The not so annual 00 gauge wish list poll has gone live today and runs until 1800 on Friday 30 December. The team last ran The 00 Wishlist Poll back in autumn 2019. They listed over 800 items together with a massive Poll Guide and it simply became unsustainable – for many reasons – to maintain that format. However, some of those reasons have ‘dissipated’ and we have seen a number of model companies appear over the horizon. Therefore it was felt that a revamped version (but without The Guide) would be fun to run.
The purpose of The Poll is to provide an easy way for modellers and collectors to tell the major manufacturers and commissioners of ready-to-run railway models what they would like to see made from new tooling (excluding models announced, tooled or made since 2005). It should be noted that the poll is only being run for 00 gauge models. There are plenty of Southern Railway / Southern Region related items to vote for, hint hint.
Voting covers steam, diesel and electric locos; DMUs; EMUs; passenger and non-passenger-carrying coaching stock; freight and departmental stock see here The Contents of The 00 Wishlist Poll 2022
A full report of the results will be published on RMweb from early January and no doubt in a number of magazines along with a summary of the Southern / Southern Region related results on this blog.
The annual Wishlist Poll is back for 2018 following a break in 2017 and has started today. The purpose of The Poll is to provide an easy way for modellers and collectors to tell the major manufacturers and commissioners of ready-to-run railway models what they would like to see made from new tooling (excluding models announced, tooled or made since 2000). It should be noted that the poll is only being tun for 00 gauge models this year.
There are plenty of Southern Railway / Southern Region related items to vote for, hint hint. A lot has happened since the 2016 poll results were published. The breakdown of items announced so far including those SR related, and sometimes even delivered by now, is as below:
10 From the Top 50 (inc. the Lord Nelson, Terrier, P Class & Maunsell RF)
17 From the High Polling segment (inc. 10¼” vent Bulleid coaches)
9 From the Middle Polling segment (inc. the E1, Class 410/412 & 15” vent Bulleid coaches)
3 From the Low Polling segment (nothing SR)
There are 20 categories covering steam locos of the Big Four and BR; Diesel & Electric Locomotives; DMUs; EMUs; Coaches; Non-passenger-carrying Coaching Stock; Freight Stock; General Service Stock; Standard Gauge Industrial Locomotives; and finally London Underground.
So what’s new or different for SR modellers in 2018? You will find all your usual favourite / possibly wanted locos still listed; such the U, Z, Bulleid Leader etc., but the following are included within the poll for the first time this year:
LBSCR Marsh J1 & J2 Class 4-6-2T
LSWR Adams A12 ‘Jubilee’ 0-4-2
LSWR Drummond K10 4-4-0
LSWR Drummond L11 4-4-0
LSWR Drummond T14 ‘Paddlebox’ 4-6-0
Shunters 15201-15203 (SR1-SR3)
The poll has ‘split’ the previously combined SECR D & E classes thus:
4-4-0 SECR D (31057-31750 with gaps)
4-4-0 SECR E (31036-31587 with gaps)
The following are new in the EMU category:
5 BEL Southern Railway Brighton Belle (c.1957-c.1964)
Class 700/707/717
The following are new in the SR Coaches category:
LBSCR 4-wheel Stock
LBSCR Elliptical (‘Balloon’) Stock
SECR/SR – Pull & Push No.660
Last year Bachmann announced its Bulleid range, but this has left the following gaps, which are now listed individually:
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.
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
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.
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.
The winners of the first British Model Railway Awards for 2016 have been announced today and can be read here. This year saw a resurgence for Hornby wining not only 00 manufacturer of the year, but also Overall Manufacturer of the year, helped by within a number of the categories Southern Railway / Region related products winning and or polling highly.
Set 45 comprising of a Dia 418 Brake Composite and and Dia 99 Brake Third
Also polling well was their Class 71 electric locomotive with over 25% of the vote in the 00 Gauge modern traction award; therefore ensuring that the Southern Railway is well represented in the awards, which is always good news. With the Hornby original Merchant Navy and ex SECR H Class 0-4-4T due to the hit retailers this year in my opinion they will also have a strong contenders for the awards in 2017 as well.
Also well done to the UK Model Shops website for justifiably winning the website of the year award, for the second year in a row, a category in which I was surprised to have been again nominated and came a creditable 5th among a wide range of high quality and informative websites, so many thanks to all who did take the time to vote.
The Bachmann Europe team met up this week with the model trade press to update the market on the latest developments and progress, a full report can be found on the RmWeb forum here and I take this opportunity to update ion those items of a Southern / Southern Region interest. Although no new announcements were made it was indicated that the next catalogue and product announcements are likely to take place earlier next year, probably at some point in January. Although Bachmann have experienced delays in both the design and production arenas over the last couple of years tit is good news that they appear to starting to catch up a bit during the last twelve months or so of consolidation as had been previously promised.
The 1st EP of the ex SECR 60′ Birdcage Brake composite (Dia 2432). Picture Copyright and courtesy A York/BachmannThe item of most interest for Southern modellers was the first images of the first Engineering Prototypes (EP) for the ex SECR 60′ Birdcage stock Trio ‘C’ 30 sets, (SR set Nos 567-570, 575-589, 602-5 and 612-8) announced back in March 2013. These compriise of aBrake Composite to SR Diagram 162, a Composite to SR Diagram 315 and Brake Third to SR Diagram 160. These sets pretty much remained intact throughout their lives until withdrawal between 1956 and 1958.
1st EP Ex SECR 60′ Birdcage stock composite (Dia 2315) . Picture Copyright and courtesy A York/BachamnnAs can be seen from the pictures, copyright and courtesy of Andy York and Bachmann, the first impressions are very favourable with a high level of detail, although I have not had the chance to see them up close and in the flesh (plastic) yet.
Ex SECR 60′ Brake Third EP (Dia 2431). Picture Copyright and courtesy A York/BachmannAlso the ex LBSC H2 class Atlantic, announced even earlier in August 2013, has now also progressed to tooling for the engineering Prototypes and we hope to see these EPs soon.
Delivery of both the Birdcage stock and the H2 Atlantic is expected in May 2017.
The Model Rail ref MR-102 USA Tank as No 68 in SR livery. Picture copyright and courtesy Kernow Model CentreThe SR / BR(s) USA 0-6-0 tanks being produced by Bachmann for Model Rail magazine are imminent to arrive at Bachmann’s Barwell HQ, before being shipped to the Kernow Model Centre for orders to be despatched, this could take a few weeks to complete due to the shear column of orders so be patient.
The South West Trains class 450 Desiro 3rd rail units, based on tooling changes to the previously released 350 class units are now ready to enter production although delivery was stated as being likely to be February 2017, while the class 414 2 Hap units announced earlier this year are still at the design stage. Although announced back in march 2015 along with the Class 450, the 45 ton Ransomes and Rapier steam crane is still at the design stage prior to CAD work taking place, so is some way off yet.
Keep an eye on this blog in the next week or so for further updates on both released and imminent Southern / Southern Region relevant models form other manufacturers.
At long last, assisted by a few days off work over the recent Easter weekend, I have finally completed a few outstanding items on the workbench. This has mainly been around renumbering, naming and weathering a few items of rolling stock so I thought I would share with you some of the locomotives that I have now finished.
Battle of Britain Class 21C149 ‘Anti Aircraft Command’ with her distinctive orange background to the emblem
First up, is a Bullied Battle Britain Class 21c149 ‘Anti Aircraft Command’ for friend and fellow post war period modeller Robin Sweet (Gwrrob on RMweb) for use on his excellent, albeit GWR, layout ‘Brent’ based on South Brent in Devon to represent one the regular SR crew route familiarisation turns, via Dawlish to Plymouth that also took WR engines over the ex LSWR north Dartmoor route.
The other side of 21C149 the addition of the RT Models front steps and Cylinder Drain pipes certainly complete the look.
21C149 was in this period a Salisbury engine, so again like the N Class I have done for Rob before, again a nice link to Fisherton Sarum, but Exmouth Junction must have hijacked her for a while…
She started as a Hornby 21C159 split from one their train packs as this was in the correct condition with the original forward position of the safety valves, She gained the wedge shaped cab modification in March 1948, was named in April that year and not fully renumbered to 34049 until April 1949. In addition to the renumbering and naming using HMRS Pressfix decals and Fox Transfers etched nameplates, I also fitted front steps and cylinder drain pipes from the excellent RT Models range, Springside Models front lamps and real coal in the tender.
S15 number 829 with Urie flared topped tender
Secondly are two Hornby S15s, one as number 829 from the first batch of the Maunsell S15s built in July 1927 paired with a Urie style tender and one as number 845 from the third batch of Maunsell S15s built in October 1936 paired with a Maunsell flat sided bogie tender.
S15 number 845 with Maunsell flat sided tender
Number 829 was a Salisbury allocated engine during my 1946 to 1949 modelling period, whilst 845 was initially allocated to Feltham but in 1947 was moved to Exmouth Junction and therefore would also have regularly been seen at Salisbury.
Schools Class V number 929 ‘Malvern’
Finally for now, is Hornby Schools Class V number 929 ‘Malvern’ whose repainting and numbering was the topic of my Workbench Wittering #2 post way back in June last year! Now finally her weathering is complete. As I mentioned in that post Schools class number 929 “Malvern” was one of only seven members of the class not to regain malachite green livery after the war, but stayed in SR black until January 1949. The Schools Class V were not often seen at Salisbury in SR days but as she was a Brighton allocated engine from 1947 my excuse is that she has arrived on one of the Brighton to Plymouth services that changed locomotives at Salisbury.
That’s all for now, I will post some details of some of the other items of rolling stock that I recently completed in due course.
The finished and weathered Bachmann N class as 1848, the top front lamp iron, missing from the Bachmann model is made from a staple and a Sprinside SR lamp drilled to be an interface fit added
I detailed my process in my post mentioned above but will remind you of it again here for completeness now that the process has been completed over the Christmas break and the locomotive weathered, delivered and run on its new home.
a rear 3/4 view of 1848, real coal has been added to the tender along with crew.
My repainting process takes place with the bodies removed from the chassis:
– Remove the existing decals (with Bachman locos I used good quality enamel thinners on a cotton bud)
– Remove factory fitted such as smoke deflectors, pipework, valve fittings, glazing etc.
– Mask any areas such the buffer beams
N Class 1848 enters Brent Station on Rob’s excellent layout
– Give a dusting of the excellent Halfords plastic primer, this gives a key for the top coat and prevents any reaction between the factory paint and the top coat of Halfords Satin black
– Brush paint matt black the smokebox and cab roof, repaint the buffer beams if required
The train spotters view over the fence at Brent station
My weathering process once the locomotive is fully reassembled (prior to weathering I apply oil on moving parts
!848 catches late evening sunlight as she rounds rounds the curve leaving the station
such as valve gear joints etc) is as follows:
– Pick out some details in relevant colours such as block dust colour on and around brake blocks, rust on guard irons and exposed firebox sides under the running plate, oily steel and grease on brake pull rods and reversing rod etc.
– Streak a wash of dirty thinners from top to bottom of
Crossing the road bridge with a view of South Dartmoor beyond. Meanwhile the Postman is completing his round.
tender and cab sides and boiler
– Airbrush dirty black over the boiler took to represent soot deposits
A final close up of 1848 at home amongst Rob’s excellent scenic work and very effective backscene.
– Airbrush a dirty track colour mix from the bottom upwards over the chassis and slightly up the body sides, not forgetting the tender rear and smokebox front. I do this as a couple of light passes moving the wheels and motion between passes to ensure no shadows appear.
– If required lightly clean off weathering from some areas such as around numbers etc or where crew might had lightly cleaned or grabbed handrails etc.
It was nice to see some Southern influence deep in GWR territory, but of course it was a usual practice for both SR and GWR crew to remain familiar with each other routes to Plymouth in case of the need of diversion, due for example to weather conditions. Number 1848 was in fact a Salisbury based in engine just post war, so quite apt from Fisherton Sarum perspective, she must therefore have been hijacked by Exmouth Junction shed for a run down to Plymouth.
Over the last few years an annual wish list poll has been run as a collaboration between MREmag and RMweb it is no coincidence that many of the items that have appeared at the top of these polls in past years have subsequently appeared in the main manufactures ranges.
The purpose of The Poll is to provide an easy and enjoyable way for modellers and collectors to tell the major manufacturers and commissioners of ready-to-run railway models what they would like to see made from new tooling (excluding models announced, tooled or made since 2000).
There are 21 categories in N and 00 covering: Steam locos of the Big Four and BR; Diesel & Electric Locos; DMUs & EMUs; Coaches; Non-passenger-carrying Coaching Stock; Freight Stock; General Service Stock; and other railway-related items (such as turntables). Two new categories this year cover Standard Gauge Industrial and London Underground.
To act as an aide-memoire, the 9-man Poll Team has again provided The Guide. If you don’t know the build dates of the various BR Mk1 catering vehicles, or whether one particular 0-6-0 steam loco will suit your needs better than others, you will find all the answers there – and many more! This guide can be found here.
If you have any queries, please contact The Poll Team by email here
Go on…vote for anything Southern you know you want to…go on…that’s right Southern…
Last weekend I had the privilege to be assisting fellow High Wycombe and District MRS members Alan and Simon Paley with their delightful Pre-Grouping layout Loughborough Road (on which most of the pictures below were taken) at the excellent RMweb live event in Coventry. It was also a chance to catch up with a number of the manufacturers and see their progress on some Southern related models.
Kernow Models O2 class Mainland Pull Push fitted version
Firstly further progress is being made with the Kernow Model Centre’s ex LSWR Adams O2 locomotives and I am pleased to advise the second engineering prototypes (EP’s) have now been received. Unlike the first EP’s received that were a bit of a mix of some of the tooling options these samples combine the all the correct tooling options for the each of the seven variants being produced.
Kernow O2 rear 3/4 view
Also a couple of issues highlighted from the first EP’s have also been corrected. Now that these models are being project managed by Dave Jones of DJ Models the development has moved on a pace and the livery details can now be completed. As I reported here the Kernow Models Gate Stock sets also being managed by DJ Models have recently been signed off for tooling to commence.
Hornby Drummond 700 Class EP
Hornby were represented at the RMweb Live show by Simon Kohler, now working as a consultant to them, and with his kind permission was able to take a close up look at some of their new items either just released or in development.
Firstly the Drummond 700 this model was first announced at the end of last year is now also at the 2nd EP stage.
Hornby Drummond 700 Class
They have certainly captured the look the prototype and I am advise they hope to have these in the shops before Christmas. The changes made to the originally announced number and livery versions that I reported here back in January, following my discussion with Hornby, has now been confirmed to all retailers. They will be producing E695 (Maunsell pre-1931 lined black) , 30315 (BR Late Crest) and 30693 (BR Early Crest).
Hornby 2 Hal in Southern unlined olive green livery
The well documented supply chain difficulties experienced by Hornby over the last few years do actually appear to be finally resolved with a flow of new production appearing to arrive, including further batches of the 2 Bil and R3194 Hornby Schools Class 30937 ‘Epsom’.
Just starting to hit the shops now is the brand new R3260 2 HAL EMU looking very smart in SR olive green livery, the first of a number of livery variants due, that like the Drummond 700 was first announced at the end of last year.
Hornby/Arnold 5 Bel unit production version
Simon also had on display and running the first production sets of the Hornby/Arnold 5 Bel Brighton Bell sets in the later blue and grey and livery and these should be available during October with the Brown and Umber versions to follow before the end of the year. I was very impressed by the models that also include lit table lamps that appears nice and subtle with now signs of any flicker. The unit running was also very smooth, although I did notice that one compromise that had to be retained was that the solebars do have a couple of cut outs to allow the bogies to swing, however the effect was not as obvious as I first through it would be from the initial EP’s seen. As first announced here these models are only available via www.Hornby.com and orders can now be taken via their website here..
It’s good to see such positive progress on a number of the Southern related models over the last few weeks, and I am happy to say that some progress, behind the scenes, of some of the other already announced models has also been made (I have had Cads for checking from many sources recently) . Long may this continue and I will endeavour to continue to provide the latest updates on this blog along with any new Southern related announcements that may or may not already be in the pipeline (was that enough of a tease?)
It’s that time of the year again when MREmag and RMweb run there annual wish list poll as a chance for all of us to vote for the railway models (in N and oo) that we would like to see made.
The poll provides a simple way for modellers and collectors alike to inform the major manufacturers and commissioners of ready-to-run railway models what they would like to see made from new tooling.
Over the last number of years that the poll has being run a number of the top voted items have subsequently been manufactured or announced. So although there is not a guarantee that winning models will be produced it does increase the likelihood, as it is known that manufacturers do take account of the results in when considering their future plans.
Whilst of course I am not in a position to influence any voting, the fact that you are reading this might mean that you have a Southern Railway or Southern Region persuasion and therefore voting in the SR categories could benefit us all… Vote Southern!
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The model railway world and mainly Southern Railway meanderings of Graham 'Muz' Muspratt
