No. S2636S and Brake Composite No. S6401S in BR Crimson [Q1]
Coaches
R4792 – SR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Eight Compartment Brake Third Class Non-Corridor, SR Green, Diagram 99 No. 2638 that formed set 44 with R4794. [Q3]
R4793 – S R 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Six Compartment Lavatory Brake Third Coach, SR Green diagram 98 No. 2628 used as ‘loose’ stock. [Q3]
R4794 – SR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Six Compartment Lavatory Brake Composite Coach, SR Green, Diagram 418 No. 6403 that formed set 44 with R4792. [Q3]
R4795 – SR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Nine Compartment Lavatory Third Class Coach, SR Green, Diagram 31 No. 320 used as ‘loose’ stock. [Q3]
R4746A – BR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Eight Compartment Brake Third Class Non-Corridor, BR Crimson, Diagram 99 No. S2646S that formed set 46 with R4748A. [Q3]
R4747A – BR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Six Compartment Brake Third Coach, BR Crimson, diagram 98 No. S2627S used as ‘loose’ stock. [Q3]
R4748A – BR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Six Compartment Lavatory Brake Composite Coach, BR Crimson, diagram 418 N0, S6405S that formed set 46 with R4746A. [Q3]
R4749A – BR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Nine Compartment Lavatory Third Class Coach, BR Crimson, diagram 31 No. S280S used as ‘loose’ stock. [Q3]
R4768 – SR Maunsell 6 Compartment Third Class Brake Coach – SR Olive Green – High window style to diagram 2110, Number 3778, branded set 243. [Q2]
R4768A – SR Maunsell 6 Compartment Third Class Brake Coach – SR Olive Green – High window style to diagram 2110, Number 3779, branded set 243. [Q2]
R4769 – SR Maunsell Corridor 8 Compartment Third Class Coach – SR Olive Green – High window style to diagram 2001, Number 1224, part of 4 coach set 243. [Q2]
R4770 – SR Maunsell Corridor 7 compartment First Class Coach – SR Olive Green – High window style to diagram 2501, Number 7412, part of 4 coach set 243. [Q2]
R4796 – SR Maunsell 6 Compartment Third Class Brake Coach – BR Crimson and Cream – High window style to diagram 2110, Number 3777, branded set 247. [Q2]
R4796A – SR Maunsell 6 Compartment Third Class Brake Coach – BR Crimson and Cream – High window style to diagram 2110, Number 3794, branded set 247. [Q2]
R4797 – SR Maunsell Corridor 7 compartment First Class Coach – BR Crimson and Cream – High window style to diagram 2501, Number 7212, part of 4 coach set 247. [Q2]
R4798 – SR Maunsell Corridor 8 Compartment Third Class Coach – BR Crimson and Cream – High window style to diagram 2001, Number 1187, part of 4 coach set 247. [Q2]
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.
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:
R4738 – First Class Parlour Car ‘Minerva’
R4739 – Second Class Parloour Car ‘Car No.34’
R4740 – First Class Kitchen Car ‘Argus’
R4741 – Second Class Kitchen Car ‘ Car No. 58’
R4742 – Second Class Brake Car ‘Car No. 162’
Wagons
R6827 – SR Cattle truck in Pre 1936 large SR lettered livery, number 553767 – Maunsell diagram 1529. [Q4]
R6827A – SR Cattle truck in Pre 1936 large SR lettered livery, number 3768 – Maunsell diagram 1529. [Q4]
R6826 – BR ex SR Cattle truck – Bauxite livery, number B891313 – Bulleid diagram 1530. [Q4]
R6826A – BR ex SR Cattle truck – Bauxite livery, number B891214 – Bulleid diagram 1530 (Note: this appears to be an incorrect running number as listed by Hornby and is possibly a typo that should perhaps be B891314, I am checking this with Hornby). [Q4] Note: the 2017 Hornby Catalogue has incorrectly transposed the diagram numbers in its headings for these cattle trucks but the illustrations are correct.
R6802 – SR ex LBSC Brake Van in post 1936 Small lettered SR livery. [Q2]
R6775 – SR Vent Van in in Pre 1936 large SR lettered livery. [Q2]
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:
R3586 – BR 4-4-0 Schools Class V number 30935 ‘Sevenoaks’ in BR Brunswick Green early crest livery
R3591 – BR Class 73 number E6002 in early BR Green livery
R4743 and R4744 – SR ‘generic’ Composite and Brake Third respectively in SR malachite green livery
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.
Some say that Southern modellers have never had it so good. Over the last couple of months a number of SR / BR(s) related products have arrived in 4mm scale (a future post will catch with recent 2mm releases). These have included: from Hornby the Class 71, ex LSWR 0415 Adams radial tanks, ex LSWR Maunsell rebuilt 58′ non corridor stock and Dapol SR style signals. I am also pleased to start with be able to provide an update on the next Class 24 release from the Sutton’s Locomotive Works.
Sutton’s locomotive Works Class 24
In my post about the launch of the Sutton Locomotive Works (SLW) Class 24 here I highlighted not only that the BR Derby built, Type 2 diesels, Class 24s played an early role in the initial modernisation plans for the Southern Region, but also that their were some details variations among the initial members of the class.
Class 24 as D5016 with ‘Athermos’ axle boxes n the condition that it worked on the Southern Region.
The main differences were that ten of the initial batch of 20 locomotives D5010 to D5019 and therefore nine of those that worked on the Southern Region, were fitted with the distinctive larger but experimental ‘Athermos’ axle boxes, rather than the SKF roller type that became the standard.
Philip Sutton the man behind SLW advised me at the time of writing that tooling had been produced to this variation in the future.
A view of the SLW D5016 on non ETH fitted Bulleid stock one of the reasons why they were needed on the BR(s)
Philip paid a visit to me on Fisherton Sarum at the Barnstaple show at the end of last month with a ‘hot of the production line’ SLW catalogue number 2403 as D5016, with the ‘Athermos’ axle boxes along with extra bodyside air intake grilles, original exhaust and front end doors in all over green livery.
It goes without saying that I took the opportunity to take a quick snap of the D5016 on the main running line of Fisherton Sarum. I can also confirm that the running quality demonstrated was as good as all the plaudits elsewhere have stated. I must congratulate Philip Sutton on his attention to detail and model design with these models.
Hornby
Hornby’s output of new models over the last few months has continued at pace and for Southern modellers we now seen recently the arrival of the Class 71 Bo-Bo electric, the Class 0415 Adams 4-4-2T Radial and within the last couple of weeks the ex LSWR 58ft Maunsell rebuilt non corridor coaching stock.
Set 45 comprising of a Dia 418 Brake Composite and a Dia 99 Brake Third
The latter coaches have been developed with the assistance of friend and Southern rolling stock guru Mike King and splendidly and exquisitely (insert any other positive adjective here) represent the 58tft stock converted in 1934/5 from ex LSWR 48ft stock to Diagram 99 and Diagram 418 Brake Third and Brake Composites respectively that made up 2 coach lav Sets 42 to 46 and also the diagram 31 all third and diagram 98 brake third that were mainly used as ‘loose’ coaches. They capture the prototypes very well including the characteristic timber weatherboard that ran the full length of each coach at floor level owing to the new standard SR underframes being slightly wider than the ex LSWR bodies.
These coaches were seen on the Lyme Regis branch, so are therefore a perfect companion for the ex LSWR 0415 Adams Radial 4-4-2 tanks, but also these coaches were seen on both branch and local services on across the South Western section of the SR / BR(s).
These continue the standard set by Hornby with their recent coach releases such as the Maunsell stock. Fine details include separately applied hand rails and grab handles, a representation of the grills behind the luggage compartment doors, very well detailed bogies, fine livery application including window smoking signs.
A close up of the end of the Dia 418 Brake Composite showing the exquisite detail
These coaches did gain SR malachite livery followed by BR style lettering on malachite (heavily varnished so slightly darker in appearance) in addition to the unlined Olive and BR crimson so far released so Hornby have a few more livery options up their sleeve. The 2 lav sets did not make it into post BR(s) Green although it is understood that a small number of the Diagram 31 and Diagram 98 coaches did.
For those wishing to fit Kadee buckeye style couplings, I can confirm that the Kadee number 18 medium length fit nicely between the coaches, bringing the sprung buffers together and should also enable the coaches to be able to be propelled OK on 2nd radius and above trackwork.
Going head to head: both the Class 71 and the class 0415 Adams radials are going head to head with other manufacturers with the former up against the DJModels class 71 that is yet arrive and the latter with the earlier released Adams radial from Oxford Rail.
The Hornby 0415 class Adams Radial as No 30582
I do not currently have a Hornby Class 71 as I have preferred to wait for the DJM version which I feel is likely to be the slightly more higher specification and detailed version, however having been able to get a close look at the Hornby pre-production samples of the Adams radial last year I decided to wait for the slightly more expensive but overall in my view more accurate (taking all the slight detail variations between the locomotives at different times in their lives), and finer Hornby version, pictured left. Mine will soon be backdated to 1946 guise as 3520 in Bulleid post war black ‘Sunshine lettering ‘ livery.
Dapol
Dapol SR Rail Post signals
The Dapol working upper quadrant Southern Signals available as Rail Post (for some reason named by Dapol as ‘Ladder post’) in both Home and Distant styles and a short lattice post platform Starter (some might say dinky) have now hit the retailers.
I have had previously heard mixed reports about the reliability of the previously issued Dapol signal due to their mechanism, along with the rather odd control single pulse to change control method (which does not make it easy to know which position the signal is in from the switch). It does seem anecdotally that those signals that have been controlled by a DCC accessory decoder appear to fair better than directly via push to make switch.
It is my understanding that these release utilise the same mechanism as the previous releases.
Kernow Model Rail Centre have today announced three weathered OO Gauge Class 71s from DJ Models. These will be based on masters supplied by Mercig Studios which the factory in China will copy. This process has worked well with many of the previous Kernow Model Rail Centre models, such as the JIA Nacco clay wagons. These weathered versions manufactured by DJ Models are exclusive to the Kernow Model Rail Centre.
Weathered Class 71 that will No. E5002
A limited edition of 150 of each of two green versions and 100 of the blue version, will be available costing £144.95:
Delivery of these models is expected later this year. It should be noted that the cost of these models will be charged in full at the time of order placement.
The images left are representative of the actual weathered finish but at this stage has been applied to standard production samples that had not been renumbered.
Further to my post last week advising that a number of the Hornby 2016 range items had been withdrawn from the range, Hornby have also confirmed that a number of the 2016 range items have now been moved into the 2017 range, including a number of the SR / BR(s) items such as the Original Merchant Navy pacifics and the two further Adams 0415 radial tanks.
Last weekend saw the annual Warley National Model railway Exhibition at the NEC, this post rounds up some of the the news and items of interest from mainly a Southern / BR(s) perspective. It is usual for many of the manufacturers to use the event to make announcements of new items or showcase updates to new products under development. This year was no exception although Hornby of course announced their plans for 2016 last week but held over two items to be announced at the show.
Many thanks to those of you who read this blog for popping by the Topley Dale layout on the Hornby Magazine stand, where I was playing trains during the weekend, and saying hello it was good to see you.
Hornby
In addition to the announced plans for their 2016 range last week, which I have also recently updated, so check back again for the additional information. Hornby also announced two further models in the shape of NER / LNER Raven Q6 0-8-0 and Holden B12 4-6-0.
Hornby Adams Radial No. 30852 with Drummond boilerI was also able to photograph one of the production samples of the ex LSWR 0415 class Adams radial tanks in the shape of number 30582 in BR lined black with the Drummond boiler (it should be noted that one of the separately applied safety valves was missing on this sample that had been handled quite a bit over the weekend of the show. The first of these model variants announced as part of their 2015 range should available during January next year. It makes an interesting comparison with the photograph of the Oxford Rail version, which has now hit the retailers in my post here. I will let you decide which version you prefer.
The Hornby Class 71Also photographed was the Class 71 due for release in May 2016 and the 3D Stereolithography prints of the two types of SR cattle wagons (Diagrams 1529 and 1530) although being in white and under the photographic lamps made it tricky to capture all of the detail that is present.
3D prints of the two SR cattle wagons dias 1529 (front) & 1530 (rear)I was also able to gain some clarification about the proposed ‘early BR’ liveries for the two series three Merchant Navy locomotives, both will be in lined Brunswick Green. Also despite how they are currently listed on Hornby website I can now confirm that in fact there will be a SR and BR livery version of each diagram. There are still still a few outstanding queries with respect to the range that I am in communication with the development team at Hornby about, so what this space.
Bachmann / Graham Farish
The Graham Farish PLV/PMV in N GaugeAs is usual for Bachmann / Graham Farish no new models were announced at Warley. However they did have on display the Engineering prototypes of the Graham Farish ‘N’ Gauge SR PLV/ BR PMV Passenger luggage vans that just like there recently released Bachmann 4mm counterpart looked exceptionally good. Other than that there was no other news to report from the Bachmann / Graham Farish stable on the Southern front, with no news to add, for example, on the progress of the previously announced ex SECR birdcage coaches.
Model Rail Magazine
The Model Rail EP of the USA tank (SR version)Model Rail Magazine had running samples of their ’00’ SR 0-6-0t USA tank that was originally announced, back in April 2012 as a project with Dapol but since September 2013 has been with Bachmann.
Livery details are currently being signed off before manufacture can commence soon.
Model Rail USA tanks a line up of the variations, see if you can spot the differences!The level of and shear number of detail differences between the variations of this model being produced, for the different owners such as USATC, SR and BR(s) and eras, is quite outstanding and mechanically they ran exceptional well. Once the livery samples are signed off it is hoped that these will go into production during the first quarter next year.
Dapol
Dapol Class 73The main surprise at Warley with respect to Dapol, although not Southern related, was the announcement of a new ‘Black Label’ range of extremely high specification locomotives with Diecast bodies, synchronized DCC sound with dual speakers, smoke units (including from the whistle when the sound function is action and working lights. It will be interesting how this higher priced range is received by the market and what further models get released in the range.
Dapol SR Rail Post signalsThey also had the first EP of their ‘0’ gauge class 08, which looked very impressive (and somewhat better than the release CAD images appeared to look) along with further livery variations of their recently released A1 and A1x 0-6-0 Terriers also in 7mm scale.
I was able to photographer their new ’00’ gauge class 73, the first versions of which are due to be at the retailers later this week! The level of detail is pretty good although I do question slightly the shape of the domed roof above the cab as it appears to have a slight dip.
Also in 4mm scale on show were the first samples of the working Southern Signals both rail post and lattice post (the latter being a rather dinky platform starter).
The first livery sample of the Dapol N Gauge Schools classThe first livery sample of the ‘N’ Gauge Schools Class V 4-4-0 was present in BR lined black, although the main issue and most instantly noticeable was the cabside number which was 921 instead of 30921 and too large in size and possibly too white rather than cream. The lighting also accentuates the light grey lining , although in reality this did appear to be too light nearly white and prominent.
AYJAY Models
AYJAY models whom have been producing a range of 4mm scale resin bodied and etch brass Southern / Southern Region EMU kits (with some also available Ready to Run) launched a 4mm version of the Class 508 EMU in both kit and Ready made versions and in ‘N’ Gauge a version of their 4Cor EMU kit at the show. Many thanks to Grahame Hedges for the heads up.
I think that just about covers it for now, if there is anything that I have missed and am advised of I will update this post accordingly.
A 3D test print prior to tooling of the S15 With Flush sided tender
The S15 4-6-0 locomotives were first introduced by Urie on the London South Western railway in 1920, with later batches being built by the Southern Railway under Maunsell. I was able to speak with the design team at Hornby responsible for these models, last week, and handle the first 3D test print illustrated here.
A further view of the 3D test print. Note the bogies under the tender are not the final Maunsell versions
I can confirm that they have tooled for the SR built versions (i.e. not the original ex LSWR version with the stepped footplate numbers 496 to 515) and are to produce a number of different details and variants including: both the Urie (823 to 837) flared 5000 gallon tenders, the Maunsell (838 to 847) flat sided 5000 gallon tenders complete with newly tooled bogies, and ultimately pairing with an ex King Arthur 4000 gallon 6 wheel tender (as used on the central section) and even possibly versions of 30833 and 30837 that were paired with ex Schools class 4000 gallon tenders in 1962.
The chassis is a completely new design with a 5 pole motor, twin flywheels and tooling to accommodate the 3 different styles of driving wheels / balance weights fitted!
R3327 SR Maunsell lined olive green livery with Urie Bogie tender
R3328 BR early emblem livery with Maunsell flat sided bogie tender
R3329 BR late emblem livery with Urie Bogie tender
The actual locomotive numbers are still to be confirmed. The intention is that these should be available from around July next year.
0415 Class Adams Radial
A rear 3/4 view of the Adams radial, (Admas Boiler variant) see the Warley post for the front on view.
Originally introduced by Adams on the LSWR in 1882 for suburban work, three of the class became iconic by being used in the heavily graded and severely curved Lyme Regis branch lasting until 1961. It has ranked high on the various model railway wish lists over the last few years and this year has now seen R-T-R versions announced by both Hornby at Warley and also as reported here Oxford Rail. The Hornby design team advise me that they are producing both Drummond and Adams boiler versions with similar chimney variations as well to enable a wider range of livery versions to be release in the future (as the two types of boiler were swapped between between different locos at different times).
R3333 No. 30584 in BR early emblem livery – Adams boiler
R3334 No. 30582 in BR late emblem livery – Drummond boiler
R3335 No. 488 in LSWR livery as preserved on the Bluebell Railway with Adams boiler
The intention is for these to be available by the end of 2015.
Locomotives and Train Packs
R3300 Winston Churchill funeral train pack
R3300 Winston Churchill funeral train pack to mark 50 years since the state funeral on 30 January 1965: comprising of Bulleid original style light pacific No. 34051 with cut down tender, in BR livery with late crest, 2 off 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).
R3302 1940 Dunkirk train pack
R3302 ‘1940 return from Dunkirk’ train pack; comprising of a 700 class No. 325 paired with a 14ft wheelbase tender and 3 coach Maunsell low window set No. 447 comprising of 2 off four compartment brake 3rds (4059, 4061) and a composite (5149) in unlined olive green.
R3304 700 class 30316 with 13ft wheelbase tender
R3304 700 class No. 30316 correctly paired with the first appearance of brand new tooling for the 13ft wheelbase tender, in BR black livery with early emblem and weathered.
R3310 34006 Bude
R3310 Bulleid original style light pacific No. 34006 ‘Bude’ with long smoke deflectors (as fitted for the 1948 locomotive exchange trials) and cut down tender (number 3262) as paired with ‘Bude’ in August 1961, in BR livery with late crest.
R3311 Schools V Class 30908 Westminster
R3311 Schools V class No. 30908 ‘Westminster’ in post August 1956 BR green livery with early crest .
Other train packs include:
R3340 2 Hal EMU in BR green livery with full yellow end set No. 2603
R3341 2 Hal EMU in BR blue livery set No. 2677
R1176 Eurostar Class 373 train set in brand new blue livery c/w track and controller
R3215 Eurostar Class 373 blue livery train pack
R4580 Eurostar Class 373 blue livery centre saloons coach pack
Additionally
It is not just the Southern Modellers that benefit from new tooled models as also announced is an LNER J50 0-6-0 tank. Additional new tooling for coaches announced over and above the LMS non corridor coaches shown at Warley includes 5 new all steel K type Pullman cars:
R4660 K Type All Steel Pullman Third Class Kitchen Car No. 72
R4661 K Type All Steel Pullman Third Class Parlour Car No. 73
R4662 K Type All Steel Pullman Third Class Brake Parlour Car No. 79
R4663 K Type All Steel Pullman First Class Kitchen Car ‘Loraine’
R4664 K Type All Steel Pullman First Class Parlour Car -‘Agatha’
All steel K type Pullman ‘Loraine’
These are very fine looking models and have been produced to Hornby’s usual fine standard for Pullman cars, using laser scanned data from surviving prototypes as well. In general though the prototypes ran on the Eastern Region, [edit 17/12/14] with thanks to an informative comment below from Colin Watts; both Agetha and Lorrain came to the Southern Region in 1961 and were used on the Bournemouth Belle. They incorporate a new style of table lighting achieved via LEDs directly under tables rather than the previous fibre optic method, which makes assembly and dis-assembly of these coaches much easier.
Class 71
It should be noted that although this model was announced at Warley it will form part of the 2016 range.
For details on the full 2015 range see either Hornby.com or RMweb.
Hornby’s supply chain issues over the last few years are well documented and continue to cause supply issues even though new factories are now producing models, many of the 2014 releases are having to be carried over to 2015 (although recently the K1 model that was moved out to February 2015 has now appeared). Hornby have advised us that the intention is to supply all of the 2015 announcements during 2015. Stocks of the LMS horsebox and the BR 21T hopper wagon announced at Warley are already in the Hornby warehouse ready for immediate shipping in the new year. The new all steel K type Pullmans are also at a very advanced stage of development so should be available quite early on in the year whilst the LMS non corridor coaches are at the final tooling stage.
I would also like to thank members of the design team at Hornby whom have been very patient with all my questions and exclusively provided me with additional information on their SR related plans to hopefully be providing here one of the most comprehensive round ups.
Note: all pictures are courtesy and copyright of either Hornby Hobbies Ltd. or A York.
Last weekend saw the annual Warley National Model railway Exhibition at the NEC, this post rounds up the news from a Southern / BR(s) perspective. As duplication seems to be the order of the day I have also duplicated part of the post title from one I have used before. It is usual for some manufacturers to use the event to make announcements of new items or showcase updates to new products under development. This year was no exception although Hornby make the unusual step of announcing part of their intended plans for 2015 at the show.
Many thanks to those of you who read this blog for popping by the Shortley Bridge and Felton Cement Works layout on the Hornby Magazine stand, where I was playing trains all weekend, and saying hello it was good to see you.
Hornby
In making the unusual step of a pre-announcement announcement of their 2015 range Hornby are going head to head with two previously announced SR / BR(s) models from other manufacturers. This is likely to be due to the fact that they have been working on the development of these models for some time now, Simon Kohler discusses such duplication in his interesting blog on the Hornby website here (posted just before the Warley show). Some people may ask why manufacturers can not simply talk to each other to avoid such duplication but this of course would fall foul of anti competition laws.
Image copyright and courtesy A York
First up is the ex LSWR Adams Radial 4-4-2T, that was announced earlier this moth by Oxford Rail. Hornby had an Engineering Prototype on display they also had on display extracts from CAD drawings that show their intent to produce variations of Chimney and Boilers (Adams vrs Drummond) and also frame lengths, images of these can be found on the Hornby website here along with details of other non SR related items. Hornby advise that this model should be available late 2015. This particular prototype has finished high in recent wish list polls, hence the interest. I was also assisting another potential manufacturer of this model but this has now been sensibly replaced with another model instead, albeit non SR related, once the intent of the other parties was discovered.
In addition to the above announcements that also had livery samples of the ex LSWR Drummond 700 Class 0-6-0’s on display.
Hornby will be announcing the full details of their 2015 range on the 17th December and I will bring you a round up all the specific SR and BR(s) information to you at the same time, having been briefed along with the rest of the model railway media at Margate a week before.
Bachmann
Image copyright and courtesy A York
On the Bachmann stand were livery samples of their ex LBSC E4 on display in both Maunsell Pre 1931 lined olive green and also BR black versions.
The exhibition also saw for the first time the, only just arrived, Engineering Prototype of the Southern Passenger Luggage vans PLV/PMV’s.
An initial image, a better one will be uploaded in due course
I am now also able to confirm that only one tooling [*update 28/11/14 below] for these vans is being introduced to despite their catalogue and website that mixing the terms PLV/PMV and CCT they are not producing a Southern Van U (BR designation CCT) with the end opening doors. Further information about these vans and the various can be found on my Talking Stock #6 post SR Luggage Vans which is based on the kits that this RTR version will now also kind of duplicate.
Graham Farish
No new SR related news to be had as they were showing the same first off Engineering samples of the N class and original style third series Merchant Navy Bulleid pacific that we have seen before, this does not of course mean that no further progress has been made behind the scenes.
Model Rail Magazine
Model Rail Magazine announced a further two livery versions of their USTC/SR USA 0-6-0T model commissioned via Bachmann, in the form of: MR105 N0. 300 ‘Major-General Frank S. Ross’ in Longmoor Military Railway blue and MR106 No. DS233 in department black with post 1956 BR emblem, these and the previously announced models can be pre-ordered here although Model Rail advise that If you want a ‘USA tank’ you need to be quick placing your pre-order as one livery has already sold out and others are nearly all sold. Away from the show I have been privileged to have assisted in the reviewing of the CADs for these models and they are now very close to going for tooling.
Dapol
Dapol had on display various model samples for models first announced back in 2012 :
In N gauge, livery samples of their Maunsell coaches in SR Olive Green along with the Van C.
In 4mm scale they had the latest Engineering prototypes of both versions of the Class 73 Electro Diesel (73/0 – JA and 73/1 – JB). It appears that the 73/0 variant might be available first, even though to date they have only announced 73/1 versions!
For 0 Gauge modellers the first liveried sample of the Terrier was on display in Brighton livery.
Heljan
On their stand in addition to livery samples of the 05 Class diesel shunter (one of the prototypes of course was outposted on the Isle of Wight for quite some time) they had the kit of parts that will make up their 009 ready to run Lynton and Barnstaple 2-6-2 Exe, Tor and Yeo locomotives.
Comet Models
Following the untimely passing of proprietor and friend Geoff Brewin, in September, his family are pleased to announce that the entire extensive range of locomotive chassis, coach kits and detailing items has now been successfully sold to Andrew Hartshorne of Wizard Models (and Model Signal Engineering), welcome news indeed. The transfer is planned to take place over the weekend of the 5th – 7th December inclusive, and Andrew hopes to open for trade of Comet items on Monday December 8th.
So all in all a very busy Warley show, with many announcements made, including those of interest to modellers of other railways. I am sure some will have ongoing ramifications within the model railway world, including no doubt some conspiracy theories, interesting times ahead I feel…
[*update 28/11/14]
I have now received a further clarification from Bachmann with respect to the tooling being produced for the PLV/PMV and they have advised the following:
The first engineering samples of the forthcoming Bachmann Branchline Southern Utility Vans were displayed at the 2014 Warley Show. Two bodies have been tooled for these models which cover the Southern PMV which have one vent at each end (item Nos. 39-525, 39-526 & 39-527); whilst the second tooling portrays a CCT vehicle which has been converted to a PMV, this is evident from the sealed end doors with four vents at each end (item No. 39-528). An image of such a vehicle can be found at http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/srcct/h1552e6d6#h1552e6d6. The image used in the 2014 Bachmann Branchline catalogue for item No. 39-528 incorrectly shows a standard PMV. I trust this clarifies the situation.
Thanks to Bachmann for the clarification over and above what I was informed by them at Warley.
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The model railway world and mainly Southern Railway meanderings of Graham 'Muz' Muspratt