Rapido Trains UK have announced they are to produce the SECR/SR O1 Class 0-6-0 in 00 gauge. This will complement their range of SECR /SR goods wagons.
O1 Class No.65 on the Bluebell Railway
Between 1878 and 1899 122 O Class locos were built designed by James Stirling. Following the first group of 20 that were built by Sharp, Stewart and Co., several more batches were completed, both by them and by the South Eastern Railway Ashford Works. The final five locos were built in 1899 By the South Eastern and Chatham Railway. In 1903 Wainwright started rebuilding the class, to become the 01 class, with domed boilers and a squared cab. 58 were so treated by 1918, with another rebuilt by the Southern Railway in 1927. Those O Class locomotives not rebuilt were all withdrawn by 1925.
A 3D Test print from the Cad
A total of 49 members of the O1 class survived into British Railways ownership with the final member of the class 31065 earning one final claim to fame by leading the ‘Farewell to Steam’ railtour on the Hawkhurst Branch, before being withdrawn from service in June 1961. Thankfully she is now preserved in full working order on the Bluebell Railway.
The Rapido Trains UK model will feature a smooth-running mechanism, a factory-installed speaker, a 21pin DCC interface, a sleek tender connection and a firebox glow. The model is currently ready for tooling, and it is hoped to have samples in the spring. At the moment only the 3D test print and livery renders have been made available.
The initial 11 versions announced are as follows:
966001: 65 Wainwright Green, As Preserved
966002: No.373 Wainwright Green
966003: No.385 SECR Grey
966004: No.A7 SR Lined Black, Maunsell Lettering
966005: No.1437 SR Plain Black, Maunsell Lettering
966006: No.1046 SR Bulleid Black early Bulleid lettering
966007: No.1379 SR Bulleid Sunshine lettering
966008: No.100 East Kent Railway Black
966009: No.s1065 British Railways Sunshine lettering
966010: No.31064 British Railways Early Crest Unlined Black
966011: No.31065 British Railways Late Crest Unlined Black
These are now available to pre-order with an RRP of £199.95 DCC Ready or £309.95 DCC Sound Fitted. This announcement is part of Rapido trains UK winter range announcement (the hint of a format to come..) and prior to the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition 25/26th November, for completeness Rapido trains UK have also announced the Cornish Bagnall Port of Par ‘Twins’ 0-4-0ST, the GNR Stirling Single No.1 (with small tender) and the GNR J52/2 0-60T, these and the O1 are available to pre-order at Rapido trains UK or with a discount at stockists such as KMRC.
The elegance of the D Class is clearly capturedThe right hand side of 1734 with the high level of details clear to see
A total of 51 of these elegant D Class 4-4-0s were built in a number batches between 1901 and 1907 and were built by a range of manufacturers. The first 20 being split between Sharp Stewart and Ashford, the next ten by Dubs & Co, followed by ten split between Stephenson & Co and the Vulcan Foundry, the final eleven being once again built at Ashford. Initial duties included the main express services on all the SECR primary routes. Following grouping and the introduction of newer classes such as the N15s they were transferred to secondary services such as Brighton, Redhill, and Basingstoke stopper services.
The main withdrawal commenced in the early 1950s with the last six being based ay Guildford shed working Redhill – Reading services until 1956. Number 737 was saved for preservation as part of the National Collection and cosmetically restored to SECR livery and condition.
During the 1920s Maunsell rebuilt 21 as the D1 class with a larger Belpaire firebox, superheating, new piston valves a Maunsell style cab. Whilst improving efficiency and performance the rebuilds certainly lost much of the elegance.
A rear 3/4 view of 1734The well detailed and decorated cab and the push fit drawbar.The very nice representation of the motion between the frames under the boilerThe front face of the D Class showing the randomly silver smokebox door hinge and coupling hookA close up of the right hand side of 1734
The dimensionally accurate model certainly captures the Wainwright elegance wonderfully well with an excellent detail. It features a five pole motor driving the front driving axle and a the now standard Dapol ‘pinless’ click to couple drawbar that also carries the electrical connections. Electrical pick up is on all tender wheels as well as the locomotive driving wheels. For those using DCC the model has Next-18 Decoder socket mounted on a pull out PCB behind the smokebox door with space for a 15mm x 11mm cube speaker, plus provision for customer to fit a larger bass speaker in tender. The loco also features the current gimmick of a firebox flicker although on DC you would hardly know its there .
The level of detail is wonderful including a good representation of the inside valve gear between the frames, well modelled and decorated cab details even down to the padlocks on the tender tool lockers. Separately applied items include lamp irons, pipe work, handrails and factory fitted brake rodding on both loco and tender. The buffers (once you have fitted the tender buffer back on that often appears to be loose in purchasers boxes) are sprung. The the slightly plasticly coal, is not so much removable as needs something to stop it falling off the model, and the water tank and limited coal space on these engines is modelled underneath it.
An accessory bag supplied with the model includes: cab doors, front guard irons and steam pipes and pipework (incorrectly names as vacuum pipes in the supplied owners manual), along with a ‘tool’ for pulling out the DCC PCB in the smokebox for what Dapol call their ‘Tool-less’ system (begs the question when is a tool not a tool?).
The tooling appears to allow for at least two chimneys. When first introduced they were fitted with tall copper capped chimneys. Circa the1910s they fitted with a shorter larger diameter capuchon chimney, that were then gradually replaced with a plain topped version after Grouping, although 1493 kept the capuchon chimney until withdrawal. With this model in the wartime SR Sunshine black livery it is unlikely to have still been fitted with a capuchon chimney (unless I can find a dated picture). The BR Lined black version also has the same incorrect chimney.
The replacement wheelset, tool and spare traction tyres
When announced the Engineering Prototype shown included a diecast boiler and smokebox, model 4-4-0s are notoriously difficult to balance, the boiler and smokebox on the production models first appeared to be plastic, with the loco minus tender only weighing 155g, and traction tyres fitted on the front driving wheels. Having now taken the model apart it does seem to still be die cast. The change to fit traction tyres only came to light publicly when the models started to be delivered, so is no different than a Hornby T9 in that respect.
Possibly if a more traditional DDC approach with the socket etc. hidden inside the tender, rather than the smokebox and some of the boiler, more space might have been available for more weight. As a compromise, and to be fair a nice touch, the model has been supplied with a non traction tyre fitted drop in wheelset (along with a tool for undoing the crank pin screws.
It has also been noted that on my model the front traction tyre fitted wheelset has blackened rims whilst the rear drivers are not blackened. This is possibly as a result of the late change to fit traction tyres as the spare wheelset supplied matches the rear driving wheels i.e. no blackened rim. Also supplied are spare traction tyres. The model runs smoothly and quietly on the limited space on Canute Road Quay although I have not been able to test its haulage capacity.
A number of the models have also demonstrated a notable difference in height between the tender and loco running plates. My example is not as noticeable as some. It appears to depend on the fit of the loco body at the rear of the chassis, I am led to believe that all the models have has some form of work carried out on them in the UK to ensure the loco to tender drawbar connects correctly and the rear chassis screw tightness is part of the fix.
A side on view of 1734 the overscale lettering and numbers are clear to see
The other elephant in the room is the decoration: on my model pictured the Sunshine lettering and number style character height is 3.71mm when they should be a scale 9″ high i.e. 3mm and also the green shading is over weight further emphasising the oversize and immediately detracts to my eye, and I will have to replace them at some stage, some of the metal work has been picked out in bright silver paint, including the coupling hook and randomly part of the smokebox door hinge and will need toning down.
From photos I have seen the SR olive green version, as well as the odd shade of green, has an issue in some areas with registration of the lining and also the number font on the tender not a correct representation of the SR number font, the ‘3’ should be completely curved version and is to heavy weight The RH side tender emblem on BR lined version faces the wrong and also suffers from the number font being too heavy and therefore the over width of the numbers is too wide.
So my D Class will need to get in to the workbench queue to have the chimney corrected and the lettering and numbers replaced along with the toning down of some of the random silver paintwork and generally weathered.
Overall, despite the livery niggles and the slightly disappointing overall weight and the need for traction tyres the Rails Of Sheffield in partnership with Dapol Wainwright D Class 4-4-0 is a lovely model with some great detail and a welcome addition for pre-grouping / SR modellers especially those modelling the Eastern Section and will be a good stable mate for the Bachmann C class, Hattons P Class and the Hornby H class.
Retailer Rails Of Sheffield have today announced that in partnership with Dapol and Locomotion Models that they are to produce the South Eastern and Chatham Railway Wainwright D Class 4-4-0 locomotive.
The first Engineering Prototype sample already here and is currently under review.
Models will have NEM coupling pockets, Next-18 Decoder socket, ‘pullout’ PCB and solderless speaker (plus provision for customer to fit Bass reflex speaker in tender).
The EP at today’s launch at the NRM (Picture copyright and courtesy A York)
Locomotives will feature a firebox flicker effect. Another feature is the drawbar between the locomotive and tender which is of a new ‘pinless’ type carrying the electrical connection. Dapol are the first manufacturer to use this type of drawbar on a British outline 00 scale locomotive. To couple the locomotive to the tender it is necessary to connect on it on a straight piece of track to enable them to be pushed together.
This has been an often requested locomotive, especially with No. 737 being preserved and pride of place in the Railway Museum and Rails of Sheffield have beaten a number of interested parties to the market. This adds a further SR related models to their range along with the SECR Diagram 1224 8 and 10 ton Covered Goods Wagon and of course the LBSC Terrier Locomotives.
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!
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.
Hornby first announced their intention to produce, as part of their 2017 rang,e the ex SECR Wainwright H class 0-4-4t back in September 2016 The first models, the SECR livery version, duly arrived October 2017 followed by the BR late crest lined black version in December 2017. I have now received my own model No. 1324 in SR olive green, hence me only just officially reviewing the model now.
A side view of R3540 in SR livery as 1324
The first 64 of the eventual 66 members of the class were first introduced by Wainwright of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway between November 1904 and 1909. The final two members of the class were eventually built under the auspices of Maunsell in 1915! They first appeared in Wainwright’s fully lined dark green livery followed by by Maunsell’s plain dark green livery, then the wartime dull grey livery up until 1923. In Southern Railway days they were in lined olive green which gave way for most members of the class to Bulleid black under wartime conditions and eventually British Railways lined black.
All but two members of the class (numbers 1264 & 1312 due to cracked frames) entered British Railways service with withdrawals taking place initially between 1951 and 1953 as a result of the spread of electrification and the remainder between 1959 and 1964. A large number of the class were fitted with standard SR air control Pull Push gear from 1949 onwards to replace some of the aging D3, R & R1 0-4-4 tanks. There were a number of slight differences within the class such as steam and Westinghouse braked versions, slight variations in coal and water capacities, while fifteen of the class had straight sided rather than flared topped coal bunkers.
R3539 No. 31518 in lined BR black with late crests and, correctly, OHLE warning flashes and pull push fitted
R3540 No 1324 in SR Olive green livery (Post 1931 i.e. number changed from A324 to 1324)
R3512 No. 31551 in BR lined black with late crest as part of a train pack with Maunsell Pull Push iset No. 602, comprising coach nos.1318 and 6681
As part the range for 2018 announced Hornby are to produce R3631 as 31265, representing one of the 15 members of the class with flat side bunkers (which is revised tooling new for 2018), in BR lined black with early crest. A further versions is being produced during 2018 as a limited edition for Hornby Collectors club members as R3648 No. 263 as she is persevered on the Bluebell Railway. It should be noted that No. 263 when introduced, in May 1905, she was one of the fifteen members of the class with flat sided bunkers and fitted with early type pull push gear. Sometime before withdrawal, by BR in January 1964, she was fitted with a version of the flared bunker style (not quite matching the rest of the class, see if you can spot the difference) and she has retained the style bunker in preservation.
A rear 3.4 view of No. 1324
Hornby have included within their tooling the ability to produce a number of options including smokebox rivet style, steam and Westinghouse braked versions, flat and flared bunker sides along with those fitted with air control pull push gear and its associated small bore air control pipework down one side of the running plate.
The model is fitted with pick ups on all wheels (although some have found those on the bogie require a little adjustment to function correctly), a five pole motor and brass flywheel and incorporates an 8 pin DCC socket. Body removal is quite simple, requiring the removal of four screws, however those wishing to a fit sound a small speak can be located within the bunker but this will require a little more complex dismantling of the body. Included with the model is an accessory / detail pack containing brake rodding, hand brake linkage, small NEM tension lock couplings and buffer beam pipe where applicable for the Pull Push fitted versions (which are neatly designed to mount behind the bottom edge of the buffer beam.
A close up of No. 1324 looking into the cab
Hornby have certainly captured the look and dimensions of the prototype well and includes many separately applied parts including: pipework, handrails, lamp irons (front and rear) whistle, safety vales, smokebox dart, sprung buffers, sand pipes, a sliding cab roof shutter and steps. The cab features a fully detailed interior with leavers, control vales and dials all suitable painted. Both the front and rear spectacles are glazed with the rear ones fitted with glazing bars and the bunker coal load is removable.
Looking at home on Canute Road Quay, resting between shunting turns.
Livery application of all the released versions that I have seen is up to the usual very high standard that we have come to expect from Hornby. The selection of the SR Olive Green livery version as No. 1324 is convenient (possibly on purpose) as this loco retained this livery right until nationalisation before gaining BR lined black, so she never gained wartime SR Black with Sunshine letter so widens her period of operation (it makes a change for me not to have to repaint a model to suit my own 1946 to 1949 period, although I dare say a repainted one will enter the fleet at some stage in the future).
Once again Hornby are to be commended for the product of another excellent Southern model. Knowing that the earlier released livery versions have already sold out with most stockists the H Class is bound to be a success as further livery variants are announced in future catalogues.
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.
Today, via their Engine Shed blog, Hornby have announced that they are to produce the ex SECR / SR Wainwright H class 0-4-4 tank as part of their 2017 range. The blog post also includes images of the first 3D Stereolithography printed samples showing the excellent progress that they have made so far. Ever since they posted a teaser picture some time ago on their Engine Shed blog and social media, taken on the roof whilst photographing and measuring the only surviving member of the class, number 1263, on the Bluebell Railway the rumours have been circulating; although I have been fortunate to know it was being worked on for some time now.
My model of H class number 1522 buit from a South Eastern Finecast white metal kit
The first 64 of the eventual 66 members of the class were first introduced by Wainwright of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway between November 1904 and 1909. The final two members of the class were eventually built under the auspices of Maunsell in 1915! They first appeared in Wainwright’s fully lined dark green livery followed by by Maunsell’s plain dark green livery, then the wartime dull grey livery up until 1923. In Southern Railway days they were in lined olive green which gave way to Bulleid black under wartime conditions and eventually British Railways lined black.
Although in a spurious malachite green livery, this is my very early attempt at producing an H Class tank using an much cut about Wrenn R1 0-6-0T as the starting point, but is one of the 15 with the flat sided bunker
All but two members of the class (numbers 1264 & 1312 due to cracked frames) entered British Railways service with withdrawals taking place initially between 1951 and 1953 as a result of the spread of electrification and the remainder between 1959 and 1964. A large number of the class were fitted with standard SR air control Pull Push gear from 1949 onwards to replace some of the aging D3, R & R1 0-4-4 tanks. There were a number of slight differences within the class such as steam and Westinghouse braked versions, slight variations in coal and water capacities, while fifteen of the class had straight sided rather than flare topped coal bunkers.
Hornby have announced their intention to initially in 2017 to produce three versions: SECR full lined green, Southern olive green (subject to confirmation) and early emblem BR liveries; along with a fourth BR late crest variant in a train pack with two Maunsell 6xx series Pull Push coaches.
Final details and actual locomotive numbers etc will be further revealed in due course, and posted on this blog when available, however the Hornby design team have advised me that they are tooling to accommodate steam and Westinghouse braked versions, flat and flared bunker sides along with those fitted with air control pull push gear.
This will no doubt be a popular release and very useful for modellers of the Eastern and Central sections of the Southern Railway rather then the Western Section which has already recently been well catered for by Hornby with their M7, N15, S15, T9 and 700 class releases.
Built between 1900 and 1908 the eventually 109 strong Wainwright C Class 0-6-0 tender locomotives were one of the first three new designs introduced after the creation of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway following the legal union of the South Eastern Railway and the London Chatham and Dover Railway. The class was long lived with only two not passing into British Railways ownership. The last members of the class were not withdrawn, mainly as a result of the Kent Coast electrification, until 1962 (although three survived into departmental use as Ashford Works shunters until 1966).
With excellent riding qualities the C Class were often found on passenger and excursion duties as well as their primary role on goods trains throughout originally the SECR and subsequently the Eastern Section of the SR. Number 592 is now preserved on the Bluebell Railway.
Bachmann C Class in SR post 1937 livery
Bachmann first announced their intention to produce a C Class in 2011. Initially three versions are now available and hitting the retailers:
31-460 as number 592 in SECR Lined Green as preserved on the Bluebell Railway
31-461 as number 1256 in post 1940 Southern Railway Black
31-462 as number 31086 in BR Black with Early Emblem
Bachmann have certainly done an excellent job in capturing the looks of these engines and the initial impression is very positive.
The lovely SECR livery. Picture courtesy and copyright A York
The SECR livery application is extremely fine, pretty much second to none, capturing nearly all the intricate lining and lettering including the tiny SECR lettering on the tender axle boxes. The steam reverser however should also be lined but is in plain green on the model presumably due to limitations in the printing process. The other limitation of the livery application in model form is the finish of the brass dome does not quite match the highly polished original.
3/4 view from behind shows the tender detail and the cast metal coal load
Bachmann have also tooled for the correct taller original pattern chimney on the SECR livery version which is different to the other two releases.
I am sure many sales will / have occurred just because it looks so pretty.
On the post 1940 Southern black version illustrated here the lettering and numerals, shaded in green, are nicely applied and correct in that the numbers do not have the same inside black line as the lettering on the tender. They certainly look very comparable to my usual preferred use of HMRS decals for most of the SR post 1937 black locos in my fleet.
The underframe detail including the brakes, sandpipes and guard irons are all finely moulded including those on the tender. Brake rigging is supplied for the purchaser to fit to the locomotive and tender, although this is quite fiddly especially on the loco needing to take care around the sanding pipes.
The face of the C Class
The loco to tender coupling is a semi permanent fixed bar and is adjustable to shorten the gap between the loco and tender. The DCC plug location is in the tender so the wires between the loco and tender are connected via a small plug, very similar to that used by Hornby for a while now, which will make splitting the tender and loco apart if necessary much easier. It should be noted however that no pick ups are included on the tender itself which is a shame.
Bachmann’s usual use of a cast metal coal load helps give some weight to the otherwise quite light tender however if the load is removed it leaves a flat topped tender with a two locating holes rather than any representation of the albeit very small coal space, I assume that this is compromise to leave enough space inside the tender for the fitting of a DCC Sound speaker. I am not personally convinced by the coal effect this gives and will be adding a layer of real crushed coal once the loco is weathered.
On the all over black livery versions the fine details unlike that of the SECR livery are sometimes lost and some light weathering will actually help accentuate this detail.
The slight protrusion of the motor and gearbox in front of the firebox can be seen
The motor and drive is very well concealed within the firebox and it does protrude slightly forward of the front of the firebox, which is more noticeable on the SECR green version due to the prominence of the end of the polished boiler band but less so on the black versions. This does leave the correct daylight under the boiler but it is a shame that Bachmann have not included, unlike some recent models, any representation of the inside motion between the frames here as just a flat plate is visible.
Excellent detail and painting within the cab
A lovely wealth of detail is present including lubricating and control pipework especially around the steam reverser, hand rails and lamp irons. The detail inside the open cab is excellent and Bachmann have recently upped their game with such detail including the painting and printing. Like some recent Hornby models there is even representation of the letting and needles on the pressure gauges. Curiously all versions have the protruding top of the firebox inside the cab painted in brass. Whilst this is likely to be correct for the SECR livery version I am not convinced it would have looked that way in later life as per the other livery variations.
As well as the brake rigging already mentioned for the purchaser to fit the model also comes with nicely moulded screw couplings one is factory fitted to the Loco and a spare for the tender if the tension lock coupling is removed; cab doors that will need to be glued in place as there does not appear to be any locating devices for them; and a nice set of fire irons for the tender. The only thing missing these days from the main manufacturer’s products are loco crew, but I assume that these ideally would need to be painted and would therefore increase costs too much.
Overall this model of the C Class is a sure fire winner and hopefully it will convince Bachmann to consider other such southern area pre grouping prototypes in the future.
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The model railway world and mainly Southern Railway meanderings of Graham 'Muz' Muspratt
