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Workbench Witterings #1 A 45T steam crane and a green Van ‘B’

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As promised a few posts ago when I first opened the box on my Wild Boar Models  45T Ransomes and Rapier Steam Breakdown Crane I thought it was about time I started “a whats on my workbench” type series of posts, so welcome to the first of my “Workbench Witterings“. I am sure I am similar to many modellers in that I have a large number of both unstarted and or unfinished projects on the go,  so hopefully this series of posts might encourage me to actually get on with completing a few of the outstanding things currently on the go…

The Wild Boar Models $T Ransomes and Rapier steam crane is nearly complete, just the rigging to go.

The Wild Boar Models 45T Ransomes and Rapier SR steam crane is nearly complete, just the rigging to go. I have modelled number 1561S

First up then is progress on the above mentioned 45T steam crane. Following the comprehensive instructions for this kit has been pretty easy and all the parts, a mix of 3D printed and brass etchings have good together really well and enabled painting to commence. Where the parts needed to simply clip in place or be held with brass wire acting as hinge pins such as between the weight relieving trucks and the main carriage or the crane body and the jib the they have done so very easily. The rest of the items including the etched brass detailing parts such as handwheels and cast name and information plates have been attached with superglue. The components were then primed using the the trusted Halfords plastic primer rattle can and then top coat brush painted using Humbrol matt 32 to represent the SR Grey livery as first carried by  the SR steam cranes before they became black in early British Railways days. I took the opportunity last week to give her a test run on the High Wycombe and District MRS test track and all was fine, although a little additional weight has now been added to the underside of the main carriage truck. All that is needed to complete is the rigging from the fine cotton supplied as part of the kit.

The Hornby Van B is now in malachhite green as number 231. I have also replaced the roof ventilators with white metal castings.

The Hornby Van B is now in malachhite green as number 231. I have also replaced the roof ventilators with white metal castings.

Secondly is the repaint of a Hornby Bogie Van B from its original blue livery to malachite green, embarrassingly looking back at this blog post here I actually started this at the end of last year! Before reassembling the Van B I took the opportunity to replace Hornby’s representation of the roof vents. Although these are separate mouldings  I felt they looked a little flat so replaced them with some suitable cast white metal ventilators from my coaching stock bits box (but I think there were originally obtained from Southern Pride Models) and then repainted the roof. She now awaits some weathering before she enters my operational fleet on Fisherton Sarum.

Now to kick off / complete a few more projects so watch this space…

 

 

 

 

 



Picture of the Month – June 2015

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This months picture…

A Drummond T14 4-6-0 “Paddlebox” 461 a NuCast kit heads towards London with a Meldon Quarry Ballast train. The SR Diagram 1774 40T hoppers are modified LIMA wagons on new bogies and other details. Salisbury Cathedral can be seen in the background

A Drummond T14 4-6-0 “Paddlebox” 461 a NuCast kit heads towards London with a Meldon Quarry Ballast train. The SR Diagram 1774 40T hoppers are modified LIMA wagons on new bogies and other details. Salisbury Cathedral can be seen in the background


Workbench Witterings #2 Another repaint completed and the weathering queue gets longer

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Fresh off the workbench today is a Hornby Schools Class R2844 number 30934 “St Lawrence” in early BR lined black but in my time honoured fashion, as per my post here,  has been repainted and renumbered to appear as Number 929 “Malvern” in Southern post war black livery. Again this is one of those projects I started a while ago but felt was about time I progressed nearer to completion.

Hornby Schools Class now repainted into SR post war black, numbered and named as 929 'Malvern'. Now just awaits weathering.

Hornby Schools Class now repainted into SR post war black, numbered and named as 929 ‘Malvern’. Now just awaits weathering.

Following repainting and HMRS decals being applied, her “Malvern” nameplates, from Fox Transfers were fixed and the separately fitted details such as pipework, windows and safety valves refitted.  Real coal has also been added to the tender. She now awaits weathering as per my usual methods, I tend to wait until I have a number of items ready for weather to get the most from setting up the airbrush and spray booth etc.

Schools class number 929 “Malvern” was one of only seven members of the class not to regain malachite green livery after the war, but stayed in SR black until January 1949 when she was renumbered to 30929 and outshopped in British Railways lined black.
She was allocated to Bournemouth shed in 1946 before moving to Brighton in 1947> The Schools class were not often seen at Salisbury, but from the perspective of Fisherton Sarum, she might have arrived on one of the Brighton to Plymouth services that changed locomotives at Salisbury, that’s my excuse anyway…


Southern Railway / Region related model news update

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Today’s post is an update / catch up on the status of a few Southern Railway / Region related models that are in progress with a number of the Ready to Run manufacturers / commissioners from N to 0 gauge.

Kernow Model Centre

Regular readers of my blog will know that I have been assisting the Kernow Model Centre with their Southern related commissions and I pleased to be able to report progress on a number of fronts.

Livery sample of the Kernwo Models O2 K2105 in SR post war black livery as No. 225

Latest livery sample of the Kernow Models Centre O2 K2105 in SR post war black livery as No. 225

Firstly: livery samples of the mainland version of the Adams O2 have now been received, a number of corrections made and already second livery samples returned in the last week or so. Once all the variations are finally signed off then production can start, along with the Isle of Wight versions that were fully signed off a while ago now. Further information on the Kernow model Centre O2’s can be found here.

ex LSWR Gate Stock parts hot of of the injection moulding machines, can you guess what each part is?

ex LSWR Gate Stock parts hot off of the injection moulding machines, can you guess what each part is?

Secondly: It had been kept reasonably quiet, that the although the CADs for the ex LSWR Gate Stock Pull Push sets were previously signed off, tooling has actually commenced and The Kernow Model Centre have now received photographs of the first off components from the tooling. These now require assembly and shipping to the UK for inspection. Further information on the Kernow Model Centre ex LSWR Gate Stock can be found here.

Lastly for now: I can also advise that work is also progressing in the background with updates and corrections to the CADs for the ex LSWR Dia 1541 10T road vans, first announced last September. So watch this space for further news.

Bachmann

The Bachmann livery sample for the SR PLV

The Bachmann livery sample for the SR PLV

The first livery samples for the Bachmann  four wheel luggage vans PLV/PMV and CCT’s first announced in March 2012  have now been received and all can be seen here on the Bachmann website. They are producing the following:
39-525 Southern PLV Passenger Luggage Van Southern Railway Green
39-526 Ex-Southern PMV Parcels & Miscellaneous Van BR Crimson
39-527 Ex-Southern PMV Parcels & Miscellaneous Van BR Green
39-528 Ex-Southern CCT Covered Carriage Truck BR Blue – Weathered

Graham Farish

The first of the original Merchant Navy Pacific models that I reviewed in my post here have now actually started to appear with the retailers.

Graham Farish N Class No. 31844

Graham Farish N Class No. 31844

The N Class Mogul 2-6-0 first announced in March 2013 is now on its way,  with the review samples having been received by the model media so they should start to appear with retailers during July and August. Just like the Merchant Navy, I can vouch for the fact that it is an impressive looking model, especially for its size, and continues the increase in levels of detail for N Gauge Ready to Run models. A video of these models, but sadly not actually running, can be viewed on their website here.
The following four initial variations are being produced:
372-930 No. 868 in SR Olive Green
372-931 No. 31844 in BR Black Early Emblem
372-932 No. 31811 in BR Black Late Crest
372-933 No. 810 in SECR Grey

The livery samples for the Bogie Van B model have been signed off and the expected delivery of the of these models is currently due the end of August / September.

Dapol

Dapol cad of the 4mm ex LSWR style lattice post working signal

Dapol cad of the 4mm ex LSWR style lattice post working signal

Dapol have via their Facebook page here (you do not have to be a member to access the page) Dapol have released CAD images of  the planned 4mm working signals in both SR Rail built and also ex LSWR  lattice post styles. [Edit:] Dapol have also advised 2mm version of these signals are planned.

At the start of last month they also announced a delay to the O Gauge Terrier due to the the level of electromagnetic emissions. A slight modification is now required to the production which will result in delay in the shipment of the initial SR green and LBSC versions towards the end of July, however the BR and Bodiam variants are now due to be delivered three to four weeks later.

I have also been informed that the CAD work on the first variants of  the N Gauge Schools class first announced in July 2012 have been completed, I had already provided some corrections and information to Dapol for these a while back so it is good to hear that they are progressing, but no news as yet when tooling might actually commence.

[Edit:] I have also been reminded that BR green liveried versions of the N gauge Maunsell coaches are due out next month and that Dapol have also now committed to bringing out a brake composite and four compartment brake third by Quarter 4 2015 and these are currently at CAD/CAM stage. This will make possible several prototypical set formations.


Summer again comes soonest in the South…

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With once again a respectful nod to the 1936 Southern Publicity Department, I am soon heading very south (well about 2 and half  hours and some 870 miles roughly south east in fact) for some vini, prosciutto, guanciale, Parmigiano-Reggiano (should help you guess where), exploration including a few spectacular ruins,  rest, relaxation and hopefully some sun and sea too. There will as a result be a break in posts (with the exception of possibly a surprise announcement early next week)  in my humble corner of the interweb and blogospehre, with normal service being resumed week commencing the 29th June.

summer posterThe now famous Southern Railway publicity poster  ’I’m Taking and Early Holiday cos I know Summer Comes Soonest in the South’, was first released in 1936. It was dubiously parodied later by the Late and Never Early Railway, imitation being… etc. etc.

The Photograph, originally in black and white, was  taken in 1924 by Charles E Brown and shows a small boy carrying a suitcase on the platform at Waterloo station talking to the fireman of N15 King Arthur class 4-6-0 locomotive No 755 ‘The Red Knight’, as he leans from the cab. The Southern Railway publicity department had the image coloured for use on this poster the hint of the black and white original can be seen beyond the locomotive.

I know this post is a cheat, as this is a repeat of a similar post from the last few summer vacations, but I am already in holiday mode. If you are also about to head off on vacation or have one planned over the summer months then enjoy!

Just in case you get withdrawal symptoms feel free to click here to view a totally random post,


Hornby announce Southern Railway ex LSWR 58ft non corridor coaching stock for 2016

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Hornby have today announced via their Engine Shed blog that they are to release, in 2016, Southern Railway 58ft non corridor brake coaches, to diagrams 99 and 418, that formed two-coach 2-Lav Sets Nos. 42-46, converted in 1936.  Also to be released are the diagram 98 six compartment Brake Third Lavatory (physically the same as the Diagram 418 but without first class branding and all third style seating) and the diagram 31 Third Lavatory, converted in 1935, that were used as loose coaches for strengthening trains, one example of the diagram 31 No 320 is preserved on the Bluebell Railway, having been one of the first two coaches operated by the fledgling line.
These coaches totally compliment the ex LSWR Adams class 0415 radial tank being released later this year as the 2-Lav sets regularly operated on the Lyme Regis and other Devon / Dorset branches between 1935 and 1958.

The potential release of such coaches was hinted at last Friday via their video released here of the Adams radial running sample that purposely and cheekily showed the engineering samples being hauled by the radial tank, prior to today’s announcement.

These coaches were made up from ex London and South Western Railway  (LSWR) 48ft bodies, originally built between 1894 and 1902, mounted on completely new 58ft underframes. Each of  sets 42 to 46 comprised of one eight-compartment Brake Third (Dia 99) and one six-compartment Brake Composite Lavatory (Dia 418). The bodies being extended in length accordingly. The new underframes were to newer standard dimensions, intended for a coach body 6″ wider than the ex LSWR coaches, the bodies were slightly widened and these rebuilds can be easily identified by the weatherboard strip along the bottom edge to keep rain out of the gap between the body and underframe. The new underframes had the SR standard 8’0″ steam bogie, therefore the bodies resembled traditional LSWR practice whilst the underframes resembled the SR’s Maunsell Restriction 4 stock (as already produced by Hornby).  

Hornby should be congratulated on the joined up thinking of producing suitable coaching stock for use with the previously announced ex LSWR Adams Class 0415 radial tank. This change in announcement policy follows on from unexpected announcements such as the original style Merchant Navy made earlier this year. It further demonstrates the positive progress being made by the Hornby development team, as I can personally vouch that they have been working on these coaches since last year, on these and some yet to be announced future products.

As I hinted in my summer comes soonest post on Saturday, this post was prepared prior to my vacation and was correct at the time of writing and I will amend and or provide additional information in due course.


RIP Ian Allan, or should that be ABC

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It was sad today to hear that Ian Allan died peacefully yesterday aged 93, after a long illness. An inspirational figure in the world of railways and transportation publishing and of course the ABC books, he will be greatly missed.

When thinking of ‘trainspotting’ it conjures up an image of teenagers stood at the ends of station platforms in coats clutching a note book and pencil and of course one of the ubiquitous Ian Allan ABC publications.  As well as trains the ABC range eventually included booklets on buses, coaches, cars, planes, ships and just about anything else that moved and had a number!

Ian Allan originally worked in the Public Relations department of the Southern Railway and it was due to the correspondence that he received from enthusiasts whilst there that led to the putting of the locomotive information together in one booklet and arranged for it to be published, hence the Southern Locomotives being the first ABC to be issued.  Following the obvious success of the first couple of issues he left the SR to work full time in publishing.

The first Southern ABCs produced by Ian Allan

The first Southern ABCs produced by Ian Allan

Surprisingly the Ian Allan ABC’s appeared during the middle of the Second World War with the very first issue being ‘ABC of Southern Locomotives’ in December 1942.  This was quickly followed by a second edition in February 1943.  These handy pocket sized booklets (6” x 4”, approximately equivalent to today’s A6) contained a complete listing of all locomotive numbers, and their classes split into Western, Eastern and Central sections.  Also included was a list of named engines, a table of principle dimensions, a list of the Southern Power Classifications, and dates of all the Locomotive Superintendents (Chief Mechanical Engineers) of the Southern Railway and its key constituents.

The 3rd Edition appeared in April 1943 and differed from the first two editions in that it was illustrated with black and white photographs of many of the engine classes.  These photographs were from either the Southern Railway itself or from the collections of well-known railway photographers such as O.J. Norris, A.B MacLeod and in later editions also E. Elsey and H.C. Casserley.  It was this issue that set the style and layout for all Ian Allan ABC’s for many years to come.

1943 also saw the introduction of ABC’s for the other 3 of the big four railway companies with the LMS 1st edition in June, GWR in October and the LNER November.

The above is an extract of my pages on the SEmG website about the Ian Allan ABCs that can be read here. My condolences to his family and friends.

Edit: See also the obituary in the Daily Telegraph here


Picture of the Month – July 2015

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This months picture…

 Pull Push  sets converted from ex LSWR 46′ 6″ Emigrant corridor stock set number 734,  which is is a Northstar Models built set. heads west past the shed at Fisherton Sarum.

Pull Push set converted from ex LSWR 46′ 6″ Emigrant corridor stock number 734, which is is a Northstar Models built model, heads west past the shed at Fisherton Sarum propelled by Kit built M7 0-4-4T number 47.



Hornby’s Black Motor ex LSWR / SR 700 class a review

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Originally announced by Hornby in December 2013 the ex LSWR Drummond 700 class 0-6-0 locomotive models have now arrived. I outlined the history of the class in my Talking Stock #29 Black Motors, Drummond’s 700 class here so I will not repeat the detail in this post. Click on any of the pictures below to enlarge.

The Hornby R3238 in lined SR 1920/30s black livery

The Hornby R3238 in lined SR 1920/30s black livery

The Hornby models depict the class in their superheated form.  Number 316 was modified in 1919 by Urie that changed the look of the engines including extending the smokebox, the frames, raising the boiler pitch by 9 inches and modifications to the cab design. The rest the class of the class were similarly modified and superheated in Southern Days between 1923 and 1929. Therefore it is only number 316 that could potentially be re-liveried into an authentic LSWR livery for pre-grouping modellers.

Originally paired with 13ft wheelbase tenders a number of the class gained 14ft wheel base from members of the T9 class (so that the T9s  would fit on the smaller central section turntables of the time) Hornby have correctly tooled both tender types.

So far released are the following variations:

  • R3238  No. 695 – SR lined black livery, 14ft wheel base tender, open coal rails, capuchon lip on chimney and smokebox snifting valves
  • R3239 No. 30315 – BR livery late crest, 14 ft wheel base tender and correctly no builders plate
  • R3240 No.30693 – BR livery early emblem, with 14ft wheel base tender
  • R3304 No.30316  – BR weathered livery early emblem and is the only release to date paired with 13ft wheel base tender
  • R3302 325 SR unlined black, part of 1940 Return from Dunkirk train pack, 14ft wheel base tender and with smokebox snifting valves

The first three, R3238,9 & 40 were originally announced as 2014 releases with the last two announced last December for release during this year, however all versions are now arriving together.

A front 3/4 view of No 695

A front 3/4 view of No 695, note the visible representation of the inside motion (painted red)

The model has a cast metal boiler and cab, to give weight whilst the running plate is plastic. The 3 pole motor does not have a flywheel, although there is technically space for one to have been fitted, perhaps this is a slight hangover from the Hornby ‘Design Clever’ phase, and is therefore a slight disappointment as originally from memory a 5 pole motor and flywheel was listed on the specification, which now shows on the Hornby website as being a 3 pole motor with flywheel, the motor sits neatly in the bottom of the cast boiler section driving the rear axle via a worm gear and two gear wheels. Hornby have advised that the 3 pole motor without a flywheel was a result of the narrow diameter of the boiler in which it is neatly mounted. This high position of the motor within the high pitched boiler allows for a cosmetic representation of internal valve gear on the top of the chassis block. This is a nice and welcome simple but effective addition. The external brake pull rods are nicely moulded however unusually for models these days the cross rods are omitted, nor are they supplied as separately non factory fitted parts.

A rear 3/4 view

A rear 3/4 view, this version is a 14ft wheelbase tender

Electrical pick up is through phosphor bronze wipers bearing on the rear of the wheel tyres on both engine and the tender with the wiring passing  through to the tender via the semi-permanent plug and socket, where the pickups run neatly along two grooves within the tender chassis, to an 8-Pin DCC socket.

The paint finish and level of detail is what we have come to expect from Hornby, the green lining on the SR version is particularly fine and represents the livery as applied pre 1936 when the use of the green lining was stopped in favour of unlined black (almost a shame that my version will be repainted into post war black!). On the SR version the cab side number plate is however a simple printed representation of what is in reality a cast plate.

A view of the cab detail, note the commendably thin cab sides considering they are part of the metal casting

A view of the cab detail, note the commendably thin cab sides considering they are part of the metal casting

The model has plenty of separately fitted items such as smokebox door dart (although the handles are incorrectly in the same plane and therefore would not be able to pass each other!), pipework, whistle, turned brass safety valves, reversing lever, sprung buffers and all lamp irons on both loco and tender. The level of the cab detail is excellent with again a mix of finely moulded and separately fitted items, it is neatly glazed and the cab side sheets are commendably thin considering they are cast metal. A metal fall plate is fitted to the loco and is fitted at enough of an able to allow movement through second radius curves with no issues.
The chimney is a separate moulded part to allow for the variations of chimney and tooling allows for the smokebox snifting valves fitted variants, that on some samples I have seen has led to a slight tooling slide mould line being visible on the top of the smokebox either side of the chimney. The boiler handrail knobs, like their recent J15 release, have been incorrectly mounted to be parallel to the footplate rather than positioned radially from the boiler, which is a slight let down on an otherwise excellent looking model although both issues are perhaps from a normal viewing distance not too noticeable.

A view showing the loco to tender coupling distances, normal top and close below

A view showing a comparison of the loco to tender coupling distances: standard setting top and close setting bottom

The fixed engine to tender drawbar has a close coupling setting, but unlike other models in the range this is adjusted via the removal and refitting of an interference fit pin rather than a screw. This if done often might lead to issues of it becoming loose in the future. I would also add that the pin is very tight as first supplied and does require some effort to remove. If set in the close coupling position it will prevent the model from being put back into the packaging. I found that even in the close setting the locomotive will navigate Peco Streamline medium radius curves with no issues.
The tender also has a removable plastic coal load revealing a fully detailed empty coal space below, being a plastic moulding it is, I feel, a better representation of coal than the cast metal coal load seen on some Bachmann models (although I always add real coal to my models anyway). The brake shoes on the tender are in line with the wheels rather than simply moulded as part of the frames as has been disappointingly seen on some recent Bachmann releases such as the C Class. The tender coupling does appear to protrude quite a distance from the rear of the tender and I will probably look at modifying that in due course.

A view of cab end of the tender. The 13ft wheel base tender was essentially the same just with a foot longer rear overhang from the last axle.

A view of cab end of the tender. The 13ft wheel base tender was essentially the same just with a foot longer rear overhang from the last axle.

Tender brake pull rods are supplied for the owner to fit along with a front vacuum pipe, the tender pipe being already factory fitted, and a front tension lock coupling although no representations of screw couplings are included.

Unlike some of the other recent releases the tender does not have an obvious / pre defined location for a DCC sound speaker or apertures for sound to escape. Separate tender metal weights are fitted inside the tank area and these might have to be removed for some speaker / DCC chip combinations.

Although delivery of the first three of these  models were been delayed, it has been worth the wait and these are a great addition to the fleets of Southern and Southern Region modellers alike.


Talking Stock #33 The five Urie H16 large 4-6-2 tanks

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As I mentioned in my Talking Stock #26 post here about the four Urie G16 class 4-8-0T locomotives, I do indeed have a soft spot for large tanks and therefore this post is about Urie’s other large tanks the five H16 4-6-2Ts. The later Maunsell Z class 0-8-0T locomotives  were the subject of Talking Stock #19 post here, whilst Maunsell’s W class 2-6-4 tanks will soon also feature on this blog.

The ex London and Southern Western (LSWR) Urie H16 class of 4-6-2 tanks were introduced in 1921, and if you have read my Talking Stock #26 post, you will know already that this was the same year as their slightly smaller sisters the G16 4-8-0T class. The two classes sharing many common parts such as motion, bogies, boilers and fireboxes.

Urie H16 4-6-2T number 519 built from a Jedenco etched brass kit.

Urie H16 4-6-2T number 519 built from a Jedenco etched brass kit.

Both classes were built in association with the new hump marshalling yard at Feltham. Rather than the four G16s which were designed for working in the confines of Feltham yard the five  H16s were intended for cross regional goods traffic between Feltham and the North London yards of Brent (Midland) and Willesden (London North Western). For this duty they had  5’7″  driving wheels, larger than the G16s, larger water capacity and the extra large bunker was carried by a radial truck.   As they were also used occasionally on empty carriage stock working between Waterloo and Clapham Junction and on special passenger trains, such as during Ascot Race Week,  the H16s were initially given the standard Southern passenger livery of lined olive green unlike the black livery of the G16s, giving rise to their nickname amongst operating staff as ‘Green Tanks’. This changed to a plain black livery, in common with all Southern locomotives from 1940 due to watime constraints, and was retained during BR days until their withdrawal in 1962.

H16 number 519 viewed from the other side.

H16 number 519 viewed from the other side and shows off the powerfull looking nature of these tanks that appeals so much.

My model was built, with much effort, from a Jidenco etched brass kit; that owing to the quality of the kit design, thin etches and limited instructions, took a number of years of starting, doing a bit, getting frustrated and putting down again before finally getting round to finishing.  Certainly not a kit for the feint hearted. She is powered using a Portescap coreless motor along with quite a bit of lead weight added to provide adequate traction due to the lightweight thin etched brass construction of the kit with only the small dome, safety valves and chimney being white metal castings.

My usual excuse for an occasional appearance on Fisherton Sarum of an H16, as they were only allocated to Feltham, is on a running in turn from Eastleigh although that does not really explain her weathered condition, so perhaps she was borrowed for a freight trip down the West of England line?


Picture of the Month – August 2015

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This months picture…

Gresley A4 class 60033 ‘Seagull’ heads to London on a locomotive exchanges route familiarisation working in May 1948 passing S15 846 heading south west on a goods. Noting the steam heated banana vans at the head of the train, that would have worked up from Southampton.

Gresley A4 class 60033 ‘Seagull’ heads to London on a locomotive exchanges route familiarisation working in May 1948 passing S15 846 heading south west on a goods. Noting the steam heated banana vans at the head of the train, that would have worked up from Southampton.


Southern Railway / Region related model news 07/08/15

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Today’s post is an update / catch up on the status of a few Southern Railway / Region related models that are in progress with a number of the Ready to Run manufacturers / commissioners.

Kernow Model Centre

Regular readers of my blog will know that I have been assisting the Kernow Model Centre with their Southern related commissions and I pleased to be able to report progress on a number of fronts.

Firstly: Production of the Adams O2 Steam Locomotives has now started and the first models will be leaving China in a couple of weeks time.  This does mean that the pre-order special offer price has now ended, but they are still taking orders for these models.

Production of the Adams O2, this image just shows the the level of detail and individual items being applied (picture courtesy and copyright Kernow model Centre)

Production of the Adams O2, this image just shows the the level of detail and individual items being applied (picture courtesy and copyright Kernow Model Centre)

It should be noted that the amount of manual labour to assemble these highly-detailed models is very high and this is why the models will take a couple of months to actually produce.  It is worth just considering that for a moment – a production line at the factory will be fully-occupied producing the O2 models for three months straight.  Imagine that for every hour of every day, you will be inserting tiny pipes into the pull-push gear for months on end!   To give a further taste of this there are some images and videos can be viewed on the Kernow Model Centre website here.

The anticipated delivery dates for each version have been advised as follows:
K2101 Number 24 “Calbourne” BR Black early emblem – Expected around October 2015
K2102 Number 16 “Ventnor” BR Black late crest- Expected around November 2015
K2103 Number 30182 BR Black early emblem pull-push fitted – Expected around October 2015)
K2104 Number 30225 BR Black late crest – Expected around December 2015
K2105 Number 225 Southern Black with Bulleid Sunshine lettering pull-push fitted – On board Hyundai Victory, due into Southampton around 15th September 2015
K2106 Number 30193 BR Black early emblem – Expected around September 2015
K2107 Number 207 Southern Maunsell Green pull-push fitted – Expected around December 2015

The first Enginnering Prototype of the K1001 version of the Gate Stock (picture courtesy and copyright KMC)

The first Enginnering Prototype of the K1001 version of the Gate Stock (picture courtesy and copyright KMC)

Secondly: the first off tooling samples for the ex LSWR Gate Stock pull push sets have arrived in the UK and a few tweaks are being made before they can be signed off for production.

Four versions of the 1914 Stock will be available: –
K1001 Set number 374 in SR Lined Maunsell Green livery
K1002 Set number 373 in SR unlined Malachite Green livery
K1003 Set number 363 in BR Crimson livery
K1004 Set number 373 in BR (SR) Green livery

Further information on the Kernow Model Centre ex LSWR Gate Stock can be found here.

Graham Farish

The Graham Farish N Gauge SR Bogie Van B models are about to hit the retailers. The following initial versions will be available:

374-630 SR 50′ Bogie B Luggage Van Southern Green
374-631 SR 50′ Bogie B Luggage Van BR (SR) Green
374-632 SR 50′ Bogie B Luggage Van BR Blue

Dapol

The Dapol first livery sample of E6003

The Dapol first livery sample of E6003

Dapol have released images of the first livery samples of their 00 Class 73 diesel electric locomotives. There are still a few things to correct, including a spurious high intensity headlight on the BR blue version along with some number sizes and positions, but they advise these have been noted and will be corrected.

Hornby

I am able to advise that work is continuing apace on the development of a number of SR / BR(s) models. I have been privileged to have been assisting the design team with some of the initial design work on the Bulleid Original Air Smoothed Merchant Navy locomotives that will be part of the 2016 range announced here and I can tease you that the CADS are looking great so far!
Hornby have also released footage of the first running sample of their Class 71 3rd rail electric locomotive here. 

Hornby have also published an interesting Engine Shed blog post ‘A researcher’s tale’ by Paul Isles about the lot of the Hornby researcher. I was pleasantly surprised to get a name check by Paul, whom I can confirm is very passionate about his role and also a pleasure to assist on a number of fronts…


She moves… 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co. moves under her own steam

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Stop Press and Great News: Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacific 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co., was steamed today, 10th August 2015, at the Society’s members day and moved under her own power for the time in 51 years!

See my page about the 35006 Society here for more information on how you can be a part of keeping up the steam pressure.


Controlling Interests #9 Operating from the front

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As with any layout the old adage says “it is never finished” this is true of Fisherton Sarum.  Regularly after operating the layout at an exhibition, more often or not in the pub over a pint, ideas for modifications / ‘improvements’ are suggested by the operating team (usually a combination of Mark and Roger…), some more radical than others, mulled over and sometimes they eventually get implemented.  With the next couple of exhibitions looming in September (Worthing MRC) and October (Hornby Magazine Great Electric Train Show), I have set up Fisherton Sarum at the clubrooms of the High Wycombe and District MRS to allow me to check everything over and also make another one of the changes previously suggested.

Such past modifications / ‘improvements’ have included:

A view of the control panel located in its new position at the 'west' end of the layout

A view of the control panel located in its new front position at the ‘west’ end of the layout

With the two fiddle yards now able to independently control the main running lines, including remotely the operation of the two signals it was suggested that to increase engagement with the viewing public, an aspect at a show that all the operating team enjoy, that the main control panel could be located to the front of the layout. In actual fact the most suitable location was actually at one end of the scenic section but in front of the ‘west end’ fiddle yard. This has necessitated new mounting brackets for the control panel and some longer cables between the control panel and each scenic board (with grateful thanks to Roger). As can be seen from the picture to the left I have now made this change, although the control panel can still be switched back to its original position should it be necessary.  We shall try out his new configuration at the Worthing MRC exhibition on the 26th/27th September and see how we get on.

Following the success and hands off operational interest gained from the installation of a ‘Dingham’ electromagnet uncouplers, as outlined in my previous Controlling Interests# 6 and  #8 posts, I have added a further a uncoupler.

Shed pilot an Adams B4 No.100 positions the ash wagon over the new uncoupler in the coal stack road.

Shed pilot an Adams B4 No.100 positions the ash wagon over the new uncoupler in the coal stack road.

This new uncoupler is located in the coal stock road just behind the shed to provide additional operational flexibility leaving either the ash wagon or a coal wagon, newly fitted with the iron wire dropper to be activated by the electromagnet. Good eyesight is required from the new control panel location to stop the locomotive in the right place, however a new member of the shed crew has been suitably positioned so that as soon as he is out of the shadow caused by the wagon to be uncoupled it is the right place to stop and operate the  ‘Dingham’ electromagnet.


Workbench Witterings #3 – maintenance and running repairs

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There are many reasons why I choose to take Fisherton Sarum on the road a few times a year this include: the enjoyment of exhibiting something I have built, having fun operating the layout with my family and friends and to meet a wide range of fellow modellers; many of whom have a common interest in all things Southern, and it is great that they take the time to show an interest in what I have done.
There are of course downsides, some of which include: having to load and unload the layout / vehicle twice for each show (although even at a total of 20′ long Fisherton Sarum was designed specifically to fit into the back of Ford Mondeo estate car!), the loss of a few days of vacation, the travelling (often hitting the Friday rush hour) and the inevitable damage that can occur both to the layout and rolling stock.

With a couple of exhibitions on the horizon later this month (Worthing MRC) and October (Hornby Magazine Great Electric Train Show), as I have previously posted I have been able to up Fisherton Sarum at the clubrooms of the High Wycombe and District MRS.

A Bulleid Merchant navy pacifics have been cleaned, oiled, front foot steps and drain pipes replaced / added. A Light Pacific 34011 in experimental apple green livery also sneaks in the shot

A few Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacifics have been cleaned and detailed  A Light Pacific 34011 also sneaks in the shot

In addition to a few changes and repairs to the layout itself I have been taking the time to check every item of rolling and carry out some routine maintenance, running repairs and getting round to adding a few extra bits of detail here and there. Yes, although I only usually take part of my overall fleet to a show it still amounts to nearly 80 locomotives, 20 or so coaches and 50 plus wagons!

Some 4-6-0s mainly N15s have received some maintenance

Some 4-6-0s mainly N15s have received some maintenance

The maintenance and running repairs I have been carrying out includes, where applicable:  wheel cleaning, light oiling, pick up adjustments, touching up paint work and repairs to any structural damage

I have also taken the opportunity to complete a few detailing jobs either for the first time or sometimes re-affixing some of the small detail items that have got knocked off either during transportation or handling at previous shows, including: fitting cylinder drain pipes, front steps, brake rodding and headsignal discs or lamps.

My Bullied Light Pacific fleet have also received attention.

My Bullied Light Pacific fleet have also received attention.

Having the layout set up and operational, something I can not do at home, makes these tasks easier and enables each locomotive to be run to ensure all is well, and being at the High Wycombe and District MRS, for which I am most grateful,  also means I have access to their workshop and test track if prolonged running is required which makes this workbench work quicker and easier. So far about 50 of the fleet have been checked over so just a few more to go over the next couple of weeks!

If you are able to attend either  of the two exhibitions come up that Fisherton Sarum is attending, please make sure you say hello, as I said earlier meeting fellow modellers and or other Southern Railway fans is very much a part of the reason behind exhibiting that I enjoy.



Picture of the Month – September 2015

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This months picture…

N Class 1854, one of two that received malachite green livery after the war, simmers in front of the shed.

N Class 1854, one of two that received malachite green livery after the war, simmers in front of the shed.


Bachmann announce Class 117 and 121 DMUs and E4 ‘Birch Grove’

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At  their annual Collectors Club event, this year held at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, last Saturday, Bachmann announced their intention to produce Class 117 and 121 Suburban DMUs, along with a Limited Edition E4 for the Collectors Club members.

An example of the Class 117 as preserved on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway

An example of the Class 117 as preserved on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway

More information about this release can be read on the Bachmann website here. Some of you will remember that The Kernow Model Centre announced their intention to produce this family of Western Region suburban DMUs at Warley last year.  In fact they had already laser scanned a Class 117 and had completed their initial research.  Following meetings with Bachmann after the Warley show at Warley it became clear Bachmann were also working on this model.  The Kernow Model Centre had previously said that they have no interest in “taking on” a major manufacturer and so immediately offered their research and laser scan data to Bachmann and they have been working with them on this project ever since.  Although primarily based on the Western Region the Class 117 units could be seen on Southern Region metals on Reading – Guildford services.
In addition to the main Bachmann releases there will also be a version of both classes exclusive to the Kernow Model Centre in the GW150 celebration Chocolate and Cream livery.
The Kernow model Centre have also advised that they have not forgotten about the Class 116 and Class 118 and further news about these will be announced  in due course (but with no current timescale for such an announcement).

E4 as Birch Grove

E4 as Birch Grove

One of the benefits of the being a member of the Bachmann Collectors club is the fact they produce limited edition model exclusively for club members. One of the models announced and available for purchase at the event on Saturday was a version of the ex London

Another view of E4 as Birch Grove

Another view of E4 as Birch Grove

Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR) E4 class 0-6-2t in LBSC Umber livery as Birch

Grove a livery she was also regularly seen carrying in preservation on the Bluebell Railway. This will prove to be a popular model amongst club members I am sure.

I was fortunate to attend this event as a guest of Bachmann whom I thank for their hospitality provided to myself and my other media friends.

 

 


Fisherton Sarum on the road, a bit like buses

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It has been a while since Fisherton Sarum last made an appearance at an exhibition, back in March at the London Festival of Railway Modelling in fact. With the Summer (if it can be called a summer this year) now over the exhibition circuit is back in full swing and sees Fisherton Sarum at two shows in three weeks. It also sees the first time that we will have operated the layout at a show with the Control Panel located at the front corner of the layout, that should make interaction with the audience easier, although possibly more distracting from a operating perspective, but should be fun.

A line up of Bullleid Pacifics on shed at Fisherton Sarum

A line up of Bullleid Pacifics on shed at Fisherton Sarum

The first show is this coming weekend 26th / 27th September  and is the Worthing MRC annual exhibition being held at the Durrington High School, Worthing, BN13 1LA It is always nice to be exhibition back in the heart Southern Railway territory, even if it is more the,  ex London Brighton and South Coast, Central section than the, ex London and South Western, Western Section upon which Fisherton Sarum is based, but hey Southern is Southern right? It is also a pleasure to be attending this show as the Worthing MRC club president, Dave Kent, is a friend and past member of the High Wycombe & District MRS

Cleaners aptly at work on the side of Bullied West Country Class 21C102 'Salisbury'. There wooden steps / platform is being put to good use.

Cleaners aptly at work on the side of Bullied West Country Class 21C102 ‘Salisbury’. There wooden steps / platform is being put to good use.

The second outing is two weeks later 10th / 11th October 2015 at the Great Electric Train Show organised by the Hornby Magazine at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon  This is the third year that Hornby Magazine have organised this show which already has a reputation for being a quality show with a great line line up of layouts and traders, with the added bonus of visitors also being able to wonder around the Heritage Motor museum as well.

A nice unusual feature of Loughborough Road is the working traverser at the end of the platforms.

A nice unusual feature of Loughborough Road is the working traverser at the end of the platforms.

Just to add to the buses analogy of three coming along at once, I am also at The Folkestone, Hythe & District MRC exhibition in between the two shows above on the 3rd /4th October assisting fellow High Wycombe and District MRS members Alan and Simon Paley with their delightful Pre-Grouping Midland and London North Western Railway layout Loughborough Road.

Alan and Simon will also be assisting me with Fisherton Sarum’s two appearances so it is a pleasure to be able to return the favour.

If you are able to come along to any of the above three shows please say hello it’s always good to meet you.


Talking Stock #34 ex LSWR Ironclad coaches (also an earlier 1918 Brake Composite) and a tribute to Gordon Weddell

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This Talking Stock #34 post about ex LSWR Ironclad coaches is published by way of a tribute to Gordon Weddell whom sadly passed away just over a two weeks ago and whose funeral takes place today.

Gordon was the authority on London and South Western Railway (LSWR) coaches and other rolling stock. He published a number of volumes of reference books on the subject which are a must have for anyone interested in or modelling LSWR rolling stock. I was lucky to have met Gordon on a number of occasions as he was one of the earliest members of the South Western Circle, and to all who had contact with him, he was very friendly and keen to pass on his expertise to all who sought his advice. Indeed it his book ‘LSWR Carriages in the 20th Century‘ that provides the main reference material for this post. He will be sadly missed.

A Drummond K10 class heads a rake comprising of the 1918 56ft Brake Composite with 1925 'Ironclad' set 385 at the rear

A Drummond K10 class heads a rake comprising of the 1918 56ft Brake Composite with 1925 ‘Ironclad’ set 385 at the rear

The 57 ft ‘Ironclad’ stock was an LSWR design, so known because of the use of flush steel sheeting screwed to a wooden body frame with narrow metal strips protecting the joints and near flush windows giving a the appearance of smooth flush sides.
Previous LSWR designs had used wooden sheeting and panelling. Being built 9′ wide a characteristic feature of the the ‘Ironclad’ stock was the tapering in of the brake part of the coach, to 8’3″, to allow for a guards lookout within the loading gauge.

A view of 1925 built 'ironclad' set 385 with Brake Third on the left and Brake Composite on the right

A view of 1925 built ‘ironclad’ set 385 with Brake Third on the left and Brake Composite on the right

The first sets of Ironclad carriages appeared in July 1921 and being the most modern design available to the SR in 1923, continued in production until January 1926. The Ironclads included a range of the usual coach types but also slightly more unusual types such as Pantry thirds, Pantry Brake Firsts and dining saloons.

A close up of 'Ironclad' Brake Composite 6564 of set 385

A close up of ‘Ironclad’ Brake Composite 6564 of set 385

The Initial batch were formed into five coach sets for the Bournemouth Line (with some longer sets for the Central Section) and allocated to the most important services until superseded by Maunsell stock.
The original 5 coach formations as numbered by the Southern Railway were Sets 431-434 (the original LSWR set numbers were 1c to 4c) and 435-444.

'Ironclad' Brake Third 3213 of set 385

‘Ironclad’ Brake Third 3213 of set 385

Two coach sets 381 -385 comprising of Brake Composites, SR diagram 416, paired with 6-Compartment Brake Thirds, SR diagram 137 were introduced in 1925 for use as branch line through coaches but these were converted to Pull Push sets between 1949 and 1952. General withdrawal occurred between 1957 and 1959 with many passing into departmental stock (although the Restaurant Cars were mainly withdrawn in 1947)

'Loose' 1918 built steel panelled (pre 'Ironclad') number 6539

‘Loose’ 1918 built steel and mahogany panelled (pre ‘Ironclad’) number 6539

My models as pictured are built from ex BSL now Phoenix kits and represent two coach set 385 comprising of Brake Third No. 3211 and Brake Composite No. 6564 before their rebuilding into a Pull Push set. My two coach set is strengthened with a ‘loose’ steel and mahogany panelled 1918 56ft Brake Composite No. 6539, LSWR diagram 2362 (SR Diagram 411) and all three are finised in lined olive green livery, note that the lining was actually applied to represent panneling that did not in reality exist. They form a rake regularly seen on Fisherton Sarum.

Picture of the Month – October 2015

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This months picture…

N1 No. 1822 heads west past the shed at Fisherton Sarum. The N1 is a conversion from a Bachmann N class.

N1 No. 1822 heads west past the shed at Fisherton Sarum. The N1 is a conversion from a Bachmann N class.


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