GUIDE TO JUNE 2018
STAY ALIVE: WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS P22
Cathedral City An N-gauge dream in the making
THE LIMA RAILWAY MODELLING STORY
P14
ANDREW BARCLAYS FROM HATTON'S
P6
CHAWTON: MAKING MUCH FROM LITTLE
P34
June 2018
EDITORIAL | 3
From the editor
GUIDE TO
Modelling
Well done Sarah – and thank you. Nothing in this first editorial is more important than paying a warm, heartfelt and richly deserved tribute to my colleague Sarah Palmer for bravely taking on the task of becoming the first editor of The Railway Magazine Guide to Modelling and bringing her own unique perspective to the hobby that we all enjoy so much. It must have seemed a mountainous task for Sarah and the team when they were first faced with getting a publication like this under way, but no one could have been a more committed editor than she, and we wish her the very best in her new occupation.
Staff
Editor Pete Kelly RMModellingeditor@mortons.co.uk Contributors Tony Stratford, Nigel Burkin, Ian Lamb, Colin Boocock Production editor Pauline Hawkins Designers Holly Furness, Tracey Markham Picture desk Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield Advertising manager Sue Keily Publisher Tim Hartley Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Subscription manager Paul Deacon Circulation manager Steve O'Hara Marketing manager Charlotte Park
To advertise, contact: Lynsey Young 01507 529454 lyoung@mortons.co.uk Fiona Leak 01507 529573 fleak@mortons.co.uk
While many envisage railway modelling as a male preserve, we certainly see many instances of the female touch, and in my experience women are usually much better at crafting and scenery, and even in the world of full-sized railways many seem to have a particular empathy with steam, so come on, girls – let’s have your railway modelling stories!
Where to find us
Editorial, advertising and administration Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR Tel 01507 529529
Do you want to stock RMM? Then please contact: Derek Wright 01507 529 428 dwright@mortons.co.uk
Copyright
© Copyright Mortons Media Group Ltd. Reproduction in any manner, in whole or part, without prior approval in writing is prohibited. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors in articles or advertisements, or for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations.
Printing
Mortons Print, Horncastle, Lincs. Tel 01507 523456
Next edition
Find stockists online at
www.railwaymagazinemodelling.co.uk. July issue of RMM is out on Friday, June 22, 2018.
Pete Kelly Editor
Life is full of ironies. Six years ago I decided to take up railway modelling so that, from time to time, I could take my mind off the relentless pressures of monthly newspaper and magazine production by spending a few quiet hours developing my first layout, yet here I am once again with
a hobby turned into a job! However, RMM will always be about you, not me, and I intend to embrace with equal enthusiasm every standard of modelling ability, every gauge, every era, every kind of motive power and every size of layout. Because we happen to like doing this gives us no cause to decry anyone who chooses to do that, so I’ll be giving equal credibility to those who prefer to run their trains and switch their points the old-fashioned way, and those who cannot wait to embrace every advance in ‘technology’. As revealed by the pictures of my still-unfinished N-gauge layout, ‘Cathedral City and Meadowsweet’, railway modelling is relatively new to me, but railways themselves have been a big part of my life since childhood. If I think back far enough, I can even see the begrimed initials ‘LMS’ on the tanks and tenders of locomotives at Dallam Shed in Warrington (8B) and ‘LNER’ on the tenders of former Great Central locomotives such as the O4 0-8-0s and J10 0-6-0s that still worked on the Cheshire Lines System – not that I had a clue, nor cared about, what they actually stood for at such a tender age. Around that time, I recall waking up one Christmas morning and finding a huge red box with a fantastic painting of a busy main line station on the front on my bed.
Thinking that this was exactly what I’d find inside, I took off the lid to reveal a basic Hornby clockwork train set that didn’t dampen my enthusiasm in the slightest. I couldn’t wait for Dad to wake up and show me how it worked, and after breakfast we played with it all day! How evocative of this is my old friend Trevor Mitchell’s wonderful limited-edition print Grandad’s Attic, which we have duly reproduced this month. During 57 years of journalism and counting, I spent some of the happiest years of my life editing magazines about the real thing, starting with Steam Railway in 1980, launching Rail Enthusiast soon afterwards, and finally embracing The Railway Magazine for the best part of six years, and I cannot wait to follow in Sarah’s footsteps with The Railway Magazine Guide to Modelling. While other subjects and interests too numerous to mention have since come and gone, that love of railways has always remained locked in my heart, and I only wish I could portray in words the pleasure that recreating panoramic railway scenes from more than 60 years ago still gives me. I look forward immensely to spending some time in your midst.
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June 2018
News
Have you got a story for us? Email: RMModellingeditor@mortons.co.uk
Three-pack 20-ton coke hoppers from Hornby Finescale Mk1 Hornby has launched a three-pack set of consecutively numbered 00-gauge 20-ton HCP hopper coke wagons, Nos B448682-4, which follow every intricate detail of the Shildon originals, of which some 1150 examples were constructed. The wagons had steel top rails rather than the wooden ones of the former London Midland & Scottish Railway, and on the first BR-built examples, the steel rails continued around the ends as well. The Hornby models, however, reflect the later
version on which the end rails were replaced by fullheight end sheeting. Because of the sheer bulk of the much lighter coke compared with that of coal, the wagons were much larger than the 21 and 24½-ton coal hoppers that were also built under British Railways. On the Hornby models, the builder’s plate on each wagon can be clearly seen, all lettering is crisply applied, and the hopper bottoms show clearly between the extremely well-detailed wheel sets,
suburban coaches from Ellis Clark
Every line of the original Shildonbuilt British Railways originals is reflected to perfection.
with well-modelled springs and brake levers. The only thing is, they look so clean!
Good news for finescale O-gauge modellers is that Ellis Clark Trains & Darstaed have announced six versions of the RTR Mk 1 suburban coaches that can be pre-ordered at £169 each. Comprising six versions – composite, composite with lavatory, brake second, open second, second and second with lavatory – these scale-length coaches with finescale detailing will become available, in a choice of maroon (lined and unlined), crimson and blue, in the fourth quarter of the year. Expertly painted, with etched brass sides, they will feature highly detailed die-cast chassis, fully detailed interiors with working lights, die-cast compensated bogies, sprung die-cast buffers and couplings, and will be capable of running on Peco second-radius curves. For more details, email ellis@ellisclarktrains. com, or call 01756 701451/07799 554491.
SPC Point Motor Alignment Tool
Bottom-end details are exquisitely modelled.
Colwyn MRC members welcome all to their annual exhibition in Llandudno Established for more than 53 years, Colwyn Model Railway Club will be organising its annual exhibition at the Craig y Don Community Centre at Llandudno, North Wales, on July 28-29. Some of its members have long experience in the hobby, and are always happy and willing to share their crafts and skills with fellow enthusiasts. Admission prices are £4 adults and £3 children. www.colwynmodelrailclub.co.uk
SPC (Simplified Point Controls) has introduced OO and N-gauge point motor alignment tools that make it easy to install a point motor to the track. Made on a CNC milling machine, the tools ensure that the track and motor are perfectly aligned, and when you slide them on to the track, they centre with accuracy and ease. Following instructions provided, the modeller uses the holes provided to drill through and mark out the placement on the baseboard. After removing the tool, he (or she) opens up the centre hole to no more than 5mm for N gauge (7mm for OO) and, using the holes provided, attaches the point underneath the baseboard. When this is completed, the point motor will always be orientated the right way with the track, with a smaller discreet hole for the pin to connect to the track. SPC supplies the tools for both Seep and Peco points, and will be introducing the smaller point motor alignment tool to modellers at the N Gauge Show over the weekend of September 8-9.
There’s always so much to learn at a model railway show, and Colwyn MRC’s annual exhibition is always a great place to start.
ALD launches Class o2 shunter kits ALD Models of Sheffield has launched 3D printed kits for Yorkshire Engine Company Class 02 diesel shunters in OO, O and Gauge 1 scales. The kits come in two versions, firstly with all parts but excluding glue, paint and decals, and secondly excluding the wheels, motor and gearbox. All are supplied with 3D printed parts, laser-cut chassis, laser-cut glazing and etched components. The basic kits cost £75 (OO), £145 (O) and £225 (Gauge 1), and the full kits £150, £325 and £390 respectively. Remote-control, battery power and sound are available for the O and Gauge 1 versions at £195.
The SPC point motor alignment tool.
N Gauge Society AGM The Annual General Meeting of the N Gauge Society will take place during the West Sussex Area Group’s Model Railway Show in The Forest School, Compton’s Lane, Horsham RH13 5NT from 10am until 4.30pm on Saturday, July 28.
Charity toy fair in Kent ALD Models, 279 Sharrow Vale Road, Sheffield S11 8ZF (0114 2679402 or Alistair@ aldprint.co.uk
Organised by the Association of Bexley Charities ’78, an evening Charity Toy and Train Fair will take place at the Falconwood Community Centre, 32 Falconwood Parade, The Green, Welling, Kent DA16 2PG on Thursday, August 9. Doors will be open from 5.30pm until 9.30pm, refreshments will be available, and the sales stands will include new and pre-owned model railways, spare parts, books, photographs and die-cast vehicles.
June 2018
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6 |
June 2018
in What's the shops Hatton’s Model Railways has entered the fascinating (and sometimes grimy) world of industrial railways with a lovely model of the once-numerous Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST locomotive. It’s the perfect model for micro-layouts or cameo scenes based on a large industry.
Hatton’s OO gauge Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST Nigel Burkin takes a close look at a brand new model of a once-numerous and popular industrial shunting locomotive that has been released in OO gauge, with numerous detail options, by Hatton’s Model Railways.
T
he Andrew Barclay works in Kilmarnock has been a centre of railway excellence for decades, and its resume includes the production of a range of industrial steam and ‘fireless’ locomotives. The 0-4-0 saddle-tank represented by the brand new Hatton’s model was built in large numbers from the late 1800s, and many continued to provide reliable service until the 1970s. Hundreds of Andrew Barclay locomotives are preserved in one form or another, including the 14-inch and 16-inch cylinder versions, providing a rich seam of inspiration for Hatton’s Model Railways. The Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST and its larger 0-6-0ST siblings were simple and rugged locomotives that were intended to be easy and cheap to maintain. The 14-inch version had a shorter wheelbase than the 16-inch type, but both were designed to be operated on the sharp curves and uneven track that were
common in industrial locations. In short, they had to cope with harsh operating environments, often with minimal care, and the fact that many lasted so long is a tribute to their enduring design. Little is really standard about the Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST beyond the basic design, because the variety of fittings and options available to customers, combined with the long development life of the locomotives, resulted in a huge number of variations between locomotives. Each industrial customer had differing requirements for its shunting engines, resulting in different cab styles, windows and even the location of the brake stand – many of these off-theshelf options offered by Andrew Barclay to fit the basic locomotive. In modelling terms, the industrial steam locomotive scores very highly, with the potential for freelancing and customisation, and in offering the
Coronation and Katie are but two of the 12 models released by Hatton's. This pair of models alone demonstrates the differences between locomotives in the Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST family.
MODEL FEATURES:
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST, Hatton’s Model Railways has ventured into the world of industrial railways, a hitherto little-explored area of railway modelling, and a venture that will be warmly welcomed by many in the hobby. Two models in one Two versions of the Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST are offered by Hatton’s. The 14inch cylinder locomotive, with its smaller boiler, saddle tank and firebox, is available in eight different liveries including railway, industrial and heritage schemes, some of which are ideal for customisation. This is represented by the model of No. 2134 Coronation (H4-AB-14-003). Some clever work with tooling, and the use of a standard chassis, has allowed a good model of the larger 16-inch locomotive to be added to the range in the form of four models – the 16-inch being the more powerful machine which was popular in heavy industries such as steel works and collieries. The larger locomotive is represented by the model of No. 2226 Katie (H4-AB-16-003) in this article. While Andrew Barclay offered smaller cylinder-diameter locomotives in the 0-4-0ST format, Hatton’s chose the two types that were the most numerous in service. Body moulding The body is constructed of four main sub-assemblies: the cab (with different sides and backs); boiler and firebox; smokebox and running plate. Careful tooling design has allowed Hatton’s to offer a wide choice of models with locomotive-specific details. For example,
A look inside the more open cab of Katie, fetchingly finished in lined red.
the two models featured in this article are as different from each other as is possible, illustrating the wide differences in the full-size locomotives. For example, the 14-inch Coronation has a full cab with oval windows in the rear and enclosed brake stand while Katie, the larger 16-inch locomotive, is fetchingly finished in lined red and features large parallel buffers, open cab and a slightly longer running plate. The saddle tank, cylinders and boiler assembly are also larger on the 16-inch locomotive. The fine details added to the crisply moulded body sub-assemblies are exquisite, including the superbly detailed cab which is particularly easy to appreciate on the open cab
Twelve different versions of the model. Tooling variations to suit different locomotives. Both closed and open cab versions modelled. Sprung buffers of two different types to suit individual locomotives. Smooth running five-pole motor. All wheel current collection through wiper pick-ups. Six-pin DCC socket located in the boiler. NEM coupling pockets concealed between the chassis frames. Numerous fittings applied to the engine including brass whistle. Separate smoke box door dart details. Individually applied moulded hand rails and pipework to the boiler. Wire hand rails applied to cab side. Neatly printed details and smooth livery application. Detailed cab back head with separate wire pipework and controls. Flush cab glazing. Detailed engine chassis with brake blocks in line with the wheels. Well-concealed ballast for better haulage power. 90-95mm in length over the buffers depending on the model. 125g to 130g in weight depending on the model.
versions. Hand rails, pipework, safety valves, smokebox door darts, foot steps and suspension springs (to mention a few) are all individual fittings – neatly applied and well finished. A small section of the chassis block is visible under the boiler, which reflects the challenges of packing in many of the technical features demanded by modellers, such as refined gearing,
June 2018
into such a small model. Hatton’s has succeeded in fitting decoder socket, five-pole motor and a decent chunk of weight in the body – the weight being sufficient to enable the model to pull a decent rake of wagons and cope with uneven track. Part of the curvature of the underside of the boiler is represented, together with a prototypical gap in the running plate on each side of the locomotive allowing the top of the driving wheels and chassis detail to be seen. Consequently, with the sand boxes, suspension hangers, springs and pipework fitted, I think that most modellers will find the design compromise acceptable, even allowing for close-up viewing, given that the model has been delivered for such an attractive price. Under the running plate Detailing has been extended to the chassis under the running plate, and includes brake rigging, hangers and shoes assembled from numerous small components. The chassis itself is detailed well too, together with the smoothly running valve gear. The same chassis has been shared between both the 14- and 16-inch models, a compromise to control development costs: the slightly longer wheelbase of the 16-inch locomotive would have required relocation of the motor and a separate set of valve gear, to mention a few of the technical and detailing challenges that would have added considerably to the model’s cost. The larger locomotive features the correct pattern of cylinders, and both versions have nicely modelled wheels of the correct pattern and the correct appearance of the end of the chassis
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frames, a particular feature of the Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST locomotives which neatly conceals the NEM coupling pocket. Mechanism and electronics A five-pole motor drives a single axle through a well-engineered gear box resulting in smooth operation at all speeds, although a top speed would rarely exceed 20mph and the model can run at a much faster scale speed than that. Once the review models had been run in according to the instructions supplied, they ran smoothly and without hesitation over complex track formations with live frog turnouts and around sharp curves. Modellers using turnouts with insulated frogs might find that the short wheelbase of the models might result in them becoming ‘gapped’ on the plastic sections if the wheels are not kept clean. To assist with haulage power and adhesion, ballast weights are cunningly concealed in the boiler and incorporated in the chassis block, resulting in the models tipping the scales at 125 to 130g depending on the version. This provides a great deal of adhesion, together with good electrical contact between wheels and rails for such a small locomotive, and Hatton’s has demonstrated how well the model can run in a video posted on its YouTube channel. The model is fitted with a six-pin DCC interface socket that can be reached by releasing two chassis screws and carefully detaching the boiler pipework to remove the body. The Hatton’s six-pin decoder will fit the model perfectly, as will other decoders such as the ESU 53665 six-pin Nano ‘Standard’. Some decoders might need the pins trimmed to fit the socket and the available space within the body.
Industrial steam locomotives always added a splash of colour in industrial locations even when a little grubby. The pristine ex-works condition of the two models contrasts with the relative grime of a distillery yard. A little weathering alongside the addition of some details such as a crew, tools, a shovel, coal sacks and other items will blend the models nicely into the scene.
Replacing the body requires care – I found the fit to be close, and if care is not taken, pipework located on the underside of the running plate could catch the end of the chassis. Liveries The finish applied to both review models is smooth and without blemish. The level of detail painting, particularly of the numerous separate fittings adorning the boiler backhead in the cab, is superb. The cab interiors are finished in the correct cream colour, and all lining is neatly applied. Colours are opaque, and printed details cover the base liveries well without overly thick application. The overall result is of beautifully finished and presented models, particularly Katie with its attractively painted coupling and connecting rods. Modelling potential Well, where does one start with such a lovely model of a numerous and long-lived industrial tank locomotive? It is definitely a perfect candidate for a micro-layout project given its small size and the potential for freelancing. It is an easy task to change the model’s identity with new etched nameplates and works plates, together with some simple detailing and conversions. Hatton’s recognised the modelling potential of the locomotive and how it could be customised, particularly some of the models finished in standard industrial liveries with small nameplates which are easily covered with new ones. For that reason, I selected the 14-inch Coronation as an additional locomotive for a distillery project, the livery being ideal for a such a location, even though a 14-inch locomotive is a tad larger than the 12-inch cylinder type used at two Speyside distilleries. Etched nameplates will neatly cover the Coronation name and a little weathering and addition of some operating paraphernalia will complete the customisation of the model. So how would I spend an enjoyable evening detailing of such a characterful model as the Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST?
MODEL DETAILS
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST locomotive in both 14- and 16-inch versions. Manufacturer: Hatton’s Model Railways Scale: 4mm (1:76) scale, OO gauge. Era: From the late 19th century to the 1970s, represented by the various liveries, and those of the many preserved examples still in regular service.
This view of the 14-inch model from the front shows its neat assembly.
Start by adding a loco crew to the cab, together with a tool box and coal sacks on the running plate (the full-size locomotives did not have rear bunkers, but were fitted with coal bays on the inside of the cab sides, usually topped up from coal sacks). Crews found it useful to haul an extra sack or two of coal around if the locomotive was going to be away from its shed or servicing siding for a protracted period of time. Some archive pictures show the locomotives commonly carried tools such as a shovel and oil cans on the running plate, all of which are available as commercial detailing parts. More adventurous modellers might consider adding side skirts for those locomotives used in street running and on dock sides. You can customise your model with custom nameplates from Narrow Planet (https://shop.narrowplanet.co.uk/) together with various transfer lettering sheets. Some locomotives had the glass removed from the rear windows and, of course, locomotives might carry oil lamps on the front and rear.
The larger tank, heavier frames and open cab are evident in this side view of Katie.
Preservation: Numerous locomotives preserved in both running order and as static displays on several heritage railways . Web: www.hattons.co.uk Suggested retail price: £99 (regardless of livery or type). Useful web resources: Fitting a decoder: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=TXsCB9Voceg Running the Hatton’s Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST locomotive: https://www.youtube. com/watch?time_ continue=8&v=vCjtZ00aPK0 Slow speed control: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=MYmM2he6Cnw
A final job would be to apply weathering to reflect the often harsh working conditions of the locomotives – an entire subject of its own!
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Mr Tom Newhouse of Hatton’s Model Railways for his kind assistance in the preparation of this article.
The valve gear and rods are neatly assembled and run smoothly, allowing the model to operate at the slow speeds needed for accurate shunting.
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June 2018
in What's the shops
Fill your freight yards with new Bachmann vans
Recent wagon releases by Bachmann include a variety of models based on air-braked general-merchandise vans or their derivatives. A VAB van in 1970s and VDA van in 1980s condition are now available in the shops.
Nigel Burkin takes a look at goods vans now available in OO gauge.
T
hree OO-gauge models of airbraked general merchandise vans, together with a specialised wagon type derived from an air-braked van, have been released to the shops in recent months by Bachmann. The models cover several eras including the first introduction of long-wheelbase sliding wall vans in the form of a
1970s condition VAB van together with later versions of the VDA and VGA vans. A model representing the VDA van as rebuilt to OTA timber wagons is included in this round-up of new Bachmann wagon models based on sliding wall goods vans. For more details of other wagon releases, visit www.bachmann.co.uk
VDA sliding door air-braked van: A development of the early long-wheelbase sliding wall vans is the VDA, which was built with a modified underframe and different door designs to better facilitate the loading and unloading of the vehicle, particularly with palleted goods. VDA vans were painted in a wide
VAB sliding door air-braked van: Finished in BR Bauxite, the VAB represents the introduction of longwheelbase wagons which began to replace traditional steam era wagons in the 1970s in general merchandise traffic. The model represents VAB No. 200115 as a through vacuum-piped vehicle, allowing it to be worked in trains with traditional vacuum-braked wagons during the transition between modern vehicles and those of the steam era. The model features NEM coupling pockets, metal wheels and crisp moulding of the body shell. In common with Bachmann models of long-wheelbase wagons, the axle guards rotate in the underframe VGA general merchandise van: A general merchandise van is the VGA which was introduced in the 1980s. It has a longer floor than the vans described above, and is a popular model in the Bachmann range. Two hundred and fifty plus a prototype were built at Shildon, following a more continental design with a narrow roof section allowing a greater area to be loaded with goods.
whereas the full-size wagons have fixed axle guards. The VAA/VAB wagon design remains in service today, primarily in MoD traffic, albeit in much reduced numbers.
variety of liveries following their introduction, including BR Bauxite in the 1970s. The model represents VDA No. 200706, which was painted in a unique version of Railfreight livery with a light grey body instead of the usual dark grey. The VDA van in its original condition is extinct on the rail network today, the bulk of them being rebuilt to
low-sided spoil and ballast wagons. A number had their bodies removed and fitted with ballast to operate as runner wagons while others were modified to carry timber. VDA general goods van
1:76 scale, OO gauge. Catalogue number: 38-147. Price: £24.95.
VAB general goods van
1:76 scale, OO gauge. Catalogue number: 38-122. Price: £24.95.
Bachmann’s OTA model (38-302) is based on those built from redundant VDA vans where the roof and sides were removed. VAB van No. 200115 (38-122) is coded as having a through vacuum pipe which would allow the wagon to run with traditional vacuum braked wagons.
VGA vans remain in traffic today with minimal adaptations for specialised freight. They are particularly common on MoD flows and many can be seen at freight yards around the UK, being used in rakes or as single wagons in mixed freight trains. Numbered 210595, the model is finished in weathered Railfreight livery with other signs of use applied to the livery including remnants of ‘hazchem’ notices, likely to be a result
of carrying hazardous materials in MoD traffic. Traces of corrosion are apparent on the model, neatly printed on the end panels. The model features NEM coupling pockets, rotating axle guards and metal wheels. VGA air-braked van
1:76 scale, OO gauge. Catalogue number: 37-604A. Price: £26.95. The OTA model comes with a timber load and is finished in pristine Kronospan blue.
The VGA model is finished in weathered Railfreight livery with patches showing where hazchem labels have been removed, leaving a trace of adhesive which picks up grime.
OTA timber wagon: In the late 1980s, a number of VDA vans were adapted for timber flows by the removal of the roof and sides. The ends and underframe remained largely unaffected and, to hold timber in place, side stanchions were fitted. The Bachmann OTA model represents this type of wagon (there are other OTA timber wagon designs), numbered 200817 and decorated in pristine Kronospan blue with white stanchions. It is
fitted with a removable timber load which makes the model quite heavy. It is fitted with the same NEM coupling pockets, metal wheels and rotating axle guards as fitted to the VAA and VDA models described earlier in this article. OTA timber wagon (former VDA van)
1:76 scale, OO gauge. Catalogue number: 38-122. Price: £29.95
June 2018
JUNIOR CORNER | 9
The unbounded joy of ‘Grandad’s Attic’
W
ith his face crinkled up into a beaming smile, Grandad has his hand on the controller as his grandson holds on to a Hornby Dublo model of a former LNER N2 tank locomotive – and there’s so much going on in ‘Grandad’s Attic’, by Trevor Mitchell, that it cannot fail to appeal to anyone with fond memories of their first model railway layout. As an LMS ‘Duchess’ Pacific comes into the station, colourful Hornby Dublo tinplate accessories abound, including the turntable with LNER A4 Pacific No 7 Sir Nigel Gresley being turned (unbelievably it was so numbered from No 4497 as late as 1947!). Other popular accessories include the animals in a small paddock, the engine shed, station buildings and signal box, platform newspaper kiosk, footbridge and tunnel mouth – and of course the Dinky Toys! To add to the bright scene, on the far wall hangs all kinds of railway memorabilia, including carriage compartment paintings of places to visit by rail, Southern Railway warning signs, builders’ plates, lamps and much more. Beneath the table is a tantalising glimpse of carefully bound lengths of track, level-crossing gates and empty Hornby Dublo and Dublo Dinky Toys boxes. It’s a delightful scene that sadly many children couldn’t even come close to aspiring to back in the day – in fact they’d feel that all their birthdays and Christmases had come at once if their parents could even afford to buy them one of the tiny but colourful Hornby Dublo or Dinky Toys catalogues to gloat over instead. The limited edition print illustrated, the 19th of a run of 250, was presented to the editor during a visit to Bradford to interview Trevor six years ago, and the scribbled words, “Good luck with the layout, Pete!” appertained to the fact that he was just about to start his first OO-gauge model railway layout, ‘Slagdyke’. ‘Grandad’s Attic’ was originally commissioned from Trevor as the subject of a Gibson’s jigsaw puzzle, and the prints came a little later. The size of each print, including the border, is 32 x 45cm, and Rothbury Publishing now has only 20 out of the original run of 250 left. The prints cost £25 each including postage, and can be ordered by calling 01963 250530.
So that's what grandads are for! Railway modelling nostalgia oozes from every corner of Trevor Mitchell's 'Grandad's Attic'.
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June 2018
The Model Stop Guide
To advertise on the map please call Lynsey on 01507 529454 or email lyoung@mortons.co.uk
Looking to locate your local model shop, heritage railway or model village to make a purchase, get some advice, or enjoy a day out, then simply look for the number nearest to you on the map, see what’s listed and find their details. If you can’t find your favourite, drop them a line and tell them they need to be on the Model Stop Guide map!
June 2018
1.
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Widnes Model Centre
Location: 128 Widnes Road Widnes Cheshire WA8 6AX Opening times: Monday to Saturday 10am -5:30pm Closed Thursday & Sunday www.widnesmodelcentre.co.uk
2.
Jacksons Models
Location: 33 New Street Wigton Cumbria CA7 9AL Opening times: Monday Tuesday Friday 9am-5pm Thursday 9am-6pm Saturday 9am-1pm www.jacksonsmodels.co.uk
3.
01697 342557
Hattons Model Railways Ltd
Location: Unit 17 Montague Road Widnes WA8 8FZ Opening times: Monday to Sunday 9am-5pm www.hattons.co.uk
4.
0151 7333655
Chester Model Centre
Location: 71-73 Bridge Street Row East Chester CH1 1NW Opening times: Monday to Friday 10am-5pm Saturday 10am-5:30pm Sunday 11am-4pm www.chestermodelcentre.com
5.
01244 400930
Lendons Of Cardiff
Location: 192 -194 Fidlas Rd Llanishen Cardiff Wales CF14 5LZ Opening times: Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm www.lendonsmodelshop.co.uk
6.
01514241196
02920752563
Tutbury Model Shop
Location: 5 Tutbury Mill Mews Lower High Street Tutbury Staffordshire DE13 9LU Opening times: Mon to Fri 10am-4:15pm Sun 11am-2:30pm 01283 814777
7.
8.
Location: 15 Clifton Street Lincoln Lincolnshire LN5 8LQ Opening times: Mon to Fri 10am-5pm Sat 10am-4pm 01522 527731
Aspire Gifts & Models
Location: Unit 4 Court Farm Business Park Buckland Newton Nr Dorchester Dorset DT2 7BT Opening times: Mon 2pm-5pm Tues to Thurs 10am-5pm 01300345355
Morris Models
Location: 80 Manor Rd Nth Lancing West Sussex BH15 OHD Opening times: Monday to Saturday 9:30am - 5pm www.morris-models.co.uk
01903 754850
10. World of Model Railways
Location: Meadow Street Mevagissey Cornwall PL26 6UL Opening times: Open 6 days a week 10am-5pm Closed Saturday www.model-railway.co.uk
01726 842457
11. A C Models
Location: 7/9 High Street Eastleigh Hants SO50 5LB Opening times: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm Closed Wed & Sun www.acmodelseastleigh.co.uk
02380 610100
12. KS Models
Location: 19 Middle Row Old Town Stevenage Herts SG1 3AW Opening times: Thursday to Saturday 9:30am - 5pm Closed Sunday to Wednesday www.ks-models.co.uk
www.crafty-hobbies.co.uk
01229 820759
18. Wellingborough Trains & Models
Location: 26 Market Street Wellingborough Northamptonshire NN8 1AT Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday 9:30am- 4pm www.wellingboroughtrains.co.uk
01933 274069
19. Ashton Model Railways
Location: Unit 8 Greenway Shopping Centre 34 Gerrard St Ashton-in-Makerfield WN4 9AE Opening times: Monday to Friday 10am-4:30pm Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm. Closed Wednesday and Sunday 07917645442/01942 809534
20. KDC Hobbies
Location: 50 Saron Road Capel Hendre Saron Ammanford Carmarthenshire SA18 3LG Opening times: Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm www.kdchobbies.co.uk
01269 831332 / 07746691416
21. Mac’s Model Railroading
Location: 4-8 Reform Street Kirriemuir Angus Scotland DD84BS Opening times: Monday to Saturday 10:30am - 4pm Closed Thursday www.macsmodels.co.uk
01575 572397
01438746616
13. Frome Model Centre
Location: 1-2 Catherine Street Frome Somerset BA11 1DA Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm www.fromemodelcentre.com
01373465295
14. FMR
Location: Discovery House 8A Sapper Jordan Rossi Park Baildon BD17 7AX Opening times: Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 5:30pm (closed Wednesday) www.modelrailshop.co.uk
Location: 66 High Street Dingwall Ross-shire Highlands Scotland IV15 9RY Opening times: Monday to Saturday 9:15am - 5pm www.sportsandmodelshop.co.uk
01349 862346
01274 747447
Location: 44 High Street Swanage Dorset BH19 2NX Opening times: Wednesday and Saturday 10am-4pm www.just-collectables.co.uk
07956973072
24. Panda Models
Location: 24a Hallgate Doncaster South Yorkshire DN1 3NG Opening times: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm www.pandamodels.co.uk
01302 739514
25. Sawyer Models
Location: 119 Bradshaw Gate Leigh Gtr Manchester WN7 4ND Opening times: Monday to Friday 10am-5:30pm Saturday 10am-5pm Sundays closed www.sawyermodels.co.uk
01942202334
26. Ron Lines
Location: 342 Shirley Road Shirley Southampton SO15 3HJ Opening times: Monday to Friday 10am-5pm Saturday 9am-4pm www.ronlines.com
02380 772681
27. Carnforth Models
Location: Unit 5 Carnforth Station Carnforth Lancashire LA5 9TR Opening times: Monday to Saturday 10am-3:45pm www.carnforthmodels.co.uk
01524 730101
28. Alton Model Centre
Location: 7A Normandy Street Alton Hampshire GU34 1DD Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday 9am-5pm See website for Sunday opening hours www.altonmodelcentre.co.uk
01420 542244
29. Caistor Loco
Location: 9 High St Mews Leighton Buzzard Beds LU7 1EA Opening times: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 9am-4pm
Location: 8 Market Place Caistor Market Rasen LN7 6TW Opening times: Monday-Friday 10am-3pm Friday late night 5pm-7pm Saturday 10am-5pm Closed Wednesday
www.agrmodelrailwaystore.co.uk
01472 859990
15. Agr Model Railway Store Ltd
01525 854788
Location: Unit 7 Springfield Nursery Estate Burnham On Crouch Essex CM0 8TA Opening times: Mon to Fri 9am-4pm Sat 9am-3pm
Location: 45 High Street Edwinstowe Notts NG21 9QR Opening times: Monday 10:30am–3pm Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am to 5pm
www.flair-rail.co.uk
www.benhamsonline.com
01621 786198
Location: CPS Shopping Centre Common Lane Culcheth Warrington WA3 4EH Opening times: Monday-Saturday 9:30am - 5pm www.holdercollectables.co.uk
01925 899959
32. Buffers Model Railways
Location: Colston Cross Axminster Devon EX13 7NF Opening times: Tues to Fri 10am-4pm Sat 10am-1pm www.buffersmodelrailways.com
01297 35557
33. SCC 4 DCC
Location: Sunningwell Command Control Ltd PO Box 381 Abingdon Sorting Office OX13 6YB Opening times: 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday www.scc4dcc.co.uk
01865 730455
Location: 187 Orford Lane Warrington Cheshire WA2 7BA Opening times: 10am-5pm (closed Sunday and Monday) www.grimytimes.co.uk
01925 632209
35. SAT Model Rail
Location: Unit G5 The Old Granary Hawk Hill Battlesbridge Wickford Essex SS11 7RE Opening times: Monday to Sunday 10am to 5pm Tuesday 10am to 1:30pm Fri 1:30pm to 5pm www.satmodelrail.co.uk
01268 562588
36. A. Oakes World of Model Trains
Location: 174-180 Vicarage Rd Olbury West Mids B68 8JB Opening times: Monday to Saturday 9am -5:30pm Wednesday 9am-12:30pm www.aoakes.co.uk
01215221684
37. Shady Lane
Location: 11 Grenville St Bideford North Devon EX39 2EA Opening times: Monday to Saturday 9:30am-6pm www.shadylanemodels.co.uk
01237 238872
38. Bournemouth Model Railway Centre
Location: 329-331 Holdenhurst Rd Bournemouth Dorset BH8 8BT Opening times: 9:30am-5pm. Closed Wednesday & Sunday www.traintronics.co.uk
01202 309872
39. Going Loco
Location: 38 Potovens Lane Lofthouse Gate Wakefield West Yorkshire WF3 3JF Opening times: Monday to Friday 10am-5pm Thursday 2pm-7pm Saturday 10am-4pm www.goinglocomodels.com
01924 824748
40. Rhuddlan Models
Location: High Street Rhuddlan Denbighshire LL18 2TU Opening times: Tues to Fri 10am-5:30pm Sat 10am-4pm www.rhuddlanmodels.co.uk
01745 590048
41. The Goods Yard
Location: Station Lodge Lodge Lane Industrial Estate Tuxford Notts NG22 0NL Opening times: Wednesday to Saturday 10am-4pm www.thegoodsyard.co.uk
07930 557601
42. Rochester Games Models & Railways
Location: 21 Corporation Street Rochester ME1 1NN Opening times: Monday to Saturday 10am-6pm Tuesday & Wednesday 10am-10pm Sunday 10am-4pm www.rochestergamesmodelsandrailway.co.uk
01623 822302
01634 815699
43. Upstairs Downstairs
Location: 3 Pier St Sandown Isle of Wight PO36 8JR Opening times: Tues to Sat 10am-4:30pm Sun 1pm-4pm www.trainstop.co.uk
01983 406616
44. Colletts Models
Location: 20 Albion St Exmouth Devon EX8 1JJ Opening times: Tues to Sat 9.30am-5pm Sun & Mon closed www.collettsmodelshop.co.uk
30. Edwinstowe Trains & Things @ Benhams
16. Flair Rail
31. Culcheth Model Railways
34. Grimy Times
23. Swanage Model Railway Centre
www.aspiregiftsandmodels.co.uk
9.
Location: 54 Cavendish Street Barrow In Furness Cumbria LA14 1PZ Opening times: Monday to Friday 9:30am-5pm Closed Thursday and Sunday
22. The Sport and Model Shop
Digitrains Ltd
www.digitrains.co.uk
17. Crafty Hobbies
01395 224608
45. Welsh Highland Heritage Railway
Location: Porthmadog Gwynedd LL49 9DY Opening times: Please see website to check train & shop opening times www.whr.co.uk/timetable
01766 513402
12 | LETTERS: Get in touch by emailing: RMModellingeditor@mortons.co.uk or send to: The Railway Magazine Guide to Modelling, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR.
A valuable archive of the Queensbury and Idle lines I was interested to see the article about the Queensbury triangle in the April issue. As a local enthusiast, I have had items published about the railways surrounding Bradford, and run two Facebook sites, the Queensbury Lines and the Idle Lines. Both are well visited, the former having 1500 regular visitors and the latter around 400. In 2015 I organised an exhibition at Ingrow to mark the 60th anniversary of the closure of the Queensbury lines. With the information I have, the eventual aim is to have a ‘virtual museum’ of both lines, taking the form of an historical visual archive of the railways. In reply to the query about models of the lines, Shipley Model Railway Society is currently constructing a model of Clayton, and I saw a model based on Halifax St Paul’s at a railway exhibition a couple of years ago. Included on my Queensbury site are other examples of modellers’ work, including my own O-gauge models. The Idle line is less modelled, but on my Idle Lines site you will see Ed Schoon’s superb 1950s-built model of Shipley & Windhill station. Some of Ed’s models are housed at the HMRS collection at Butterley. I have all his research and photos of the line that date to the 1950s, and again it provides a wonderful and valuable archive of the line. I also have a large collection of photographs and documents on both of these wonderful Great Northern systems. I hope this is of interest to your readers. Mark Neale, Email
Nostalgic trip to the lines of my childhood I’m new to railway modelling at the age of 75, and have just received my April issue at ‘Pooley’s Puffers’. Although now living in Newcastle-uponTyne, I was born and brought up in Clayton, and as a child regularly took the 20-minute walk to Queensbury station, got on a train to Clayton (the next stop) and then had a further 20-minute walk back home. On December 18 last, I decided to have a nostalgic trip back to my roots, including the walk to Queensbury station, and although the structures are all gone, the atmosphere remains. I remember vividly much of how it used to be in operating days, and because the roads are still country lanes, there is still little traffic. The house of Whitehead’s, the fireclay manufacturers, is still intact, along with the decorated factory chimney. Because the station was in a natural ‘bowl’ in this exceedingly steep-sided hilly landscape, the area was referred to as ‘Hole Bottom’ – typical Yorkshire logic. The history of the tunnel-digging is fascinating. Inspired by the BLR on TV before Christmas, and after revisiting this unique piece of railway history, I am embarking on my first railway modelling project. You’d need a very large space to try to recreate it adequately, but many features, such as the tunnel portals and stonework style, are distinctive. Stations such as Great Horton and Thornton are ideal subjects for a layout. Thank you for the article. It was definitely a gem, although the mean-spirited side of me would rather no one was aware of its existence. Thank you for an excellent publication. Malcolm Sellers, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
We can take things too seriously, you know! I’d like to reply to the various critics of TV’s The Biggest Little Railway in the World (March issue). First and foremost I think we have to accept that TV programmes are made more for entertainment than education. Statements about ‘perils’ and ‘potential failure’ are used invariably to ensure a ‘cliff-hanger’ to ensure continued viewer support for the next episode. As a returnee to model railways – or ‘toy trains’ as my daughter has it – I would not expect any less in the way of slights. For the last 30 years I have been playing with ex-military vehicles (including a DUKW)
and was often labelled as ‘Action Man’, more to do with my height than level of activity! I thought the programme was interesting, and having met one of the participants I am aware that his models are brilliant and feature elements of his sense of humour – surely another essential quality for hobbyists. Is there not a danger that all this is taken too seriously? While it could be argued that the programme-makers made a few mistakes, even Mr Brunel had his share of them! Martin Cross, Newhaven
Star of the TV programme The Biggest Little Railway in the World, Silver Lady attended a recent garden railway exhibition in Peterborough (see pages 24-26).
June 2018
Making the most of modelling on a budget A few months ago The Railway Magazine Guide to Modelling asked for suggestions about making the best of a limited budget to get the best out of the hobby on a limited budget. May I suggest that time and talent need consideration too, as I often find both in short supply? I hope the following suggestions aren’t too much a statement of the obvious (mansplaining according to my better half), but they are based on holes I have fallen into, and might help those who are starting up. 1: Be honest about your DIY skills when it comes to baseboards. If anything more significant than putting up a shelf causes your spouse to look for a lawyer, and the cat to hide in the wardrobe, it’s best to keep things simple, or even buy a second-hand layout as a starting point. 2: Dexterity, eyesight and patience rarely improve with age, so small and/or finescale might not be ideal. 3: If you crave trains running a fair distance, but think N-gauge will be too fiddly, a shunting puzzle might not satisfy you. Light railways or narrow gauge (the latter on 16.5mm track) might be a worthwhile compromise with short but prototypical trains, some of them mixed. 4: Choice of scale, gauge and period can take an age. My 12 x 1ft plus cassette effort will feature ‘Much Dithering’ station, while I picked a time and place only when I saw a Bachmann SR Mogul going cheap – I live in Hampshire -- but this doesn’t preclude time changes so that the layout can run stock from different eras by changing vehicles, signs, people and some buildings. 5: Limit the number of kits you buy without building them, or they might never get done.
Don’t buy any more until you’ve built some of them because never-built kits aren’t bargains. If only I could take this advice myself! 6: The really good modelling efforts (Pendon, for example) are brilliant, but might also intimidate. Don’t expect such levels at first, and possibly ever, but there is always scope for improvement, while ready-to-run models nowadays are often superb, while there are bargains out there. 7: As an initial step, start with a diorama, perhaps 30 x 50cm or similar, on a spare bit of wood or even hardboard. Visit the next local exhibition and buy an appropriate length of track (possibly fixed geometry), a card building kit, a plastic one plus a plastic wagon kit and some basic scenic materials. Construct and paint the appropriate items, scratch-build a simple structure like a cattle dock in card or Plasticard, lay the track and ballast it (possibly using foam underlay and making it more realistic), then add a back scene and have a look at the end results. The financial investment will be minimal, but you’ll find out what you like doing, what you’re good at (not necessarily the same), how quickly you can finish tasks and so on, and the end result can be incorporated as part of an overall layout. At worst, you might find that the delights are not what you thought, but hopefully this will be an early step towards getting what you want from the hobby rather than never starting or getting over-ambitious and later giving up. I hope this helps, despite the early caveat about stating the obvious. Iain Climie, Hampshire
A modelling oasis in the Highlands
'Black Fives' did run on the former GNSR lines
Hi Pete, welcome to your new job and keep the good work going. Following Ian Lamb’s article in the May issue, I’d like to sing the praises of our only shop for the Highlands up here in Scotland. It goes under the name of The Sports & Model Shop at 66 High Street, Dingwall, and is run by a great couple, Debbie and Andy Downie. They stock a wide range of railway items from most leading manufacturers from ready-to-run locos, wagons, kits, tools, materials and so
With reference to Bob Tibbett’s letter (May issue), ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0s did run on the lines of the former Great North of Scotland Railway. True, they weren’t stabled at any of the sheds, but they were serviced at Elgin Motive Power Depot (61C). Care had to be taken to ensure that they were low on coal and water before attempting to turn them because the table at Elgin was temperamental, and would not balance with a ‘Black Five’ with a full tender. The most common route worked was the Coast Line, on which engines seen were Nos 44978, 45376, 45469, 45492 and 44698.
Write to us
on, and always do their best to supply what you need even if it isn’t in stock. They are always adding to their vast range for modellers, and are kind enough to give our club, the Inverness & District Model Railway Club, a discount on anything the club purchases. I’m the club secretary, and we always recommend our members to shop there and support the business, for if they should ever close, we’d have a very long journey to the next one! Gerry Parks, Email
John Ross, Email
Get in touch by emailing: RMModellingeditor@mortons.co.uk or send letters to: The Railway Magazine Guide to Modelling, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR. Please include your name, address and email in all correspondence.