Happy New Year, this months picture…
The 1st January 2023 marks 100 years since the formation of the Southern Railway, click here to read more…
Picture of the Month – January 2023
Tag Archives: South Eastern and Chatham Railway
Marking 100 years since the formation of the Southern Railway – a potted history
It would be remiss of me not to mark the fact that today is 100 years since the Grouping and the formation of the Southern Railway, it also of course marks the demise of its constituent companies. This post attempts to provide a simplified potted history of the Grouping and the Southern Railway.
Although the actual Grouping occurred on 1st January 1923, it’s instigation can be traced back to the First World War where all railways were under state control until 1921. The Railways Act 1921, followed discussions at the time on potential nationalisation, had the aim of stemming the losses being occurred at the time by many of the 120 or so railway companies.
The form of Grouping originally proposed in 1920, by former North Eastern Railway executive, the Minister of Transport, Eric Geddes, was for five English and one Scottish regional companies, by 1921 this was amended to four English and two Scottish companies before the Scottish routes were incorporated in the companies that we know as the ‘Big Four’. Royal Assent for the Railways Act was in August 1921.
The main Constituent companies of the Southern Railway were the well known three, actually four: The London and South Western Railway (LSWR), The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR) and the combined South Eastern Railway and the London, Chatham and Dover Railway, under the South Eastern & Chatham Railways’ Managing Committee (SECR).
Also incorporated were the three Isle of Wight railway companies and the Plymouth, Devonport and South Western Junction Railway (Bere Alston and Callington section).
Some non-working or joint companies that had been previously leased or worked by the main constituent companies, including for example (not an exhaustive list): the North Cornwall Railway, Sidmouth Railway, Lee-on-the-Solent Railway, Hayling Railway, Cranbrook and Paddock Wood Railway, London and Greenwich Railway, Croydon & Oxted Joint Railway and Dover & Deal Railway, were also included, as was the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway although not covered by the Railways Act 1921, it had been absorbed by the LSWR.
The Southern Railway also was to share or jointly operate a number of lines including: the East London Railway, West London Extension Railway, Weymouth & Portland Railway and of course the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway.
The total route mileage owned whole by the Southern Railway at Grouping was 2,186 miles, with the main constituents not surprising forming the majority with 1,020 miles ex LSWR, 457 miles ex LBSC and 637 ½ ex SECR. The SR was operated essentially as three Districts: Western, Central and Eastern based approximately on the previous main constituents.
There were two Chief Mechanical Engineers; Richard Maunsell, ex SECR, between 1923 and 1937 and Oliver Vaughan Snell Bulleid, ex GN / LNER, from 1937 to 1948.
Although originally three general managers were appointed from each of the main constituents, with a year Sir Herbert Walker became the single General Manager and the development of the SR was built upon many of his ex LSWR practices. Following his retirement in 1937 he was succeeded as general manager by his long-time assistant Gilbert Szlumper. In 1939, Szlumper left the Southern Railway for war service and Sir Eustace Missenden took over.
The Southern Railway officially lasted, of course until Nationalisation in 1948, although in reality, just as during the First World War, the Railways due to the outbreak of The Second World War were taken once again under Government control via The Railway Executive on 1st September 1939 and would remain so until the 1st January 1948 becoming the Southern Region of British Railways.
With the passing of the Transport Act 1947 that nationalised the Railways, Missenden became the first Chairman of the Railway Executive and John Elliot became acting General Manager of the SR and would later become Chief Regional Officer of the Southern Region of British Railways.
I hope this brief simplified history of the Southern Railway has been of interest, and appropriate to mark the 100 years since its formation. I thought it was about time that it was included on my corner of the blogsphere!
Rapido Trains UK ex SECR / SR Diagram 1426 van and the Dia. 1744 ballast wagons arrive – a review
The Rapido Trains UK ‘OO’ gauge South Eastern & Chatham Railway wagons, the Diagram 1426 van and the Dia. 1744 ballast wagon announced in January this year have now arrived. Both these wagons share the same 9ft 6in wheelbase with the five and seven plank open wagons that were released in April 2022.
The Diagram 1426 vans were introduced in 1918 and they lasted well into BR days, setting the standard for future Southern Railway vans.
These vans Rapido Trains UK feature: Two types of rain strip: curved and straight, separately-fitted end ventilators, split-spoked wheels running in metal bearings and highly detailed body, under frame and self contained buffers.
There are eleven Diagram 1426 covered vans available:
- 927001: No. 15782, SECR grey (curved rain strip)
- 927002: No. 16737, SECR grey (curved rain strip)
- 927003: No. 45784, SR brown (Pre 1936) (curved rain strip)
- 927004: No. 47162, SR brown (Pre 1936) (curved rain strip)
- 927005: No. 45779, SR brown (Post 1936) (curved rain strip)
- 927006: No. 47159, SR brown (Post 1936)
- 927007: No. S45819, BR grey
- 927008: No. S47144, BR grey (curved rain strip)
- 927009: No. DS47182, Departmental black
- 927010: No. DS776, Departmental brown
- 927011: No. 15750, SECR grey (preserved)
The SECR used the same underframe for the two-plank ballast wagon. It introduced the first example in 1919 and 120 were built over the next four years. Incredibly, BR didn’t withdraw the last until 1971.
The Rapido Trains UK two plank ballast wagons feature: Two floor versions: curve-ended planks and straight-ended planks, split-spoked wheels running in metal bearings and highly detailed bodies, underframes and self-contained buffers.
There are also eleven Diagram 1744 two plank ballast wagons available:
- 928001: No. 567, SECR grey (preserved) (curve-ended planks)
- 928002: No. 11835, SECR grey (curve-ended planks)
- 928003: No. 1789, SECR grey (curve-ended planks)
- 928004: No. 62454, SR red oxide (Pre 1936)
- 928005: No. 62398, SR red oxide (Pre 1936)
- 928006: No. 62371, SR red oxide (Post 1936)
- 928007: No. 62466, SR red oxide (Post 1936)
- 928008: No. 62444, BR Departmental
- 928009: No. DS62402, BR Departmental black
- 928010: No. S62433, SR red oxide with BR(S) number
- 928011: No. S62388, BR Departmental black
All versions of both models, share the same underframe although the Diagram 1744 two plank ballast wagon correctly has an extended brake lever. Both diagrams have accurate body detail, including nicely planked insides on the two plank ballast wagons. The roof of the vans is a good tight fitting separate part and allows for either the original curved or later straight rain strip option.
As is now becoming much more common on such new wagon releases, the also feature good underframe detail that includes nicely moulded beams, planking and central coupling rods/spring details and brake gear nicely in line with the wheels and a wire cross rod. They also feature nice 8 split spoked wheels on 26mm pin point axles that run in brass bearing cups (careful if removing wheels as the bearings might drop out), that along with a with a reasonable weight of 38g for the van and 25g for the two plank, ensures very free running. Standard NEM 362 coupling pockets are included [Edit: to correct a previous statement].
The livery application is crisp and well printed on all models, the factory satin finish as per their previous five and seven plank open wagons results in a lighter rendition of the colours especially the The SR brown. See my post on colour perception here. Therefore I will a give all mine, include the SR Red Oxide versions, a coat of Testors Dullcoat matt varnish to both give a preferred matt finish and also a darker rendition of the colours.
These excellent wagons are available from either Rapido Trains UK direct, although they have sold of some versions or in stock and discounted at official retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre here.
Heljan announce new SR Passenger Luggage Vans and Utility Vans in 0 Guage
Heljan have today announced that are to produce the SR 4 wheel Passenger Luggage Vans and Utility Vans in 0 Gauge.
The Passenger Luggage Vans, ‘PLV’ (Parcels / Miscellaneous Van, PMV) were initially developed by the SECR in 1919, the design formed the base for numerous luggage produced subsequently by the Southern. The original SECR built versions did not have the side vents and number of the ex SECR PLVs were through piped in the 1930s for Pull Push work. From the 1939 built batch the PLVs were built with mixed 6½” / 3½” planking on the body side.
Utility Vans, ‘Van U’ (Covered Carriage Truck, CCT) were first introduced in 1925 the Utility vans were similar to the PLV but with end loading doors also like the PLVs up until 1938 even thickness body side planking was employed and those from 1938 were built with mixed 6½” / 3½” planking. Those built by BR ins 1955 had plywood sides.
The Heljan models will depict a range of variations and liveries across the PLV/PMV – Van U/CCT as follows:
9150 Southern Railway PLV No. 1171 (even planks)
9151 BR Crimson PMV unnumbered (uneven planks)
9152 BR(S) green PMV S1626S (plywood body)
9153 BR Blue PMV S1574 (plywood body)
9154 BR Blue PMV S1865 (uneven planks) WEATHERED
9155 BR Gulf Red PMV ADS4 (even planks)
9170 Southern Railway Van U No 2372 (even planks)
9171 BR Crimson CCT S1765S (even planks) WEATHERED
9172 BR(S) green CCT unnumbered (even planks)
9173 BR Blue NOV (CCT) S2017 (plywood body)
9174 BR Departmental Olive ADB975276 (uneven planks)
9175 BR Blue CCT S1733 (uneven planks)
This project is currently at the CAD stage and Heljan hope to show first samples in early-2023 with production towards the end of next year.
Rapido Trains UK announce SR Diagram 1379/1400 8 plank open wagons in 00 and SECR wagons in N gauge, and an exclusive brake van livery from Train Times.
Rapido trains UK have announced they are producing a range of SR Diagram 1379 and Diagram 1400 eight plank open wagons in 00. They have also announced that their SECR wagons and Diagram 1558 6 wheel brake van are to be produced in N gauge as wagon packs.
There were ten standard open wagon designs produced for the SR under Maunsell, although these could actually be grouped into just three main types: an 8 plank open that came in eight versions, a 5 plank open and an 8 plank ferry train wagon.
The first and numerically the largest SR design is the Diagram 1379 eight plank open on a standard 17’6″ RCH underframe with 9’0″ wheelbase with a total of 7,950 built. The first 3000 built from 1926 were fitted with Morton brakes with the remainder with SR ‘Freighter Brakes. Production continued until 1933.
88 Diagram 1379 8 plank wagons were transferred to the Isle of Wight in 1948/9 receiving 278xx / 279xx numbers.
In 1935 the wheel base of the standard 17’6″ underframe was increased to 10’0″ and from August 1936 an unfitted version (similar to the Diagram 1379) was introduced and given Diagram 1400. Construction continued until November 1937 and conveniently 1,400 of this diagram were produced.
Rapido trains UK are incredibly offering 31, yes 31, versions across the two Diagrams 1379 and 1400, as they have tooled Morton and SR ‘Freighter’ brakes and split spoke and disc wheels, RRP is £32.95 per wagon (although they can be pre-ordered at a discounted price from retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre) :
- 940001: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.29306, SR brown (pre-1936)
- 940002: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.30601, SR brown (pre-1936)
- 940003: D1379 Morton Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.31458, SR brown (pre-1936)
- 940004: D1379 Morton Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.31372, SR brown (pre-1936)
- 940005: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.32565, SR brown (pre-1936)
- 940006: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.33333, SR brown (pre-1936)
- 940007: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.36485, SR brown (pre-1936)
- 940008: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.36759, SR brown (pre-1936)
- 940009: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.30004, SR brown (pre-1936) (As preserved on the Bluebell Railway)
- 940010: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.29898, SR brown (post-1936)
- 940011: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.29427, SR brown (post-1936)
- 940012: D1379 Morton Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.31364, SR brown (post-1936)
- 940013: D1379 Morton Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.31421, SR brown (post-1936)
- 940014: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.33255, SR brown (post-1936)
- 940015: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.33730, SR brown (post-1936)
- 940016: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.36359, SR brown (post-1936)
- 940017: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.36871, SR brown (post-1936)
- 940018: D1400 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.10939, SR brown (post-1936)
- 940019: D1400 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.11783, SR brown (post-1936)
- 940020: D1400 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.27363, SR brown (post-1936)
- 940021: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S30215, BR grey
- 940022: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S27915, BR grey (Isle of Wight)
- 940023: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S27930, BR grey (Isle of Wight)
- 940024: D1379 Morton Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.S31472, BR grey
- 940025: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S34301, BR grey
- 940026: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S36194, SR brown with BR lettering
- 940027: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S34745, BR grey
- 940028: D1400 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S10953, SR brown with BR lettering
- 940029: D1400 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S26782, BR grey
- 940030: D1400 Freighter Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.S11530, BR grey
- 940031: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.DS719, Motive Power Department black
These wagons are currently at the Engineering prototype stage and should be available during mid 2023.
For N gauge modellers Rapido trains UK have reduced their SECR Diagram 1349 five-plank open, Diagram 1355 seven-plank open, Diagram 1426 covered van and but also the Diagram 1558 six-wheel dual-veranda brake van too. These N Gauge versions will only be available in multipacks. The ‘Freight Packs’ (RRP £99.95) comprise of 1 off of each D1349 five-plank, D1355 seven-plank, D1426 van and a D1558 dual veranda brake van. The ‘Wagon’ packs (RRP £69.95) are a triple packs of one wagon type with three different running numbers as follows:
- 942001: SECR livery Freight Train Pack
- 942005: Southern Railway Freight Train Pack (pre-1936 livery)
- 924009: Southern Railway Freight Train Pack (post-1936 livery)
- 942013: BR Freight Train Pack
- 942002: SECR Wagons Pack 2 – SECR Livery 5 Planks (Dia.1349)
- 942003: SECR Wagons Pack 3 – SECR Livery 7 Planks (Dia.1355)
- 942004: SECR Wagons Pack 4 – SECR Livery 10t Covered Vans (Dia.1426)
- 942002: SECR Wagons Pack 2 – SECR Livery 5 Planks (Dia.1349)
- 942003: SECR Wagons Pack 3 – SECR Livery 7 Planks (Dia.1355)
- 942004: SECR Wagons Pack 4 – SECR Livery 10t Covered Vans (Dia.1426)
- 942010: SECR Wagons Pack 2 – SR post-1936 Livery 5 Planks (Dia.1349)
- 942011: SECR Wagons Pack 2 – SR post-1936 Livery 7 Planks (Dia.1355)
- 942012: SECR Wagons Pack 4 – SR post-1936 Livery 12t Covered Vans
(Dia.1426) - 942014: SECR Wagons Pack 2 – BR Livery 5 Planks (Dia.1349)
- 942015: SECR Wagons Pack 3 – BR Livery 7 Planks (Dia.1355)
- 942016: SECR Wagons Pack 4 – BR Livery 10t Covered Vans (Dia.1426)
The N Gauge SECR wagons are at the CAD stage, with tooling due to start shortly and will be available during mid to late 2023. The packs can be pre-ordered at a discounted price from retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre.
Additionally the Train Times Model Shop in Eastbourne has announced an excusive livery on the Rapido trains UK 00 gauge SE&CR 20t 6 wheel brake van, in Wainwrights’ goods livery of grey body and grey solebars, with the number 2010 as preserved on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. These can be ordered direct with Train Times Model Shop here They should be available with the main production batch in early 2023.
The Rapido trains UK wagon range continues to grow at pace providing Southern / Southern Region modellers with plenty of further wagon choice, and the packs for N gauge modellers are also a welcome addition.
Rapido Trains UK announce South Eastern & Chatham Railway Diagram 1558 six wheel brake van
Rapido trains UK have announced today (15/04), following a bit of a hint in one of their videos and me here, that they are producing the South Eastern & Chatham Railway Diagram 1558 six wheel brake van.
Forty 6 wheel 20t brake vans were built in 1898 by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway to Diagram 1558, were heavily influenced by Midland Railway practice, these had an open veranda platform (i.e. with no roof, sides or end rail) at one end and a closed one at the other. In 1910, 50 more were built with close verandas at each end, between 1914 and 1920 the original vans were modified with two closed verandas. These modified vans were identifiable as had double top rails at the rebuilt end only. All 90 vans entered Southern Railway stock and most passed into British Railways ownership. There were also variations in some of the framing, planking and handrails between the two built versions.
Rapido trains UK have tooled two bodies to cover both the dual veranda vans built new in 1910 as well as the single-ended vans re-built that year and have announced ten initial versions:
- 931001: No. 2033, SECR grey with black underframe
- 931002: No. 2036, SECR grey
- 931003: No. 55382, SR brown with red ends (large lettering)
- 931004: No. 55389, SR brown with red ends (large lettering)
- 931005: No. 55384, SR brown with red ends (small lettering)
- 931006: No. 55366, SR brown with red ends (small lettering)
- 931007: No. S55429, SR brown with red ends (BR lettering)
- 931008: No. S55434, BR grey
- 931009: No. S55371, BR grey
- 931010: No. 80383, Engineer’s black
The RRP will be £39.95 or discounted at official retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre here. The expected availability is early 2023.
Rails of Sheffield have commissioned the original pre 1910 single end vans to be produced in SER red/brown with red ends (ran into SECR days) and SECR grey (two running numbers).
These vans are a logical choice by Rapido trains UK and compliment there already arrived SECR Diagram 1355 seven-plank open, Diagram 1347 / Diagram 1349 five-plank opens and the previously announced Diagram 1426 van and the Dia. 1744 ballast wagons.
Rapido Trains UK SECR 5 and 7 plank wagons in 00 arrive.
Rapido Trains UK first announced these 00 gauge ready to run South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR) / Southern Railway wagons in May 2021 and they have now arrived at retailers. These new models cover the Diagram 1355 seven-plank open and both the Diagram 1347 and Diagram 1349 five-plank opens built by the South Eastern & Chatham Railway on the same Maunsell/Lynes steel underframe.
Graham asked: “should this review be written in the style of a Rapido marketing email,?” but Muz replied: “Right! Stop that! It’s silly.” (with apologies to Monty Python).
I will let the photographs show how good these wagons are and provide a welcome addition to any SECR / SR modellers fleet. I have only purchased some of the SR versions, but SECR grey and BR Grey and BR Departmental versions are also available (see the original announcement here for the full list).
Some people, without a full understanding of the manufacturing process and where production and overheads costs lie, might crawl away at the RRP of £32.95; and whilst there might still be other manufacturer’s wagons currently available at a cheaper prices the realistic market prices are certainly changing as all costs rise. The models can of course be purchased from retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre at a slight discounted price.
The 7 plank open, later SR Diagram 1355, were the SECR’s most numerous wagon with 2,121 wagons built between 1915 and 1927. The SR later fitted a sheet rail. British Railways had over 70 wagons still in service in the 1960s and the last withdrawals were not until the 1970s.
The 5 plank opens utilised the same steel chassis as the 7 plank wagons, 550 were built between 1920 and 1925 with standard buffers that became SR Diagram 1347. A further 150 were built 1921/2 with the self-contained buffer type, as on the 7 plank D1355 wagons, and became SR Diagram 1349. They were withdrawn in the early 1960s.
All three versions of the models, sharing the same underframe, have accurate body detail, including nicely planked insides and now becoming much more common on wagon releases good underframe detail that includes both etched and wire parts. They also feature nice split spoked wheels on 26mm pin point axles that run in brass bearing cups, that along with a with a weight of 32/33g ensures very free running.
On my examples, as can be seen in the images, a number of the self contained buffers were glued in at wonky angles, but being separately applied parts these can be carefully reaffixed.
The livery application is crisp and well printed. I know for a fact that Rapido have used the same paint colour reference for the SR brown as the Kernow Model Rail Centre used on their ex LSWR/SR D1541 Road Vans, although this appears to be a slightly lighter but still more than acceptable, interpretation of the colour possibly due to the more satin finish, (and even lighter with the lighting I have used in my studio), on these wagons.
The tooling allows for both taped plain and the self-contained buffer types for the 5 plank wagons. To achieve the 7 plank versions fitted with the sheet rail, a pre shaped wire rail along with its moulded mounting brackets for each end of the wagon have been supplied as separate parts for the use to fit (glue) into position (instructions on fitting is included with each wagon).
The holes in the mounting brackets for the sheet rail will need to be opened out very slightly to ensure a good fit. The one slight downside is that the rail can only be positioned in the upright position, as it would be when a sheet was covering the wagon and not, without some modification, in the sideways stowed position when no sheet was fitted.
[Edit 20/05/22] To demonstrate the effect that the factory satin finsih has on the paint colour as mentioned above, the picture left shows a comparison with one of the Rapido wagons given a coat of Testors Dullcoat matt varnish and brings the colour much closer to the Kernow Model Rail Centre ex LSWR/SR D1541 Road Vans, and therefore looking much better.
The sensible choice of body and underframe combination by Rapido Trains UK provides SECR / SR modellers with three different wagon diagrams from one set of tooling and is an approach for choosing wagon types to produce that Rapido Trains UK are have also undertaken with their announcement in January of the ex SECR Diagram 1426 covered van and the D1744 ballast wagon that also share a common underframe (hopefully with straight buffers…).
Rails of Sheffield announce ex SECR / SR Maunsell D1 Class 4-4-0 in 00 Gauge
In partnership with Dapol, Rails of Sheffield have announced that they are producing the ex SECR / SR D1 Class locomotive. Production is already well underway with a current ETA being late Autumn 2022. The first livery samples have already been ‘apparently’ reviewed by Dapol.
The model will be available in six liveries:
- SECR Maunsell D1 Class SECR Grey 4-4-0 Steam Locomotive No.735
- SECR Maunsell D1 Class Southern SR Maunsell Green 4-4-0 Loco No.1749
- SECR Maunsell D1 Class Southern SR Maunsell Green 4-4-0 Loco No.1741
- SECR Maunsell D1 Class BR Black (Early Crest) 4-4-0 Locomotive No.31741
- SECR Maunsell D1 Class BR Black (Late Crest) 4-4-0 Locomotive No.31246
- SECR Maunsell D1 Class BR Black (Sunshine Lettering) 4-4-0 Loco No.31487
They are available to pre-order both DCC ready and DCC sound fitted. £199.95 DCC Ready, £324.95 DCC Sound Fitted.
After 1901 the D class locomotive further more powerful locomotives were investigated by the companies. After Richard Maunsell took over as CME from Harry Wainwright in 1913 he worked on a series of new locomotives which were intended for a long service life, this involved the conversion and upgrade of 11 E class locomotives, resulting in the E1 class. This proved very successful and led directly to the conversion of 21 D class into the D1 class between 1921 and 1927. Though arguably, not as elegant as the D class equipped with a larger boiler, a belpaire firebox and longer travel cylinders the D1 was able to produce a considerable haulage and power increase over its predecessors.
Initially allocated to Ashford shed, this class was to be found all over the south-eastern division from London to the south.
All were withdrawn by November 1961, no preserved examples exist.
The model variations include:
- Two frame variations (to include early D class conversions)
- Two cab types
- Two Chimney types
- Two Smokebox types
- Three dome types (with/without top feed and plated)
- Two safety valve types (Ross-pop and Ramsbottom)
- With and without smokebox snifter valves
- ‘High capacity’ tenders
- Manual and automatic lubricators
The technical specification includes: Diecast Chassis, Sprung buffers, Pickup from tender and driving wheels, 5 pole motor located within boiler, Pull-out PCB for tool free DCC & Speaker fitting, ‘Snap-fit’ conductive tender drawbar, Options for bass reflex speaker in tender (pre-wired) and Firebox glow.
Rails of Sheffield advise “The images shown are of early decorated production samples and are NOT final production models. Various amendments and alterations have been reported and will be altered on final production models.” Lets hope that that the review includes improvements to some of the colours lining and lettering, but such issues were not improved on the previous D class (I still need to replace the decals’ on mine with correct versions).
The D1 is however a good addition to the SR locomotive fleet available in 00.
Workbench Witterings#14 A quick brake… in 3D a SECR Diagram 1558
One of those occasions when looking for an item you come across something else purchased a while back and think I should really finish it… The other weekend I found my 3D print, purchased from Simon Dawson’s store on Shapeways (in those days when it was much cheaper than it is now…), of the 6 wheel ex SECR Diagram 1558 20 ton brake van, so I decide it would make a nice quick win project and be one less thing on the things to do one day list/pile…
Forty 6 wheel 20t brake vans were built in 1898 by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway to Diagram 1558, these had an open veranda platform (i.e. with no roof, sides or end rail) at one end and a closed one at the other. In 1910, 50 more were built with close verandas at each end, between 1914 and 1920 the original vans were modified with two closed verandas. These modified vans were identifiable as had double top rails at the rebuilt end only. All 90 vans entered Southern Railway stock and most passed into British Railways ownership. There were also variations in some of the framing, planking and handrails between the two built versions.
The one piece 3D print represents one of the first batch as modified with both verandas enclosed and correctly has the double end top rails at one end only. The print is pretty basic but was quite a clean print, has no floor, and is missing some of the fine top corner strapping detail. Handrails and lamp irons are thankfully not part of the print as I would have replaced these if they were. I replaced the printed bufferheads with finer turned metal 13″ versions, drilling the buffer stocks to take the shank.
There is no representation of any brake gear, although its omission is mainly hidden behind the full length stepboards, I will at some stage add some brake gear, once I purchase some suitable etches.
I drilled the axle boxes to take standard brass top hat bearings for Alan Gibson 12mm spoked wheels, wire handrails and lamp irons fashioned from Bambi staples were added. I made a floor from plasticard onto which I added some lead strip to bring the van weight up to approx. 45g to ensure good running. To affix the floor I first glued some plastic ‘T’ section to the inside of the van sides to provide a mounting location.
Following a dust of Halfords plastic primer the van was brush painted with Precision Paints P91 SR Freight Brown and P90 SR Venetian Red for the ends. Lettering and numbers were added using HMRS Pressfix SR Wagons transfer sheet 13 and then give a spray coat of Railmatch satin varnish to seal. Glazing for the end windows was glued into place before the floor was affixed.
For the time being standard slim tension lock couplings have been fitted using Peco Parkside P34 mounting blocks. It is now added the queue of items to be weathered.
I am sure there is potential for these vans to become a ready to run model one day, as interest in pre-grouping rolling stock is on the increase, hence this project being done as a bit of quick win.
Rapido Trains UK announce South Eastern & Chatham Railway wagons, the Diagram 1426 van and the Dia. 1744 ballast wagon and that the LBSC E1 0-6-0t is go!
Rapido Trains UK have announced today that they are producing two new ‘OO’ gauge South Eastern & Chatham Railway wagons, the Diagram 1426 van and the Dia. 1744 ballast wagon. These vans were introduced in 1918 and they lasted well into BR days, setting the standard for future Southern Railway vans. They shared the same 9ft 6in wheelbase with the five and seven plank open wagons that Rapido Trains UK announced in May last year.
The Diagram 1426 covered van sports the following features: Two types of rain strip: curved and straight, separately-fitted end ventilators, split-spoked wheels running in metal bearings and highly detailed body and under frame.
There are eleven Diagram 1426 covered vans being produced:
- 927001: No. 15782, SECR grey
- 927002: No. 16737, SECR grey
- 927003: No. 45784, SR brown (Pre 1936)
- 927004: No. 47162, SR brown (Pre 1936)
- 927005: No. 45779, SR brown (Post 1936)
- 927006: No. 47159, SR brown (Post 1936)
- 927007: No. S45819, BR grey
- 927008: No. S47144, BR grey
- 927009: No. DS47182, Departmental black
- 927010: No. DS776, Departmental brown
- 927011: No. 15750, SECR grey (preserved)
The SECR used the same underframe for the two-plank ballast wagon. It introduced the first in 1919 and 120 were built over the next four years. Incredibly, BR didn’t withdraw the last until 1971. The Diagram 1744 two plank ballast wagons feature: Two floor versions: curve-ended planks and straight-ended planks, split-spoked wheels running in metal bearings and highly detailed bodies and underframes.
There are eleven Diagram 1744 vans being produced:
- 928001: No. 567, SECR grey (preserved)
- 928002: No. 11835, SECR grey
- 928003: No. 1789, SECR grey
- 928004: No. 62454, SR red oxide (Pre 1936)
- 928005: No. 62398, SR red oxide (Pre 1936)
- 928006: No. 62371, SR red oxide (Post 1936)
- 928007: No. 62466, SR red oxide (Post 1936)
- 928008: No. 62444, BR Departmental
- 928009: No. DS62402, BR Departmental black
- 928010: No. S62433, SR red oxide with BR(S) number
- 928011: No. S62388, BR Departmental black
These wagons are available from either Rapido Trains UK direct or discounted at official retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre here.
‘E1’ – it’s on!
Rapido Trains UK have also confirmed that they are going to produce the ‘OO’ gauge LBSCR ‘E1’ 0-6-0T, that was first mooted by Model Rail magazine. They have not yet confirmed what running numbers or liveries they are going to produce, although I am advised it will cover as number of variations throughout their lifetime and geographical working area, but I will post the details as soon as further progress is advised.