Dave Ellis of Nucast has kindly advised me that their New L.B. Billinton LBSC/SR/BR(s) K Class 2-6-0 kit is now available to order. First introduced in 1913 the eventual 17 members of the class were the first 2-6-0 locomotives on the LBSC and the first with a Belpair firebox. They were generally seen as one of the most successful LBSC locomotive designs.
The new Nucast LBSC K Class (test build)
Nucast have fully upgraded the old Keyser (‘K’s) kit with a new etched nickel silver chassis for both loco and tender. The chassis can be sprung using the High Level Kits system (parts not included). Both loco and tender chassis now include brakes and pull rods. The loco now has the very distinctive Slide-bars and Motion Bracket rather than square section N/S rod and some very basic castings for the brackets. The test build (as per picture) depicts a typical example of 2nd series as built and running through to circa 1930.
They have also added a number of new castings to the kit which will allow you to build both batches of the loco and covers all periods from as built to their final days on BR in 1962. These include :-
The original Brighton Cab and the SR ‘SECR style’ cab used when they were modified to suit the composite loading gauge by the Southern.
Cab details, back-head, regulator, cab splashers (“seats”), floor and reverser.
Boiler fittings include the original Brighton Top Feed and the manhole cover for the first series, and a second dome (similar to the C2x’s) for the 2nd series to attach the top feed too. Vacuum Ejector Pipe.
The reduced height Chimney and Dome for the SR composite loading gauge Along with SR boiler mounted Clack-valves.
Choice of Ramsbottom Safety Valve or the later Ross pop changes.
The Nucast K Class loco etch
The chassis includes spacers for 00, EM and P4. We have only built the 00 version and the clearances are very tight behind the crossheads. So EM and P4 modellers will have to use some ingenuity to build the chassis as is often the case in EM – P4.
The etch also includes Brighton and SR/BR style lamp irons.
The Nucast K Class tender etch
The Tender etch includes the original open style coal rails and the later plated SR style and cab doors which can be modelled closed or open.
The Brighton K is now in stock priced at £135.00 plus postage. Wheel packs and Motor/Gearbox packs to suit are also available. To order contact Nucast on 01342 822270.
Hornby have today announced their 2014 range and included within it are a number of new items of interest to Southern modellers with the headline being the introduction of a Drummond 700 class 0-6-0 and 2 HAL EMU to the range. Below I summarise the releases of interest to Southern / BR(s) modellers.
The first off EP of the 700 Class (picture copyright and courtesy of A York)
The Drummond 700 Class 0-6-0 locomotives were built in 1897 and comprised of 30 Locomotives They were subsequently rebuilt by initially by Urie with superheaters between 1920 and 1927. Seen mainly on the ex London South Western Lines working from sheds such as Nine Elms, Guildford, Salisbury, Feltham and Exmouth Junction. They were a long lived class with the last one not being withdrawn from service until 1964.
The 2 HAL prototypes are well underway and will compliment the 2 BIL nicely (picture copyright and courtesy A York)
The 2 HAL EMU follows on from the release last year of the 2 BIL which proved very popular and is reflected by a number of new versions being also released in 2014. Introduced in 1939 and only having one lavatory in one of the coaches rather than 1 in each were designated ‘2 HAL’ as Half A Lavatory unlike ‘2 BIL’ Bi Lavatory! Although designated as main line semi fast stock the 2 HAL’s were somewhat utilitarian compared to the 2 BIL and 4 LAV uits that preceded them, with thinly padded bench style seats rather than deep cushioned seats. Eventually totalling 92 units the 2 HAL’s were the largest type of SR main line semi fast EMU built and lasted in service until 1971.
Locomotives and Train Packs
R3108 T9 Class 4-4-0 No. 708 in SR Post 1937 black ‘Sunshine’ lettering livery, ‘watercart’ tender
R3238 700 Class 0-6-0 No. 325 in SR Pre 1931 black Livery
R3239 700 Class 0-6-0 No. 30345 (sic) [should possibly be 30346] in BR black late crest livery
R3240 700 Class 0-6-0 No. 30694 in BR black early crest livery
R3161B 2 BIL EMU in SR olive green livery (set No. TBA)
R3257 2 BIL EMU in BR(S) green with yellow warning panels (set No. TBA)
R3258 2 BIL EMU Class 401 in BR Blue full yellow ends (set No. TBA)
R3259 2 BIL EMU Class 401 in BR Blue full yellow ends, set 2090 NRM version
R3260 2 HAL EMU in SR Green (set No. TBA)
R3261A/B 2 HAL EMU Class 402 in BR(S) Green 2 variants (set No.s TBA)
[Edit 18/12/13: Simon Kohler has advised they propose to change the numbers for the 700 Class to E695, 30315 and 30693 see update post here]
The collectors club models have a bit of a Southern theme in 2014 with the Terrier appearing as R3247 in LBSCR livery as No. 650 “Whitechapel” and R3248 in Kent and East Sussex livery as “Sutton”. Continuing the Southern theme R3249 is Battle of Britain Class 4-6-2 No. 34070 “Manston” in BR Brunswick early crest livery.
Rolling Stock
The popular BR(s) Pull Push sets converted from Maunsell coaches makes a further welcome appearance as R4534C (set No. TBC) and the Maunsell Open 2nd R4538A is released in BR(s) livery
Following the announcement last year of new tooling for the BR Mk1 coaches in the Railroad range that are just hitting the shops now, 2014 sees the release of BR(s) versions in a higher specification range with metal wheels and working interior lights (the Railroad range will still contain the original specification style). Three BR(s) Green livery coach types will be available in the form of a Composite, Corridor 3rd and Brake third variants.
Additionally
It is not just the Southern Modellers that benefit from new tooled models as also announced are GE/LNER J15 0-6-0, LNER D16/3 4-4-0 and BR(E) K 2-6-0 classes. The Railroad range also sees new tooling in the shape of the Franco-Crosti 9F 2-10-0.
Additional new tooling for coaches announced includes BR MK2 E coaches in 3 variants, although these will use the same tooling techniques as the MK1 coaches they will be in the main range and will include versions with interior lights. The wagon range is further extended with new tooling in the shape of LNER/BR Extra Long CCT vans as both LNER and BR variants.
There will also be further developments with their DCC Railmaster / e-link and a new low cost sound system ‘Digital Twin Track Sound’.
A further view of the 700 Class EP (picture copyright and courtesy A York)
I am sure many people will be asking why Hornby are announcing new models when they have had supply chain issues over the last few years that has both delayed and prevented previously announced models from hitting the shelves. Hornby have put in place a number of new staff and suppliers to overcome these issues. It is from these new suppliers that these new models will be coming from and therefore are separate to the issues experienced and in some cases still being experienced with previous factory arrangements.
The other side of the well advanced 2 HAL EP’s (picture copyright and courtesy A York)
This can be seen by the advanced nature of the Engineering Prototypes illustrated here. I believe we all look forward to all the supply issues being resolved as it just not just affects Hornby but manufacturers across the hobby as a whole and we all want to benefit from a robust, value for money and competitive market place.
With respect to the Southern Railway Mogul 2-6-0 locomotive fleet most people probably immediately think of the Maunsell Moguls, the N/N1 and U/U1 classes. Their origins lead back to the SECR for the 5’6″ driving wheeled N class followed by the later Southern built, also under the design auspices of Maunsell who was now CME of the Southern, the U class with their larger 6′ driving wheels.
The missing mogul in more ways than one is the ex London Brighton and South Coast railway (LBSC) K class designed by LB Billinton. First introduced in 1913 the eventual 17 members of the class were the first 2-6-0 locomotives on the LBSC and the first with a Belpair firebox, and like the Maunsell N class also had 5’6″ driving wheels. They were generally seen as one of the most successful LBSC locomotive designs.
It is a great shame that no examples were preserved, hence the missing mogul. It was a class of locomotive on the wish list of the fledgling Bluebell Railway, as members of the class were still in service when the Bluebell Railway was formed, however obtaining one was considered too expensive at the time.
K Class number 2346 built from an old K’s white metal kit
Although mainly employed on the central section for freight use they did occasionally wonder further west and east. I am not sure if one ever made it to Salisbury or not but the Brighton to Cardiff trains that changed engines at Salisbury could sometimes throw up a surprise loco from Brighton so it might have been possible.
A missing mogul both in preservation and also model kit or RTR form
My K class number 2346 shown left is built from an old Keyser (K’s) white metal kit, and makes an occasional appearance on Fisherton Sarum.
Sadly the K’s kit is not available anymore, so even in model form the class is still the missing mogul both in either Ready To Run (RTR) or kit form. Maybe now is the time to vote for a RTR K class in the current RMweb / MRE Mag wish list poll, along with perhaps voting for a few other Southern items at the same time. The results of this annual poll whilst not having a direct link to the manufacturers certainly is referred to by them when considering their future plans.
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The model railway world and mainly Southern Railway meanderings of Graham 'Muz' Muspratt
