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Hornby to celebrate Centenary in style with ambitious plans for their 2020 range, even if not too much Southern… also Work In Progress update

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The first “Hornby clockwork train” was released by Meccano Ltd. back in 1920 and therefore the current Hornby are marking the Centenary in style. The full history of Hornby can be found elsewhere but I am sure we are all familiar with the Hornby brands and ranges including:

In this post I will provide outline details of the limited edition centenary releases and their new tooling releases; although there is new tooling for the Southern  Railway modeller this year, new livery versions of existing tooling relevant to Southern / Southern Region are included.
I am also able to bring some additional information regarding Work In Progress the remaining outstanding Southern related items.
The full 2020 range is available on the Hornby website here.

Centenary Range

Hornby’s Centenary Year will include a variety product launches including a special range of limited edition products to celebrate each decade and will feature packaging to represent the relevant decade and include a limited edition certificate. They will be released evenly during the year.

  • 1920s: ‘The Hornby Electric Train’ – 4 new ‘0’ Gauge tinplate locomotives; London North Western Railway black, Midland Railway red, Caledonian Railway blue and Great Northern green. 100 per livery, Availability Jan, Mar, June, Sept.
  • 1930s: ‘HORNBY-DUBLO’ 1938 – LNER A4 4498 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ and two teak coaches, track and transformer. Limited to 1000 units available June
  • 1940s: ‘Hornby DublO’ ‘Candy Stripe’ packaging 1948 – LMS 6231 ‘Douches of Atholl’, Die cast body. Limited to 500 units available May.
  • 1950s: ‘DUBLO DIECAST’ 1957 – a selection of 6 diecast vehicles, Austin K8 Van, Morris J Van, MG TC, Fordson Tractor, VW T2 Van and a Scammell Mechanical Horse Van Trailer. Limited to 2000 each version available May.
  • 1960s: ‘Tri-ang Railways’ 1963 – Stephenson’s Rocket Train Pack, Rocket locomotive and 3 coaches, completely new tooling true to 1/76 00 scale. Limited to 1500 units. Availability Feb.
  • 1970s: ‘Tri-ang Hornby’ 1971 – 9F 92220 ‘;Evening Star’, includes commemorative makers plate. Limited to 1000 units, available July
  • 1980s: ‘Hornby Railways – Blue Belt’ 1983 – 56024 ‘Smokey Joe’ – Hornby’s longest serving locomotive (tooling modified to include extra detailing parts such as handrails etc.) Limited to 2000 Units, available June.
  • 1990s: ‘Hornby Railways – Top Link’ 1998 – LB&SCR 45 ‘Merton A1 Terrier in Strudley’s improved engine green. Merton was where the original Tri-ang trains factory was located. Limited to 1000 units, available July.

  • 2000s: ‘Hornby’ celebrating the step change and resurgence in new Hornby models – 35028 Merchant Navy Pacific ‘Clan Line’, 18ct gold plated details and valve gear. Limited to 1000 units, available August.

  • 2010s: ‘Hornby’ 2017 – Peckett 614, includes brass effect makers plate. Limited to 2000 units available Sept.
  • 2020: ‘Rovex’ 100 years of Hornby Train set, celebrating the first train set produced by Rovex, a black livery Princes Elizabeth and 2 off LMS Coaches

Other celebratory limited edition collectable mechanise will be available including: a mug, pen and gold plated anniversary badge and a new book by Pat Hammond ‘The Hornby Book of Trains The First one Hundred Years’.
Also keep and eye out for the Hornby Centenary video campaign, a limited number of tickets available for a British Belmond Pullman Experience train on Saturday 19th September behind 35028 Clan Line. One box in each of the Centenary range products above will feature a ‘Golden Ticket’ to win one of a number of prizes including a trip on the Belmond Pullman or vouchers for the Hornby website.

New tooling

Whilst there is no new tooling this year for specifically Southern / Southern Region modellers, except BR Mk1 RB Coaches, Hornby are still investing in an ambitious plan for the year that includes:

  • BR Class 370 Advanced Passenger Train 5 and 7 car train packs and additional coach packs will be available and (note totally Hornby’s own new design and tooling) It will be complete with tilting mechanism- available Dec
  • Stephenson’s Rocket and 3 coaches standard version train pack – available Feb
  • BR Thompson 4-6-2 A2/2 class – 2 livery versions – available Dec
  • LNER / BR Thompson 4-6-2 A2/3 class – 4 livery versions – available Dec
  • BR Standard 2-6-0 2MT 78xxx class – 3 livery versions – available Dec
  • LNER 4-6-4 W1 class ‘Hush Hush’ original form No. 10000- 3 livery versions – available Dec
  • LNER / BR 4-6-4 W1 class ”Rebuilt’ No. 10000 and 60700- 2 livery versions with and without valences – available Dec
  • BR Bo-Bo Class 91 Electric locomotive – 4 livery versions – available Dec
  • LMS Stanier Coronation Scot coaches – BTKs, FK, RKs and RTOs – available Oct
  • BR Mk1 Restaurant Buffet (RB) coaches to Diagram 24 including in BR(S) Green livery R4972 as S1720 as introduced in 1961 and R4972A as S1757 as introduced in 1963. They will also be available in Western, Midland and Intercity liveries – available Nov.

New liveries

New liveries for Southern / Southern Region models are listed below:

    • R3846 – LSWR 0-6-0t A1 Terrier class No. 735 in LSWR livery, purchased by the LSWR from the LBSCR 735 (ex 668) along with 734 (ex 646) entered service on the LSWR in April 1903 mainly in the East Devon area until languishing at Eastleigh Works in 1919 – available July
    • R3845 – LBSCR 0-6-0t A1 Terrier class No. 40 ‘Brighton’ in Stroudley’s improved engine green livery as carried before she was sold to the Isle of Wight Central Railway in 1902- available July
    • R3847 – SR 0-6-0t A1X Terrier class No. W14 ‘Bembridge’ SR Olive Green as she carried on the Isle of Wight between April 1932 and May 1936 when she returned to the mainland- available July
    • R3848 – SR 0-6-0t A1X Terrier class No. W13 ‘Carisbrooke’ BR Malachite Green as she carried on the Isle of Wight between early 1948 and April 1949 when she returned to the mainland – available July
    • R3763 – SR 0-4-4t H Class No. 1552 SR black, with non shaded lettering but shaded number, as per reference picture that Hornby have based the model on taken at Nine Elms on 29/8/1948 – available Jan
    • R3862 – SR 4-6-0 Lord Nelson Class No. 864 ‘Sir Martin Frobisher’ SR Malachite Green, as she ran between February 1947 and May 1948 – available July
    • R3863 – LSWR 4-4-0 T9 Class No. 120 in LSWR Green as preserved, running and repainted by British Railways in March 1962 before becoming part of the National Collection in 1963- available Oct
    • R3943 – Express Dairy Co. Ltd., Ruston & Hornsby 48DS 0-4-0 236611 in Express Dairy Blue livery as seen at Mordon – available Dec
    • BR Mk1 coaches in BR(S) Green R4975 SK No. S34310, R4976 CK No. S15574, R4977 BSK No. S34967, R4979 TS) No. S4009, R4981 FO No. S3065 and R4982 GB No. S84289 – available Dec
    • R6911B LSWR 20t ‘New Van’ Goods Brake Van No.10124 in LSWR livery – available Aug
    • R6938 SR Diagram 1543 24t Goods Brake Van No. 55052 in post 1936 (small lettering) SR livery (yes I do agree with many that the shade of brown is too light) – available Aug
    • R6915B BR Diagram 1543 24t Goods Brake Van No. S55063 in BR grey livery – available Aug
    • R6944 3 Plank wagon (generic) in LSWR Engineers dept. Brown livery No. 316 – available Aug
    • R6948 5 plank PO wagon ‘Herbert Rigler No. 106, Bournemouth’ – available Oct
    • R6952 7 plank PO wagon ‘Madge No. 62, London and Brighton’ – available Oct
    • R6978 6 wheel milk tanker No. 44029 ‘St Ivel’ – available Sept
    • R1253M 373 Class Eurostar “Yellow Submarine” livery train set – and all new new licensing agreement (also includes R3829 Train Pack and R4001 divisible centre saloons coach pack and Corgi models). This is based on the livery applied to set 3005/3006 in 1999. Although in reality each of the 18 coaches had different graphics, as virtually no one can really run a full 18 coach set, the Hornby release replicates the majority of these with different graphics on each side of each available coach – available May

Railroad Plus

The railroad range is slightly enhanced with a “Plus” version of the range with additional livery details and touches, including in some instances etched nameplates, when compared to the existing Railroad range. The range includes 3 off Class 47 Co-Cos ,  a Class 20 Bo-Bo, a Class 37 Co-Co, a BR 2-10-0 9F class No. 92218 and finally R3910 Class 73 Bo-Bo No. 73964 ‘Jeanette’ in GB Railfreight livery – available Sept

Work In Progress Update

Whilst we have been able to take delivery of many of the Southern / Southern Region modes from last years range such as the all new tolling ex LBSC A1 and A1X Terrier locomotives, the excellent Bulleid 59ft coaches and the just arrived ex LSWR Diagram 1543 24t Goods Brake Vans, some items have been delayed. It is well known that the Hornby supply chain includes a number of different factories in China, one of which was unexpectedly at very short notice closed, due to a compulsory purchase of the land by the Chinese government!

This has impacted the production of the new Merchant Navy pacifics, both versions of the Peckett industrial tanks, the Class 800 Azuma units and the new tooling GWR 61xx large Prairie tanks locomotives.
Work to move the tooling to another factory has taken place and the livery samples for R3716 – BR 4-6-2 ‘Holland America Line’ ‘35022’ Merchant Navy  (Original Air Smoothed) in BR Brunswick Green, early crest  and R3717 – SR 4-6-2 ‘Aberdeen Commonwealth’ ‘21C7’ Merchant Navy (Original Air Smoothed) in SR Wartime Black, original ‘widows peak- front end with no smoke deflectors can be seen left.

Included within the 2019 range was also R3649 – BR 4-6-2 ‘Ellerman Lines’ ‘35029’ Merchant Navy (Original Air Smoothed) – BR Brunswick Green, early crest representing the condition she ran in between July 1952 and June 1959 when she was rebuilt. This model required new tooling to be completed for the 5100 gallon, series two tender (no 3129) that she was paired with in 1952. The Engineering prototype of  this new tooling can also be seen left. This is a very positive step as it will open up the possibilities for Series Two Merchant Navy models to be produced int he future so watch this space.

I am also assured that R3632 – BR 4-6-2 ‘East Asiatic Company’ ‘35024’ Merchant Navy (Original Air Smoothed) – BR Line Blue, early crest from the 2018 range announcement is also still in progress.

Other Items

The HM6000 & 6010 App based analogue control system

Hornby have also announced an brand new phone or tablet based analogue control app that can control up to 8 separate circuits of track.
The system works via a bluetooth between the phone / tablet app to layout mounted HM6000 base units that can each control up to two separate circuits and up to 4 HM6000 units can be connected together (note track power as per analogue as no chips are required for locomotives).
The HM6010 base unit can control up to 4 points and accessories and up to three HM6010 base units can be connected together to therefore control up to 12 accessories.
It also includes locomotive sounds (from the phone / tablet speaker not the locomotive).
This system is a step between the traditional rotary knob type controller and DCC style control via apps like WiThrottle.

Steampunk

A complete new market sector for Hornby and launched via the Bassett-Lowke brand as they meld together the world of Steampunk; a World where steam has evolved into the primary power source, where dinosaurs are domesticated, where the elegance of tea drinking is the ultimate pleasure and where society is still enmeshed in the Victorian era; as an introduction to model railways.
Initially a range of models from locomotives, rolling stock and buildings will be available, that have been created from minimal modifications to existing tooling and the addition of extra resin parts.

Any new market sector and development that has the potential to bring new interest into the hobby, also think of some of the layouts and animations that appeared in the Channel 5 Great British Model Railway Challenge, is to be applauded.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the team at Hornby for the hospitality extended to me last month and the advanced information provided to enable me to bring the above summary of their celebratory plans for this year ahead to you.

General, Model News

Hornby announce 2019 range including brand new ex LBSC A1/A1x Terrier and Bulleid 59ft coaches and ex LSWR Diagram 1543 20/24T brake van [Updated 11/01/19]

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Hornby have today announced their full range for 2019.  The highlights  from a Southern Railway perspective being the brand new tooled ex LBSC A1 / A1x 0-6-0T “Terrier” (in direct competition with the announcement earlier this year of the Rails of Sheffied / Dapol version) Bulleid 1945 built 59ft ‘shortie’ coaching stock, Diagrams 2316 and 2121, and the ex LSWR Warners 20T / SR 24T Diagram 1543 brake vans.

The Hornby continental Arnold range in 1/148 N Gauge also sees a welcome reintroduction of the 5BEL Brighton Belle Set, in the 1934 livery as set 2053.

The aim of this post is to round-up the announcements that are of a Southern Railway / Southern Region interest and new for 2019, I have purposely not relisted those item previous announced and or still to actually appear. An indication of the planned release date via the Quarter system (eg [Q2] is also provided.

Locomotives

In a surprise move the range includes new tooling for the ex LBSC A1/A1x Terrier, the tooling incorporates many of the changes within this class of locomotives in service and preservation. There are also of course a number of new liveries of existing tooling:

  • R3649 – BR 4-6-2 ‘Ellerman Lines’ ‘35029’ Merchant Navy (Original Air Smoothed) – BR Brunswick Green, early crest representing the condition she ran in between July 1952 and June 1959 when she was rebuilt. [Q4]
  • R3716 – BR 4-6-2 ‘Holland America Line’ ‘35022’ Merchant Navy (Original Air Smoothed) – BR Brunswick Green, early crest representing the condition she ran in between February 1952 and June 1959 when she was rebuilt. [Q3]
  • R3717 – SR 4-6-2 ‘Aberdeen Commonwealth’ ‘21C7’ Merchant Navy (Original Air Smoothed) – SR Wartime Black, original ‘widows peak- front end with no smoke deflectors representing the condition she ran in between July 1942 and August 1944 when she gained short flared smoke deflectors and the standard style hood over the smokebox [Q3]
  • R3732 – BR 4-6-0 ”Sir Walter Raleigh” No. 30852, Maunsell Lord Nelson Class in in BR Brunswick Green with early crest,  Lemaitre chimney, smoke deflectors and high sided tender. Representing the condition she ran between December 1951 and October 1958 [Q4]
  • R3733 – BR 4-6-0 ‘Robert Blake’ No. 30855 Maunsell Lord Nelson Class in BR Brunswick Green with late emblem,  Lemaitre chimney,  smoke deflectors and high sided tender. Representing the condition she ran between  August 1958 and withdrawal in October 1961 [Q4]
  • R3731 BR 0-4-0T No. 31177 H Class in BR lined black with early crest, pull push fitted [Q3]

  • R3780 A1 class 0-6-0T No. 655″Stepney” “terrier in LBSC Stroudly improved engine ‘green’ livery with above footplate sandboxes [Q1]
  • R3782 ex LBSC 0-4-0T A1 class No. 751  “Terrier” in SECR Lined green with above footplate sandboxes [Q1]
  • R3783 SR 0-6-0T No. 2662 A1X class “Terrier” in SR post 1931 lined olive green with below footplate sandboxes [Q1]

  • R3767 BR 0-6-0T No. 32655 A1X class “Terrier” in BR Lined Black with early crest  (new tooling) [Q1]

  • R3768 BR 0-6-0T No. 32636 A1X class “Terrier” in BR Lined Black with late emblem (new tooling) [Q1]
  • R3781 K&ESR 0-6-0T No. 5 A1 Class “Terrier” “Rolvenden” in K&ESR Blue [Q1]

Coaches

Being introduced from brand new tooling for 2019 are the Bulleid 59ft ‘Shortie’ coaches. These were part of 18 three coach sets, formed Diagram 2121 BTK – Diagram 2316 CK –  Diagram 2121 BTK, with set numbers 963 to 980. They were ordered in 1944 utilising Maunsell 59ft underframes that were originally constructed in 1940, then stored, when further construction was suspended by the war. Whilst similar in layout to previous Maunsell coaches, with doors for each compartment on the non corridor side (known as Multi-door) , externally they featured the new Bulleid bodyside profile. Bulleid new profile had already been introduced on the 4 Sub EMU set 4101 in 1941 with the body having a continuous curve from floor to cantrail and the characteristic lozenge shaped toplights over the droplight windows.
Hornby are releasing versions to correctly form Sets 965 and 973 in SR ‘Malachite’ green and Sets 968 and 972 in BR(s) green. The BR(s) versions include revised tooling to include: recessed / flush door toplights, later guards door handrail styles, rainstrips, end steps and the reinforcing beading added along the sides at waist the line.
[update 07/01/19] Additional livery historical information kindly supplied by Colin Watts:
Set 965 (Malachite) to Crimson and Cream (CLC)  March 1956 then to BR(S) Green  June 1958
Set 968 (Malachite) to CLC December 1953 then to BR(S) Green July 1957
Set 972 BR(S) Green from CLC February 1958
Set 973 BR(s) Green from CLC November 1957
These are a logical extension to the Hornby range who already have the details of the underframe and SR standard 8ft bogies from their excellent Maunsell coach range.

3d Test print of the Bulleid 59ft BTK. Picture courtesy A York
3D test print of the Bulleid 59ft CK. Picture courtesy A York
  • R4882 – SR Bulleid 59′ Diagram 2316 corridor composite No. 5711 from Set 965 in SR ‘Malachite’ green livery [Q2]
  • R4882A – SR Bulleid 59′ Diagram 2316 corridor composite No. 5719 from Set 973 in SR ‘Malachite’ green livery [Q2]
  • R4884 – SR Bulleid 59′ Diagram 2121 corridor brake 3rd  No. 2845 from Set 965 in SR ‘Malachite’ green livery [Q2]
  • R4884A – SR Bulleid 59′ Diagram 2121 corridor brake 3rd  No. 2846 from Set 965 in SR ‘Malachite’ green livery [Q2]
  • R4884B – SR Bulleid 59′ Diagram 2121 corridor brake 3rd  No. 2861 from Set 973 in SR ‘Malachite’ green livery [Q2]
  • R4884C – SR Bulleid 59′ Diagram 2121 corridor brake 3rd  No. 2862 from Set 973 in SR ‘Malachite’ green livery [Q2]
  • R4886 – BR(s) Bulleid 59′ Diagram 2316 corridor composite No. S5714S from Set 968 in BR(s) green livery [Q2]
  • R4886A – BR(s) Bulleid 59′ Diagram 2316 corridor composite No. S5718S from Set 972  in BR(s) green livery [Q2]
  • R4888 – BR(s) Bulleid 59′ Diagram 2121 corridor brake 3rd  No. S2851S from Set 968 in BR(s) green livery [Q2]
  • R4888A – BR(s) Bulleid 59′ Diagram 2121 corridor brake 3rd  No. S2852S from Set 968 in BR(s) green livery [Q2]
  • R4888B – BR(s) Bulleid 59′ Diagram 2121 corridor brake 3rd  No. S2859S from Set 972 in BR(s) green livery [Q2]
  • R4888C – BR(s) Bulleid 59′ Diagram 2121 corridor brake 3rd  No. S2859S from Set 972 in BR(s) green livery [Q2]
  • [updated 08/01/19] R4816a Maunsell Kitchen Dining First No.7865 Diagram 2656 in unlined olive green [Q1]
  • R4817A – BR Maunsell Kitchen Dining First Number S7858S Diagram 2651, in BR(s) Green. [Q1]
  • R4904 – Pullman ‘K’ Type ‘New Century Bar’, 8 wheel. In July 1946 the original 8 wheeled ‘TRIANON BAR’ after being displaced from the Golden Arrow set, re-entered service as the NEW CENTURY BAR (second version) on the Ostend boat train, remaining in service until 1952. It was then transferred to Waterloo for use with Southampton cross Channel boat train services. [Q4]

EMU Packs

  • R3699 – BR(s) 2 Hil, Unit 2611 in BR(s) green livery. This hybrid unit was formed when 2 Hal unit 2611 was involved in a collision  with 2 Bil unit No. 2113 in late 1959 and the undamaged 2 Hal Driving Motor Brake Third (DMBT) No. 10729 and 2 Bil Driving Trailer Composite (DTC) No. 12146 were paired as a 2 Hil unit until March 1961 before it reverted back to a 2 Hal unit after its original DTC No. 12196 was repaired [Q4]

  • R3700 – SR 2 Bil, Unit 2152 in SR lined olive-green livery. Unit 2152 comprised of DMBT No. 10718 and DTC No. 12185. It was the last in the series and was introduced in November 1938 for the London Waterloo  – Reading services [Q4]
  • The Class 373 Eurostar also makes a reappearance, from original tooling, in the latest livery as a driving power car train pack and a centre coach pack

Wagons

The 2019 range also sees new tooling for the LSWR/SR/BR(s) Warner 20 ton goods brake van. 75 of this type of van were built between 1915 and 1921. They were known to staff as ‘New Vans’ a name which they kept well into the 1950’s! They were up-rated to 24T by the Southern Railway and became SR Diagram 1543.
[Update 11/01/19] tooling allows for variations across the buffer shanks, differing lamp brackets and fix lamps, documents holders, welded and rivetted duckets as well as disc and spoked wheels.

Dia 1543 3D test print. Picture courtesy A York
  • R6911 – LSWR 20 Ton Warner ‘New Van’  goods brake van, No. 9646, in LSWR goods brown livery [Q4]
  • R6911A – LSWR 20 Ton Warner ‘New Van’ goods brake van, No. 5359, in LSWR goods brown livery [Q4]
  • R6913 – SR Diagram 1543, 24 Ton Brake Van, No. 55062, in SR Pre 1936 goods brown livery [Q4]
  • R6913A – SR Diagram 1543, 24 Ton Brake Van, No. 55009, in SR Pre 1936 goods brown livery [Q4]
  • R6915 – BR Diagram 1543, 24 Ton Brake Van, No. S55040, in BR unfitted grey livery [Q4]
  • R6915 – BR Diagram 1543, 24 Ton Brake Van, No. S55032, in BR unfitted grey livery [Q4]
  • R6840A – BR ex SR Cattle truck –  Bauxite livery, No. S52347 – Bulleid diagram 1530. [Q1]

TTS DCC Sound decoders

  • R7141 TTS Sound Decoder – Merchant Navy Pacific [Q2]

Arnold N Gauge 1.148 scale 

The 5Bel Brighton Belle Set is reintroduced, in the 1934 livery as set 2053. Although primarily a continental Brand Arnold part of the Hornby Hobbies group are producing these units in the more usual UK N gauge scale of 1:148. Supplied as driving car pack numbers Motor Parlour 3rd Brakes No. 92 and No. 93 and an intermediate three car pack comprising of First Kitchen Cars ‘Mona’ and ‘Gwen’ and 3rd Parlour No. 85.

 

Other new tooling for 2019

In addition to the Southern Related items above the new 2019 Hornby range also features the following new tooling items, including a building on the success of the industrial 0-4-0ST Peckett W4, two more industrial locomotives:

  • Peckett B2 0-6-0T (3 liveries)

    Picture courtesy A York

  • Ruston 48DS 0-4-0 supplied with match truck including additional pick ups (four liveries)

    Picture courtesy A York

  • LMS Princess Royal 4-6-2
  • GWR Large Prairie 2-6-2T 51xx/61xx class
  • LMS 20T brake van
  • GWR 57′ bow-ended non-gangwayed stock
  • BR Mk.IIf coaches
  • Refurbished BR Mk.III with automatic doors

Certainly an ambitious plan that shows confidence and positivity within Hornby as it heads to its centenary in 2020. The full Hornby 2019 range can be found on the Hornby website here or RMweb here

General, Kernow Models, Model News

Model Railway Awards for 2018, like buses two come along at once, vote now, vote Southern of course… (and a bit of a shameless plug!)

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It’s the start of 2019 and two separate votes for UK Model Railway Awards have opened.

Voting for the 2018 British Model Railways Awards promoted on RMweb and British Railways Modelling Magazine is now live and open for voting until 20th January with the winners being announced in the Spring edition of British Railways Modelling Magazine and on RMweb.

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.

Also voting has also opened in the Model Rail Magazine Model of the Year 2018 (MOTY) which is live until January 18th 

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:

N Gauge:

  • Dapol Maunsell Brake Third Coach

00 Gauge

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.

Please make sure you vote counts to support the Southern / Southern Region models that have been produced in 2018 by voting here in the British Model Railway Awards open until the end of Sunday 20th January   and by voting here in the Model Rail Magazine Model of the Year (MOTY) open until Friday 18th January.

Here endeth the shameless plug(s)….

 

 

 

 

Canute Road Quay, HW&DMRS, Model News

A bit of an update: Heljan 07s, 247 Developments and Canute Road Quay on tour

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This post is a bit of mix of a couple of updates in the BR(s) related model world and also where and when you can see Canute Road Quay on tour.

Heljan 07

Firstly, Heljan have announced a further run on their excellent 07 Class. This has been in response to strong demand and positive reviews, such as mine here, for the first production run.

One of the original releases D2985 is seen at rest on Canute Road Quay

Nine additional Class 07s are now being prepared for release in early 2019. These will cover new identities for the most popular BR green and BR blue editions which sold out quickly earlier this year, the well-known Eastleigh Works shunter of the 1970s/80s, D2991, plus two more  industrial versions in ICI grey/orange and Powell Duffryn blue/white. These model have a 6 Pin DCC socket and will be priced around £139. see below for the full list.

Artwork drawing for 2906: BR Eastleigh Works light green D2991

Version 1 – as-built BR Locos

  • 2904: BR(S) green D2986
  • 2905: BR(S) green D2988
  • 2906: BR Eastleigh Works light green D2991
  • 2907: BR blue D2998
  • 2908: BR blue 07002
  • 2909: Powell Duffryn blue/white ‘07006’

Version 2 – Later BR and industrial dual-braked variant

  • 2914: BR blue 2989
  • 2915: BR blue 07009 (weathered)
  • 2916: ICI grey/orange 07005 Langbaurgh

247 Developments

Friend, excellent modeller and proprietor of 247 Developments Brian Mosby has advised me that he now has produced 22 etched smoke box number plates 30081-89, 30092-103 and 30147 for the Dapol ex LSWR B4 Class 0-4-0t. Brian also stocks a range of SR etched nameplates and smokebox door number plates including the Lord Nelson class which will be of great use when the forthcoming new Hornby model arrives. In addition he stocks dated smokebox door roundels for the Bulleid pacifics and SR Engine Head Signal route discs. Brian’s products are of excellent quality and I can wholeheartedly recommend them.

Canute Road Quay on tour

It was a very enjoyable weekend at the Worthing MRC show last weekend with Canute Road Quay, Thanks to friend and fellow modeller Simon Paley for his assistance and company over the weekend and all those readers of this blog whom dropped by and said hello.

Simon keeps the visitors to the Worthing show entertained
A Dapol ex LSWR B4 ‘Caen’ in Southampton Docks livery makes her debut at the show

It is always a pleasure to exhibit at this show, I took Fisherton Sarum there in 2015, as the Worthing MRC club president, Dave Kent, is a friend and past member of the High Wycombe & District MRS. He will hate me for saying this again, as I know he reads this blog, but when I joined the Society at the tender age of 15, *cough* years ago, he took me under his wing so to speak, working on the scenery for the Societies then large 00 layout ‘Hillingdon Court’.  Dave is an exceptional modeller and some of you may well have previously seen is excellent SR third rail layout Ashington (which featured in the November 2007 issue of Hornby Magazine).

For those that could not get to Worthing, Canute Road Quay can be seen a few upcoming shows, the first of which is my own Model Railway Societies show in four weeks time, on Saturday 3rd November 2018 the High Wycombe and District MRS Wycrail 18 show being held at , , Cressex Community School, Cressex Road, High Wycombe, HP12 4UD It is always a good show and Canute Road Quay will be one of 30 layouts on show.

The first couple of months next year sees Canute Road Quay attending the following shows:

26th / 27th January 2019 – Canute Road Quay: Southampton MRS, Barton Peveril Collge, Chestnut Avenue, Eastliegh, SO50 5BX

23rd Feb 2019 – Canute Road Quay; RisEx Princes Risborough and District MRC, Community Centre, Wades Park, Stratton Road, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 9AX

As always the full list of show dates can be found on my Exhibition diary page here. 

Exhibitions, Fisherton Sarum, HW&DMRS, Kernow Models, Model News

A bit of an update:- Hornby Lord Nelson, Hatton’s P Class, Oxford Rail, Milton Keynes Exhibition and British Model Railway Awards

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This post is a bit of a smorgasbord of updates including product development updates from Hornby and Hatton’s, a new announcement from Oxford Rail, Fisherton Sarum’s next outing and finally the 2017 British Model Railway Awards…

Hornby SR Lord Nelson 4-6-0

The livery sample of the Hornby SR 4-6-0 Lord Nelson. Image copyright Hornby and linked directly from their Engineshed blog

Announced only earlier this month as part of the 2018 range Hornby have, via their Engineshed Blog here, shown off how much of an advanced stage in development the model is at, with the first fully decorated Engineering Prototype sample having been received. Hornby are already aware that a few slight tweaks are still needed but that is the point of such samples.
Generally the process of the development of such a model is around two years, so it demonstrates how much work had been competed before the announcement earlier this month.
To see more images and a video of the model running click here.

Hattons ex SECR P Class 0-6-0t

The full suit of the Hatton’s P Class releases. Picture copyright and courtesy of Hatton’s

Hatton’s have this week confirmed that the majority of the production run of their ex SECR P Class 0-6-0t locomotives are on their way to them and will be arriving in two batches. Product codes H4-P-003 to H4-P-012 will be arriving on Friday 9th March 2018 whilst H4-P-001 and H4-P-002 will arrive in May 2018.

Originally only announced in September last year the progress made on these models has been excellent, although the over delivery dates have been delayed slight from that first stated, I feel that Hatton’s can be excused for such a slight slip in the delivery schedule.
Having had the pleasure to handle and indeed run some of the Engineering prototypes I can safely say it will be worth the slight additional wait.

For more information and to see all the sample photos, click here.

Oxford Rail announce Rail Mounted Guns

  • OR76BOOM01 WWI Boche Buster – Camouflage and ROD2330 (Dean Goods locomotive)
  • OR76BOOM01XS WWI Boche Buster – Camouflage and ROD2330 (Dean Goods locomotive) with DCC Sound
  • OR76BOOM02 Railgun Gladiator WWII

Some might be wondering why I have mentioned this here on a Southern related blog, however I am reliably informed via a number of sources that the Gladiator rail mounted gun was for a while based on the Elham Valley Railway in Kent during the Second World War. Apparently, although it was never actually used in anger it has certainly been recorded that at least one test firing broke lots of windows in the area. See here for more details on the prototype.

The have also announced a further ex LSWR 4-4-2 Adams Radial in a presentation box as OR76AR008 25th Oxford – Southern Late Sunshine Lettering 3520. New wagons to be added to range include 5 plank mineral wagons and 12 ton tank wagons.
See the full announcement on the Oxford Rail website here.

Fisherton Sarum to appear at Milton Keynes Exhibition Sat 10th February

Making its second and possibly last appearance this year Fisherton Sarum,on Saturday 10th February, will be at the Milton Keynes Model Railway Society exhibition being held at  Stantonbury Leisure Centre, Stantonbury, Milton Keynes. MK14 6B

This popular and large show will comprise of over 40 layouts, including scales T, Z, N (including BR(s) Bodmin General), H0 (including Prospect Point from the High Wycombe and District MRS) , 00, 009, EM and G. Also attending will be over 30 traders. The show is open between 10am and 4.30pm.

Please drop by and say hello.

British Model Railway Awards for 2017 (a shameless plug)

Voting for this years British Model Railways Awards promoted on RMweb and British Railways Modelling Magazine is now live and open for voting until 31st January, so you don’t have long to vote, with the winners being announced in the Spring edition of British Railways Modelling Magazine and on RMweb.

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. There have of course been a number of Southern / Southern Region related models released during 2017  so I urge you to support the production of these models by choosing your best in the relevant category and voting accordingly.

I am also very humbled to see that this little corner of the blogosphere of mine has once again been nominated for the third year running, 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 or maybe Hatton’s please also vote accordingly.

Please make sure you vote counts to support the Southern / Southern Region models that have been produced in 2016 by voting here before the 31st January.

Here endeth the shameless plug…

 

 

General, Model News

Hornby announce 2018 range includes brand new Lord Nelson class and Maunsell Kitchen Dining First catering coaches [updated 12/01/18]

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Hornby have today announced their full range for 2018 hot on the heals of yesterdays Bachmann announcement.  For this year’s range Hornby have gone to a single announcement rather than new toolings announced over the last few month either at Warley or via their Engineshed blog, possibly as a result of new broom(s) at the helm. The highlights  from a Southern Railway perspective being the brand new tooled Maunsell Lord Neslon class 4-6-0 and Maunsell 59ft Kitchen / Dining First catering vehicles. The now outdated Bachmann Lord Nelson will be easily surpassed by this new tooling that will incorporate variations to chimneys, smokeboxes, saddles and tenders. Last years H Class 0-4-0t also makes an appearance with revised tooling for the flat sided bunker.

Hornby’s Lord Nelson 851

The range also sees a welcome reintroduction of the 5Bel Brighton belle Set, in the 1960’s livery with small yellow warning panels, the model has also been updated with revised electrical connections between the cars. Also back in the range is the Devon Belle observation car.

The aim of this post is to round up the announcements that are of a Southern Railway / Southern Region interest and new for 2018, I have purposely not relisted those item previous announced and or still to actually appear. An indication of the planned release date via the Quarter system (eg [Q2] is also provided.

Locomotives

  • R3634 – SR 4-6-0 ‘Sir Francis Drake’ No. E851 Maunsell Lord Nelson Class in pre 1931 SR Lined Olive livery without Smoke deflectors, with snifting valves, original chimney and tender. [Q2]
  • R3635 – BR 4-6-0 ‘Lord Rodney’ No. 30863 Maunsell Lord Nelson Class in BR Brunswick Green with early crest,  Lemaitre chimney, short smokebox, piano front (Maunsell cylinders) smoke deflectors and high sided tender. [Updated]  [Q2]
  • R6303TTS – BR 4-6-0 ‘Lord Nelson’ No. 30850 Maunsell Lord Nelson Class in BR Brunswick Green with late emblem,  Lemaitre chimney, extended smokebox (Bulleid cylinders) smoke deflectors and high sided tender. DCC and TTS sound fitted [Q3]

    TTS Sound fitted 30850

  • R3617 – BR 4-6-2 ‘Elder Dempster Lines’ Rebuild Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacific number ‘35030’ in BR Brunswick Green with late emblem as she ran post rebuilding in April 1958. [Q2]
  • R3618 – BR 4-6-2 ‘Royal Observer Corps’ Rebuilt Bulleid West Country Light Pacific number 34050 in BR Brunswick Green with with late emblem as she ran post rebuilding in August 1958. [Q2]
  • R3631 – ex SECR 0-4-4T H Class number 31265, representing one of the 15 members of the class with flat side bunkers (revised tooling new for 2018), BR early crest. [Q3]
  • R3632 – BR 4-6-2 ‘East Asiatic Company’ ‘35024’ Merchant Navy (Original Air Smoothed) – BR Line Blue, early crest representing the condition she ran in between May 1949 and June 1951 when she gained Brunswick green. [Q4]

    Merchant Navy Pacific 35024 in BR Blue livery

  • R3638  – ‘Bideford’ Number 34019 Bulleid Battle of Britain Light Pacific – cut down 4500 gallon tender,  BR Green late emblem Post 1956 condition. [Q4]
  • R3507TTS – S15 Class number 30832 BR Black with early emblem DCC TTS sound. [Q2]
  • R3658 BR Class 50 Number 50033 ‘Glorious’ in Network South East livery. [Q4]

The ex SECR H Class  tank makes an appearance as an Exclusive model in the delayed Hornby Collectors Club now launched, R3648 Number 263 as preserved condition on the Bluebell Railway due July 2018. A big clue was of course her appearance on the Hornby Stand at the Warley show last month.

In addition to the Lord Nelson Hornby’s new locomotive tooling for 2018 comprises of LMS 4-6-2 Streamlined Princess Coronation Class and ex North British Railway, Holmes Class C/ LNER J36 0-6-0.

Train and Coach packs

  • R3606 – Pullman 5Bel Brighton Belle ‘Train Pack’, Unit 3053, Driving Motor Brake Parlour Third Car No. 92 and No.93.  1960s Umber and Cream, with small yellow warning panel [Updated] [Q3]
  • R4871  – Pullman 5Bel Brighton Belle ‘Coach Pack’, Unit 3053, Trailer Parlour First Kitchen ‘Gwen’, ‘Mona’ and  Trailer Parlour Third Car No. 85. 1950s Umber and Cream, early crest [Q3]

Coaches

  • R4816 –  SR Maunsell Kitchen Dining First Number 7869 Diagram 2656, in SR Green. [Updated] [Q4]
  • R4817 – BR Maunsell Kitchen Dining First Number S7946S Diagram 2651, in BR(s) Green. [Q4]

    Kitchen Diner First Diagram 2556 No 7869 c1940 image copyright and courtesy M King

  • R4860 – Pulman ‘J’ Type Devon Belle Observation Car Number 13. [Q4]
  • R4717A – SR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Eight Compartment Brake Third Class Non-Corridor, SR Olive Green, Diagram 99 No. 2636 that formed set 42 with R4719A. [Q2]
  • R4718A – S R 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Six Compartment Lavatory Brake Third Coach, SR Olive Green  diagram 98 No. 2625 used as ‘loose’ stock. [Q2]
  • R4719A – SR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Six Compartment Lavatory Brake Composite Coach, SR Olive Green, Diagram 418 No. 6401 that formed set 42 with R4717A.  [Q2]
  • R4720A – SR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Nine Compartment Lavatory Third Class Coach, SR Olive Green, Diagram 31 No. 364 used as ‘loose’ stock. [Q2]
  • R4833 BR Maunsell Open Third, Number 1400 Diagram 2005 SR Olive Green . [Q4]
  • R4835 BR Maunsell Open Second, Number S1346S Diagram 2005 Crimson and Cream livery. [Q4]
  • R4836 – BR Maunsell 6 Compartment Third Class Brake Coach – BR(s)Green – High window style to diagram 2102, Number S2763S,  branded as set 230. [Q4]
  • R4838 – BR Maunsell 6 Compartment Third Class Brake Coach – BR(s)Green – High window style to diagram 2102, Number S2764S,  branded as set 230. [Q4]
  • R4839 – BR Maunsell Corridor 7 Compartment composite  Coach – BR(s)Green  – High window style to diagram 2301, Number S5673S,  part of 3 coach set 230. [Q4]
  • R4840 – BR Maunsell 4 Compartment Third Class Brake Coach – BR(s)Green – Low window style to diagram 2101, Number S3232S,  branded as set 399. [Q4]
  • R4841 – BR Maunsell 4 Compartment Third Class Brake Coach – BR(s)Green – Low window style to diagram 2101, Number S3233S,  branded as set  399. [Q4]
  • R4842 – BR Maunsell Corridor 7 Compartment composite  Coach – BR(s)Green  – Low window style to diagram 2301, Number S5145S,  part of 3 coach set 399. [Q4]
  • R4834 – BR Maunsell Corridor 8 Compartment Corridor second Coach – BR(s)Green  – High window style to diagram 2001, Number S1113S. [Q4]
  • R4837 – BR Maunsell Van B S261S in BR (S) Green. [Q4]

Wagons

  • R6839 – BR ex SR Cattle truck –  Bauxite livery, No. S53904, – Maunsell diagram 1529. [Updated]  [Q2]
  • R6839A – BR ex SR Cattle truck –  Bauxite livery, No. S53908, – Maunsell diagram 1529. [Q4]
  • R6840 – BR ex SR Cattle truck –  Bauxite livery, No. S52345 – Bulleid diagram 1530. [Q3]
  • R6858 – 3 plank wagon SECR livery No. 10756 [Q3]

Hornby’s new wagon tooling for 2017 comprises of a LNER 20 ton  ‘Toad’ B and E brake van.

The full Hornby 2017 range can be found on the Hornby website here or RMweb here

Fisherton Sarum, Talking Stock

Talking Stock #13 Detailing the fleet of Lord Nelsons

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In honour of Bradley Wiggins riding triumphantly into Paris yesterday as the first British victor of the Tour De France I thought it might be appropriate to look at the Maunsell Lord Nelson class…

Lord Nelson Class number 856 “Lord St Vincent”. All my fleet have had the chimney replaced with the better proportioned Markits brass version

Introduced by Maunsell in 1926 the four cylinder 4-6-0 locomotives had  6 ft 7 in diameter driving wheels, a boiler pressure of 220 lb psi and  a tractive effort of 33500 lb that was the  the highest of any British express passenger locomotive of the time. In service the Lord Nelsons were found to be not as free steaming as the King Arthur class which remained the majority of footplate crews’ favourite. Performance of the class could be erratic and this was attributed to unfamiliarity with its firing needs. In the hands of an experienced LN crew such as from Bournemouth where the many members of the 16 strong class were often allocated exceptional performances could be obtained.

Lord Nelson Class number 862 “Lord Collingwood”. Repainted into SR black livery, first gained in 1943 but remained in until August 1948.

Bulleid improved the class by fitting Lemaître multiple jet blastpipes and larger diameter piston valves. He also introduced the final design of tender, still with 5,000 gallons capacity but with a sharper slope to the bunker floor which helped make the coal tumble forwards more easily. The sides were raised which increased the depth of the bunker.

Lord Nelson Class number 864 “Sir Martin Frobisher”. Real coal in the tender, missing lamp irons added are simple improvements. Front steps and cylinder drain pipes are still to be added.

The model was first released by Bachmann in 1992 and was a regular in their catalogue up until 2002 after which it has only appeared again in 2008 and 2009/10. Although one of the more detailed models for its time, as the bar has continually risen over the last few years with ready to run models such as the Bachmann N and Hornby’s Q1, M7, T9, Schools and N15, it is now showing its age.

A number of simple improvements can be made to the model to improve its look and update it a little:
1) Painting the rim sides of the front bogie wheels and maybe even the main driving wheel rim sides too.
2) The missing lamp irons can be added on the front and those moulded on the tender rear replaced from either thin brass or as I tend to use all the time, cut down ‘Bambi’ staples.
3) Bachman’s representation of the Bulleid wide diameter Lemaitre Chimney has not really captured the shape at all well, let alone the fact that it is solid. The Chimney is a separately fitted item and drilling down though the middle of the chimney and the lug that holds it on to the boiler with simply allow the removal and easy replacement by a brass one (available from Markits Model Railway Products) which certainly improves the look no end, I have already done this to all three of mine as per the pictures on this post. If nothing else drilling out the middle and reaffixing with glue the original Bachman chimney is an improvement on its own.
4) The loco to tender coupling is a simple plastic peg protruding from the front of the tender then hook under the back of the locomotive rear framing. This does leave quite a large gap and can sometimes allow the tender to uncouple from the loco over areas or slightly uneven track. One simple cure for both issues is to slip over the peg a short (3mm or so) length of tube cut from the top end of a biro pen insert as this increases the diameter and length of the peg therefore bring the tender closer to the locomotive and also prevents the uncoupling tendency.
5) Fabricate and fit front steps and also possibly the fitting of drain pipework from fine copper wire
6) The simple addition of real coal in to the tender to cover the moulded coal load.
7) The addition of other detailing items such as Southern engine headsignal discs, crew and fireirons etc.