Just a quick first post of 2015, which will be the first of a series of twelve for the year, for obvious reasons…
For family and a few close friends I produce a calendar of Fisherton Sarum images and this series simply reflects the image used for the respective month.

A Drummond 4-4-0 L11 “Large Hopper” No 405 is being coaled and watered. She has been built from Lodden etched brass kit.The LSWR style water column is scratchbuilt from brass tube. An M7 0-4-4T simmers over the ash pits and a Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacific can just about be seen being turned in background.

Back at the start of December I started and posted about a repaint of a Bachmann N class into post war SR black livery for friend and fellow post war period modeller Robin Sweet (Gwrrob on RMweb) for use on his excellent, albeit GWR,  layout ‘Brent’ based on South Brent in Devon.

The finished and weathered Bachmann N class as 1848, the  top front lamp iron, missing from the Bachmann model is made from a staple and a Sprinside SR lamp drilled to be an interface fit added

I detailed my process in my post mentioned above but will remind you of it again here for completeness now that the process has been completed over the Christmas break and the locomotive weathered, delivered and run on its new home.

a rear 3/4 view of 1848, real coal has been added to the tender along with crew.

My repainting process takes place with the bodies removed from the chassis:

- Remove the existing decals (with Bachman locos I used good quality enamel thinners on a cotton bud)

- Remove factory fitted such as smoke deflectors, pipework, valve fittings, glazing etc.

- Mask any areas such the buffer beams

N Class 1848 enters Brent Station on Rob’s excellent layout

- Give a dusting of the excellent Halfords plastic primer, this gives a key for the top coat and prevents any reaction between the factory paint and the top coat of Halfords Satin black

- Brush paint matt black the smokebox and cab roof, repaint the buffer beams if required

- Decal using HMRS Pressfix decals.

The train spotters view over the fence at Brent station

My weathering process once the locomotive is fully reassembled (prior to weathering I apply oil on moving parts

!848 catches late evening sunlight as she rounds rounds the curve leaving the station

such as valve gear joints etc) is as follows:

- Pick out some details in relevant colours such as block dust colour on and around brake blocks, rust on guard irons and exposed firebox sides under the running plate, oily steel and grease on brake pull rods and reversing rod etc.

- Streak a wash of dirty thinners from top to bottom of

Crossing the road bridge with a view of South Dartmoor beyond. Meanwhile the Postman is completing his round.

tender and cab sides and boiler

- Airbrush dirty black over the boiler took to represent soot deposits

A final close up of 1848 at home amongst Rob’s excellent scenic work and very effective backscene.

- Airbrush a dirty track colour mix from the bottom upwards over the chassis and slightly up the body sides, not forgetting the tender rear and smokebox front. I do this as a couple of light passes moving the wheels and motion between passes to ensure no shadows appear.

- If required lightly clean off weathering from some areas such as around numbers etc or where crew might had lightly cleaned or grabbed handrails etc.

It was nice to see some Southern influence deep in GWR territory, but of course it was a usual practice for both SR and GWR crew to remain familiar with each other routes to Plymouth in case of the need of diversion, due for example to weather conditions. Number 1848 was in fact a Salisbury based in engine just post war, so quite apt from Fisherton Sarum perspective,  she must therefore have been hijacked by Exmouth Junction shed for a run down to Plymouth.

Back at the start of November last year the 4mm scale road vehicle manufacturer Oxford Diecast, launched a new brand called Oxford Rail and their intention to produce an ex LSWR 0415 class 4-4-2T Adams Radial Tank. They have today released further details about the model, with samples due in April, and also announced their first item rolling stock, namely a range of Railway Clearing House (RCH) 7 Plank 12 ton mineral private owner wagon.

The first three livery versions, priced at £99.95, of the Adams Radial announced are as follows:

OR76AR001 BR lined black late crest number 30583
OR76AR002 BR lined black early emblem number 60584
OR76AR003 Southern number 488 (no further details on the actual variartion of the Southern livery or if as preserved has been provided)
[Edit: The Oxford Rail website has now been amended to read “LSWR number 488″, so therefore likely to be as preserved]

The standard 12 Ton Mineral wagon was the most numerous design of mineral wagons built in the UK after 1923. They were originally built with 7 side planks, had a universal length of 16’6″ with a width of 8’0″ and wheelbase of 9’0″  These wagons were of a simple design and employed standard RCH fittings throughout.

The first livery variations of this wagon, priced at £8.95 due the second quarter this year, and already fully tooled, are as follows:

OR76MW001 No.95 Fear Bros Staines (Red body, white lettering shaded black)
OR76MW002 No.10 Leamington Priors Gas (Red body, white lettering shaded black)
OR76MW003 No.44 E Welford & Son Oxford (Red body, white lettering shaded black)
OR76MW004 No.16 Weymouth & District Co-op (Dark green body, white lettering)
OR76MW005 No.217 Coventry Collieries (Black body, white lettering)
OR76MW006 No.286 Arley Colliery (Red body, white lettering shaded black)

Full details and images of the wagon liveries can be found on the Oxford Rail website

Further to the Hornby announcement of their new range for 2015 on 17th December last year, detailed from a Southern / BR(s) perspective on this blog  that included three versions of the Southern Railway built Maunsell 4-6-0 S15 locomotives. I am now able, having closely reviewed the proposed livery artwork, to exclusively advise the proposed running numbers and additional details for the three versions being initially produced, with an anticipated release date of June this year.

A further view of the 3D test print. Note the bogies under the tender are not the final Maunsell versions

R3327 SR Maunsell lined olive green as number 824 paired with a Urie Bogie tender. She will be with smoke deflectors and therefore represents the condition she was in from September 1932 when renumbered without the ‘E’ prefix. 824 was one of the first batch of the Maunsell S15’s built in March 1927 and an Exmouth Junction allocated locomotive during all her Southern Railway days. 824 remained in this livery until April 1940 when under wartime conditions she was repainted in unlined olive green with Bullied style lettering.

A 3D test print prior to tooling of the S15 With Flush sided tender

R3328 BR early emblem livery as 30843 paired with a Maunsell flat sided bogie tender. 30843 was one of the third batch of Maunsell S15’s built in September 1936. 30384 ran in this livery as an Exmouth Junction allocated locomotive, with a 72A shedplate, between December 1954 and July 1959 when she gained the late crest (She ran with no emblem on the tender at all between a repaint in August 1949 and November 1954).

R3329 BR late emblem livery as 30830, with AWS fitted, paired to a Urie Bogie tender c/w auxiliary vacuum reservoirs. 30830 was a from the second batch of Maunsell S15’s built in August 1927. 30830 ran in this livery, with a 72B Salisbury shed plate between May 1960, when AWS equipment was fitted, and December 1963 when she was transferred to Feltham.

I hope this information is of interest and I thank the Hornby design team, with whom I am assisting, for allowing me to publish it.

Today, 30th January 2015, marks the 50 anniversary of the solemn occasion of the State Funeral of one of our greatest statesman Sir Winston Churchill following his passing on 24th January 1965. Sir Winston Churchill was the only “commoner”, i.e non Royal, in the 20th Century to be awarded the honour of a State Funeral. The day is especially remembered in railway circles, following the service in St. Paul’s Cathedral, due to the his final journey by rail being from Waterloo to Handborough in Oxfordshire for the private family interment in Bladon.

The State Funeral procession led from St. Paul’s Cathedral, via the River Thames on the Port of London Authority launch Havengore, that travelled from Tower Pier and the Pool of London (even the Pool’s crane jibs were dipped as a mark of respect) to the Royal Festival Hall landing stage. From there, the procession went by road to Waterloo Station and onto the funeral train that comprised of Bulleid Battle of Britain class No. 34051 “Winston Churchill”; Pullman brake car No. 208; hearse van S2464S (an SR gangway bogie luggage van repainted to Pullman colours back in July 1962 and stored awaiting its eventual use); Pullman kitchen parlour cars “Carina” and “Lydia”; Pullman parlour car “Perseus”; and Pullman brake car “Isle of Thanet.

Folklore states that Sir Winston Churchill requested that should he pass on before the French head of Government Charles de Gaulle that the train should leave for Oxfordshire from “Waterloo” rather then the perhaps more logical Paddington, however this may not in reality be fact.  The official plans for the State occasion first started to be drawn up in 1958 under the code name “Operation Hope Not”. The train attracted large crowds along the lineside for its entire route as a mark of great respect for the man that had led and inspired many though the dark days of the Second World War.

My model of “Winston Churchill” in her earlier Southern days as 21C151 as she was allocated to Salisbury and therefore makes a regular appearance on Fisherton Sarum.

34051, numbered 21C151 in Southern Railway days (as pictured left), was a Salisbury engine for most of her working life (except briefly being at both Nine Elms and Exmouth Junction in 1950) and was sent to Nine Elms, from Salisbury, especially for this occasion and was driven by a Nine Elms crew namely: Royal Train Driver A.W. Hurley and Fireman Jim Lester. The locomotive famously carried a three disc head code representing “V” for Victory. Departing Waterloo at 1:28pm, the train travelled respectfully slowly on Southern Region metals to Reading where it joined the Western Region line to reach Handborough, via Didcot and Oxford, arriving at 3:23pm. 34051 returned back to Nine Elms light engine via the reverse route, whilst the funeral train itself returned to London Paddington.

Jim’s fascinating memories about that day, along with some great photographs, can be read here on the excellent Nine Elms Locomotive shed website.  Further information and pictures can be found here on the SEmG website.

After withdrawal in September 1965, 34051 was preserved in the National Collection and now along with hearse van S2464S has been cosmetically restored and is currently forming part of a special exhibition at the National Railway Museum in York.

R3300 Winston Churchill funeral train pack

Finally, as announced last December Hornby are marking the occasion with the release of their R3300 Winston Churchill funeral train pack comprising of Bulleid original style light pacific No. 34051 with cut down tender, in BR livery with late crest,  2 off Pullman cars, (although not prototypically the correct style of 1951 built Pullman cars) ‘Lydia’, ‘Perseus’ and Pullman liveried Gangwayed Bogie Luggage Van S2464 (note existing tooling is being used for the GBL and not strictly as per the prototype van that was modified with additional windows in the centre pair of doors). We await to see when this train pack will actually be available…

This months picture…

Drummond T14 class 461 heads South West with a stopper service to Yeovil passing Bulleid Light Pacific Battle of Britain class s21C159 ‘Sir Archibold Sinclair’ on the rear ‘Windsor Castle’ coaling line on shed, so named after the Public House located on the north side of the main line.

Back in March 2013 Bachmann Europe announced its intention to produce a model of the ex London Brighton and South Coast Railway, Billinton designed E4 class 0-6-2 tanks. The first production versions of this model are now on their way to the UK, with a small number having been sent to the model press for reviews in the last week or so. With the grateful thanks of Bachmann I was allowed to borrow, view and photograph an example yesterday at the Milton Keynes Model Railway Society exhibition and use fellow High Wycombe and District MRS member Alan Paley’s Loughborough Road layout as a backdrop.

Bachmann E4 posed on Loughborough Road

Four versions were announced:
35-075 Number 579 in LBSC Umber
35-076 Number B 473 in Southern, Pre 1931, Olive Green
35-077 Number 32556 in unlined BR Black Early Emblem
35-078 Number 32470 in lined BR Black Late Crest.

Bachmann E4 Left hand side view

It should be noted that in January this year Bachmann advised that the running number of the 35-078 Late Crest Version had been changed to 32500.

As we can expect from the Bachmann they have captured the look and details of this delightful tank locomotive very well, and having now seen all but the LBSC Umber version, which will follow the SR and BR versions, the livery application is up to their usual high standard.

A bird’s eye view of the Bachmann E4 on Loughborough Road

I take this opportunity, having discussed this directly with Bachmann, to advise that the Southern Olive Green version No. B473, as photographed here, is modelled in her Era 3 condition (1923 to 1931/2 before she was renumbered 2473). Most E4’s during this period did, unlike the model, have lining to the cab fronts, and although I have not seen an actual picture of B 473 in this period it is evident that not all the class were so treated.

A bird’s eye view of the Bachmann E4 on Loughborough Road

This is as clearly stated in their catalogue, and not therefore totally correct for number 473 as she has been preserved on the Bluebell Railway as there have been a small number of detail and livery changes made during preservation. This has been the subject of some debate on a number of the online forums and I am pleased to be able to clarify here.

Although ex LBSC locomotives they could seen seen across a wide area of the Southern network, with a number post 1948 being allocated to ex LSWR sheds such as Basingstoke and Nine Elms; even Salisbury received a couple (numbers 32506 and 32486), post the closure of the Western Region shed in 1950, much to the annoyance of the ex WR crews to replace their pannier tanks shunting Fisherton Yard!

As advised the other week Fisherton Sarum will be exhibited at the Princes Risborough and District Model Railway Club’s Risex show this coming Saturday . This nice little local show that showcases a number of local layouts, is being held at the Community Centre, Wades Field, Stratton Road, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 9AX. The show is open between 10 am and 5 pm and is well worth a visit, so come along if you can and say hello.

Making their debut on Fisherton Sarum at the show will be two ex LSWR locomotives.

M7 No. 60 is a repainted Hornby model

Firstly is a repainted Hornby Drummond M7 to represent Salisbury allocated,  long frame pull push fitted number 60. I have repainted this model from her original Southern olive green livery into post 1946 Southern Railway black with Bulleid Sunshine lettering to match my modelling period.

No 60 is Pull Push fitted and will paired with my ex LSWR Emigrant Pull Push set 734

The intention is that she will be paired with my ex LSWR Emigrant Stock Pull Push set 734. At past shows this set has run with a my heavily modified ex Triang M7 (that had been rewheeled, detailed with a Crownline kit and repainted) but as she runs on her original X04 open frame motor she tends to catch out operators with the amount of power required to get her to start.
Number 60 has been repainted and lightly weather using my tried and tested method of Halfords plastic primer and satin black top coat and enamels picking out details before weathering. Further information on this process can be read here.

A12 class number 652 has been expertly built by Dave Taylor

The second locomotive to make her debut will be ex LSWR Adams A12 class 2-4-0 number 652, to work on either a secondary passenger or freight turns. I already have an Adams A12 in my locomotive fleet number 528 built quite some time ago as detailed in this post here, however she does not often appear on Fisherton Sarum as ideally she needs to be repainted and renumbered (as 654) in to Southern post 1946 black to be correct for my modelling period, but have not yet had the heart to do so.

Number 652 was a salisbury allocated engine and will be seen on secondary passenger and freight turns.

I can not lay claim to the build, as she was built by friend and excellent modeller Dave Taylor (some of you my have seen his fantastic 0-16.5 narrow gauge layout Bridport Town). She like 528 has been expertly built by David from a Nu-Cast kit and his build can be read about here on Dave’s inspirational Southern Locomotives RMweb kit build thread. She needed a new home once he finished her, although a few final details have been completed by myself, and I could not resist the opportunity to own such a quality model, it will be an honour to have her running on Saturday at the Risex show.

Fisherton Sarum’s next exhibition appearance after Risex will be on the 28th / 29th March at the  London Festival of Model Railways organised by Warners and The Model Railway Club at Alexandra Palace, London.

In May last year I reported that the small manufacturer of Ready To Run locomotive 00 Works are to produce seven variations of the ex London Brighton and South Coast Railway Marsh I3 4-4-2 Tanks.  The first version has now arrived from 00 Works, although I have not personally ordered one myself (I already have a kit built one, that can be seen here in my Talking Stock #25 post along with some further details on the prototype) I am indebted to fellow Southern modeller Tony Teague for his photographs and comments below.

The 00 Works I3 4-4-2T in plain black with no decals. Picture courtesy and copyright T Teague

This release follows on from a number of Southern locomotive produced by the ’00’ Works in the past such as: N15, 700, C, E4 and 0415 Adams Radial classes (although of course these have now all been subsequently been announced or produced by the major manufacturers). The level of detail of these models has steadily improved over time, although is still not as high as we see from the likes of Hornby and Bachmann, or from if built carefully from kits.

A rear 3/4 view of the 00 Works I3, note the lack of buffer beam lamp irons. Picture courtesy and copyright T Teague

Tony advised: The I3 has a bit more detail than seen on previous 00 Works models including some interior cab detail, etched rear cab window grills, wire handrails and a good representation of a Westinghouse pump; from my perspective as a Southern Railway modeller the numberplate moulded onto the smoke box door is not quite so helpful on what is a plain, unnumbered version, but I’ll probably live with it. The moulded coal in the bunker does not look good; if real coal is not supplied, as it has been on some previous 00 Works models, then I’d prefer an empty bunker. The model has a smooth, fairly quiet motor and I put it onto a fairly heavy test train without any running in, and it was able to pull away, albeit with some wheel-slip, and make good speed.

A higher view of the I3 note the lack of smokebox top, and side bufferbeam lamp irons. Picture courtesy and copyright T Teague

Tony continued; advising that he has obtained a number of the 00 Works releases since 2002: Some are much better than others – I like their N15 King Arthur’s for example, but at the other end the Adams Radial is an awful performer! Early models also tended to have the bodies fixed to the chassis via a large, visible screw, but I have to say that like other manufacturers, 00 Works have progressed and improved, and I feel that the I3 is one of their best. Given the current cost of getting a kit built and the lack of any RTR I3 in the foreseeable future I am still of the view that this represents reasonable value for money.

From my own view of the images Tony supplied and those I have seen elsewhere I also note that although this model includes the characteristic LBSC style front tall middle iron positions, but it omits the buffer beam lamp irons at the base the of the tall ones and the upper smokebox position completely, although the centre lamp iron is present. On the Bunker rear however the upper and two middle lamp irons are include but not any on the buffer beam. Another area that has slightly let down the finish of the 00 Works releases in the past has been the highly visible carrier film to decals especially the numbers, although Tony’s is an unnumbered version I have seen that this issue still exists on their numbered releases.

Despite these small issues the model from 00 Works fills a niche gap in the RTR market and a with little additional detail makes a fine model. Thanks again for Tony for his pictures and comments on this model.

Hornby have today made a surprise announcement, bringing forward one that was due for December this year that as part of the 2016 range, that they are to produce an Original air smoothed Bullied Merchant Navy Pacific.

A Model of 21c1 in her original condition built by Stan Chandler from a Millholme kit that can regularly been seen on Fisherton Sarum

Hornby have been working on this model for a while, with some assistance already from myself, to be part of their 2016 range. The initial releases, although full details are yet to be revealed, will be based on the first series of 10 locomotives built between February 1941 and June 1942. They will include 21c1 “Channel Packet” in her original condition as introduced without smoke deflectors and widows peak style front end. The Hornby announcement also includes some early development images, some of which they have been hinting about and sharing via social media earlier this week. My  very first Talking Stock #1 post details the differences within the three series of three class. 

This early announcement by Hornby may be seen as a pre-emptive move as Bachmann are due to make their 2015 announcement of their plans for the next 18 months on Monday, at a media event I am attending. I will of course bring the news on any such Southern Railway related releases on here hot the press on Monday.  Although this might possibly result in some duplication of a class, and at this time of writing there is of course no such duplication, other than perhaps an educated guess made by some due the N gauge version of Series 3 Merchant Navy locomotives already being produced by Graham Farish,  the class has enough variations to perhaps keep a number of manufacturers busy, lets wait and see!

This months picture…

A line up of Bulleid Pacifics outside Fisherton Sarum shed. 21C102 “Salisbury” on the far left is modified Hornby fitted with original style cab and short smoke deflectors. 21C103 “Plymouth” is on the right and has the same modifications as 21C102. Between them are two Merchant Navy Pacifics on the left is a Series 3 build 35023 “Holland-Afrika Line”, next to Series 1 build 21C6 “Peninsular and Orient Line” both built from Millholme whitemetal kits

Bachmann Europe Plc. have today, back in its usual March timing after last years change to July to coincide with the 25th Anniversary celebrations, announced their plans for the next 18 months, or so,  for both the Bachmann Branchlines (00) and Graham Farish (N) brands. They also provided updates on the current work in progress. I outline below the couple of items of Southern / Southern Region interest, the highlights of which are the release of a Class 450 Desiro EMU and a 45T Ransomes and Rapier Steam Crane.

Bachmann also advised that following a couple of difficult years 2015 will also be a year of consolidation to catch up with previously announced models. They also confirmed that they dropped their initial plans to release an ex LSWR/SR S15 Class (and an ex LNER J50 class tank) following Hornby’s announcement last December. It is noted that neither a Merchant Navy or 00 upgrades to the Bulleid coaches have been announced. 

 
Bachmann 00 gauge

Class 450 EMU Picture courtesy Bachmann

The class 450 EMU, based on the previously released 350 EMU model will be released in both pristine (31-040) and weathered (31-041) South West Trains Liveries.

45t Ransomes and Rapier steam crane, picture courtesy Bachmann and copyright Colour-Rail

The 45 ton Ransomes and Rapier steam crane were introduced by a number of railway companies, including the Southern Railway, during the war and some lasted into the 1980s. Initially they are producing four versions in SR (38-800), GWR (38-801), BR (38-802) black liveries and a version in BR Red livery (38-803) This model will be available during 2016 and ultimately the intention is that versions will be produced with an element of DCC control to the movements.

Other announcements include: GWR 94xx and LNER J72 tanks and a Class 70/8 in Colas livery complete with correct revised air ducts and boxes. The LNER V2 is also being upgraded with completely new body tooling (some of which of course were drafted onto the Southern Region in 1952).

Other livery releases include:

• 31-375A Class 416 2 Car EMU No. 5764 in BR Blue (Weathered)
• 31-379 2EPB 2 Car EMU No. 5771 in BR Green
• 31-425C 4CEP 4 Car EMU No. 7106 in BR (SR) Green
• 31-426B 4CEP e Car EMU No.7122 in BR (SR) Green
• 33-827C SR Queen Mary 25T Brake Van SR Brown 
• 37-067 5 Plank Wooden Floor Wagon SR Brown
• 37-090 7 Plank End Door Wagon SR Brown
• 38-400A SR Pill Box Brake Van SR Brown
• 38-404A SR Pill Box Brake Van BR Departmental Olive Green (weathered)
• 39-053F BR MK1 Second Open (SO) in BR (S) Green 
• 39-153D BR MK1 First Corridor (FK) in BR (S) Green
• 39-228D BR MK1 Brake Corridor Composite (BCK) in BR (S) Green
• 39-262B BR MK1 Miniature Buffet (RMB) in BR (S) Green

Bachmann 00 gauge work in progress 

 The E4 tanks are in transit to the UK with the H2 Atlantics still at the development stage. Livery samples have now been received for the PMV and CCT utility vans. The Ex SECR Birdcage stock is still in the drawing office as further research takes place. 

Graham Farish N gauge

Graham Farish Queen Mary brake van picture courtesy of Bachmann

The only item of Southern interest from a Graham Farish point of view is the release in the main catalogue of the Queen Mary brake vans (previously a limited edition) in 3 versions SR brown with post 1936 livery (377-875), BR Bauxite (377-876) and EWS Livery (377-877). 

Other livery releases include:

• 374-051D BR MK1 Corridor Second (SK) in BR (S) Green
• 374-083A BR MK1 Brake Corridor Composite (BCK) in BR (S) Green
• 374-991 Bulleid Three Coach Set in BR (SR) Green
• 377-0897 Plank End Door Wagon SR Brown

Graham Farish N work in progress 

Both the Merchant Navy pacifics and the N class locomotives are currently in production. The 12t Vent vans are in transit and livery samples of the Bogie B luggage van are being reviewed.

An honest approach from Bachmann this year concentrating on catching up with previsoulsy announced models. There was also a discussion on pricing, with confirmation that prices will continue to rise but will still be under the price of comparative models being supplied into the European market. 

Full details can be found on the Bachmann website 

I am pleased to advise that an additional opportunity to see Fisherton Sarum on the road this year has been added to the exhibition calender, at the Worthing Model Railway Club exhibition on 26th/27th September 2015. 

It is always nice to exhibit deep in the heart of the Southern Railway territory, the show is being held at  the Durrington High School, The Boulevard, Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 1L. The show is open to the public between 10am until 5pm on the Saturday and 10am until 4pm on the Sunday.

It is also a pleasure to accept an invitation for this show as the Worthing MRC club president, Dave Kent, is a friend and past member of the High Wycombe & District MRS. He will hate me for saying this, as I know he reads this blog, but when I joined the Society at the tender age of 15, *cough* years ago, he took me under his wing so to speak, working on the scenery for the Societies then large 00 layout ‘Hillingdon Court’.  Dave is an exceptional modeller and some of you may well have previously seen is excellent SR third rail layout Ashington (which featured in the November 2007 issue of Hornby Magazine).

I hope you can add this exhibition into your diaries and I look forward to seeing you there.

Fisherton Sarum will be exhibited this weekend, the 28th and 29th March, at the London Festival of Railway Modeling at Alexandra Palace, North London N22 7AY. This well established and popular large show is organised by Warners publications, the group behind the British Railway Modelling Magazine in association with The Model Railway Club. The Alexandra Palace is a great venue for the show has many local transport links and also free parking.

Fisherton Sarum will be stand 101 located at the organ end of the main Great Hall.
There will at least 40 layouts at the show, manufacturers including Bachmann and Hornby along with the usual mix of traders and demonstrators. As with the shows organised Warners there will also be the BRM Village including examples of current projects, an interesting programme of lectures and a chance to meet the team behind the magazine.

I hope to see you there, please come and say hello. As usual I will be ably and gratefully assisted by fellow members of the High Wycombe and District MRS and also my Dad. If you unable to attend this weekend then perhaps you might be able to get along to see Fisherton Sarum at one of the other two shows I will be attending this year, see my exhibition diary page here for details.

This months picture…

Bulleid Light Pacific 34011 ‘Tavistock’ in early British Railways experimental Apple Green livery head the Up Devon Belle past Fisherton Shed where a WD class 2-8-0 can just be seen at the coaling stage, while Z Class number 957 pushes loaded coal wagons up the coal stage ramp.

Wild Bore Models develop and produce a number of 3D printed 4mm scale kits including a 45T Ransomes and Rapier Steam Breakdown Crane based on the two that were supplied (procured by the Government) to the Southern Railway, four to the Great Western Railway and a further two to the Ministry of Supply /  LNER under wartime conditions in 1940. The kit has been made possible by the evolving technology of 3D printing. The kit was available, and indeed I purchased mine, before the Bachmann announcement last month, reported here,  that they intend to also produce a Ransomes and Rapier 45T Steam Breakdown Crane, although Bachmann have not fully started the development of their model so the actual versions they intend to produce is not yet known.

Front cover of the excellent instruction book

The design was based on the 36T cranes supplied to the Southern Railway in 1937 with a modified carriage to suit the increased capacity.
The two supplied to the Southern Railway were numbered 1560S (later British Railway numbers DS1560 and ADRR95209) and 1561S (DS1561 and ADRR95210). Number 1561S is preserved and is currently located on the Swanage Railway.
The two Southern Railway cranes were prior to nationalisation based at Guildford / Nine Elms and Feltham, the crane allocated at Salisbury was in fact a 36T version, so not totally correct for Fisherton Sarum but will hopefully make appearances nevertheless.

The impressively and well thought out kit and supplied box

The kit, although at first glace might seem a little pricey at £167 (including Post and Packing) impressively contains everything that you need as in addition to the 3D printed parts it includes wheels, bearings, sprung buffers, wire, etched plates and detail parts and even the cord for the rigging. NEM coupling pockets are provided along with tension lock couplings that can be fitted if required.

The comprehensive instruction booklet

Also included is an excellent, professionally produced and printed instruction manual with prototype information including pictures, very step by step instructions and diagrams. It has the feel of the excellent instructions provided within LEGO Technic kits of my childhood. Even the box with a machine cut foam insert for all the parts, including a pre-cut area to locate and protect the completed model, is very impressive and well thought out.

An example off the parts supplied with the kit

As with most 3D printed parts at the moment there is some cleaning up to be carried out  due to the linear printing process, but they have designed the kit to minimise the impact of this. I intend to post details of this kit build as I progress on a proposed new blog section “Workbench Witterings” so what this space.

Further details on the prototype cranes that this kit is based on can be found on the excellent website of the Breakdown Crane Association and also within Peter Tatlow’s excellent book “Railway Breakdown Cranes, the story of breakdown cranes on the railways of Britain volume 2″ ISBN 978-1-906419-97-4

The humble brake van was an every part of the railway scene up until the advent of continuous brakes for most freight stock in the early 1970’s.  They initially served two purposes: to provide additional braking for ‘unfitted’ goods trains and of course somewhere for the guard to travel; later vans were also ‘fitted’ for working on such vacuum brake fitted formations. They were a weighted wagon equipped with a hand internally operable brake acting on all wheels they ranged from the 4 or 6 wheel type to sometimes 8 wheels and also bogie types. The ‘fitter’ versions having vacuum cylinders and able to operate the brakes on the fitted stock that make up the train (some vans were simply through piped to allow continuity of the braking system without being able to actually operate it, in such such cases just the hand brake was available for use.

The guard’s accommodation often included one or two verandas, or closed ends with windows and many also incorporated side lookouts or duckets to allow a guard to look forwards along the side of the train.

This post follows on from the announcement by Kernow models of their ready to run version of the ex LSWR 10T Road van to diagram 1541 and will look at a few kit built examples of brake vans that can be found running on Fisherton Sarum.

Dia 1545 Road Van

The ex LSWR 10T road van mentioned above was known as a road van as in addition to the guard’s accommodation and single veranda it has side opening doors on each side and the van could also be used the carrying of goods. This van is currently available in resin kit form from The Smallbrook Studio.  To the left can be be seen my model of the  20T Diagram 1545 Road Van also a resin kit form from The Smallbrook Studio. As well as being heavier that the Diagram 1541 road van  they were also larger, had a veranda at both ends and side duckets.

Dia 1543 ex LSWR 20T Brake Van, still requires completion of transfers and matt varnish before being finished

Staying with the LSWR seen left is my model  20T brake van to diagram 1543. This is built from a Jedenco / Falcon Brass  etched brass kit. 75 of this this type of van were built between 1915 and 1921.  They were known to staff as ‘new vans’ a name which they kept well into the 1950’s!

Dia 1748 ex SECR Ballast Plough Brake Van

Moving further east, I have a couple of ex SECR brake vans firstly is one that is perfectly at home on the ex LSWR metals as it is ex SECR 20T Ballast Plough brake van, diagram 1748, in the civil engineers fleet. The first lone prototype was built in 1914 with 3 more being built by the SR in 1932, a further 8 with slight detail differences were built in 1949.  In addition to the brakes it also had ploughs to rake freshly applied ballast from hoppers in the same train. These ploughs could be raised or lowered as required from inside the van. This particular model, also built from a Jedenco etched brass kit, has already featured on these pages here along with its companion rake of 40t Ballast hoppers.

Dia 1559 ex SECR ‘Dancehall’ Brake Van, yes must properly fix that handrail!

Finally for this post we see an ex SECR ‘Dancehall’ 25T brake van to Diagram 1559 First introduced in 1921., The SR built a further batch between 1923 and 1927 but these had deeper 15” instead of 12” channel underframes and were given the diagram number 1560. These vans gained the nickname ‘Dancehall’ due to the large amount of space inside them. They were long lived vans surviving, albeit modified, in departmental use right up until the 1970’s. This is built from a Cambrian Models plastic kit. 

There are of of course other SR related kits and ready to run brake vans available and some of these may well feature in future posts, although my review of the Bachmann RTR 25T ‘Pill box’ brake van can be read here. 

This months picture…

Bulleid Merchant Navy class 35023 ‘Holland-Afrika Line’ has just been coaled and sits along side Bulleid Leader class 36001 on shed following a trial run from Eastleigh. Shed staff are clearing away ash from the ash pits in the foreground.

Graham Farish first announced that they would be producing brand new tooled Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacifics in N gauge back in March 2012. For any N gauge Southern Region modellers I can wholeheartedly say it has been very much been worth the wait. I am fortunate, even as a 4mm modeller, to have obtained one of these models to review before they hit the retailers’ shelves over the next few weeks.

35023 as straight out of the box, note the loco to tender gap and permanently fixed drawbar (Image courtesy and copyright  A York)

The four models being initially produced by Graham Farish all represent members of the final third series of ten engines that entered traffic between September 1948 and April 1949 under the auspices of the newly formed British Railways, some three years since the introduction of the final members of the second series. They were numbered from new 35021 to 35030.

Another view of 35023 as out of the box before fitting the detailing pack (image courtesy and copyright A York)

Further details of the three different series of the Merchant Navy class can be found on my very first ‘Talking Stock’ post here with illustrations based on my 4mm scale kit built examples. In brief; the third series differed from the first twenty members class, whilst although maintaining the more angular body shape from the second series, they had the wedge shape cab from new with three side windows and as a weight save measure had a  fabricated (instead of cast) trailing truck.

The other side of 35023 as out of the box, note the cranked connecting rod (image courtesy and copyright A York)

They were also eventually paired with larger 6000 gallon tenders on an asymmetrical wheelbase of 7’4” + 7’0” (rather than the previous 5000 and 5,100 gallon tenders of the first two batches with 6’6” + 6’6” wheelbase). Although it should also be noted that when initially introduced due to a number of the 6000 gallon tenders, being built at Brighton, not being initially available 35021, 35022 and 35024 were paired with 5,500 gallon battle of Britain tenders whilst 35026 and 35027 were paired with 4,500 gallon  West Country class tenders. Their eventual 6000 gallon tenders were available within a couple of months. My own 4mm model of 35022 paired with its temporary 5000 gallon light pacific tender can be seen here.

The Initial four versions being produced by Graham Farish are as follows:

• 372-310, No. 35024 “East Asiatic Company” in British Railways Express passenger blue the livery she carried between October 1950 and June 1951.
• 372-311, No. 35023 “Holland-Afrika Line” in BR Brunswick Green with early emblem livery as she carried between February 1952 and her rebuilding in February 1957. 35023 was one of only three members of the class not to carry the BR Blue livery (along with 35011 and 35014)
• 372-312, No. 35028. “Clan Line” in BR Brunswick Green with late crest, the only Merchant Navy to gain the late crest in original form.  She carried this livery between August 1958 and being the last of the class to be rebuilt in October 1959
• 372-313, No. 35021. “New Zealand Line” in lined Malachite Green livery with “British Railways” lettering in Yellow Gill Sans which represents her condition between receiving her correct 6000 gallon tender in November 1948 and being repainted in BR Blue in November 1950.

During the periods represented by the liveries above 35028 was allocated to Nine Elms whilst the other three were all Exmouth Junction allocated locomotives.

35023 with the front steps, coupling hook and cylinder drain pipes added

The models have captured the characteristic look of these engines extremely well,  and the level of detail really shows how much N gauge Ready To Run models have substantially improved over the last few years. This model in my opinion lifts the bar for N Gauge models even higher.
The exceptional detail includes: the front and rear lamp irons, with the three above the front beam separately applied in combination with the electric lamps, whilst the rest of the irons and lamps on and above the smoke box door and tender rear are moulded, fine ‘Bullied clasp type’ break gear including the external rodding, the rear tender ladders and a good representaion of the  cab backhead. The very fine smoke deflectors appear to be separately applied etched brass fitments,  although even the tender raves that are moulded also appear impressively thin. The removable coal load is cast metal to add some additional weight to the tender.

My first impression out of the box was that the gap between the locomotive and tender is slightly too large and that the connecting rod is quite obviously cranked part way along its length to enable the model to navigate 9” radius curves. The only other such compromise I thought Graham Farish had made was the omission of the front steps and cylinder drain pipes; however these are amazingly included within the accessory detail pack, for modellers with more generous curves, to fit (the drain pipes would benefit from a touch of copper paint). The detailing pack also includes: cab doors, an engine head signal disc (which will actually fit over the front buffer beam lamp irons), an alternative front bogie block (for those not wishing to fit a front coupling, although no coupling was included with my model), a front coupling hook complete with a representation of a screw coupling and steam / vacuum pipes for the front buffer beam! I would point out that the front steps are handed and my detail pack contained two of the same hand! It has only been in the last few years that such additional details have been included with 4mm scale RTR models (although I you think they are difficult to fit in 4mm you should try these!).

Running straight of the box was exceptionally smooth with pick ups also included on the tender wheels, which appear to be split axles running in bushes, with electrical transfer carried to the locomotive via the permanently fixed draw bar.

A test run for 35023 on the lovely 2mm finescale layout Tucking Mill (picture courtesy and copyright J Clifford)

Its first run was in fact on Jerry Clifford’s exceptional 2mm finescale layout Tucking Mill, and she even managed to negotiate, albeit by bumping over them, the 2mm finescale points (which of course in reality, being made to N Gauge standards, the model is not designed to do!) I have not yet been able to give her a full run with a full rake of coaches but I have no fear that she will not perform exceptionally well. They would certainly look good in front of a rake of the latest Graham Farish Bullied that arrived last year or once once released in BR(s) livery the Dapol Maunsell coaches .

I can only say that this is an exceptional model and I repeat my opinion that it lifts the N Gauge RTR standards bar even higher, well done Graham Farish. I certainly believe this excellent model, will prove popular, and with any luck might in the future lead to some of the earlier Merchant Navy series and variations being tooled.

This weekend sees a number of events taking place to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, France, between 27 May and 4 June 1940. The Dunkirk evacuation, code named Operation Dynamo, was decided upon when large numbers of British, French, and Belgian troops were cut off and surrounded by the German army. The event is renown for the use of a flotilla of 800 small ships used to assist in the ferrying of some 338,226 soldiers to safety.

The Southern Railway played very much an unsung role in Operation Dynamo, as once back on English shores the soldiers that did not require immediate hospitalisation or were already based at local South Eastern England barracks were dispersed across England away from the main reception ports of Margate, Ramsgate, Folkestone, Dover, and Newhaven. During the nine period of Operation Dynamo the Southern Railway laid on and coordinated an amazing number of special trains comprising of : 327 from Dover, 82 from Ramsgate, 75 from Margate 64 from Folkestone and also 21 ambulance trains.
These trains, known as ‘Dynamo Specials’ moved 180,982 troops, many of these services were routed via  Redhill, Guildford and Reading, in order to bypass the capital and avoid congestion. Where possible during this period the Southern Railway maintained its usual passenger services with the except of some ‘omnibus replacement services’ to free the most heavily utilised routes between Guildford, Redhill and Tonbridge. Not only was coordination required of the departing trains but also the routing of the return empty stock workings and the necessary prepared engines required to keep the transportation of soldiers as quick and efficient as possible.

The Southern Railway mustered at very short notice nearly 2000 additional carriages, many borrowed from other railway companies including 47 complete rakes from the LNER, 44 from the LMS and 40 from the GWR.  Also 180 engines and crews were required from across the network, to operate these services.

To avoid delay at Dover and Ramsgate it was decided that the soldiers, many of whom had not eaten properly for days, would be fed on the trains. Just simply feeding the men provided Southern Railway with a major logistical problem,  therefore certain rail stations were designated feeding stations. These stations included Headcorn, Tonbridge and Paddock Wood Although the Royal Army Service Corps were primarily responsible many local Women’s Voluntary Service members were involved to provide food and drink, much of which was also donated or paid for with monies rasied from the local communities. Due to the number of trains involved only an eight-minute stop for soldiers to be provide with food and drink that bearing in mind this could have been 550 per train, was again an impressive feat.  Trains often had to pull into a siding at these food stops to ensure that any ambulance trains had priority over the use of the main lines.

Given that Southern Railway had practically no time to organise and plan such an activity, what it achieved without the use of modern day communication systems was very impressive; improvisation and word of mouth were the order of the day. One unknown Army general was famously heard to say: “I wish the Army could operate with as few written instructions as Southern Railway does in an emergency.”

The Southern Railway, as well as coping with troops from Dunkirk, was also evacuating no less than 48,000 school children from the coastal areas due to fear of a German invasion. It should not go unmentioned that a number of the Southern Railway’s shipping fleet and crew, varying from cross channel passenger vessels, Isle of Wight ferries and cargo vessels were actively involved out on the channel itself,  with a number being either badly damaged or lost to enemy action.

We should also pause to remember the 68,000 of our soldiers whom didn’t make it home safely from this particular French campaign.

R3302 1940 Dunkirk train pack

The efforts of the Southern Railway has not gone unnoticed by Hornby who are planning to release this year their R3302 ‘1940 return from Dunkirk’ train pack;  comprising of a ex LSWR Drummond 700 class No. 325 and 3 coach Maunsell low window set No. 447. Unfortunately it does not look like it they have managed to release it to specifically coincide with the actual commemoration weekend but at least the intent is there.

I hope this post goes just a little way to remember and honour the part that the Southern Railway played in the overall success of Operation Dynamo out of what was a defeat in military terms in Flanders.