372-875 No. 319004 in the colourful Network SouthEast (Revised) livery of red, white and blue as the units would have been when fresh into traffic, this model is fitted with a Sprung Stone Faiveley pantograph.
372-876 The Thameslink franchise was operated by Thameslink (Govia) from 1997. The Class 319/1s built in 1990 were the only 319s to feature first class seating but this was quickly removed by Thameslink, following which the units were reclassified as Class 319/3s. No. 319382 depicts a typical Thameslink Class 319/3 in its bold blue and yellow livery and fitted with a Sprung Brecknell Willis pantograph.
372-877 As new trains were acquired for Thameslink services, many 319s found work away from London including twenty 319/3s with Northern Rail. Following light refurbishment, the units were decorated in Northern Electrics livery as carried by No. 319362 which is fitted with a Sprung Brecknell Willis pantograph.
The DTSO with the missing 3rd rail shoe beam from the leading bogie. Picture Courtesy and Copyright KMRC
It is noted that the DTSO is missing the 3d rail shoe beams on the leading bogie and Bachmann Europe are correcting this error by making a replacement bogie available. They will announce more details on that shortly and the process for obtaining them, and should be commended for taking this action.
The Class 319 dual-voltage, four-car Electric Multiple Units were built by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) in York between 1987 and 1988 (Class 319/0) and 1990 (Class 319/1) for use on the north-south cross-London services, notably the then-new Thameslink service which commenced in May 1988 running between Bedford and Brighton. Entering traffic in Network SouthEast colours, the units later received Thameslink livery, and many have subsequently found use with other operators away from London including Northern Rail.
372-875 Class 319 Network South East (revised)
372-875 No. 319004 in the colourful Network SouthEast (Revised) livery of red, white and blue as the units would have been when fresh into traffic, this model is fitted with a Sprung Stone Faiveley pantograph.
372-876 Class 319 Thameslink
372-876 The Thameslink franchise was operated by Thameslink (Govia) from 1997. The Class 319/1s built in 1990 were the only 319s to feature first class seating but this was quickly removed by Thameslink, following which the units were reclassified as Class 319/3s. No. 319382 depicts a typical Thameslink Class 319/3 in its bold blue and yellow livery and fitted with a Sprung Brecknell Willis pantograph.
372-877 Class 319 Northern
372-877 As new trains were acquired for Thameslink services, many 319s found work away from London including twenty 319/3s with Northern Rail. Following light refurbishment, the units were decorated in Northern Electrics livery as carried by No. 319362 which is fitted with a Sprung Brecknell Willis pantograph.
Class 318 NSE close upClass 319 NSE Sprung Stone Faiveley pantographThe Class 319 front face
The new model boasts an impressive specification with highly detailed bodyshells, underframes and bogies. Fitted with a sprung pantograph (Brecknell Willis or Stone Faiveley depending on the unit modelled) and with conductive couplings between each vehicle, just one Next18 Decoder is required for use on DCC. Installing a decoder is a simple process due to the easy-access decoder socket which is accessed by removing one of the underframe panels which is held in place by a single screw.
The powerful coreless motor is coupled to a flywheel, all of which is fitted into the underframe of the MSO vehicle meaning that all four vehicles have unobstructed interiors which are further enhanced by the interior lighting. The models feature switchable directional lighting, plus a pre-fitted speaker.
The Graham Farish Class 319 feature:
Last weekend saw the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC, as in previous years I have always endeavoured to round-up some of the news and items of interest from mainly a Southern / BR(s) perspective. It has been usual for some of the manufacturers to use the event to make announcements of new items or showcase updates to new products under development, this year however relevant new announcements of any kind were very thin on the ground. Hornby and Bachmann generally do not make new product announcements at Warley and will be announcing their new ranges in January next year, other manufactures such as Heljan made a couple of announcements in the week leading up to the Warley show. However I can post a few recent SR / BR(s) related updates / news below.
Heljan
The only Heljan SR related announcement leading up to Warley was the addition to their 009 range of Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Baldwin 2-4-2T Lyn that completes the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway locomotive fleet. Lyn was built by Baldwin in 1898 for the L&BR and shipped to Devon in kit form for assembly at Pilton Works. At the time, the railway needed additional motive power but Manning, Wardle was unable to supply a similar machine to those already in service (and further models of the Manning and Wardle locomotives will be available in December/January OO9 from Heljan, livery samples were on show and I shall possibly update this post with a couple of images in due course).
The full-size replica of Lyn on the the restored Lynton & Barnstaple Railway in North Devon. Picture courtesy & copyright Heljan / Brian Daniels
The new model will depict Lyn in L&BR dark olive green and Southern Railway Maunsell green with authentic detail variations according to period and livery. The initial research work is underway and more details about price, features and specification will be announced later.
Proposed liveries so far announced are as follows:
9980: Works black unnumbered
9981: L&BR dark olive green Lyn (original chimney)
9982: L&BR dark green E762 Lyn (with stovepipe chimney and SR numberplate)
9983: Southern Maunsell green E762 Lyn (pre-1932)
9984: Southern Maunsell green E762 Lyn (post-1932)
Expected Release in 2020. Other new models recently announced by Heljan include a new class 86/1 in 00 and a Clayton Class 17 in 0.
First view of a couple of the 4mm Terrier EP components
On display on the both the Rails and Dapol stands were a couple of Engineering Prototype tooling components in the shape of the one of the cab versions, boiler top and side tanks. It is still very early days in the process but good to see some progress being made and I look forward to seeing more of the EP parts etc in due course.
Dapol
A bit of a catch up as this was announced a few weeks ago but Dapol have also announced that the previously halted work on the N Gauge Bulleid West County and Battle of Britain light pacifics, has recommence for the original air smoothed versions, at least, they do not appear to advised that the rebuilt version will also be re-instated. The versions that appear to be on the cards, with an anticipated release date of early 2020, are as follows:
Battle of Britain ‘Fighter Command’ 21C164 in SR Malachite Green
Battle of Britain ‘Spitfire’ 34066 BR Green Late Crest
TBC BR Green Early Crest
West Country ‘Okehampton’ SR Malachite Green 21C113
West Country ‘Watersmeet’ 34030 BR Green Late Crest
West Country ‘Exeter’ 34001 BR Green Early Crest Dapol Collectors Club ‘2019 Club Special’
I hope that comments previously provided to Dapol after the release of their first CADs get taken onboard further details and specification are still to be confirmed.
Bachmann
Although as stated above no new announcements were expected or indeed made by Bachmann.
The Class 159 DMU EP Picture courtesy and copyright Bachmann Europe.
Very many thanks to all those who found me, somewhat out of my comfort zone, operating the Hornby Magazine West Coast Cement layout, being non Southern, DCC amd Modelrn Image… enabling me to at least talk about a few Southern topics… It was, as always, good to meet readers of this little corner of the web!
Warley is one of the only shows where due to the nature of the other exhibitions taking place at the NEC where you can share a hotel lift heading for breakfast with a leather clad biker and hobbit in full cosplay outfit!
Kernow Model Rail Centre have today announced that they have been working with Bachmann to produce the Southern Region 4-TC unit, also known as class 491 and later class 438, that were usually propelled by 4 REP EMUs, Class 33/1s and also Class 73s, Class 74s and other compatible 1951/57/63 built EMUs. Although the 4-TCs were un-powered the Southern Region regarded them as Electric Multiple Units.
The first Engineering Prototype sample of the Kernow model Rail Centre 4-TCThis model, although based on the existing Bachmann Mk1 design, actually required three totally new tools to produce the four car unit along with their correct bogies and therefore is the equivalent of tooling three completely new locomotives. Despite this Kernow Model Rail Centre have managed to keep the price of the unit to £289.95, which is reduced to £269.95 if you place a pre-order before the model leaves China.
The first Engineering Prototype (EP) sample has been received and a few tweaks are required, such as moving the headlight to the correct position and re-configuring the wiring to allow the unit to be connected in the correct formation.
Another view of the first EP of the 4-TCThe units will feature working internal lights and the head and tail destination blinds also illuminate. Separate connecting doors are provided to give variations in headcodes, similar to the previous Bachmann 4-CEP. The unit is wired throughout using connectors similar to the Bachmann Blue Pullman, which allows full electrical connectivity while also allowing relatively easy uncoupling when required.
A side on view of the first EP of the 4-TCSwitches below the unit allow the internal lights to be switched on or off, and also allow for independent switching of the destination blinds at the front and rear of the unit. The model is fitted with a 21 Pin DCC Decoder socket and also has provision for DCC Sound fitting. One decoder is required for DCC operation and is fitted within the luggage compartment of the Trailer Brake Corridor Second (TBSK) vehicle. The switching arrangements for internal unit lighting are replicated for DCC and can all be controlled from the single decoder.
Initially six liveries will be produced, with delivery expected to be around January 2017:
The 4-TCs were converted from Mk1 loco-hauled coaches, with 31 units converted in 1966-7 by British Rail Engineering at York Works. Initially 28 x 4 car units were created with 3 x 3 car units. The four car units were formed Driving Trailer Second Open (DTSO), Trailer First Corridor (TFK), Trailer Brake Corridor Second (TBSK) and Driving Trailer Second Open (DTSO). The 3 car units omitted the TFK. Summer services to Weymouth were frequently overcrowded so in 1974 a further 3 x 4 car units were converted and at the same time the 3 car units had a TFK inserted to make them up to 4 car units.
4-TC Unit number 416 in BR Blue livery with small yellow warning panels and etched BR logos as per model 32-640ZWhen the route from London Waterloo to Bournemouth was electrified in 1967 there was insufficient funds to complete the electrification of the route through to Weymouth. An alternative method of operation was designed with high-powered Class 430 4-REP units propelling one or two 4-TC units from Waterloo to Bournemouth. At Bournemouth the 4-REP would be detached and a Class 33/1 Diesel Locomotive would be attached at the Weymouth end to haul either one or two 4-TCs through to Weymouth. In the reverse direction the 4-TCs would be propelled from Weymouth to Bournemouth where the 4-REP would then haul the 4-TCs to Waterloo, leaving the Class 33/1 at Bournemouth to await the next Weymouth service.
4-TC unit number 8022 in BR Blue and Grey livery with Network SouthEast branding as per model 32-642ZThe usual area of operation of these versatile units was between London Waterloo and Weymouth, although they could frequently be seen throughout the South Western division of the Southern Region. Regular duties included the Kenny Belle peak shuttle service between Kensington Olympia and Clapham Junction. They were also used extensively on West of England line duties between Yeovil and Salisbury to London Waterloo and between Reading and Portsmouth Harbour. Until the closure of the Swanage branch they worked on through trains from London Waterloo.
4-TC unit number 410 in BR Blue livery with half yellow ends Premier Charter with etched BR logos as per model 32-644ZRailtours saw the units make trips to varied locations throughout British Rail, including Birmingham, Cardiff, Meldon and Barnstaple.
With the electrification of the entire Weymouth line complete by 1988, along with electrification of other South Western division routes, the need for the 4-TCs was removed and most were withdrawn by 1990. Two units were retained and repainted in original blue livery, albeit with larger yellow warning panels, with the intention to use them for “Premier Charters”, a role which they performed until 1994.
Chris Trerise, Managing Director of Kernow Model Rail Centre, said “When I first left Cornwall to work for British Rail I was based at London Waterloo and was immediately fascinated by the Southern and the variety of units in operation. The 4-TC has always been a favourite of mine and there was never any doubt that Bachmann would produce a model to be proud of. This is probably the largest project we have embarked on but our team work very closely with Bachmann and this has made the entire process very enjoyable. We are really looking forward to receiving the painted samples!”
All images on this page are courtesy of and copyright of Kernow Model Rail Centre / Chris Trerise.
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The model railway world and mainly Southern Railway meanderings of Graham 'Muz' Muspratt