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 boiler
I 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 71
Also 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 Gauge
As 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 73
The 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 signals
They 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 class
The 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.
Today’s post is an update / catch up on the status of a few Southern Railway / Region related models that are in progress with a number of the Ready to Run manufacturers / commissioners from N to 0 gauge.
Kernow Model Centre
Regular readers of my blog will know that I have been assisting the Kernow Model Centre with their Southern related commissions and I pleased to be able to report progress on a number of fronts.
Latest livery sample of the Kernow Models Centre O2 K2105 in SR post war black livery as No. 225
Firstly: livery samples of the mainland version of the Adams O2 have now been received, a number of corrections made and already second livery samples returned in the last week or so. Once all the variations are finally signed off then production can start, along with the Isle of Wight versions that were fully signed off a while ago now. Further information on the Kernow model Centre O2’s can be found here.
ex LSWR Gate Stock parts hot off of the injection moulding machines, can you guess what each part is?
Secondly: It had been kept reasonably quiet, that the although the CADs for the ex LSWR Gate Stock Pull Push sets were previously signed off, tooling has actually commenced and The Kernow Model Centre have now received photographs of the first off components from the tooling. These now require assembly and shipping to the UK for inspection. Further information on the Kernow Model Centre ex LSWR Gate Stock can be found here.
The first livery samples for the Bachmann four wheel luggage vans PLV/PMV and CCT’s first announced in March 2012 have now been received and all can be seen here on the Bachmann website. They are producing the following:
39-525 Southern PLV Passenger Luggage Van Southern Railway Green
39-526 Ex-Southern PMV Parcels & Miscellaneous Van BR Crimson
39-527 Ex-Southern PMV Parcels & Miscellaneous Van BR Green
39-528 Ex-Southern CCT Covered Carriage Truck BR Blue – Weathered
Graham Farish
The first of the original Merchant Navy Pacific models that I reviewed in my post here have now actually started to appear with the retailers.
Graham Farish N Class No. 31844
The N Class Mogul 2-6-0 first announced in March 2013 is now on its way, with the review samples having been received by the model media so they should start to appear with retailers during July and August. Just like the Merchant Navy, I can vouch for the fact that it is an impressive looking model, especially for its size, and continues the increase in levels of detail for N Gauge Ready to Run models. A video of these models, but sadly not actually running, can be viewed on their website here.
The following four initial variations are being produced:
372-930 No. 868 in SR Olive Green
372-931 No. 31844 in BR Black Early Emblem
372-932 No. 31811 in BR Black Late Crest
372-933 No. 810 in SECR Grey
The livery samples for the Bogie Van B model have been signed off and the expected delivery of the of these models is currently due the end of August / September.
Dapol
Dapol cad of the 4mm ex LSWR style lattice post working signal
At the start of last month they also announced a delay to the O Gauge Terrier due to the the level of electromagnetic emissions. A slight modification is now required to the production which will result in delay in the shipment of the initial SR green and LBSC versions towards the end of July, however the BR and Bodiam variants are now due to be delivered three to four weeks later.
I have also been informed that the CAD work on the first variants of the N Gauge Schools class first announced in July 2012 have been completed, I had already provided some corrections and information to Dapol for these a while back so it is good to hear that they are progressing, but no news as yet when tooling might actually commence.
[Edit:] I have also been reminded that BR green liveried versions of the N gauge Maunsell coaches are due out next month and that Dapol have also now committed to bringing out a brake composite and four compartment brake third by Quarter 4 2015 and these are currently at CAD/CAM stage. This will make possible several prototypical set formations.
Hornby
[Further Edit 12/06/15] Hornby have today released a video via their Engine Shed blog post here from their development team that shows the first running sample of the Adams Radial. Keen eyes should also check out the coaches that the sample is hauling as I think the cat might have been let out of the bag on some other appropriate items they have planned for release in 2016, that I was previously made aware of, but I wont say anymore until more formal information is released…so watch this space…
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