The P Class No.1558 from Hattons shunts at the quay
The T Class No. 1604 0-6-0T simmers in the background
The P class and T class meet on the Quay and shows the diminutive size of the P class
The LCDR T Class arrives as the quay.
The SER 0-40CT No. 1302 waits its next duty
The P class No. 1558 is about to depart
A busy moment at the quay
Although my usual modelling genre, as regular readers will know, is the Southern Railway between 1946 and 1949, however due to Canute Road Quay has very few visual references to either period or location (yes there are a couple, but hey…) It therefore allows me to change the location and era with different rolling stock, vehicles and details.
For this post we have stayed at Canute Road Quay‘s usual time frame but moved its location slightly. Having deliberately when building Canute Road Quay left the vehicles and other details such as crates, sack stacks and oil drums etc. loose, it enables them to be both be moved around, to give some variety in photographs, and or replaced with other items to different periods.
In this case Canute Road Quay‘s has been transported further to the South East, perhaps through squinted eyes it could on the Medway at Rochester, or or the Channel coast at Richborough Port or Newhaven Harbour perhaps…
The steam locomotives include the Hattons ex SECR P class 0-6-0T, an ex London, Chatham and Dover Railway Kirtey T Class 0-6-0T and even my South Eastern Railway 0-4-0CT crane tank makes an appearance.
The T class 0-6-0T were a class of ten locomotives introduced by the LC&DR (prior to the formation of the South, Eastern and Chatham Railway in 1899) between 1879 and 1893 specifically for shunting duties, with appropriately one of the class being initially used at Dover Docks. Although withdraws started in 1932 two of the class 1602 and 1604 (as my model) lasted until July 1951 and November 1950 respectively. My model is white metal and built from a Q Kit.
The SER 0-4-0CT crane tank number 1302 as per my model, was one of two built for the SER by Neilson in 1881. Like the T class she had worked at Dover Docks and also Richborough although she saw out most of her life at Lancing and Stewarts Lane. She was withdrawn in July 1949 and scrapped at Ashford. My model is built from a South Eastern Finecast white metal kit.
I hope you enjoy this post, the next ‘Making Quay Changes’ post with Canute Road Quay may or may not be set in its usual location, so once again, where and what era will it be…?
As well as giving you the chance to vote for your favourite models and manufacturers of 2018, the categories also celebrate excellence and innovation in the wider British model railway scene such as websites, retailers and exhibitions.
There have of course been a number of excellent Southern / Southern Region related models released during 2018 so I urge you to support the production of these models by choosing your best in the relevant category and voting accordingly. These Southern models are as follows:
I am also very humbled to see that this little corner of the blogosphere of mine has once again been nominated in the British Model Railways Awards (it was voted 6th in last years awards) within the website of the year category, so and this is a bit of a, well a big, shameless plug, please feel free to vote for it, if you have enjoyed my ramblings over the last twelve months.
Also if like me you have received excellent service from a particular retailer such as Kernow Model Rail Centre please also vote accordingly.
Following on from the release earlier this year of their delightful SECR P Class 0-6-0t Hatton’s have today announced that four new versions of the SECR P Class will soon be available. Based on feedback from the modelling community, Hatton’s will be producing extra SECR lined green and BR liveries, with new running numbers; and for the first time they will produce two ROD (Railway Operating Division) locomotives.
Production sample locomotives have been approved and they are on the way to their store now.
The four new versions of the Hatton’s P Class
The four new variants are:
H4-P-013 – 5027 in ROD green
H4-P-014 – 5753 in ROD green
H4-P-015 – 27 in SE&CR full lined green (with polished brass)
H4-P-016 – 31556 in BR black with early emblem
ROD Version No. 5027
The ‘ROD’ liveried P Classes were sent to Boulogne for a few years during WW1 for shunting at dockyards. On return to the UK, they were also seen working at Dover and Folkestone. These WW1-era locos will be perfect for a variety of UK or continental wartime layouts.
SECR Livery version No. 27
The SECR liveried locomotive will feature a new colour for the polished brass dome and safety valve. The new colour represents polished brass, which is halfway between our original release of P Classes 178 & 753; and Hornby’s H Class.
The new locomotives will be available on Friday 17th August 2018 for the same price of £99. All four are available to pre-order from Hatton’s now!
An overall view of Canute Road Quay. Picture copyright and courtesy C Nevard and Model Rail
Even with a small layout like Canute Road Quay good preparation is required to ensure things go as smoothly, and just as importantly enjoyably, at the show. Canute Road Quay being only 5ft x 1 ft is somewhat easier to load and set up at a show than Fisherton Sarum but the steps for getting ready for a show are pretty much the same. The preparations, some are more obvious than others, include the following:
preparing packing the stock being taken and just as importantly in my case deciding what stock not to take!
track and stock cleaning, to ensure good reliable and slow speed running
checking coupling heights and uncoupler operation
general layout cleaning and dusting etc.
preparing and packing the loose detailing items (vehicles and packing crates etc.)
layout ancillaries, including: transformer box, cables, lighting transformers, trestle supports, extension leads, curtains, spare controller, name badges, and relevant tools
operator comforts including: high stool, mugs (for the all important tea) and sweets and snacks (to keep up energy levels and act as a bribe for my fellow operator(s))
paperwork: show information and layout information sheets for prospecting exhibition managers
arranging operators to assist me at the show, somewhat easier with Canute Road Quay (in this case just the the one, in in the form of friend and fellow modeller Simon Paley), than the larger number required for Fisherton Sarum!
overnight bag, if required, but not in the case of Railex as it is only 20 minutes from home
The revised fiddle yard arrangement the split cassettes feed arm can be seen
I have also made a small change to the way the cassettes in the off scene fiddle yard (a grand title for what is really just a shelf…) are handled and the electric feed provided. This is to make it easier to connect the cassette as previously I had two phosphor bronze spring clips fixed to the base which both provided the power feed to the aluminium section on each side and also ensured correct alignment with the exit road. This arrangement also meant that the cassettes had to be aligned and slid in from the left hand end which was not all that practical due to the overrun protection at that side of the yard.
A closer view of the power feed arm and spring clip
I have now changed the nearest power feed and cassette alignment clip to be on a small lifting arm made from a suitable shaped piece of wood, complete with a nice little brass drawer handle. This enables the spring clip to be moved upwards and out of the way of the side of the cassette.
This arrangement now gives two advantages: firstly the cassettes can slid in and aligned easier from the front operating position; and secondly means that even with cassette in position the arm can be lifted isolating the cassette, where previously the cassette was live when the layout feed it adjoins to was live.
The feed arm in the up position
The cassettes I am using on Canute Road Quay, as I have mentioned before on this blog, are the 12″ loco cassettes from Fisherton Sarum and the some of these are made up on one side with two 6″ lengths of aluminium angle which I bridge electronically with a bulldog type clip and this allows for further isolation of a tank locomotive at the far end of the cassette.
The modified and weathered Hatton’s Andrew Barclay
My Hatton’s Andrew Barclay 14″ 0-4-0t has now been modified by replacing the existing buffers with wooden dumb buffers. The original standard buffers simply pull out and then the area of the bufferbeam filled flat to remove the rivet head detail. The wooden dumb buffers have been fashioned from rectangular plastic rod and suitably painted.
A further view of the Andrew Barclay
I have removed the original WTT branding in my usual way by rubbing with a cotton bud loaded with enamel thinners. As coal bunker space is pretty non-existent on these locomotives, having seen it photographs of the real thing added a couple of sacks of spare coal on just inside the cab and the other balanced on the running plate. She has then been weathered to represent a pretty unkempt condition of such locomotives that were used on some of the other lines and private wharfs that existed in and around Southampton area especially along the River Itchen. Like the P Class crew has been added using the ModelU 3D printed examples produced by Hatton’s.
If you are planning to visit Railex please make sure you come and say hello. I am stand 61, towards the right hand back corner (as you come into the hall)
With the arrival of the Hatton’s P class I took the opportunity to temporarily move the location of Canute Road Quay further South east and backdate to earlier than my usual 1946-49 modelling period, including some of my earlier style wagons that do not usually get an outing. It is one of the advantages of having such a layout that has no real identifiable items to identify the actual time period.
ex SECR P Class 1555
Eventually to suit my preferred time period: No. 754 will be repainted and numbered to become her later identity of No. 1557 in SR post war black livery, being one of the first two built with the slightly higher cab; whilst No. 1555 will be renumbered and lettered as No. 31555 with full ‘British Railways’ Sunshine lettering to represent her condition in early 1948.
ex LBSC D1 Class No. 2357
The ex LBSC D1 0-4-2t is built from a South Eastern Fincast white metal kit. In fact a couple of examples of the class, including No. 2286 are know to have been used at Southampton docks for a while in mid 1930s up to WW2 so I am not actually stretching history too far by running my model of no. 2357 on Canute Road Quay albeit in a slightly later post war-time period, although she was technically allocated to Ashford at the time so she is obviously on loan.
Andrew Barclay 14″ before being modified with wooden dumb buffers and weathered
The Hatton’s Andrew Barclay 14″ 0-6-0t will be modified to replace the existing buffers with wooden dumb buffers, have the WTT branding stripped off and suitably weathered to represent the condition of such locomotives that were used on some of the other lines and private wharfs that existed in and around Southampton area especially along the River Itchen.
I also have a Hornby Peckett on order, that I will likewise modify with wooden dumb buffers to give some further variety to locomotives at Canute Road Quay and differ from the standard RTR versions. I will post details of this conversion in due course.
ex SECR S Class No. 1685
The ex SECR S Class 0-6-0 saddle tank No. 1685 is also built from South Eastern Fincast white metal kit. The S Class was in fact only one locomotive due to a requirement for a heavy shunter at Richborough Port during WW1 and so was converted from a C Class 0-6-0 tender locomotive, after the war she was transferred to Bricklayers Arms until withdrawal in 1951. Like the ex LBSC D1 she must be on load to Canute Road Quay.
I have started to return Canute Road Quay to its intended Southampton-ish location and the ex LSWR B4 0-4-0 and USA 0-6-0 tanks have returned along with suitable rolling stock and uncouplers etc all wheel cleaned, tried and tested in readiness for what I know will be an enjoyable weekend playing trains, shunting and talking.
USA Tank No.68
If you are planning to visit Railex please make sure you come and say hello. I am stand 61, towards the right hand back corner (as you come into the hall) and will ably assisted by friend and fellow modeller Simon Paley for the weekend, he being the much younger looking operator!
I hope this post has been of interest and as stated above it does show the advantages of having a layout that is not an actual real location but endeavours to capture a flavour and also is not easily identifiable to a specific time period. I also intend to occasionally run in a later 1960s period with a few diesel shunters so more on this in a future post.
Hatton’s only announced their production of the ex SECR Wainwright P Class tanks after first Engineering Prototypes had been received back in September last year as I reported in my “Can I have a P please” post, here. Although it was hoped to be able to deliver these before the end of last year Hattons should be congratulated in getting 10 of the 12 initially announced versions to the market last week, a refreshingly short process time especially as this is the first locomotive project that Hatton’s have handled direct with the manufacturing company in China. The two SECR lined livery versions will be following shortly.
A side on view of No. 1558
Although only eight P class locomotives were built, there were a number of differences between the members of the class and during their lifetime and Hatton’s have certainly risen exceptionally well to the challenge.
The separately applied items are clear here on No. 1558
The first two members of the class introduced in February 1909 numbers 753/556/1556/31556 and 754/557/1557/31557 had 4 and half inch taller cabs and side tanks than the remaining six members that were built in February and July 1910. Although only a small difference in height it is noticeable when the locos are side by side.
A rear 3/4 view of No. 1555 (which will become 31555 in 1948 livery)
Hatton’s have tooled for both cab / tank height styles, the two different smokeboxes with different rivet patterns, two main types of buffers, alternative rear steam heating pipes, smokebox lubricators, number plates (where applicable) and with or without glazing bars on the rear cab spectacles.
The first 12 version announced by Hatton’s are as follows:
H4-P-01 No. 178 in SECR lined green, 1910-11 (as preserved) short cab, SR Buffers, smokebox with 1 row of rivets and lubricator
H4-P-02 No. 753 in SECR lined green, 1909-11 (as preserved) tall cab, SR Buffers, rear window bars, smokebox with 2 rows of rivets and lubricator
H4-P-03 No. 754 in SECR wartime grey, 1910-1920s, tall cab, Bottle buffers, higher steam pipes and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
H4-P-04 No. A325 in Southern Railway lined olive green, 1924 to mid 1930s, short cab, bottle buffers, rear window bars, higher steam pipe and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
H4-P-05 No. 1555 in Southern Railway black, 1938-48, short cab, bottle buffers, rear window bars, higher steam pipe and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
H4-P-06 No. 1558 in Southern Railway black with Sunshine lettering, 1941-48, short cab, bottle buffers, rear window bars, higher steam pipe and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
H4-P-07 No. 31027 in BR black with early emblem, 1949 to withdrawal in 1961, short cab, SR buffers, rear window bars, higher steam pipe and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
H4-P-08 No. 31323 in BR black with late crest, 1959-61, short cab, SR buffers, rear window bars and smokebox with 1 row of rivets
H4-P-09 “Pioneer II” in Bowaters Paper Mill lined green, 1958-61 (ex 178/1178/31178) short cab, SR buffers, no vacuum pipe and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
H4-P-10 “Pride of Sussex” in Robertsbridge flour mill green, 1961-71, (ex 53/556/1556/31556), tall cab, SR buffers, no steam pipe and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
H4-P-11 No. 27 “Primrose” in Bluebell Railway lined black, 1961-63, short cab, SR buffers, rear window bars and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
H4-P-12 No. 323 in Bluebell lined blue (as preserved) short cab, SR buffers, lubricator and smokebox with 1 row of rivets
A 3./4 rear view of No. 754 in SECR war time grey note no glazing bars on the rear cab spectacles. (which will become No. 1557 in SR post war black livery)
The model is supplied in a Hatton’s branded sturdy foam lined box and further protected by the now common up and over plastic tray in a plastic sleeve. It should be noted that this outer sleeve is a very tight fit so care should be taken trying to access the model. I also positively note that packing allows for the tension lock couplings to remain in place.
Four and half inches does not equate to much in 4mm scale but as can be seen it is just noticeable with the high cab to the right on 754
Hopefully the pictures of three of the models with in this post will speak for themselves. I am certainly very impressed with the build quality (although on the rear sprung buffers was loose on one of my examples), finesse and level of separately applied details such as: fine blackened handrails, detailed cab interior, drain cocks, oil lubricators, brass whistle, lamp irons front and rear, smokebox number plate (i.e. not moulded) on BR versions.
A 3/4 front view of No. 1558
An accessory bag of further detaining parts is provided that contains: buffer beam coupling hooks with cosmetic screw link couplings, steam heating pipes of a type relevant to the livery of the loco, 3 off SR Engine Head Signal discs (referred to incorrectly as “Route Indicator Disks” within the supplied instruction sheet) an SR style lamp and what must be a first for an R-T-R model 3 off tiny oil cans!
The Sunshine style lettering also incorrectly includes the inner black line within the numerals (click to enlarge)
The livery application is very crisp and a nice stain finish, very much as we have come to expect from current R-T-R models. Manufacturers build plates and the SECR ownership plates (where applicable) are printed rather than separate etched items. I have however spotted that the SR post war black version the ‘Sunshine’ numerals are incorrect in that they should not have the inside black line as this was only applied to the ‘Southern’ lettering.
A view into the cab showing the printed dials
Within the cabs the various gauges are part of the spectacle glazing insert they have dials / needles nicely printed on them although the moulding also has the copper pipe runs to these gauges but have been left unprinted / painted.
With its 5 Pole motor within the boiler and gearbox within the firebox (allowing the daylight gap under the boiler), boiler weights and all wheel pick up the performance is smooth and reliable at all speeds. A 6 pin DCC socket is included, accessed by the removal of the body, simply achieved via the four screws located on the underside either side of the NEM coupling pockets. Not surprisingly in a model of such small prototype sound fitting will be a slight challenge requiring some modelling skills but helpfully Hatton’s have suggested a process for achieving this within the supplied instruction sheet.
Canute Road Quay could occasionally be relocated further South East ..
My No. 1558 will be simply weathered, whilst No. 1556 will be changed to one of the current missing livery options as her later early 1948 identity of No.31556 with ‘British Railways’ in SR Sunshine lettering style, whilst tall cab No. 754 will become her later 1557 identity in SR post war black as per No. 1558. As there are still possibly two or three some other livery versions possible some of these might yet appear so watch this space.
In conclusion as I am sure you can tell Hatton’s have produced and excellent model and with the number of versions announced should be very popular for modellers of the South East from all periods including the preservation era.
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 weekend saw the Warley National Model railway Exhibition at the NEC, as in previous years I have 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 were thin on the ground but there are a small number of SR / BR(s) related updates as shown below.
The full size H Class was the centrepiece of the combined Hornby and Hornby Magazine stand at Warley
Also many thanks to those of you who read this blog for popping by the Hornby Magazine Twelve Trees Junction layout where I was playing trains for the weekend. For the first time Hornby Magazine and Hornby had a joint stand, demonstrating the closer co-operation between the two separate organisations that has been in place for the last twelve months. The large stand made a big impact due to the centrepiece being the splendid and recently repainted in full SECR livery, twelve inch to the foot scale, Wainwright H class 0-4-4t that had travelled up from the Bluebell railway.
Hornby
In the last few years Hornby had made some of their new product announcements for the following year, however they are reverting to a single range announcement next January, date still to be confirmed, when of course I will fully cover the items of Southern interest on this blog.
Bachmann / Graham Farish
ex LBSC H2 Class SR livery sample. picture courtesy and copyright Bachmann
As is usual for Bachmann / Graham Farish no new models were announced at Warley. Their 2018 catalogue will be announced on Sunday January 7th 2018 and I will report the Southern related news then, direct from the media event. However they did have on display for the first time a few 00 gauge items of interest.
ex LBSC H2 Class BR livery sample. picture courtesy and copyright Bachmann
Firstly the livery samples of the ex LBSC H2 Class 4-4-2 ‘Atlantic’ locomotives first announced back in August 2013 and being initially produced in two liveries as
31-921 – 32424 “Beachy Head” BR Black Early Emblem
31-920 – 2424 “South Foreland” (note chane of name and number as was originally announced as being 2421 ‘St. Albans Head”) SR Olive Green
Other livery samples on display were: OO9 former War Department Baldwin Class 10-12-D (now in production), Freightliner Flats and Containers, Carflats and Class 66 No. 66779 ‘Evening Star’.
The Impressive 45t Ransoms and Rapier steam crane EP. picture courtesy and copyright Bachmann
Engineering prototypes (EP) of the Bachmann 45t Ransoms and Rapier steam crane were also on display. These models were originally announced in Mach 2015 and initially they will be released in four versions:
SR Black (38-800),
GWR Black (38-801),
BR Black (38-802)
BR Red (38-803)
45t Ransoms and Rapier steam crane EP. picture courtesy and copyright Bachmann
These certainly looked impressive and had the ‘wow factor, although not motorised, all the moving parts do correctly move including all the gears, linkages, job and outriggers allowing the model to the posed accordingly and potentially motorised (DCC?) in the future.
Tooling variations correctly allow for the slight differences between the cranes supplied to the different railway companies such as toolboxes etc. and also the chimney can be in the raised or stowed positions. Final price is still be confirmed but due to the level of detail and fidelity of these models I would not expect them to be cheap but I am sure they would be worth it.
Also on display were the EPs of the LNER J72 and BR Class 90
Bachmann also advised that: “We are progressing positively with re-engineering a number of models that have been in the catalogue for a while and with the high profile of these items, the focus is in delivering fidelity to prototype that is not compromised by timescale”.
The ex SECR Birdcage stock, reviewed here, that originally arrived in BR Crimson Livery are now starting to arrive in Lined SR green and SECR Dark Lake (slightly revised from the original livery sample) liveries although at the time of writing the SR liveried composite is still to arrive.
Hattons
The Hattons P Class running sample on Twelve Trees Junction DCC fitted with sound!
Dapol livery sample of the ex LSWR B4 No. 88 in SR lined green
The first livery samples if their 00 gauge ex LSWR B4 0-4-0t were on display. These were first announced in March 2014 and initially five versions are being released:
‘Normandy’ (Number 96) as preserved by the Bulleid Society on the Bluebell Railway ‘Caen’ (Number 90) Southampton Docks brown livery with Drummond Chimney
Number 88 in Southern lined black
B4 No 30089 in BR Black early emblem
Number 30089 in BR black, early emblem (originally announced as being 30082 but changed to suit tooling options)
Number 30096 in BR black, late crest
Also being released as a Dapol collectors club model is No. 91 in LSWR pea green livery.
Also on display were the livery samples of the body toolings for the 4 compartment Brake 3rd and 6 compartment composite Maunsell coaches in N gauge.
Rapido Trains
The Canadian manufacturer Rapido Trains, whom have been extending into the UK market with a number of commissions, made an pre-announcement of their intention to release in 2018 LMS/GWR/BR Gunpowder Vans, they had a 3D print on their stand but it appears to be a combination of possible tooling variants, full details to follow next year. Although not SR related they are likely to have run on SR metals.
So that rounds up the Warley SR Related news for another year. I had a good time at the show and for a change had an opportunity to have a reasonable look around and there was certainly a variety of some great and interesting modelling on display amongst the 90 or layouts on show. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea as a show but I still believe it is well worth a visit.
There has recently been a flurry of activity in the Ready to Run world from various manufacturers / model commissioners and this post is a quick update on a number of models that I had the chance to take a look at, run and photograph at the Hornby Magazine Great Electric Train Show (GETS) on their Twelve Trees Junction layout, that I was helping to operate last weekend. Further posts giving a more detailed photographic review of some of the production models about to be delivered will follow in due course.
Hornby H Class
Hornby H class No 1518 on Twelve Trees Junction
First announced in September 2016 as being part of their 2017 range the ex ex SECR / SR Wainwright H class 0-4-4 tank is progressing well and the first of the production samples can be seen pictured left. No 31518 in lined black with late crest is Hornby catalogue number R3539 and is also pull push fitted. She ran very nicely on Twelve Trees Junction layout over the GETS weekend. Also being released are R3538 as No. 308 in full SECR livery, R3450 as No 1234 in lined olive green and No 31551 as part of a train pack with pull push set 602.
Hatton’s P Class
A line up of three of the Hatton’s P Class tank livery samples
Although only announced last month progress on the twelve livery versions of their ex SECR / SR Wainwright P class 0-6-0 tanks is progressing at pace. They have now received in the last week the first livery samples and three of these can be seen left, with all able to seen on the Hatton’s website project update page here.
Shades of a 1960s LCGB railtour the P Class tank along with a Hornby Adams radial tank. The Kernow Gate Stock can also be seen in the background.
These are of course the first livery samples and a few tweaks are still to be made but the excellent attention to detail on these models can be clearly seen.
Shades of a 1960s LCGB railtour the P Class tank along with a Hornby Adams radial tank. The Kernow Model Rail Centre Gate Stock and O2 can also be seen in the backgroundThe full details of the available versions and pre-order details can be found here.
Although being livery samples these were unpowered we could not resist running one the samples as a double header to possibly represent a Locomotive Club of Great Britain railtour in the 1960’s.
Kernow Model Rail Centre, Gate Stock and Bulleid Diesels
Set 363 sits in the bay platform at Twelve Trees Junction
The ex London and South Western Railway pull push Gate Stock has featured on this blog often and now that they have been produced and awaiting shipment from China a small number have been air freighted to the UK for magazine review samples etc. The BR Lined Crimson set 363 (K1003) can be seen left. Three other livery versions are being produced, namely: K1001 Set 374 SR Lined Olive, K1002 Set 373 SR Malachite, and K1004 Set 373 BR Green (plated) See here for more details.
10201 hauls a rake of Pullman coaches with ease
Although announced some time ago, the necessary research for the production of the CADS for these diesels with their complex multiple curved exterior shape has as already documented taken much longer than planned. When last year additional information came to light the development process moved on at a fast pace and now production of the first versions has now been completed. The model ran exceptionally well on Twelve Trees Junction hauling a long rake of twelve wheel Pullman coaches with considerable ease, due to its good weight and a centrally mounted 5 pole motor with flywheels powering each bogie.
These models will each feature in a more detailed review post in due course so watch this space…
Both an example of the the Gate Stock, the Bulleid diesel 10201 and as an exclusive, their first running Engineering Prototype of the Western Region D600 series Hydraulics, also being produced by the Kernow Model Rail Centre will be running on the High Wycombe and District’s Hinton Parva layout this weekend at the Warners / BRM Magazine National Festival of Railway Modelling. if you are planning to attend come and say hello to the Hinton Parva team.
Merseyside based model retailer and commissioner Hatton’s have announced today two new exclusive locomotives to their range. The one of most interest for followers of this blog will no doubt be the diminutive ex South Eastern and Chatham Railway, Wainwright P class 0-6-0T.
The 1st running Engineering Prototype (EP) of the Hatton’s ex SECR P class. Picture courtesy and copyright A York
The P class locomotives were small both in size and numerically as only eight were built, there were a also number of differences between the members of the class during their lifetime.
The first two members of the class introduced in February 1909 numbers 753/556/1556/31556 and 754/557/1557/31557 had 4 and half inch taller cabs and side tanks than the remaining six members that were built in February and July 1910. Although only a small difference in height it is defiantly noticeable on the front face of the locomotive.
Another view of the SECR P Class EP. Picture courtesy and copyright A York
There were two distinct smokebox styles with differing rivet arrangements and also the buffers varied from the original tapered SECR style to the later SR stepped type, with some being fitted with Stroudley Round base type briefly at some stage as well. The Furness lubricators originally mounted on either side of the smokeboxes were removed during the 1920s. The last member of the class was withdrawn from British Railways service in March 1961, some also saw industrial use, and four have been preserved, including 1556 from the first batch and three from the second batch.
Illustration of the differing tooling options for cab / tanks heights and smokeboxes
Hatton’s have tooled for both cab / tank height styles, the two different smokeboxes with different rivet patterns, two main types of buffers, alternative rear steam heating pipes, smokebox lubricators and number plates where applicable. Hatton’s have worked from the original works drawings for the locomotives and have also been working closely with the relevant preserved railways on which the remaining examples remain.
Left hand side view. Picture courtesy and copyright A York
Specifications include: 5 Pole motor within the boiler and gearbox within the firebox, weights within the boiler for adhesion, RP25 wheel profiles, 6 pin DCC socket, NEM coupling pockets, separately fitted and blackened handrails, detailed cab interior, all wheel pick up, fluted connecting rods with oily cosmetic finish, separately applied drain cocks, oil lubricators, brass whistle, smokebox number plate (i.e. not moulded) on BR versions.
Right hand side view. Picture courtesy and copyright A York
Also included for owner to fit will be etched engine headsignal discs, locomotive lamps and even an oil can, as the latter were often seen on top of the tanks!
H4-P-01 No. 178 in SECR lined green, 1910-11 (as preserved) short cab, SR Buffers, smokebox with 1 row of rivets and lubricator
H4-P-02 No. 753 in SECR lined green, 1909-11 (as preserved) tall cab, SR Buffers, rear window bars, smokebox with 2 rows of rivets and lubricator
H4-P-03 No. 754 in SECR wartime grey, 1910-1920s, tall cab, Bottle buffers, higher steam pipes and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
Livery graphic for HA-P-4-004
H4-P-04 No. A325 in Southern Railway lined olive green, 1924 to mid 1930s, short cab, bottle buffers, rear window bars, higher steam pipe and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
H4-P-05 No. 1555 in Southern Railway black, 1938-48, short cab, bottle buffers, rear window bars, higher steam pipe and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
H4-P-06 No. 1558 in Southern Railway black with Sunshine lettering, 1941-48, short cab, bottle buffers, rear window bars, higher steam pipe and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
Livery graphic for HA-P-4-006
H4-P-07 No. 31027 in BR black with early emblem, 1949 to withdrawal in 1961, short cab, SR buffers, rear window bars, higher steam pipe and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
H4-P-08 No. 31323 in BR black with late crest, 1959-61, short cab, SR buffers, rear window bars and smokebox with 1 row of rivets
H4-P-09 “Pioneer II” in Bowaters Paper Mill lined green, 1958-61 (ex 178/1178/31178) short cab, SR buffers, no vacuum pipe and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
Livery graphic for HA-P-4-007
H4-P-10 “Pride of Sussex” in Robertsbridge flour mill green, 1961-71, (ex 53/556/1556/31556), tall cab, SR buffers, no steam pipe and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
H4-P-11 No. 27 “Primrose” in Bluebell Railway lined black, 1961-63, short cab, SR buffers, rear window bars and smokebox with 2 rows of rivets
H4-P-12 No. 323 in Bluebell lined blue (as preserved) short cab, SR buffers, lubricator and smokebox with 1 row of rivets
A higher angle 3/4 view shows off the wealth of detail. Picture courtesy and copyright A York
One obvious omission from the list of proposed releases is a post 1931 Southern Railway lined green without the ‘A’ prefix and in the 1xxx numbering. Another option would have been No.31556 in BR black with British Railways in sunshine lettering.
Hatton’s as per the images on this post have received the first fully running Engineering Prototype and having had the opportunity / privilege to inspect it first hand and see it running, happily hauling four Mk1 coaches, their weight and performance match the good looks they have captured in the tooling. Hatton’s should also be congratulated on the amount of detail and toolong options they have allowed for especially the two taller cab / tank versions. Some of the engines did carry tool boxes in various positions on the tank tanks tops but Hatton’s have purposely not included for these, or the Stroudley type buffer, for reasons of the additional tooling costs, so it will remain a possible modeller / aftermarket opportunity depending on the chosen prototype.
The Hatton’s EP of the Andrew Barclay saddle tank
Hatton’s have today also announced that they are going to produce, also in 00 the Andrew Barclay industrial saddle tank with eight versions / liveries of the 14″ cyclinder and four livery / versions of the 16″ cyclinder size versions. They will have similar specifications to the SECR P Class tanks above, with multiple tooling variations. Like with the ex SECR P class Hatton’s have a running first EP. They will also retail at £99 each, and the planned availability is late January 2018. Full details can be found on the dedicated page on the Hatton’s website here.
All images in this blog are copyright myself and or The Kernow Model Rail Centre / Chris Nevard / Mike Wild / Paul Bason / Andy York / Hornby Magazine / Model Rail / BRM Magazine (see links above) posted here with their kind express permission, unless otherwise credited.
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