Regular readers of this blog will know that this time of year I tend to head south to where ‘summer comes soonest’, to coin a phrase from that well know Southern Railway Publicity poster.
I am soon heading very South (well about 4 and bit hours and approximately 1600 miles in a plane south) for a blend of Spanish, African and Latin American influences, exploration including a dormant volcanoes and a lavascape, rest, relaxation and hopefully some sun, possibly dark sandy beeches and sea too (might help you guess where). Normal service on this blog will therefore be resumed at the end of the month. Before I get in to full holiday mode I just thought I would give a couple of brief updates on a few Southern related model items.
Engineering Prototype of the Dapol ex LSWR B4
Firstly, Dapol have now released images of the first assembled Engineering Prototype of their 00 gauge ex LSWR B4, announced back in 2014, This follows on the tooling test pieces that they had on display back in March at the BRM / Warners / MRC London Festival of Model Railways . So far the EP of just the one version of the 5 variants promised has been shown but I believe the other variations will follow.
Dapol B4 EP rear 3/4 view.
As a remind those variations so far announced are:
‘Caen’ (Number 90) Southampton Docks brown livery with Drummond Chimney
Number 88 in Southern black
Number 30082 in BR black, early emblem
Number 30096 in BR black, late crest
Secondly, The Kernow Model Rail Centre have received the second batch of livery samples of the their Gate Stock Pull Push sets and also the first main livery sample of the Bulleid Diesel numbers 10201 and 10202.
With respect to the Gate Stock there are still a number of tweaks being made to finalise the liveries.
The Kernow Model Rail Centre Bulleid Diesel 1st livery sample of 10201 . Picture courtesy and copyright KMRC
Although the first EPs of the Bulleid diesels broke cover, like the Dapol B4 tooling samples, back in March at the BRM / Warners / MRC London Festival of Model Railway as reported here, the livery application upon them had been undertaken by the factory from their own research rather than against approved livery artwork. The samples now received still have a few minor corrections to be made as the running numbers and BR early emblems are placed too high on the bodyside. The bogies require the axle boxes and springs painting black and the wheels will be the correct Bulleid pattern rather than the simple wheels provided for testing purposes. (The first engineering sample had the correct wheels).
Builleid Diesel 10202 livery sample. Picture courtesy and copyright KMRC
Production slots for both the 10201 /2 Bullied Diesels and the Gate Stock are currently being finalised but it is hoped should be by the end of August, which neatly gets us back to summer and holidays how this post started.
Well the annual event that is the Warley National Model Railway show at the NEC has now been and gone and by all accounts it appears that it was a good show, not that I was able to see as much of it as I might have liked. I had a good weekend on the Hornby Magazine stand operating friend and Editor Mike Wild’s latest layout Grosvenor Square, despite it being Western Region and DCC, but I think I just about coped. I apologise to anyone whom overheard and didn’t like my complaints (usually timed to gained maximum effect depending on whom was in earshot…especially that nice Mr Pete Waterman on the stand opposite…) that all Western region locomotives look the same, it was in jest… honest!
As is becoming more usual now a number of suppliers and manufacturers time announcements, product development updates and availability of new product around the time of / during the show and this year was no exception. This post attempts to round up some of those items of interest seen at the show from a Southern perspective, although this was slightly more limited than it has been in the past.
Hornby
Like last year, Hornby used the Warley show to give a presentation on some of their plans for 2017 and make some new product announcements, including a Hitachi IEP Bi-Mode Class 800/0, which can be found via their website on their Engine Shed Blog. The full 2017 range including all the liveries variations from existing rather than new tooling is planned to be launched in January 2017.
Hornby H Class EP
Further to the ex SECR H lass 0-4-4T announced in September they have also now clarified the planned initial releases as being as follows, which differs slightly from the initial information I was given at the time:
R3538 number 308 SECR lined green. No.308 was built at Ashford Works in June 1906, entering traffic at Slades Green and was repainted to Maunsell Dark Green in 1925, when also renumbered as A308. Moving to Gillingham in July 1931, her last shed was Tunbridge Wells West, from where she was withdrawn in December 1962.
Hornb y H Class EP rear 3/4 view
R3539 number 31518 BR late crest (with Overhead Electric warning flashes) lined black and pull push fitted. No. 31518 was built in July 1909 at Ashford and entered traffic at Orpington, numbered 518, Being dual braked, 518 mainly worked Chatham section trains. In December 1923 she became A518, then 1518 in July 1931. Post Nationalisation she was renumbered 31518 and later pull push fitted in March 1952, Withdrawal took place from Three Bridges shed in January 1964.
A further view of the Hornby H Class EP
R3549 number 1324 SR Maunsell Olive Green. No.1324 was built at Ashford Works in May 1907, entering traffic as No.324 at Ashford. In 1924, based Tonbridge, she often operated services between the Eastern and Central sections of the Southern Railway. Renumbered as No.31324 under British Railways, withdrawal from Three Bridges shed occurred in July 1962.
It therefore appears that the previously advised release of the BR early emblem version will not materialise as part of the first releases.
Hornby livery samples of 21C1 and 21C3 together
The running samples of the new original style Bulleid Merchant Navy pacifics were on display, the malachite green versions of 21c1 and 21C3 can be seen left, and they represent the condition that these locomotives first ran between introduction in 1941 and early 1943.
Hornby livery sample of 21C1 note the cover for the chimney
There is one correction to be made to the livery to 21C3 which will be reflected on the production models in that the side numbers and Southern lettering on the tender will be correctly shaded in black not green. The four releases of these models are due first quarter next year (delayed from 2016) and are as follows:
Hornby livery sample of 21C3
R3434 – SR 4-6-2 ‘Channel Packet’ ’21C1′ Merchant Navy Class (Original Air Smoothed) in as introduced 1941 condition with widows peak
R3435 – SR 4-6-2 ‘Royal Mail’ ’21C3′ Merchant Navy Class (Original Air Smoothed) in as introduced 1941 condition with widows peak
A further view of Hornby livery sample of 21C3
R3436 – BR 4-6-2 ‘Clan Line’ ‘35028’ Merchant Navy Class (Original Air Smoothed) – BR Brunswick Green. early crest ,
R3382TTS- BR 4-6-2 ‘Holland-Afrika Line’ ‘35023’ Merchant Navy (Original Air Smoothed) – BR Brunswick Green, early crest with TTS Sound
Look out for a post likely to be published next week detailing the exact condition and dates applicable to all these four versions which I hope will assist those wishing to purchase the correct version for their time period or those potentially wanting to renumber to other members of the class.
Hornby also announced a brand new ‘King Arthur’ tooling! Although this is in the form a Class 87 AC electric number 87010 ‘King Arthur’ in BR Intercity ‘Swallow’ logo, (I can now remove my tongue from my cheek!)
The SR cattle trucks announced last year have this week also arrived in the shops, once my versions arrive I will post a picture review. Just to clear up some misunderstanding on what versions have been released in this batch, as information on some retailers websites has been inconsistent due to changes in the information originally supplied / described by Hornby, the following versions are available:
R6735 – late SR livery, Bulleid designed version to SR diagram 1530 as introduced in 1947
R6735A – late SR livery , Bulleid designed version to SR diagram 1530 as introduced in 1947
(although it would not doubt have been a while before these ended up in BR livery)
R6737 – BR livery ex SR Maunsell designed version to SR Diagram 1529
R6737A – BR livery ex SR Maunsell designed version to SR Diagram 1529
It is still hoped that further livery versions, perhaps the inverse of the above, will be part of the 2017 range, although it should not be beyond the skills of many to re-livery the diagram 1529 version to the SR period.
I also remind readers that the 2016 livery versions of the excellent S15 4-6-0 model have also arrived at retailers namely
R3411 – SR 4-6-0 ‘827’ Maunsell S15 Class, Urie style tender – Post war Bulleid black with ‘Sunshine’ lettering
R3412 – BR 4-6-0 ‘30842’ Maunsell S15 Class, flat sided tender – BR Black early crest
R3413 – BR 4-6-0 ‘30831’ Maunsell S15 Class, Urie style tender – BR Black late emblem
Peco
Following on the recent announcement of their intention to produce 00 bullhead plain track with a more prototypical sleep spacing (bearing in mind that 00 being 16.5mm gauge rather the prototypical 18.83 it is still a compromise that the majority of us modellers accept) Peco also had on display an early mock up / EP of a large radius turnout which certainly looked good. It is my understanding that the geometry will match their existing code 75 streamline turnouts.
Bachmann
No new announcements from Bachmann, as is often the case at Warley, as their 2017 range is planned to be announced on January 8th next year, slightly earlier than their usual March date.
The EP of the Bachmann ex LBSC H2 Class Atlantic 4-4-2 picture courtesy and copyright of A York / BRM
In their usual display cases at the show were a number of Engineering Prototypes of current work in progress this included the first views of the ex London, Brighton and South Coast (LBSC) Brighton H2 Class Atlantic Engineering Prototype as seen pictured left. The planned initial releases, although it looks like tooling will allow for future further variations, for the H2 class are as follows:
A further view of the Bachmann H2 EP. Picture courtesy and copyright M Wild / Hornby Magazine
31-920 H2 Class Atlantic 4-4-2 No. 2426 ‘St. Alban’s Head’ in Southern Railway olive green livery
31-921 H2 Class Atlantic 4-4-2 No. 32424 ‘Beachy Head’ in BR black livery with early emblem.
Also on display were the EPs of the ex SECR Birdcage Stock that have been seen for a while now.
Trafford Model Centre (TMC)
TMC announced a number of wagon commissions, via Bachmann one of which being one of the 14 Cycle branded PMVs which were introduced in 1952, primarily for use on boat trains, being essentially a modification of ex SR Parcels and Miscellaneous Vans to incorporate hooks inside to hang cycles.
The TMC cycle branded PMV Picture courtesy and copyright M Wild / Hornby Magazine
Numbers so converted were 1055,1103,1208,1728, these had 60 hooks presumably for up to 30 cycles, whilst 1057, 1113, 1175, 1282, 1293, 1305, 1314, 1317, 1454, 1882 had 24 hooks each. Number 1317 in addition to the bike symbols on the outside was additionally stenciled, until 1966, for use between Ashford and Cannon Street to convey cycles by manufacturer Normans of Ashford. These vans, except numbers 1175 & 1208 withdrawn in December 1962, had all returned to the general pool by 1969. The version being issued by TMC is number S1282S correctly in BR crimson livery with yellow lettering and the white cycle stencil.
TMC have also commissioned Bachmann to produce the ex LNER /BR 22T double bolster wagon and this is at EP stage
Dapol
There were no new announcements made by Dapol at the show in either 00 or N, as they are looking to get to market all outstanding products currently under development before making any new announcements. The ex London and South Western (LSWR ) B4 0-4-0T announced back in March 2014 is still at the CAD stage. They did have on show some of the results of the alignment of the Dapol and Lionheart ranges in 0 Gauge but none of these were SR related.
Back in January this year Heljan announced their intention to release an 07 Class 0-6-0 Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Shunter numbers D2985-D2998 (TOPS numbers 07001-07014).
Heljan 3D printed sample of their proposed Class 07 shunter (version 1). Picture courtesy and copyright A York / BRM
Introduced in 1962 this class of 14 locomotives was designed specifically for use in the Southampton Docks complex on trip and shunting duties. With the decline of traffic within the docks the class was re-assigned to duties in the Eastleigh area before withdrawal and finding further work with a number of industrial companies. Heljan advise that initially two versions will be produced reflecting ‘as-built’ condition and later modified locos with waist height air brake connections as follows:
Heljan 3D printed sample of their proposed Class 07 shunter (version 2). Picture courtesy and copyright A York / BRM
Version 1 non-air braked
2900 D2985 BR Green
2901 D2990 BR Green
2902 D2992 BR Blue
2903 07010 BR Blue
Version 2 air-braked (extra cabinet, air receiver compartment and air pipes (high level)
2910 2993 BR Blue
2911 07005 BR Blue
2912 (07001) Peakstone yellow
2913 (07003) British Industrial Sand white
Proposed for release in 2017, Heljan had a early 3D print mock ups of this model on display.
Note: that the images of Engineering Protptypes sometimes show combinations of components that are mixed and matched and do not necessarily correctly represent the combinations for model variations announced (but can be a hint at possible future variations as well!)
I am pleased to show on this post the progress made on the Kernow Model Rail Centre ex LSWR Gate Stock sets, with some pictures and video of the 2nd Engineering Prototypes (EPs). The purpose of such EPs are to check the toiling and the options within tooling to represent the variations being produced.
2nd EP of Kernow Model Rail Centre ex LSWR / SR / BR(s) Gate Stock K1002
Although some will feel that it has been a bit of a while since both the initial announcement back in 2011 (but please bear in mind the manufacturer has changed in that time and the resources available to Kernow Model Rail Centre for such commissions) and the tooling starting for the first Engineering Prototypes (EPs) at the end of 2014, I can assure you that work and modifications since the first EPs have been undergone in that time to try and ensure the greatest of accuracy within the production constraints and costs of producing such models.
A close up of the front of the 2nd EP K1002
With thanks to Kernow Model Rail Centre I have been able to have a look over the EP of their K1002 which will eventually be Set 373 in Southern unlined malachite green. There will also be three other variations of the 1914 Gate Stock namely: K1001 Set Number 374 in lined Southern Olive Green, K1003 Set 363 in BR lined crimson and finally K1004 in BR Green with tooling to reflect the additional steel plating fitted to this set for this period.
The Driving Brake Third of K1002 2nd EP
All are as per their condition post being modified by the Southern Railway around 1929/30 to their adopted air control (as opposed to mechanical via wires and pulleys) and the driving cab changed to the standard SR 4 window style.
The Trailer Third of K1002 2nd EP
Although it would be nice to have been able to produce a variant in original London South Western Railway (LSWR) condition the commercial consideration of possible sales verses the additional tooling costs precluded such an option (but I am sure some talented pre-grouping modellers might be able to do a conversion and I can provide details / reference information if required).
The video below taken on the Hinton Parva layout of the High Wycombe and District MRS and shows the set running pushed and pulled through a series of point work.
There are still a small number of known additions and slight corrections to be made to the tooling, but these models are really looking the part, all versions of the EPs are being checked over to pick up any other minor corrections needed and extensively test run. Once these tests have been completed and Kernow Model Rail Centre are happy with the running qualities we will move to decorated samples.
The livery artwork is being worked on at present and I have provided some advice to assist Kernow Model Rail Centre with this, they have already completed the box design.
An actual delivery date can not be given at this stage as this will only be known once livery samples have been approved and the model is actually in production.
All the 2nd EPs will be on display on the Kernow Model Rail Centre stand number A75 at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibtion at the NEC this weekend.
I will also be at the Warley Exhibtion all weekend as the ‘unhired’ help playing trains on the Hornby Magazine‘s latest layout Grosvenor Square (just turn a blind eye to the fact that it is a BR Western Region!) on stand A36 so please come and say hello.
Look out for a post show report of anything of a Southern / BR(s) interest that crops up.
In a way this post follows on from my previous ramblings in my ‘armchair’ series such as “Armchair R-T-R Designers” and “Armchair R-T-R tooling and manufacturing Logistics” and even my comment piece on “The process in producing an R-T-R Models”.
Questions were recently raised on a popular model railway forum why certain Ready-To-Run (R-T-R) models either have not been or are going to be produced in either Pre-Grouping liveries or form, even to extent that the manufacturers were losing sales because of it. I would point out however that if the demand was not actually there to sell a complete batch, as minimum production run sizes often come into play, of a certain livery then it might be a case of not enough sales rather than one of loosing sales.
I picked up on this because the models in question being discussed were the recently released Adams O2 class 0-4-4t and the forthcoming Pull Push Gate Stock from The Kernow Model Centre, that were not being produced in London South Western Railway (LSWR) liveries. The particular post also cited the fact some manufacturers had already managed to issued Pre-Grouping livery versions such as: the Bachmann E4 Class 0-6-2t and C Class 0-6-0; and the Hornby M7 0-4-4t. Whilst other models including the Hornby 700 Class 0-6-0 and T9 class 4-4-0 and the aforementioned O2 have not yet been so issued.
In an ideal world if money was no object I am sure the likes of The Kernow Model Centre and even the larger manufacturers such as Hornby would love to tool for all permutations and variations of a particular prototype, but economics do rule and decisions have to be taken based on the size of a potential market for a specific variation / livery and the return possible.
Where the existing tooling is correct / accurate for the same locomotive / rolling with either no or very limited detail changes for an earlier period such as the Pre-Grouping era, or even early Grouping times, then producing such liveries, in perhaps a smaller production run becomes a viable option. However where there would need to be substantial tooling changes, complexities or even completely new tooling the return on such an expense, that can easily run into tens of thousands of pounds, against potential sales needs to be taken into account.
I would therefore not perhaps rule out an LSWR liveried Adams O2 at some stage, as this importantly could be achieved from the existing tooling.
With respect to the Kennow Model Centre ex LSWR Gate Stock these were modified in the early 1930’s from the original LSWR design and therefore the proposed tooling would not be correct for any liveries before that modification took place. Sets 373/4 were converted to Southern Railway air control system in 1929/30 and at the same time gained the standard Southern Railway four window pull push unit style front end, instead of the earlier LSWR 3 window front end. Set 272 was disbanded in 1929 (prior to driving front end and air control conversion) and reformed as set 363 in 1933, with standard SR front and air control, as per sets 373/4.
A version of the Kernow Model Centre ex LSWR Beattie Well Tank was produced in SR Maunsell 1930’s livery No 3329 but as in the early 1930s the Well Tanks were already on their second substantial rebuild, completely new tooling would have been required to be correct for any earlier livery application.
Both the Hornby produced 700 class 0-6-0 and T9 class 4-4-0 engines were fitted with superheaters from the very end of the pre-Grouping period onwards that not only extended the smokeboxes but in the case of the 700 class also raised the pitch of the boilers, by some 9 inches, extended the frames and a new taller cab, and in such a case would not only require a totally new body tooling but would effect the chassis design as well, which even with the high pitched boiler of the superheated version produced is already very tight for space for the motor a gearbox etc. I do note however that that there would be possibly 4 or 5 members of each class that could legitimately be produced in late LSWR livery in the superheated form from the existing tooling, if Hornby felt the the market was there for them.
I hope this post goes a little way to further explain the issues and complexities of producing Ready To Run models and that sometimes it is neither practical or cost effective to be able to please all modellers all of the time. I am pretty sure that none of us want to return to the days of putting any livery on any model regardless of any historical accuracy!
Sometime soon, hopefully around the 20th, the first variation of the Kernow Model Centre Adams O2 class 0-4-4t should land at Southampton dockside following its journey from China (obviously it will then take a short while to actually get the shipment to the Kernow Model Centre). This initial version to land is their K2105 as mainland version number 255 in Southern Railway black with Bulleid style sunshine lettering, which just by chance is ideal for my own modelling period. The expected arrival dates of the other variations can be read on the Kernow Model Centre website here. I have been fortunate to have received one of the models that has been sent in advance by air freight for magazine reviews etc.
Kernow Models K2105 number 225 in ex works condition sits awaiting coaling on Fisherton Sarum
The O2 class of 60 0-4-4 tank locomotives were introduced in 1889 and despite their size proved powerful and were a development of the T1 class. They were originally intended to replace the ageing Beattie tanks. They ended up generally on branch line use across the ex LSWR network although of course off the mainland the class is most associated with their use on the Isle of Wight railways. Some mainland versions like the Kernow Model Centre number 225 example were fitted with the Southern Railway air control pull-push equipment (although it was later removed from 225 in early BR days).
As regular readers will know I have been involved from the outset providing assistance to the Kernow Model Centre with these models so it would be unfair of me to offer a full detailed critical review as this might be seen by some as being a conflict of interest so I will let you make your own mind up from the photographs here or trade press reviews which are hitting the shelves about now.
225 shows off the fine separately applied detail around the Westinghouse pump for Pull-Push operation. Train spotters bunking the shed are keen to take an picture of Fisherton Sarum’s latest arrival…
I will however detail some of the features of the model. Below the running plate it has a cast metal chassis, a coreless motor with gears driving both main axles (the coupling rods are therefore technically cosmetic), electrical pick up is off all wheels including the pony truck and the chassis also has moulded details such as brake gear, rodding (which might be seen by some as being slightly overscale) and guard irons etc. DCC provision has been made simple; the smokebox door is held in place with two small magnets with the 6 pin DCC socket located behind, making fitting a DCC chip a quick job without having to remove the body at all. Under the removable coal load in the bunker is both space and wiring, already in place, for a small cube sound speaker if required.
My version ran sweetly straight out of the box across all speeds and is capable of hauling at least 6 or 7 coaches with ease.
The body which is tooled for a number of variations has a fully detailed cab (the roof being removable for easy access to add crew), some might say that the cab side sheeting and roof edge is of a slight overscale thickness, but this slight compromise will ensure durability. Both the front and rear spectacles are flush glazed. The handrails with the exception of those either side of the cab doors are separately applied items. The buffers are plastic mouldings and are not sprung.
By way of a tease number 225 looks at home propelling one the Kernow Model Centre Gate Stock pull-push sets Engineering Prototypes…
This version being pull-push fitted has the Westinghouse pump (noting it is a smaller size pump than that fitted to the Isle of Wight version for air braking) air tank and associated pipework.
Whilst all the Isle of Wight versions had cab doors fitted not all the mainland versions were so fitted (although as a slight tooling compromise all the models will have), most of the pull-push fitted versions did have them so 225 is correct in this respect.
There is a moulded representation of the copper pipe that was fixed directly to the cab rear plating above the rear spectacles that was drilled with holes to act as a sprinkler allowing crew to dampen down the coal in the bunker to keep the dust down.
Another view of 225 It should be noted that I have not added the buffer beam details supplied with the model yet
A detail pack is provided with each model that includes: buffer beam pipework (including the air control pipes), three link couplings, engine head signal discs and an etched fire irons pack.
Although a simple livery being unlined the ‘Sunshine’ lettering has been nicely applied with the correct slight difference between the lettering and the numerals. She is in ex-works condition hence the bright pipework, steel colour banding around the Westinghouse pump body and also around the cab side cut out, my example will certainly be weathered in due course.
I hope that those whom have ordered these models will feel it has been worth the wait, I certainly think she looks the part. As hinted at above the model looks good paired with the forthcoming ex LSWR Gate Stock Pull Push sets also being produced by the Kernow Model Centre, more details are available here (note that there are a number of corrections still to be made to these Engineering Prototypes, and the driving coach and trailer car illustrated above are from a mix of two sets).
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.
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.
Firstly: Production of the Adams O2 Steam Locomotives has now started and the first models will be leaving China in a couple of weeks time. This does mean that the pre-order special offer price has now ended, but they are still taking orders for these models.
Production of the Adams O2, this image just shows the the level of detail and individual items being applied (picture courtesy and copyright Kernow Model Centre)
It should be noted that the amount of manual labour to assemble these highly-detailed models is very high and this is why the models will take a couple of months to actually produce. It is worth just considering that for a moment – a production line at the factory will be fully-occupied producing the O2 models for three months straight. Imagine that for every hour of every day, you will be inserting tiny pipes into the pull-push gear for months on end! To give a further taste of this there are some images and videos can be viewed on the Kernow Model Centre website here.
The anticipated delivery dates for each version have been advised as follows:
K2101 Number 24 “Calbourne” BR Black early emblem – Expected around October 2015
K2102 Number 16 “Ventnor” BR Black late crest- Expected around November 2015
K2103 Number 30182 BR Black early emblem pull-push fitted – Expected around October 2015)
K2104 Number 30225 BR Black late crest – Expected around December 2015
K2105 Number 225 Southern Black with Bulleid Sunshine lettering pull-push fitted – On board Hyundai Victory, due into Southampton around 15th September 2015
K2106 Number 30193 BR Black early emblem – Expected around September 2015
K2107 Number 207 Southern Maunsell Green pull-push fitted – Expected around December 2015
The first Enginnering Prototype of the K1001 version of the Gate Stock (picture courtesy and copyright KMC)
Secondly: the first off tooling samples for the ex LSWR Gate Stock pull push sets have arrived in the UK and a few tweaks are being made before they can be signed off for production.
Four versions of the 1914 Stock will be available: –
K1001 Set number 374 in SR Lined Maunsell Green livery
K1002 Set number 373 in SR unlined Malachite Green livery
K1003 Set number 363 in BR Crimson livery
K1004 Set number 373 in BR (SR) Green livery
The Graham Farish N Gauge SR Bogie Van B models are about to hit the retailers. The following initial versions will be available:
374-630 SR 50′ Bogie B Luggage Van Southern Green
374-631 SR 50′ Bogie B Luggage Van BR (SR) Green
374-632 SR 50′ Bogie B Luggage Van BR Blue
Dapol
The Dapol first livery sample of E6003
Dapol have released images of the first livery samples of their 00 Class 73 diesel electric locomotives. There are still a few things to correct, including a spurious high intensity headlight on the BR blue version along with some number sizes and positions, but they advise these have been noted and will be corrected.
Hornby have also published an interesting Engine Shed blog post ‘A researcher’s tale’ by Paul Isles about the lot of the Hornby researcher. I was pleasantly surprised to get a name check by Paul, whom I can confirm is very passionate about his role and also a pleasure to assist on a number of fronts…
As many of the regular reader to his blog will know I have been assisting the Kernow Model Centre with the research and development of a number of the their Southern Railway related commissions.
I am pleased to advise that after several iterations of the CADS have been processed that Kernow Model Centre have today signed these off to allow tooling to commence. It should also be noted that they are pleased to confirm that the final set (K1004) will be produced with the modified bodyside sheeting, continuing their commitment to produce models as accurately as possible and incorporating the many individual unique features of each individual vehicle.
Initially four version of the Gate Stock will be available. I also should point out that to produce these four versions accurately it actually requires three different sets of tooling, see if you can spot the differences! (click on images to enlarge)
Each twin pack will contain the Driving Brake Composite (which was downgraded to Driving Brake Third during 1939) and Third coach and will be priced at £99.99. This price is valid for pre-orders only and will rise once the models arrive into stock.
Kernow Model Rail Centre Managing Director Chris Trerise said “It has been a frustrating couple of years where not much has happened. The changes we made last year to work directly with the factory in conjunction with Dave Jones of DJ Models have meant every single outstanding project has come on in leaps and bounds!”
As regular readers of this blog will know I have been assisting the Kernow Model Centre with the development of these Adams O2 models and it’s nice to report this bit of good news. As originally announced back in July 2012 some might question the time taken to get this far and indeed this has
Kernow Models O2 K2101 W24 Calbourne
been longer than anticipated for a number of reasons; however what I can say is that the time taken has been worth it to get all the variants correct to a high standard of detail.
Work is still continuing with the Kernow Model Centre Gate Stock Pull Push Sets with a further set of CAD drawings recently received but these still require a few more minor amendments before we will be happy to sign these off for tooling. I am pleased to also confirm that the tolling will allow for the later characteristic steel panelling modification that was applied to set 373 in its later life.
In other 4mm 00 news…
Bachmann have now added images of the painted samples of the latest version of the ex SECR Wainright 0-6-0 C Class locomotives, click on the links below for the image, both are now shown as being available in July / August this year:
Dapol has advised that work is still progressing on their Class 73 Electro Diesels with JA version (class 73/0) nearly released for tooling whilst final corrections for the JB version (Class 73/1) are taking place.
In 2mm N Gauge news…
Dapol have also now received a further set of CADs for their Maunsell 4-4-0 Schools V Class for checking whilst the previously signed off Bulleid Light Pacifics have been held from tooling to allow for further corrections to the CADs to take place.
In 7mm 0 Gauge news…
The Dapol ex LBSC A1/A1x ‘Terrier’ is towards the end CAD development stage and is being developed in such away to allow for the variations within the A1 and A1x classes to be correctly produced. I have been providing additional information to the Dapol development team with respect to the 25T ‘Pill box’ brake vans and they should be receiving livery samples in due course.
Merry Christmas Fill up your life with love, compassion, tolerance, peace and happiness.
OK so it’s Photshop trickery…my 21C14 in slightly unfamiliar surroundings, but Merry Christmas and Happy new Year to you all!
This will be probably be my last post of 2013 and I look forward to corresponding with you in the new year. Many thanks to all of you whom have taken to the time to read my ramblings over the past 12 months.
Finally in case you missed it a further set of CADs for the Kernow Model Centre O2 and Gate Stock commissions that we have been working on are available to view on their Facebook page (you do not have to be a member to view)
The Gate Stock Cads still requires a couple of tweaks to be made but they can be seen here
The O2 class locomotives are very nearly ready to start cutting metal for the first engineering prototypes and some of the Cads can be seen here
As first announced by Hornby in January this year the models of the BR conversions of Maunsell stock into Twenty Pull Push sets, that were converted by BR(SR) from late 1959 to mid 1960, have now started to hit the retailers. The Hornby models correctly consisted of an 1935 built ex-Diagram 2403 Maunsell Brake Corridor Composite and a Diagram 2023 (ex 1930 built Diagram 2005) Maunsell Second Open (was designated a Third Open until 1956). Hornby have released the sets both as a coach pack (R4534) as Set 610 and the train pack (R3087) as set 600 with M7 30029.
Building on the success of their excellent Maunsell coach range they have of course utilised a number of common components such as the underframes and bogies, complete with their standard close coupling cam arrangement and NEM pockets etc. Both coach bodies are new toolings to take into account the driving brake and also the Diagram 2023 Third / Open Second.
The models correctly recreate the modifications to the prototype; where the brake end was modified by inserting two windows to form a driving compartment, the corridor connection removed and plated over (complete with rivet detail), and droplights replacing the familiar former guard’s lookout duckets. Similarly the outer end of the Second Open had its outer corridor connection removed and plated over but the corridor connection between the two vehicles was retained. Hornby’s attention to detail has included the up-rated EMU style buffer stocks fitted to the outer ends of both coaches along with fine rivet detail, the additional lamp irons, handrails, steps and whistle on the driving end. This attention to detail has also extended to the fact that the driving end bogie correctly has the guard irons represented, and also within the interior that features correctly coloured seating for both 1st. & 2nd. class along with brown partitions, all very nice touches!
Livery and printing matches the high standard of the existing Maunsell Stock range, and unlike on their recently released Van Bs have they managed to get the ‘Guard’ lettering on the doors the correct size. 30029 within the R3087 Train pack version has the shed plate 75F for Tonbridge Wells West, printed on the smokebox door, which is correct for both the 30029’s and Set 600’s allocation for the time period c1963. They have however used the dog clamp fitted smokebox door arrangement on this M7, where in reality 30029 retained the centre dart method of keeping the door closed.
The Second / Third Open type is also due to be released as a Diagram 2005 loose coach in Olive Green as No. 1400 and BR(s) Green as s1314s but of course fitted with standard buffers and corridor connections at each end.
As these were only introduced by BR(s) from 1959 for those of us modelling earlier periods it should be remembered that ex LSWR Gate Stock Pull Push units have been commissioned by Kernow Model Centre for release probably early 2013 and I know that the early stages of the CAD preparation is underway.
Note: ‘Pull Push’ rather than ‘Push Pull’ was the description usually coined by the Southern Railway / Southern Region within working notices etc for these type of workings.
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The model railway world and mainly Southern Railway meanderings of Graham 'Muz' Muspratt
