Railway Magazine Guide to Modelling - May 2019 - Preview

GUIDE TO

Modelling MAY 2019

page 14

Here come the

'Terriers' Little engines with big detail

GRAHAM FARISH 'BIRDCAGE' COACHES

HORNBY DIESELS ARE BACK

'LORD NELSONS' IN BR GREEN

SCALE MILE IN 'N' HATTON'S VISIT CLEANING THE TRACK CEMFLO WAGONS FATHER'S DAY IDEAS N-GAUGE 'KING' 'A1X' ARCHIVE FEATURE DIARY DATES

MODELLING THE SETTLE & CARLISLE

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May 2019

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From the editor

GUIDE TO

Modelling Staff

Editor Pete Kelly RMModellingeditor@mortons.co.uk Contributors Nigel Burkin, Ian Lamb, Jon Longman Production editors Pauline Hawkins, Sarah Spencer Designers Fran Lovely and Charlotte Turnbull Picture desk Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield Group 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

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.

June 2019 issue of RMM is out on Friday, May 24, 2019.

Pete Kelly Editor

The nature of railway modelling often demands era-perfect layouts with not the tiniest thing out of synch with the exact time and place the modeller has chosen to replicate. Strict partisanship means that many modellers also remain faithful to a favourite railway for life, and would never think of deviating from it, and this approach has led to some stunningly accurate layouts that will serve as outstanding historic records long after their builders have passed on.

Many might have spent months or even years researching a long-forgotten signalbox, station building, goods shed or locomotive depot before scratch-building it to perfection, and I salute their dogged determination – but there’s another side to the story in the growing ranks of those taking up the pastime as a retirement hobby and who are only at the start of the great modelling adventure.

My own inkling for modelling grew only after writing about full-sized railways for many years, but it wasn’t until much later in life that I actually grasped the nettle and began constructing my urban OO-scale ‘Slagdyke’ layout in 2012. It took two absorbing years to build, but when it was finally done my interest waned and I started thinking about another layout, and then another, and then another… quite the opposite of the scenario with which I started this editorial.

There are so many things I still want to model, and it takes only the tiniest prompt to set my thoughts racing in a new direction. With RMM’s N-scale Southern Region-based ‘St Ann’s Cove’ project layout now well on the way, my thoughts have been with Southern locomotives for some time, but it took only the combination of the late Barry J Freeman’s ‘Winter Wayfarers’ painting (published in the December issue) and the appearance of

Hornby’s new ‘Princess Coronation’ streamliners to set me thinking about a 2ft wide OO-scale layout based on the LMS in 1937/8 encircling the inner walls of the same stable block building.

In my mind’s eye I can see one long wall replicating Barry’s painting of the ‘Coronation Scot’ speeding through a wintry landscape with a canal scene in the foreground, and themes along the other walls including a smoky LMS locomotive shed d and perhaps the windswept expanse of Shap Fell, with a ‘Night Mail’ hauled by an original ‘Patriot’ or unrebuilt ‘Royal Scot’ 4-6-0 (fortunately I have one that just needs to be appropriately reliveried). A hinged section of track will have to be built on the stretch behind the outward-opening stable door to complete the circuit.

I’m already amassing locomotives and rolling stock for this new venture, including a 3F 0-6-0 (see small illustration on page 46) and I have a ‘Super D’ 0-8-0 on order. A collection of private-owner and other goods vehicles, including some excellent examples from Oxford Rail, is being built up to go with them, and the next locomotive in line will be a ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0.

Who knows what might come next?

Only a couple of weeks ago I built up a simple Scale Model Scenery kit of the commemorative rail-side memorial to Mallard’s 126mph record of July 3, 1938 that was placed beside the line by the Gresley Society Trust in 1998 (see news pages) and started thinking: “What shall I do with it now?” The only possible answer, of course, would be to build an OO-scale layout of Stoke Bank!

And how many new endeavours will be sparked by the emergence of the new and instantly enchanting models of the

Stroudley dl ‘Terrier’ 0-6-0 tankk engines, the first Hornby versions of which are reviewed in this issue?

One man and his dog When my wife Liz sadly passed away in 2016, I was left with our rescue dog Elsa, and of course she has to come with me everywhere I go.

The Monday before this issue went to press, I found myself enjoying a full guided tour of Hatton’s huge new premises at Widnes (see pages 22-23) with its managing director Richard Davies.

When we’d fixed the date several weeks before, and I’d popped the perennial question, Richard had said: “Bring Elsa along by all means.”

After travelling up from Lincolnshire, I stayed overnight with my old O-scale modelling friend Barry Allen in Liverpool, who accompanied me on the visit – and after meeting many employees and marvelling at the 1200 orders they were sending out that day, we were confronted by something totally unexpected – a screened welcome sign reading ‘Hattons welcomes Pete Kelly and Elsa from Mortons Media’.

Just think – I’ve never been on ‘telly’ before!

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News

Have you got a story for us? Email: RMModellingeditor@mortons.co.uk

Exclusive ‘Terrier’ and ‘Western’ in ‘OO’ from Locomotion Models

Finished in the spectacular London Brighton & South Coast Railway’s ‘Improved Engine Green’ livery that the full-sized preserved example currently carries, this pre-production image of the OO-scale Stroudley Class A1 ‘Terrier’ 0-6-0 tank engine produced in partnership with Rails of Sheffield and manufacturer Dapol Ltd has been released by Locomotion Models.

No. 82 Boxhill was built at Brighton in 1880, and the model carries the original name and number as preserved as part of the National Collection and currently on display at the Railway Museum at York.

This is the stunning LBSCR ‘Improved Engine Green’ livery that will be applied to the Locomotion Models’ Special Edition A1 ‘Terrier’ No. 82 Boxhill.

Big model auction at Skegness

Thee DCC-rready model, being Th produced by Dapol as an Exclusive Edition model as part of ‘The National Collection in Miniature’ series, will be available later this year at £110, and a factory-fitted sound option will also be available for £239.

Both versions can be ordered for a £30 deposit from www. locomotionmodels.com and will

also be available over the counter at both Locomotion, Shildon and The Railway Museum, York, later this year.

Locomotion Models have also commissioned a model of Class 52 ‘Western’ diesel-hydraulic No. 1023 Western Fusilier, which is also part of the National Collection and on display at the York museum.

NER petrol-electric railcar for Warley exhibition An award-winning 1903 North Eastern Railway petrol-electric railcar, No. 3170, will appear at the Warley Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham, November 23-24, writes Robin Jones.

After the event, it will be taken to the Great Central Railway at Loughborough for adjustments to its running mechanism, and will probably be used on some passenger services during its stay.

The railcar, which has won the Heritage Railway Peter Manisty Award for Excellence and also the HRA Modern Traction Award sponsored by another sister title, Rail Express, is based at the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.

The Warley show is set to include the launch of an OO-gauge model of the vehicle made exclusively by Heljan for Rails of Sheffield, with donations from sales going to the vehicle’s owner and restorer, the 1903 Autocar Trust.

Above: Also supplied by Dapol for Locomotion Models will be this OOscale model of Western Fusilier.

Finished in the BR blue livery that the real locomotive now carries, the OO-scale, DCC-ready model will be available in June for £152.

It too is being produced by Dapol as an Exclusive Edition model as part of ‘The National Collection in Miniature’ series, and the finished model will be supplied with etched name and number plates for the customer to fit.

Models can be ordered for a £30 deposit from the aforementioned website, and bought over the counter at the locations already listed.

A private collection of 66 OO-scale steam-outline and 16 diesel-outline models, along with 200 coaches, other rolling stock, buildings, scenery, accessories and layouts, will be auctioned at The Mart Saleroom, 32 Roman Bank, Skegness, on Saturday, June 1.

Also coming up will be a private collection of TT-scale items comprising 24 steamoutline and 28 diesel-outline locomotives, 250 coaches, rolling stock, numerous spare parts and boxed kits, buildings, scenery and accessories, along with electronics and other items. Three hundred die-cast vehicles of assorted scales, including buses, trams, trucks, lorries, cars, aircraft and canal boats (approximately 400 lots) will also go under the gavel.

Viewing will take place on Friday, May 31 from 10am until 8pm, and after 9am on the day of the sale.

Character oozes from Carnforth Models’ new ‘Busy Bodies’ figures. Inset: This lovely Pendle Valley worker’s cottage will be well at home on any O-scale garden railway.

More Busy Bodies – and a garden railway cottage This is the award-winning 1903 petrol-electric railcar that will be on show at the big Warley Model Railway Exhibition in the autumn.

Launched at the National Garden Railway Show at Peterborough on Saturday, April 6, and available from Carnforth Models (01524 730101 or www.carnforthmodels.co.uk) was a delightful new group of O-scale ‘Busy Bodies’ figures, including five crew members of the Darjeeling Railway!

A new Pendle Valley worker’s cottage kit made from the finest resin, and suitable for outdoor and indoor use, is also now available.

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Have you got a story for us? Email: RMModellingeditor@mortons.co.uk

Exclusive sound-fitted N-gauge ‘Kings’ in DJ Models/Digitrains agreement DJ Models has reached an agreement with Digitrains of Lincoln to market an exclusive limited-edition N-scale soundfitted model of Great Western ‘King’ 4-6-0 No. 6000 King George V. The models, which will be offered in four livery options, will feature a coreless motor, pre-fitted Next 18 sound decoder, darkened-profile wheels with traction tyres on the rear, NEM coupling boxes, sound speaker in the tender and even the commemorative brass bell on the buffer beam.

The livery options will be GWR green with that company’s ‘GWR’ shirt-button crest (DS-KGV-1), GWR green with the words ‘Great Western’ divided by the coat of arms (DS-KGV-2), BR lined green with early crest (DS-KGV-3) and BR lined green with late crest (DS-KGV-4).

The agreement has allowed the N-gauge ‘King’ project at last to ‘cross the line’ financially, and tooling will begin as soon as a slot can be found in the factory to do so.

Stoke Bank Mallard memorial from SMS An easy-to-build three-piece laser-cut kit of the lineside sign marking the spot down Stoke Bank where Mallard touched 126mph while breaking the steam speed record in 1938, has been produced by Scale Model Scenery and costs just £3.99.

Comprising the central structure with the words ‘Mallard, 126mph, 3 July 1938’ and a silhouette of the A4 Pacific, sandwiched between two outer layers, the sign can be glued together in minutes, but painting the words in white on an otherwise all-black sign is best achieved by completing it before the glueing. www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk 62 Station Road, Hugglescote, Leicestershire LE67 2GB, 01530 456952.

The completed model of the sign marking Mallard's speed record. It was placed beside the line by the Gresley Society Trust in 1998.

Mortons launches free Railway Hub website/app

Even in N scale, there will be no doubting the mighty presence of a Collett GWR ‘King’.

Customers for normal non-DCC sound crowdfunded versions can still order their model through the DEJ Models Ltd website using the link https://djmodels.co.uk/product/ gwr-4-6-0-king-6000-class This will allow them to still get theirs

at the crowdfunded price, which will close as soon as a tooling slot becomes available. Once tooling starts, they will be able to order only, at £169.95 per model instead, right up to the production date a few months after tooling starts.

Apart from the DCC sound-fitted Digitrains specials that will each cost £249.95, the initial run of crowdfunded ‘Kings’ will only be made to order and will not be available in shops, and no further runs of the N-gauge ‘King’ model are currently planned.

Rare Sentinel ‘haulage’ at Nene Valley model weekend Visitors to the Nene Valley Railway’s June 1-2 model railway weekend will be able to take advantage of a rare opportunity to travel behind former London Underground Sentinel 0-6-0 diesel shunter DL83, writes Gareth Evans.

It will be operating demonstration heritage goods trains between Wansford and Yarwell, with

passengers carried in the brake van for a small charge.

Acquired by London Transport in 1971 to replace its fleet of GWR 0-6-0 pannier tanks, DL83 was one of three diesel shunters that operated engineering trains until 1993.

NVR chairman Keith Parkinson said: “We will have more than 12 layouts in the exhibition, but unlike

‘Powered by Rolls-Royce’ read the words at the front of the bonnet of former London Underground Sentinel 0-6-0 diesel shunter No. DL83, which will be operating demonstration goods trains during the Nene Valley Railway’s model railway weekend at the beginning of June.

at most model railway events held up and down the country, we also have the luxury of being able to show working models in a scale of 12 inches to the foot.”

This year, he said, not only would visitors be able to travel in the NVR’s regular steam-hauled passenger trains, but as the railway would also be operating a heritage goods train, passengers would be able to see the guard at work and ride through the tunnel to experience the real feeling of a goods train in action.

Keith continued: “Having the use of DL83 will bring a new dimension to our event, and I’m also aware that there are some people who appreciate industrial diesels, and this will be a great opportunity to hear the locomotive at work from the brake van veranda.”

The model exhibition will feature layouts in a variety of scales, from N to G, including the NVR Garden Railway. Key layouts will include ‘Tigley Yard’, ‘Squaw Falls’, ‘North Level’ and ‘Operation Abyss’, the latter depicting a Second World War dockside railway based around a military theme.

Trade stands will include those of the Battle of Britain Locomotive Society, NVR Small Loco Group and NVR Wagon Group.

It’s free, easy to use, and downloadable on to your smartphone or iPad from iTunes or android.

Mortons’ Railway Hub at www. therailwayhub.co.uk launched on Friday, April 19, and is a central point for all rail news, past and present, from The Railway Magazine, Heritage Railway, Rail Express and The Railway Magazine Guide to Modelling.

The Railway Hub includes steam, diesel, electric, modelling, freight and everything between.

You’ll find news, features, great images, competitions and reviews, and you can set it to receive just your particular railway or modelling interest if you wish.

New marketing manager for Bachmann Europe Bachmann Europe Plc has appointed Ian Pritchard as the company’s marketing manager.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the rail industry, Ian was most recently involved in the compiling of franchise deals for Deutsche Bahn (DB)and has also served as head of commercial at West Coast Traincare and head of communications for Porterbrook.

He was stakeholder manager on the East London Line during its integration into London Overground.

The appointment follows a restructuring of Bachmann’s marketing department, which sees Carrie Woods assume the role of creative brand manager, taking care of the Bachmann’s Pocketbond and other non-railway brands.

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Hornby y’s s brand new ‘T Terriers’

00 GAUGE

The surprise announcement for the Hornby 2019 range was a full reworking of the diminutive London Brighton & South Coast Railway A1/A1X Class ‘Terrier’ 0-6-0T locomotiive. Nigel Burkin closely studies the first exam mples.

H

ornby rather shrewdly held back news of its completely new and retooled LB&SCR Class A1/ A1X 0-6-0T locomotive models when it revealed its 2019 range to RMM last December. The small but reliable Stroudley-designed locomotives, originally built for suburban services in south London, were long-lived, and were also used on shunting and light branch line duties, making them ideal models for compact layouts and short trains.

The ‘Terriers’ carried a certain small engine appeal (I won’t use the word ‘cute’), and this was enhanced by the use of bright liveries and names taken from London suburbs and other areas served

by LB&SCR. Always a popular prototype with modellers (I have an ‘N’ gauge one in my collection), the A1/A1X was nonetheless a serious piece of railway hardware, having proved itself in service, and as many as 15 examples survived to continue working under BR. The engines were built at Brighton between 1872 and 1880, and the popularity and reliability of the class led to more than was strictly necessary being constructed, so a number spread their wings to rural routes and other light duties. These were followed closely by the rest of the class when they became unable to cope with increasing train loadings on London suburban passenger services.

The small 0-6-0Ts were relegated to the shunting duties and light secondary and branch services on which the class remained for the rest of its operating life. A consequence of this reallocation, coupled with reliability, saw the Southern Railway (which inherited the surviving LB&SCR locomotives together with a handful from minor railway companies) look upon them as ideal for those routes not suitable for electrification and with such axle loading restrictions so as to prevent the use of newer (and heavier) locomotives.

They also proved suitable for light push-p pull working resulting in the long survival of the class.

Hornby announced a completely retooled LB&SCR A1/A1X Class ‘Terrier’ for inclusion in its 2019 catalogue, and Southern enthusiasts have not had to wait long for the arrival of the two BR examples.

MODEL DETAILS:

LBSCR Stroudley Clas ss A1/A1X 0-6-0T ‘Terrierr’ tank locomotive.

Manufacturer: Hornby Hobbies Ltd Scale: e 4mm (1:76) scale, OO gauge Era: 1872 to 1963.

1911 to 1963 for A1X Class Web: www.hornby.com In this cab view of the driving side of the locomotive, note the prominent reversing lever.

BR inherited 14 A1Xs and one A1 upon nationalisation (No. 43 was inherited from the GWR which obtained it via the acquisition of the Weston, Cleveland and Portishead Railway) by which time their operations were restricted to light branch lines including the famous Hayling Island branch between Havant and Hayling that was eff ffeectively the last stronghold of the class in BR service. Closure of

the line in November 1963 saw the remaining ‘Terriers’ retired from service to see no fewer than 10 of them enter preservation, including one shipped to Canada and No. 82 Boxhill, which is part of the National Collection.

The first releases of what will grow into a number of the locomotives in various liveries and forms are a pair of BR black examples modelled as A1X

Suggested retail prices: £89.99 analogue. £109.99 DCC fitted

Class with the longer smokebox, relocation of the sand boxes under the running plate and removal of the long condensing pipes. No. 32636 (originally No. 72 and No. 672, Fenchurch) is decorated with the late BR totem and has a low w coal bunker and Westinghouse brake pump (R3768). BR No. 32655 (originally No. 55, th hen No. 655, and No. 2655 Stepneey) is fitted with coal rails to thee bunker and is finished with the early BR ‘cycling lion’ totem (R3767).. The models are available in both h analogue and DCC-fitted condition n.

BR No. 32636 as seen from the front with its fine wire hand rails, smokebox door darts and wire hand rails.

FEATURES OF THE MODEL: ■ Finely tooled body shell assembly ■ Locomotive specific detailing ■ Unsprung metal buffers ■ NEM 651 six-pin DCC interface located in the tender ■ Current collection from all six wheels ■ NEM coupling pockets ■ Separate hand rail knobs and rails ■ Brake pipes supplied as add-on details ■ Separate whistle and safety valve detail ■ Flush-glazed spectacle plates ■ Brake details fitted in line with the driving wheels ■ Fine brake rodding and sand box detail ■ Length: 105mm over the buffers ■ Weight 115g BR No. 32636 (R3768) is finished with a late BR totem and coal bunker without coal rails. The brake column is just visible through the cab door.

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WHAT'S IN THE SHOPS | 9

A sid de view of BR No. 32655, with h its early BR totem. Chassis deta ails include the brake linkages, brak ke blocks fitted in line with the wheels and sand boxes.

Body A lot of small details are applied to the body assembly which, to allow the high level of moulded detail, is assembled from several different components. The body is supported by a die-cast running plate with the close joins between the water tanks, boiler, smokebox and the cab assembly being disguised with a boiler band in one instance and sharp tooling in the others. Detail is crisp, with subtle representation of rivet heads, smokebox wrapper and cab roof, which is delicately shaped and of thin section.

The cab sides are also thin enough to appear fine, but strong enough to give the model a good level of structural strength.

Chassis detail The chassis is detailed with neatly spoked driving wheels, which have the brake blocks correctly aligned with the wheel treads. Linking the brake block hangers are fine rigid linkages that are composed of metal and not liable to become distorted. Unsprung metal buffers are applied to the metal running plate which provides some of the 115g of weight in the model. Sand box detail is correctly fitted to the underside of the running plate with the sand pipes correctly positioned to service the leading wheels. During testing, the close fitting of chassis detail did not interfere with the coupling rods or wheels.

Cab A fully-detailed cab interior includes wooden floor effect, splashers, brake column and reversing lever, which partly restricts the cab opening on the left side. A detailed back head is clearly visible through the cab doorway on both sides of the model, which has some separate fittings for the regulator and brake. Flush glazing is applied to the round spectacle plates, fitted at the rear of the cab with a single moulding, which looks a little strange when viewed from inside the cab.

Mechanism Under the die-cast running plate is a competent and smooth-running chassis despite having only a three-pole, skewwound motor. The rear axle is linked to the motor, with the metal coupling rods transmitting the motion to the

Fine details It is no exaggeration to say that the model is covered in fine details, including the pipework, oilers, wire hand rails, lamp irons, smoke box darts, safety valves, chimney, dome and lamp irons.

The lids applied to both water tanks are also separate little details, alongside bunker coal rails and the guards on the rear spectacle plates. In some instances, it is hard to decide what is a separately moulded detail and what is an integral detail on the main superstructure, so good is the standard of assembly.

other two axles. After a short period of running in, when both samples showed no sign of binding, they were capable of slow speed operation and were easily controlled for shunting moves too.

The relatively long wheelbase allows the model to traverse complex track work without stalling if live common crossings are used on the turnouts.

Internally, there is plenty of room for a six-pin decoder, and a ‘stay-alive’ unit could also be accommodated to give the model that little extra bit of momentum, albeit electronically.

Finish Both models are neatly painted in pristine BR lined black with sharp and level lining. Printed colours are dense and of the correct colour for the BR totems and the numbers. Small fittings are finished in brass colour, including cab details, and the red applied to the buffer beams covers detail well, without appearing to be too thick. Noteworthy

Whistle, pipework and dome detail are all applied using individual components.

is the finesse of the lining along the running plate and around the edge of the wheel splashers. It adds up to a remarkably detailed and finished little model for the price. It was noted that the packaging had succeeded in rubbing a tiny bit of black from the edge of the running plate to reveal a glint of silver metal adjacent to the bunker – easily touched in with a spot of satin black prior to applying weathering, but something that needs to be addressed with the packaging, not the model.

Overall, a great addition to Hornby’s super detail range, and with both DC analogue and DCC versions available, there are options to suit most modellers.

Right: The model of BR No. 32655 is seen from the rear with coal bunker rails.

Below: More fine detail is seen in the smokebox wrapper, lamp irons and other fittings.

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Popular Hornby y diesels are back k Nine Class 66 and the first of several Class 31 OO-gauge e models kick-start Hornby’s 2019 diesel and electric rang ge.

BR green Class 31/0 No. D5509 Class 31s were regarded as one of BR’s more successful acquisitions of the modernisation plan which saw numerous pilot scheme locomotive classes introduced in the late 1950s and early 1960s as replacement traction for steam power.

Class 31s were the result of a successful batch of 20 Mirrleespowered locomotives allocated to the Eastern Region and numbered D5500-D5509. They were equipped with electro-magnetic multiple control equipment which was replaced by electro-pneumatic equipment when the ‘production’ versions were constructed.

The locomotives were fitted with a small cab roof cover instead of the four-character headcode box of later builds, and train reporting discs. When fitted with Mirrlees engines, the pilot scheme ones were classified as Class 30 until they were rebuilt with English Electric engines.

The A1A-A1A locomotives earned the nickname ‘Toffee Apples’ because of the control key that featured a distinctive red knob, and this small but distinctive feature is faithfully replicated in Hornby’s latest release of the Class 31 – No. D5509, finished in original BR green with grey roof and green cab fronts representing the class in the late 1950s following release to traffic with Mirrlees engines. They operated a variety of trains, including suburban workings, freight and other secondary duties.

The Class 31 model has been part of the range for many years, and earrly BR diesel enthusiasts will welcome No. D5509, which represents the locomotive in typical day-to-day condition, making it perfect for renumbering as one of the other ‘Toffee Apples’.

It’s at the high end of the Hornby range, with a heavy die-cast chassis fitted with super detailing, a five-pole motor, six-axle drive and all-wheel current collection. It has an eight-pin DCC socket and working head and taillights illuminated with LEDs. A small pack of detailing parts can be found in the box, including the correct headcode discs that plug into tiny

The Class 31 returns to the Hornby range as the Class 31/0 (Class 30) ‘Toffee Apple’ finished in original BR green.

holes above the white marker lights.

Performance-wise, the Hornby Class 31s models are excellent haulers, and the squealing gears of earlier models are a thing of the past. Assembly is good, including the roof fan grille, bufferbeam detail and side grille detail. Livery finish

is smooth and not too bright, although the shade of green could be a little more intense. Printed lining is fine except in one place on the supplied review model where some softness could be seen. Behind the flush cab windows are full controls including that ‘Toffee

Apple’ control key. Sadly, the class fell victim to its non-standard control equipment, and withdrawals began in the mid-1970s, but a handful became departmental train pre-heating units.

No. D5509 has been preserved as part of the National Collection.

The Hornby Class 30 or Class 31/0 (depending on your point of view) will appeal to those modelling East Anglian and London railways in the steam-todiesel era transition.

MODEL DETAILS:

Class 31/0 (Class 30) in BR green.

Scale: 1:76 scale, OO gauge.

Detail applied to the model is consistent with that of a ‘Pilot Scheme’ Class 30/31 with steam heating boiler, train reporting discs, control key detail and original green livery with no small yellow panel. Features include detailed bufferbeams, clear flush glazing, wire hand rails, opening cab doors and fan grille detail.

Catalogue number: R3661.

Suggested retail price: £169.99.

The Hornby Class 66s

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Nine OO-gauge Class 66s were listed for release by Hornby this year using its former Lima tooling. The models were equipped with a new drive bogie, electronics (including an eight-pin DCC socket) and NEM coupling pockets when the company reissued the models after its acquisition.

The models sit at the basic end of Hornby’s range, but are priced accordingly at £79.99 each, with a digital sound option available for less than £100. They will appeal to a certain section of the market and the nine models cover a variety of liveries including EWS maroon and gold, DB Cargo red, Colas Rail, the new Freightliner scheme and various special GBRf colour schemes with the minirange being topped off with No. 66779 Evening Star in lined Brunswick green.

One tooling for the model has the original running light details of the first Class 66s ordered by EWS and GBRf. Most of the nine models match this arrangement well, and fortunately some of the most interesting of the GBRf special liveries were applied to the 10 former EWS Class 66s acquired by GBRf including the ‘Biffa’ livery on No. 66783 The Flying Dustman and the heritage BR large-logo livery applied to No. 66789 British Rail 1948-1997.

One of the GBRf examples is No. 66705 with the Union flag applied to the sides, and several routine GBRf liveried examples are a close match

to the body shell moulding. Noteworthy is the replacement of the large headlights on some Class 66s with running ligh ht panels not dissimilar to thee original ones which is a cloose match to the Hornby tooliing.

Liveries are neatly applied, even though the shade of GBRf blue is a liittle light in colour. The colour density is good and painting lines are sharp.

Printed details are well applied, makking the models a good basis for some personalisation and detailing.

Although the grilles are solid mouldings and no working lights arre fitted, the models, when purchased at discounted retail prices, will be th he perfect base for some detailing.

While the drive might not be capable off haulling very heavy vyy traiins, th he mod dells

GAUGE

have more than enough for compact layout themes, particularly depot scenes and those where light engine moves are common. Given that there are several other initiatives to produce OO-gauge Class 66s in various special liveries, the Hornby models have been well received, with several of the nine sold out at the wareh house at th he tiime off wriitiing.

Above: Seen here are three of the nine OO-gauge Hornby Class 66s that are now arriving g in the e sho ops. The e thre ee GBRf samples closely match the Hornby body shell and will form the rump of a fleet for a future compact layout theme.

Left: TTS digital sound decoder is available for the Hornby Class 66. The decoder has a wire harness with an eight-pin plug.

MODEL DETAILS:

Various Class 66s in GBRf liveries.

Scale: 1:76 scale, OO gauge.

The ‘B Biff ffa a’ livery applied to No. 66783 The Flying Dustman (R3779) caused comment when it first appeared and will be a popular choice for the Hornby ‘nine’.

Suggested retail price: £79.99.

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‘Birdcage’ coaches in ‘N’ from Graham Farish

GAUGE The first release of the brand new Graham Farish N-gauge ‘Birdcage’ coaches is finished in 1950s BR crimson livery with torpedo vents, additional dynamo and the correct lack of external roof conduit.

Brand new N-gauge models of the 60ft ‘Birdcage’ coach sets built by the South Eastern & Chatham Railway have now been released by Bachmann under the Graham Farish label.

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hen the South Eastern & Chatham Railway was formed in 1899, the company soon discovered an urgent need for new and up-to-date coaching stock, and this was built in the form of the iconic ‘Birdcage’ coaches. Designed by Harry Wainwright, most of the carriages were built at Ashford on several lengths of underframe during the early 1900s.

The three-coach 60ft stock formations as modelled by Graham Farish regularly formed main line services on the SE&CR and Southern Railway before being cascaded to shorter-distance and branch line services.

The brand new N-gauge models follow the previously released models in OO by being based on coaches built on 60ft frames. Unlike the larger-scale models, however, the N-gauge version is offered as a three-coach pack, and the set featured in this review is finished in BR crimson livery as set No. 595.

Each of the fixed three-coach sets of 60ft coaches shared a single dynamo and battery set for coach lighting, and these were fitted to the Composite Lavatory coach located in the middle of the set. A single dynamo and battery set worked well when the stock was used on limited-stop main line services, but was soon found to be inadequate when the stock was cascaded to lesser duties with

more stops because the dynamo could not retain a charge in the batteries. This was resolved by fitting an additional dynamo and batteries to the Brake Third coach.

Two of the models in the triple pack feature the distinctive raised guard’s lookouts whose small windows gave the appearance of a birdcage, hence the nickname. These were an important feature at the time, allowing train guards a view along the train and good sight of signals and other lineside features. The wooden-bodied coaches were built to ‘Ashford Gothic’ profile with flat panelled sides and a slight tumblehome at the base of the coach.

The passenger door drop light windows had a distinctive shape too, square at the bottom and with curved upper corner panelling with round-topped windows.

The coaches survived to see the 1950s, with stock painted in BR crimson as represented by the three models described in this review.

Modifications applied during their lifetimes including a change to the roof ventilator design and the fitting of the aforementioned additional dynamo after around 1931. The roof was tided up by relocating the original exterior lighting conduit beneath the roof panelling, which is a feature of the BR-liveried models.

The highly detailed Graham Farish three-coach pack (374-912) is a brand new tooling. Numbered as set No. 595, it consists of the following vehicles: 39-602 Brake Third Lavatory coach: The Brake Third Lavatory coach is numbered S3500S. It has the raised guard’s roof section at one end, but is not equipped with a dynamo and battery set. It consists of seven passenger compartments and lavatory compartments that are modelled to be accessible from a limited number of them.

39-612 Composite Lavatory coach: A Composite Lavatory coach, No. S5668S makes up the middle carriage, comprising first-class accommodation in compartments with an adjoining lavatory and an open saloon, together with third-class compartments at the opposite end. The centre coach was built with the dynamo and battery boxes that supplied all three coaches with power for interior lighting.

39-622 Brake Third coach: Eight compartments make up the third of the three coaches, which is classified as a Brake Third and numbered S3428S. It has no lavatory, and also features the

The Brake Third Lavatory coach is seen from the guard’s compartment end with its distinctive raised section.

raised guard’s lookout. It is modelled with the second generator and battery set that was a retrospective addition to the coaches after they were cascaded to secondary duties. None of the coaches had gangways.

Body shells Each of the three coaches has a different single-piece plastic injection-moulded body shell, consisting of roof, sides and ends fitted out with numerous small details. The birdcage guards’ lookouts have a separate roof and inner end, while details such as the roof vents are integrally moulded.

The models have some very subtle tooling, particularly for the panelling on the coach ends and sides alongside commode handles, hinge detail and

door stops, while the torpedo vents lack the same good definition. The correct shape of the drop light windows in the doors has been faithfully represented and the overall profile of the coach sides has been correctly modelled.

Interior detail is visible through the flush glazing, which is neatly fitted and has the correct pattern of ‘No Smoking’ and ‘First Class’ labels printed on the reverse sides. Separate details include end hand rails and brake pipes.

Underframes As has been noted before, some of the best detailing in ready-to-run models in all scales seems to be found on the undersides, where it cannot always be readily appreciated when the stock is running on a layout. The Graham Farish

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FEATURES OF THE MODEL: Underframe detail is neatly applied, including the correct dynamo and battery box detail under the Composite Lavatory coach.

‘Birdcage’ coaches are no exception, and the very fine trussing cannot fail to impress even the most discerning modeller. Vacuum cylinders, V-hangers and linkages for the train brakes are all represented with some quite tiny mouldings that have been well attached to the underframe.

Being BR versions of the coaches, the triple set is fitted with two dynamo and battery installations, including the original applied to the middle coach and the supplementary one to the Brake Third, which is represented with welldetailed boxes and dynamo applied to the underframe.

Bogies and couplings Each bogie is a single-piece moulding and perhaps the weakest part of the model in terms of detail. The brake shoes do not line up with the wheels and the distinctive foot boards are integrally moulded with the sideframes, appearing oversize. Conventional metal wheels are fitted to the model, but without any provision for power

collection for interior lighting. They are fully concentric and the coaches roll freely and smoothly, presenting little challenge for even the smallest N-gauge tank locomotive. During testing, it was noted that the bogies have around 1mm of side play around the pivots, which consist of retaining screws instead of the little plastic pivot used under other Graham Farish coaches, itself a distinct improvement. The same degree of play was observed along the long axis of the coaches, something that should be addressed with future releases.

Couplings are of the standard N-gauge ‘Rapido’ type fitted to NEM coupling pockets. The ends of the bogies are shaped to accommodate a gently sprung kinematic coupling cam system that has a small degree of slack in it, a commonly found feature of Graham Farish coaches. Operation over first radius curves is possible with the system, but the slack in the coupling cams can cause the coaches to bounce against one another a little unless the train is operated with care.

■ Correctly moulded coach profile and ends.

■ Details specific to the coaches in BR condition.

■ Dynamo and batteries fitted to two of the three coaches making up a ‘trio’ set.

■ Finely moulded coach panel lines and small details.

■ Roof detail includes torpedo vents.

■ Wire hand rails applied to the coach ends.

■ Close coupling cams.

■ NEM coupling pockets.

■ Free-rolling metal wheel sets.

■ Single piece bogie mouldings.

The term ‘Birdcage’ arose from the distinctive guards’ lookouts that were raised above the coach roof line on two of the three coaches in each set.

Below: 60ft ‘Birdcage’ stock was formed in permanently coupled three-coach sets, with the orig ginal dy ynamo and battery y boxes located under the Comp posite Lavatory y coach.

Bra ake e Third d coach No o. S3428 8S also ha as the e dyna amo o and d battery y detaill.

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The ‘B Birdcage’ carriages were nothing if not distinctive. This is Brake Third Lavatory coach No S3500S.

MODEL DETAILS:

SE&CR 60-foot ‘Birdcage’ coaches finished in BR crimson Manufacturer: Bachmann Europe Plc. under its Graham Farish label.

Scale: 2mm (1:148) scale, N gauge.

Era: 1900s to 1956.

1948-1956 for the models featured in this review.

Completing a three-coach set is the Third Brake, which has no lavatory compartment. Latterly, an additional dynamo and battery boxes were fitted to this coach to supplement the equipment on the Composite Lavatory coach.

The fine tooling for panelling and door details is apparent in this view of one end of the Brake Third Lavatory coach.

Commode handles are moulded, and finished with brass paint.

The dynamo and battery detail can be seen beneath Composite Lavatory coach No. S5468S.

In conclusion An excellent rendition of the early BR crimson livery is applied to the models with an even eggshell finish.

Roof colour is mid-grey with the same finish, which gives the models a clean but not overly bright appearance.

Separate details are picked out in colour, including the metal commode handles, door handles and details adjacent to the guards’ compartments. The overall effect is a very neat model with some sharp

Web: www.bachmann.co.uk Suggested retail price: £149.95.

printing of coach numbers on some coaches and slightly ragged on others.

Nonetheless, from normal viewing distances, the models are an excellent representation of the full-sized vehicles, and to see pre-group equipment made available as mainstream models in N gauge is a move that is to be widely welcomed.

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rear wheel and Nort rton 16H engine – and in 1962 money it cost just £10 to build! PHOTO: MORTONS ARC as well. He rode to the first Dragon Rally on this hybrid that consisted of an AJS front fork and wheel Bill Thacker, whose regular cart rtoons in The Motor Cycle have become legendary ry, was light-heart rted a

May 2019

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OO-gauge Cemflos from Accurascale

Accurascale’s second UK-outline OO-gauge wagon release has arrived in the shape of the 1960s-built Cemflo bulk cement tank wagons. Nigel Burkin previews the wagons, which will be fully reviewed in the next issue.

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he first of two brand new models of bulk cement tank wagons to arrive from Accurascale in late March was the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturersoperated Cemflo that was introduced in 1961. The more modern PCAs arrived shortly afterwards, and will also be reviewed in a future issue.

The Metro-Cammell-built wagon chosen for Accurascale’s super-detail model is from the second of two

Scale vacuum brake cylinders are mounted under the barrel overhang at one end of the wagons.

batches of Cemflos to be constructed (the first being produced by Gloucester Railway and Carriage Works).

The wagons were operated by APCM, and a number survived until mid-1988.

They were part of the transformation in rail haulage that followed the steam era when bulk haulage for certain commodities became commonplace, but as the Cemflos were introduced towards the end of the steam-to-diesel transition, they would have been hauled in block trains by some steam locomotivves.

They are mosttly associated with diesel traction n, though, and did live to see the allocation of APCMprefixed TOPS numbers and TOPS cod ding as PCV. Two distinct eras of operatioon are represented by the firstt release of the Cemflo models including the TOPS period wiithout the Blue Circle totems and d the earlier pre-TOPS era when thee models ran with the distinctive boaards.

Packs of threee wagons are available, alllowing blockk trains to be assembled

with individually numbered wagons.

There are six packs of TOPS wagons plus a single model and seven of the wagons in early condition.

All of the models are finished in pristine condition, leaving it to the modeller to have a go at some weathering. Printed details are sharp, well researched and accurate, down to the tiny Metro-Cammell markings on the solebar.

Overall, it’s a very consistently finished model and shows that care in its assembly and decoration has been taken, down to the smallest detail.

At just under £25 for the single models and £23 each for the wagons in triple packs (sold for £69.95), they are exceptionally good value for money when compared to existing products.

Don’t hang around though. If the fast sales of models from sister company Irish Model Railways are anything to go by, the Cemflos won’t hang around for very long.

Above: Modellers following the development of Accurascale will be delighted with the finished PCV Cemflo bulk wagons that were released late in March.

Below: Some of the finest tooling of small details is apparent on the model, including rivet and bolt heads and the tiny screw fixings for the filler hatches.

Brake equipment includes brake shoes positioned for closer-to-scale wheels, separate yokes, linkages and safety loops.

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Layouts to love

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A scale mile in ‘N’ Barnetby to Wrawby Junction Pete Kelly revisits the Immingham Museum & Heritage Centre to record the progress made on an impressive modern-image N-scale layout in less than a year by a volunteer group of railway modellers.

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ne of the main purposes of any heritage centre is to portray the history of a place as imaginatively as possible – and in the case of Immingham, on the Lincolnshire side of the Humber, what better way could there be of showing the town’s considerable railway importance past and present than in the form of huge and accurate model railway layouts?

The skills of a diverse group of railway modellers have come together to construct two hugely impressive layouts for visitors to admire and learn from – a massive depiction in OO-scale of Immingham Locomotive Depot (40B) in the days of steam, and an exquisite N-scale creation illustrating the modern freight scene between Barnetby and Wrawby Junction that covers a full scale mile – and that’s the one we are concentrating on this time.

These layouts are a ‘must see’ for all railway modellers – so why not combine a viewing with a visit to the second Immingham Model Railway Exhibition in the adjoining Civic Centre in Pelham Road, Immingham DN40 1QF over the weekend of May 18-19? Normal operating times for the museum are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and Saturdays from 1 until 4pm.

Since my last visit, the signalbox at Wrawby Junction, where the lines to Lincoln, Brigg and Scunthorpe diverge, has been beautifully scratch-built by team member Steve Richard, and the other end of the layout has also seen considerable development.

Originally built by the Great Central Railway, which created the massively important deep-water port at Immingham, which was opened by King George V on July 22, 1912, the box had 136 levers, and for many years was one-man operated! Time finally caught

up with the historic box just a few years ago, when the signalling changed to colour light, with movements controlled from York.

At the Barnetby end of the layout, today’s station footbridge featuring three double-back wheelchair ramps, has been replicated exactingly including parts from no fewer than six Japanese footbridge kits. A small engine shed has been added, and there is also an accurate portrayal of the old station building that now serves as Network Rail offices under the name of Stothard House.

Happily, though, the old ticket office has been preserved.

Beyond Barnetby station, sideways-on to the main layout, is an impressive power station which, although static from the model railway operating point of view, illustrates the principles of ‘merry-go-round’ coal trains to school parties. Behind that is a tidy representation of Humberside Airport.

After much discussion about the final bit of modelling space that remained, an ingenious way of providing rail access from the rest of the layout to a brand new model of Cleethorpes station was worked out – it entails the lines going under the airport – and the project is now in full flow.

A convincing model of the station entrance building has been built by Brian Bell, who regaled me with stories of busy summer Saturdays there, particularly during steam days, when the non-stop progression of arriving trains packed with summer visitors could occupy all six platforms at once!

Once the passengers had disembarked to enjoy their day out, the carriages would be stored in extensive sidings to await their return journeys.

Although some of the platforms remain in use, it’s hard to imagine what Cleethorpes station was like during its heyday, but some old steam days photographs pinned to the wall behind

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the ‘construction site’ of the new model show excursion trains galore.

After starting work at the Immingham depot in 1950, Brian was promoted to fireman after five years and went to New England shed, Peterborough (35A) where, he said, he fired all kinds of locomotives between Peterborough and King’s Cross, and as far as York in the other direction.

He recalls once riding ‘on the cushions’ to Doncaster to take over a southbound coal train – with pristine A4 Pacific No. 60015 Quicksilver at the head! It had just emerged from a major overhaul at ‘The Plant’ and needed to be run in at a really gentle speed. “It was like riding on air,” said Brian. “All the way we could hear every individual wheelset going over the rail expansion joints – Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, CLACK! Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, CLACK!” What great memories – and what an experience that must have been!

Most impressively, the stretch of track at the back of this wonderful N-scale

 layout had been increased to no fewer than 10 roads since my last visit, and they are occupied by a superb selection of representative locomotive-powered diesel-era trains, both passenger and freight.

These ranged from a blue-era Class 31-hauled four-coach Cleethorpes to Newark train and a Class 40 with a return 1970s/80s Manchester newspaper train that always had a single passenger coach at one end to a Class 37 pairing with 20 iron-ore bogie wagons, an ‘Enterprise’ freight train with a Colas Rail Class 56, a Class 55 ‘Deltic’ with a seven-coach through Cleethorpes-King’s Cross train, and a Class 20 with a ballast train. What long-lived locomotives the latter were – I saw the very first one emerge from Vulcan Foundry in 1957 when I was barely 13 years old!

Another lovely model was that of a Freightliner coal train from Scunthorpe with a Class 66 at the head, all in matching green and yellow Railfreight livery.

1. The point of divergence at Wrawby Junction on the N-scale layout at the Immingham Museum & Heritage Centre where the lines go their separate ways to Lincoln (left), Brigg (straight on) and Scunthorpe (right).

2. The old signal box at Wrawby Junction once boasted 136 levers, and this accurate model has been skilfully scratch-built by volunteer modelling team member Steve Richards.

3. Hauled by a pair of Class 37 dieselelectric locomotive models, a train of 20 iron ore bogie wagons passes under the complex disabled-access bridge over the platforms at Barnetby station, at the other end of the layout. In the background is the old station building that now serves as Network Rail offices.

4. The N-scale layout still features the old semaphore signals that were finally replaced by a colour-light system, with movements controlled from York, during the Christmas period of 2015.

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