Tag Archives: Pull Push sets

Kernow Models, Model News, Model Reviews

The first ex LSWR Gate Stock sets arrive from Kernow Model Rail Centre

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The ex London and South Western Railway (LSWR) Gate Stock sets from Kernow Model rail Centre, were first announced back in 2011 and although the process has been a long one with a few hurdles along the way, the four being produced will shortly be available (they are on the high seas as I post this). These models represent the 56ft stock, originally built by the LSWR in 1914 and as later converted in the early 1930s by the Southern Railway to their now adopted standard Pull Push air control system and the SR four window driving end.  The last set to be withdrawn was set 373 in 1960.

K1002 Set 373 in Southern Malachite.

Although only four versions are being produced there are a still a number of detail variations  which has meant quite complex tooling, albeit still with a small number of compromises. The most obvious difference being the addition steel plating applied to Set 373, towards the end of its life under British Railways, which has been tooled for as version K1004. The four versions being produced are as follows:

K1003 set 363 in Crimson. Picture courtesy and copyright A York / BRM

K1001 Set number 374 in SR Lined Maunsell Green livery as carried between 1933 and circa 1945
K1002 Set number 373 in SR unlined Malachite Green livery as carried between circa 1947 and circa 1949

K1004 Set 373 in BR Green. Picture courtesy and copyright A York / BRM

K1003 Set number 363 in BR Crimson livery  as carried between 1950 and circa 1954 when subsequent re varnishing made the lining almost invisible.
K1004 Set number 373 in BR (SR) Green livery  (in reality a heavily varnished malachite with BR number style and positions)

The distinctive etched gates. Picture courtesy and copyright A York / BRM

Each set, comprising of a driving brake trailer and an open third trailer, is packaged within a single Kernow Model Rail Centre house style cardboard box with inner plastic tray lid. As supplied the coaches are fitted with NEM tension lock couplings in sprung close coupling cams, but two different lengths of a fixed bar are also provided to allow for different close coupling lengths between the coaches depending on the purchaser’s layout curves.
The characteristic vestibule ‘gates’ that of course gave rise to the name of this stock are exquisitely etched but robust separate components. A detail pack includes the air control hoses for the coach ends.

The development of these models has at times been frustrating with a number of challenges that have tried to be over come in as economical way as possible.  I certainly believe that the models capture the very distinctive look of the prototypes well, however as with any process especially when the CAD work, tooling and manufacture is carried out on a different continent, such as in this case China, occasionally it does mean errors do creep in, but lessons have certainly been taken on board for future projects.

Both the ‘outer’ ends of K1002 Set 373.

A number of us involved have tried to ensure the result is as good as possible, now that the first of the finished models have arrived, the majority of the product batch is still on the high seas, on closer inspection a small number of errors have additionally come to light. However I do not feel that they detract from the overall model (except for those most vocal & critical rivet counters for whom perhaps no model will ever meet their perceived standards).

A view of the underframe of the Driving Trailer.

Starting below the underframe the bogies frames are slightly too narrow (the datum for tooling possibly taken from the 00 wheel face), resulting in slightly deeper stepboards but with weathering the effect will be minimised. Although the detail of the construction of the underframe with fine trussing and planking etc. is well represented an error has occurred with transposing of the brake V hangers and battery boxes (the correct information for which was certainly supplied to China).

A closer look at the driving trailer coach of set 363. Picture courtesy and copyright A York / BRM

On the coach bodies, the slight tumblehome and panelling is well captured and windows fitted with flush glazing throughout. A number of the small detail differences between the sets has been incorporated where possible, such as the air operated whistle and front window wiper positions. The large number of complex and varied shaped handrail are all separately fitted items.

A view of the ‘inner’ ends showing the nicely represented gangways.

A slight mismatch in the tooling tolerances between the side and ends has resulted in a very slight height anomaly only visible on very close inspection of the relative positions of the top of the front driver’s windows and the waistband beading on the inner ends, but this is hardly visible on the final painted versions and the eye is very much drawn to the good representations of the scissors gangways, steps and handrails.

A comparison between the later plated set 373 in Green and set 363 in crimson. Picture courtesy and copyright A York / BRM

On the version of set 373 with the plating (K1004) the requested representation of the flush rivets, that certainly should not be proud, has resulted in slight dimples where perhaps the intention was for the pint to fill more than it has.
Inside the coaches a representation of the seating is provided however one internal partition is missing between the second and third window bays at the inner ends and also for some inexplicable reason a bench seat goes totally across the inner end (on the driving trailer only, the trailer coach is correct) which should be two plus seating giving access to the corridor connection between the coaches.

An extract of an image of set 363 taken in 1952 showing the waist lining

At least one magazine reviewer has questioned the waistband lining on K1003 set 363 in BR crimson, but this is correct and  the photographic evidence exists, taken at Bisley in 1952  (although I cannot post the full image here due to copyright).

The body off the chassis. Picture courtesy and copyright A York / BRM

The large windows and the open nature of these coaches with the gated vestibules do mean that populating the models with passengers would add to the effect and to enable this the bodies are simply fixed the chassis via clips along the sides and can therefore be carefully prised apart. Grip the body in one hand and the chassis in another, and sliding a piece of plasticard between the two, lift the body off, leaving the representation of the interior seating  available to add passengers and if required perhaps add the missing partition and cut back the spurious bench seat across the inner ends.

These sets could be found on the following services at various times during their life: Seaton – Seaton Junction, Yeovil Town – Yeovil Junction (363, 373), Lee-on-the-Solent – Fareham (374 up to 1930), Ascot – Guildford (374), Farnham – Guildford (374), Bordon – Guildford (373), Plymouth – Turnchapel (363, 373, 374), Plymouth – St Budeaux – Tavistock (including Bere Alston – Callington non Pull Push mode) (363, 373, 374). They also saw railtour use during the 1950’s and have been recorded at Plymouth, Plymstock, Callington, Turnchaple, Exteter, Yeovil, Salisbury, Bisley, Bournemouth, Poole, and Swanage.

I am sure that most modellers of the SR and BR(s) of the western section will be pleased with these models and they make an ideal companion to either the Hornby ex LSWR Drummond M7 or indeed the Kernow Model Rail Centre’s own commissioned ex LSWR Adams O2 0-4-4Ts.

 

Fisherton Sarum, Kernow Models, Model News, Model Reviews

The first Kernow Model Centre Adams O2 0-4-4t to arrive soon

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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).

General, Kernow Models, Model News

A few new BR(s) related arrivals in the market

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This is just a quick update post to advise of a number of BR(s) model items in at the retailers this week.

Firstly, from  Hornby, after what seems like an age waiting, not one Pull Push set but two..both the A and B versions of the  R4534 ex Maunsell Pull-Push coach pack are now in stockists.  As I have previously advised the A version is numbered as set 616 whilst the B version appears as Set 603.

Hornby are charging more for the B version than the A version and many reputable  retailers, such as my friends at the Kernow Model Centre,  have kept the A price as originally offered and not sneaked it up to match the B version price. I am advised that the A version has already sold out at Hornby although a quick look at some retailers websites show a reasonable level of stock for both versions. My review of the first batch of Pull Push sets can be read here.

Also recently arrived is the R4536B Hornby Bogie Passenger Brake B Coach [sic] number S217S in BR (SR) Green livery. The correct Southern term for this item of rolling stock is Bogie Van B. My review of the first batch of Bogie Van B’s can be read here, and I am pleased to advise the slightly oversize ‘Guard’ lettering noted has now been corrected.

Both these items are excellent models and show what Hornby can achieve when at its best.

The other item of BR(s) interest to arrive, which like the above Pull Push Units are actually out of my own modelling timeframe, hence no pictures or a full review is the updated Class 33/0 from Heljan. When first released the original Heljan Class 33/0 was let down by a number of things including: an incorrect roof profile, poorly moulded roof grill, later style roof panel fixings and the bogie springs not being set in enough. This new version was only announced at Warley last year, following a fall out with Rail Exclusive Models whom had commissioned a new version. BR(S) green versions and more modern ‘Dutch’ engineers livery versions have now been released. The roof profile is indeed much improved as is the roof fan grill with a visible fan below and the bogie springs. The body side grill has changed from being moulded detail to a a possibly too coarse etching and on Dutch livery version some of the previous raised detail has been replaced with printed only and the loco numbers appear to be in the wrong font, so all in all some good points and some bad.

Kernow Models, Model News

Kernow Model Centre O2 progresses to tooling and other model news

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I am pleased to exclusively announce that the CAD drawings for the 6 versions of the Kernow Model Centre Adams 0-4-4T O2 class locomotives have now been signed off to enable tooling to commence.

Kernow Models K2105 No 225

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:

31-463   C Class 0-6-0 271 SECR Plain Green
31-464   C Class 0-6-0 593 Southern Railway Black Green Lining

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.

Model News

Bachmann E4 EP update and Hornby delivery news

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Further to my last post with the first Bachmann E4 class Engineering Prototype pictures I am now also able to post the following images that are copyright and courtesy of Andy York (clicking the images will enlarge).

These further images clearly show the fact that the smokebox door dart handles are indeed separately applied items, as this was not originally fully clear from the initial pictures.
Mention has been made of the size of the front wheel splashers being oversize, this is indeed the case, but like previous models such as the Bachmann 3F and 4F models, this is a compromise due to 00 gauge wheel standards and the depth of the flanges. Any other compromise such as reducing the wheel diameter will result in other issues such as buffer heights etc.
The whistle on this sample is also mounted on the cab roof this will be correct for the LBSC livery version but this was later moved to the boiler to meet the SR composite loading gauge post Grouping. I am sure that Bachmann will be reflecting this.
Engineering Prototypes by their nature are often an amalgam of some of the tooling options.

In other news, to coin a phrase, Hornby have released details of what will be hitting the shops in the next 6 to 8 weeks or so, so presumably are already on the high seas from China. The full list can be seen here, but for BR(s) modellers the items of interest are the following listed as being due before the end of February:
R4534A BR(s) Maunsell Converted Pull Push set No. 616
R4534B BR(s) Maunsell Converted Pull Push set No. (Edit: 03/02/14 Set Number 603)
R4536B  Bogie B van in BR Green

General, Model News, Model Reviews

R4538 Maunsell open second class coach in BR green arrives

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Just a quick post to confirm that as advised in my delivery status update post, on 22nd May, the Hornby R4538 Maunsell open second class coach in BR green has now arrived with many retailers although those of you, like me, wanting the SR open third version will have to wait a little longer until September.
Although I do not have one of the BR liveried versions as it outside my usual 1946-1949 time period, I have in the past been fortunate to have had a close look at the pre-production sample, of course we have also seen the modified version as part of the 6xx series Pull Push sets, and it certainly maintains the high standards we have come to enjoy with the other Hornby Maunsell coaches produced to date.

Exhibitions, Fisherton Sarum, Kernow Models, Talking Stock

Talking Stock #23 Pull Push set 734 ex LSWR Emigrant Stock

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The Southern Railway following on from its constituents made use of Pull Push sets across the network and this practice carried on well into British Railways Southern Region days. Other railways companies also made of such although they were often also known as autocoach, motor coach or push pull sets on these other railways. Originally many of the units were converted from either ex steam railmotors, following early pre grouping experiments  that found them to be inflexible and often under powered, and a mix of converted pre-grouping coaches.

Set 734 heads west past the shed at Fisherton Sarum

The main topic of this post are the nine Pull Push  sets converted from ex LSWR 46′ 6″ Emigrant corridor stock in 1942/3 that created sets 731 to 739. The sets comprised of a Driving Brake Third and a Composite and they retained their corridor connection between the two coaches. Although converted at the same time there were differences between the sets:  sets 731 to 4 were identical,  sets 735/7 had a slightly different Brake Third, sets 738/9 shared the same style Brake Third as sets 735/7 but with a different style of composite; confusing I know! The sets were widely travelled over all three sections of the Southern network and survived until 1959/1961.

Set 734 arrives at Ashland

My model of Set 734 that appears on Fisherton Sarum from time to time, and occasionally Hornby Magazine’s Ashland is a Northstar Models built set. Unfortunately Northstar Models that manufactured a number of limited ready to run ex LSWR coaches are no longer available. They were a Christmas present to myself a few years ago now.

Kernow Model Centre has commissioned the ex LSWR ‘Gate Stock’ Pull Sets numbers 363, 373/4 to be produced and hopefully these will make an appearance in early 2014, further details can be found here.

The Southern Region also created 20 Pull Push sets from late 1959 to mid 1960 as replacements for earlier Push Pull sets of SR and pre-grouping design. They consisted of two Maunsell vehicles, an ex-diagram 2403 BCK and an ex diagram 2005 SO.  These sets have now been produced by Hornby and my review can read here, they do not run on Fisherton Sarum as they outside my usual 1946 to 1949 modelling period.

Model News

Southern models perform well in Model of the Year polls

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Each year Model Rail magazine, RMweb and MREmag join forces to ask modellers to vote for their favourite models of the preceding 12 months. The results of the latest poll, are published today on both  RMweb and MREmag .

In another busy year for new British ready-to-run models in the three major scales, Bachmann Europe emerged as the clear winner, sweeping the board in ‘N’ gauge, winning all but one of the ‘00’ categories and scooping the overall Manufacturer of the Year award with almost 60% of the vote.

Southern Railway / Southern Region  models were top in many categories: Hornby claimed just one top prize – for its popular Maunsell pull-push coaches, whilst the Bachmann C Class 0-6-0 won the best ’00’ Steam outline model and their 25T SR ‘Pillbox’ brake vans won both the ’00’ and ‘N’ wagon categories.

Model Rail editor Ben Jones added: “Congratulations to all our winners. There are worthy victors in every category, but the quality of many models that didn’t win is testament to the high standards now being achieved by all our RTR manufacturers.”  The full list of Model of the Year 2012 awards winners is published in the Spring issue of MODEL RAIL magazine, on sale Thursday March 21st.

General, Model News

Hornby Announce additional Pull Push set due November

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In light of the demand for the recently released BR(s) Pull Push sets converted from Maunsell coaches Hornby have today announced the additional release of coach pack R4534A as Set 616 comprising of Driving Brake Composite number S6695S and Second Open number S1359S.  The coach pack should be available in November.
This is a sensible addition to the range and looks likely to have been pulled forward from next years catalogue to meet the obvious demand, so full marks to Hornby.  My review of the Pull Push sets can be read here. 

Set 616 was originally Central Section based but was transfered  to the Western Section during 1962.

A further addition to the 2012 range is R3159  a new M7 class number 30055. This is a long frame pull push fitted version and therefore suitable motive power for the Pull Push Sets. Unlike 30029 contained in the R3087 Train pack 30055 should have the dog clamp style smokebox door, and is illustrated as such on the packaging for the coach packs so hopefully it will be modelled correctly by Hornby.

General, Model News

Hornby BR(s) Pull Push images added to review post

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Just a quick post to advise that further to my review of the excellent Hornby models of the BR(s) Pull Push sets converted from Maunsell coaches I have now added my own images of Set 610 from the R4534 coach pack to my review post here.

As per my subsequent post regarding availability of these sets here  further deliveries to complete retailers outstanding pre-orders of R3087 and R4534 should be completed in July. I would  add that this does not mean that retailers whom have  either not got outstanding orders or ordered enough at the time will be able to order more of this batch as they may already be all accounted for.