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Brian Stephenson,Tim Shackleton, Graham Gaches, Julia Scarlett,Trevor Jones, Jonathan Newton, Dan Evason, Malcolm Briggs, Martin Reynolds, Nigel Glasson, Darren Glasson and John Gay.

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36

WORKBENCH

It’s back to basics for Tim Shackleton as he prepares to weather a fleet of ten Bachmann ‘OO’ Class 20 Bo-Bo diesels in the first of a two-part series. 42

50

MAKING A SCENE

Modelling water can be challenging. Dan Evason shows you how, as he creates a ‘OO’ gauge ford crossing scene.

CONSTRUCTION

We welcome in the New Year with a new series on making buildings from scratch – and it is far easier than you might think, as Malcolm Briggs reveals. 102

DIGITAL CONTROL

Mike Wild installs digital sound to Dapol’s new ‘OO’ gauge GWR ‘Manor’ 4-6-0 using the latest sound profile from the Wheeltapper collection and an ESU V5 decoder.

What’s inside

WELCOME

UPDATE

Hornby’s 2023 range is revealed and we have an eight-page special report highlighting the new locomotives, carriages, wagons and a new digital control system. Plus, we have a raft of new announcements from the recent Warley Showand you could also win a pair of Hornby’s all-new ‘OO’ gauge HST power cars worth over £360 in our exclusive competition.

WITHAM

Recalling childhood memories of West Country summer holiday traffic, Martin Reynolds opted to model a fictional Somerset town during the 1960s for his 12ft x 6ft ‘OO’ gauge home and exhibition layout.

NEWVADDON PARKWAY

Nigel and Darren Glasson set out to showcase their ‘N’ gauge vision of what a modern-day parkway station in West Cornwall could look like.

RAILWAY REALISM

HAPPY NEW YEAR – and with it comes Hornby’s eagerly awaited brand new catalogue for 2023 revealing the latest collection of models planned for the year ahead across steam, diesel and electric motive power, carriages, wagons, accessories, train sets, train packs and much more.

The annual trip to Hornby’s Margate headquarters for the following year’s range launch is always exciting as Mike, Richard and myself speculate as to what might be planned for the year ahead in the new Hornby range. Needless to say, we are usually way off the mark - but it builds the anticipation to fever pitch. As to the announcements, we have a full eight-page special report in this issue which you can read on pages 8-15.

Needless to say, we are usually way off the mark have full issue on programme

In addition to the printed detail, don’t forget to visit www.keymodelworld.com/hornby-newreleases for more news and exclusive images as well as a special KeyModelWorld TV programme hosted by the Hornby Magazine team, guiding you through the new announcements in more detail than we can include here.

It was interesting to note at the presentation in December that there are still many models working their way through the development process including the BR ‘2MT’ 2-6-0, LMS ‘Turbomotive’ 4-6-2, LNER ‘P2’ 2-8-2, LMS ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0, Class 423 4-VEP Electric Multiple Unit, Greater Anglia Class 755/3 and 755/4 units, Hitachi Class 802/2s and more which are all set to appear during 2023. Hornby’s Marketing and Product Development Director, Simon Kohler, made the point that going forward Hornby intends to only announce models it is confident it can deliver within a reasonable time.

That said, there were still plenty of exciting announcements for the year ahead including a Hornby Dublo version of English Electric DP1 Deltic which is set to include an impressive specification – as well as tractive effort. Equally exciting is the streamlined LNER ‘B17/5’ 4-6-0 rebuilt for use on the East Anglian express passenger trains (a model surely few thought they’d ever see in ready-to-run form), and a new digital control system. Yes, you heard right – a radical and high-tech new Bluetooth digital control and sound system which you can read about in our special eight-page Hornby 2023 news section. Suffice to say, we look forward to reviewing the items as they become available shortly and we’ll keep you informed of developments.

Finally, a reminder that if you are a subscriber to Hornby Magazine, don’t forget to claim your

I do hope you enjoy this issue of Hornby Magazine with three superb layout features, step-by-step guides, all the latest reviews and the start of a new series on making buildings from scratch. Here’s to an exciting year ahead!

Hornby 2023 catalogue discount. Give our mail order team a call – 01780 480404 – to find out more and order your copy today.

Mark Chivers Acting Editor

Streamlined LNER ‘B17/5’ HEADS HORNBY 2023 STEAM PLANS

HORNBY’S 2023 releases are set to include newly-tooled‘OO’gauge London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) streamlined ‘B17/5’4-6-0s, a collection of allnew LNER‘A1’/‘A3’ Flying Scotsman 4-6-2s in the Hornby Dublo range and a new Liverpool & Manchester Railway (L&MR) addition, in the form of 0-4-2 No. 58 Tiger

Leading the 2023 announcements, the streamlined LNER ‘B17/5’ 4-6-0s were converted from conventional locomotives in 1937 for use on the ‘East Anglian’ express passenger train between London Liverpool Street and Norwich. Two models are planned as 2859 East Anglian in LNER lined apple green (R30137) and 61670 City of London in British

Liverpool and Manchester Railway 0-4-2 No. 58 Tiger is set to bolster Hornby’s range of pioneering locomotives.

Railways livery (R30136). Currently at the design stage, the tooling suite will incorporate inserts to enable a full gamut of models to be produced. Currently on schedule for a late 2023 release, prices are set at £209.99.

Hornby is set to mark several

significant anniversaries in 2023 including Flying Scotsman’s centenary celebrations (HM187), with six versions of the Gresley ‘Pacific’ planned for its Hornby Dublo range. These all-new models will feature newlytooled die-cast metal bodies and

utilise the existing high-fidelity chassis and tenders. Spanning the locomotive’s career, it will be available in ‘A1’ and ‘A3’ form, from initial ex-Works condition to present day appearance. Just 500 of each are being produced supplied in special packaging complete with a commemorative medallion – see Table 1 for more details. Prices range from £362.99 to £379.99. Release is slated for April 2023.

Completing the new tooling announcements is Liverpool & Manchester Railway 0-4-2 No. 58 Tiger in as-built condition (R30233). Whilst similar in appearance to Lion, the model will feature an all-new firebox and chimney, supplementing the same tender as

Hornby is developing an all-new ‘OO’ gauge LNER ‘B17/5’ with streamlined casing for release later this year. In 1938, LNER ‘B17/5’ 2870 City of London passes with an up express over Ipswich water troughs. G.R. Grigs/Rail Archive Stephenson.

4-2-2

used for Lion, enabling it to appear as close as Hornby can get to its 1838 design. It will be offered in a special train pack containing three four-wheel granite wagons, priced at £229.99.

Allied to this release, Hornby’s ‘OO’ gauge model of Stephenson’s Rocket 0-2-2 is set to appear in a new train pack this year with two First Class carriages – Traveller and Huskisson – and a newly-tooled Second Class coach (R30090), priced at £241.99.

Another milestone event to be celebrated this year is the 100th anniversary since the 1923 Grouping of most railway companies into the ‘Big Four’, and Hornby is planning to release four special limited edition models –one from each company – as Great Western Railway (GWR) ‘Castle’ 4-6-0 4074 Caldicot Castle in Great Western lined green (R30272), Southern Railway (SR) ‘King Arthur’ 4-6-0 741 Joyous Gard in SR lined olive green (R 30273), London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) Fowler ‘4P’ 2-6-4T 2300 in LMS

lined crimson lake (R30271) and LNER ‘A1’ 4-6-2 4478 Hermit in LNER lined apple green (R30270). Each is priced at £208.99.

Further commemorative events this year include the 85th anniversary of LNER ‘A4’ 4-6-2 4468 Mallard’s world steam speed record in 1938, with a special Railway Museum edition of the ‘OO’ gauge model in LNER garter blue but without the bodyside plaque and priced at £320.99 (R30268).

Keeping the ‘A4’ theme, 2023 is also ten years since ‘The Great Gathering’ of all six surviving ‘streaks’ at the National Railway Museum in York. Hornby is to mark the occasion with six models planned for release this year. Differing from the previous collection of models, these will utilise the manufacturer’s Hornby Dublo die-cast body allied to the existing high-fidelity chassis and tenders. Each will be supplied in special commemorative packaging with 4mm scale Great Gathering headboards and limited

TABLE 1  HORNBY 2023 ‘OO’ STEAM LOCOMOTIVES

PRODUCTDESCRIPTION

ERA CATNO.

L&MR0-2-2, Rocket,L&MRlivery 1 R30090*

L&MR0-4-2,58 Tiger,L&MRlivery 1 R30233**

GWR‘Castle’4-6-0,4073 Caerphilly Castle,GWRlinedgreen 3 R30328(RM)

GWR‘Castle’4-6-0,4074 Caldicot Castle,GreatWesternlinedgreen 3 R30272

SR‘N15’4-6-0,741 Joyous Gard,SRlinedolivegreen 3 R30273

SRair-smoothed‘MerchantNavy’4-6-2,35012 4 R3860 United States Lines,linedmalachitegreen

CaledonianRailway‘Single’4-2-2,123,CaledonianRailwayblue 2 R30234(TR)

S&DJR‘4F’0-6-0,61,S&DJRlinedblue 2 R30285

S&DJR‘2P’4-4-0,46,S&DJRlinedblue 2 R30286

LMSFowler‘4P’2-6-4T,2300,LMSlinedcrimsonlake 2 R30271

LMS‘8F’2-8-0,8310,LMSblack 3 R30281

LMS‘8F’2-8-0,48518,BRblackwithlatecrests 5 R30282

LNER‘J36’0-6-0,65330,BritishRailwayslinedapplegreen 4 R3859(L/E)

LNER‘A1’4-6-2,1472,L&NERlinedapplegreen(1923) 3 R30206(HD)

LNER‘A1’4-6-2,4472 Flying Scotsman,LNERlinedapplegreen(1924) 3 R30207(HD)

LNER‘A3’4-6-2,103 Flying Scotsman,LNERlinedapplegreen(1946) 3 R30210(HD)

LNER‘A3’4-6-2,4472 Flying Scotsman,LNERlinedapplegreen(1963) 5 R30209(HD/AP)

LNER‘A3’4-6-2,4472 Flying Scotsman,LNERlinedapplegreen(1969-1973) 6/7 R30208(HD/USA)

LNER‘A3’4-6-2,60103 Flying Scotsman,BRlinedgreenwithlatecrests(2016) 11 R30211(HD/SD)

LNER‘A1’4-6-2,4478 Hermit,LNERlinedapplegreen 3 R30270

LNER‘A4’4-6-2,4468 Mallard LNERgarterblue 3 R30268(RM)

LNER‘A4’4-6-2,4468 Mallard LNERgarterblue 10 R30261(HD/GG)

LNER‘A4’4-6-2,4489 Dominion of Canada,LNERgarterblue 10 R30262(HD/GG)

LNER‘A4’4-6-2,60009 Union of South Africa,BRlinedgreenwithlatecrests 10 R30263(HD/GG)

LNER‘A4’4-6-2,4464 Bittern,LNERgarterblue 10 R30264(HD/GG)

LNER‘A4’4-6-2,60008 Dwight D. Eisenhower,BRlinedgreenwithlatecrests 10 R30265(HD/GG)

LNER‘A4’4-6-2,60007 Sir Nigel Gresley,BRexpresspassengerbluewithearlycrests 10 R30266(HD/GG)

LNERstreamlined‘B17/5’4-6-0,2859 East Anglian,LNERlinedgreen 3 R30137

LNERstreamlined‘B17/5’4-6-0,61670 City of London, 4 R30136

BritishRailwayslinedapplegreen

BR‘9F’2-10-0,92002,BRblackwithearlycrests 4 R30132

BR‘9F’2-10-0,92002,BRblackwithearlycrests 4 R30132TXS BR‘9F’2-10-0,92097,BRblackwithlatecrests 5 R30133(TD)

Ex-L&YR‘Pug’0-4-0ST,19 Prince,UnitedGlassBottleManufacturingmaroon 3 R30287

L&MRStephenson’s Rocket trainpack ** L&MR Tiger trainpack,withthreefour-wheeledwagons AP AlanPeglerownership GG GreatGathering10thanniversarycollection HD HornbyDubloedition L/E Limitededition RM RailwayMuseumedition

edition certificates. 510 examples of each model are to be produced – see Table 1 for the full listing. Priced at £320.99 each, release is scheduled for June 2023.

•For more details on Hornby’s ‘OO’ gauge steam locomotive plans see Table 1 and also visit www.keymodelworld.com/ hornby-new-releases.

2023 marks the tenth anniversary since The Great Gathering at York’s Railway Museum and Hornby is planning to commemorate the event with six new ‘OO’ gauge Gresley ‘A4s’ in the Hornby Dublo range.

Southern Railway ‘King Arthur’ 4-6-0 741 Joyous Gard gains SR olive green for its 2023 release, celebrating 100 years since Grouping.

Hornby is continuing its Tri-ang Railways Remembered series with a special Caledonian ‘Single’ train pack, containing the Caledonian blue

No.123 and two Tri-ang era carriages.

Hornby’s newly-tooled BR ‘9F’ 2-10-0 will appear in two guises this year, including Tyne Dock variant 92097 in BR black with late crests.

DUBLO DIECAST

Hornby is adding an all-new ‘OO’ gauge model of English Electric DP1 Deltic to its Hornby Dublo range. In June 1957, the distinctive blue locomotive heads the up ‘Merseyside Express’ near Halton Junction. The late R.A. Whitfield/ Railphotoprints.uk

HORNBY is to bolster its diesel and electric range with an all-new ‘OO’gauge model of English Electric DP1 Deltic for the Hornby Dublo range, resplendent in its eye-catching blue and cream colour scheme.

Built by English Electric in the mid 1950s, DP1 was put to work on British Railways’ (BR) London Midland Region initially on freight

and, following modification and testing, passenger trains. It was withdrawn in the early 1960s and is now part of the National Collection, currently on display at Locomotion in Shildon.

Hornby's all-new ‘OO’ gauge DP1 model project (R30297) is under way and the prototype has already been scanned. It is set to feature a die-cast body and chassis, rotating fans, cab illumination,

directional lighting and 21-pin Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder socket. While the full size locomotive features a nonoperational lamp at each end, Hornby is planning to make this a working, but switchable, option on the model. It is priced at £320.99.

Hornby is also adding a Class 805 Hitachi five-car bi-mode InterCity Express Train (IET) in Avanti West Coast colours this year (R30327).

This latest addition to the diesel and electric range will feature newly-tooled chassis components to reflect the full-size prototypes currently on test for the West Coast Main Line operator. 13 examples are being built by Hitachi to replace Avanti’s fleet of Class 221 Diesel Electric Multiple Units. Priced at £477.99 per five-car pack, release is scheduled for late 2023.

With the first of Hornby’s all-new

Left:

Left: An InterCity ‘Executive’ HST power car pairing is also planned, fitted with Hornby’s new Triplex Sound.

Below:

Class 43 HST power cars arriving with retailers in the run-up to Christmas (see pages 70-73, this issue) a further selection of power car packs are planned this year including an LNER pairing of 43238 in plain LNER red and 43305 in full LNER livery (R30095), together with an original BR Western Region blue/grey/yellow pack (R30239) and an InterCity ‘Executive’ pack containing two named examples

– 43091 Edinburgh Military Tattoo and 43136 The Newspaper Society (R30097TXS).

These latest models will feature factory-fitted cube speakers, while the InterCity ‘Executive’ HST pack is also to be the first to receive Hornby’s new Triplex Sound (TXS) – see pages 14-15 for more details. Prices range from £362.99 for DCC ready packs to £402.99 for the TXS sound-fitted pack.

Further highlights this year include an EWS Business Train pack comprising a Class 67 Bo-Bo diesel 67002 Special Delivery in EWS maroon and gold, plus three airconditioned Mk 2 carriages in EWS lined maroon (R30251), priced at £299.99. An add-on triple coach pack in the same colour scheme is also available – see pages 12-13 for more details. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum,

two industrial Sentinel 0-6-0DH shunters are also planned to appear in London Transport green (R30306) and Potter Logictics yellow (R30307). Each is priced at £108.99, with release expected in mid-2023.

•See Table 2 for further details of Hornby’s 2023 diesel and electric plans for ‘OO’ and visit www.keymodelworld.com/ hornby-new-releases to see our full collection of related videos.

Railfreight Metals colours are set to adorn Hornby’s Class 56 diesel as 56060 The Cardiff Rod Mill, which is also set to feature the manufacturer’s all-new Triplex Sound.

Above: New for 2023 is a ‘OO’ gauge model of Avanti West Coast’s new Class 805 bi-mode five-car IET.

Hornby’s newly-tooled HST power cars are set to gain LNER livery, including 43238 in plain LNER red.

Above: Hornby’s new selection of ‘OO’ gauge train packs includes an EWS Business Train containing Class 67 67002 Special Delivery and three air-conditioned Mk 2 carriages in EWS lined maroon.

Left: Hornby’s Sentinel 0-6-0DH shunter is set to appear in two colour schemes, including this eye catching Potter Logistics yellow example.

Hornby unveils all-new ‘OO’

BOGIE BOLSTERS AND TTA TANKS

2023

LOOKS set to be a good year for freight wagons with a series of all-new ‘OO’gauge vehicles planned by Hornby including GWR bogie bolster ‘Macaw B’, BR bogie bolster ‘C’, LMS/BR ‘Salmon’bogie bolsters and TTA tank wagons. Heading the newly-tooled ‘OO’ gauge wagon projects are a series of LMS designed 62ft bogie bolster wagons in original and later BR YMO/YMA ‘Salmon’ variants. Each will feature a die-cast metal chassis for strength and weight, movable stanchions and prototypical bogies, with the different wheel spacings also catered for within the tooling suite. Five wagons are planned initially, with one LMS example (R60202) and four BR ‘Salmon’ variants – two YMO (R60203/ R60204) and two YMA (R60205/ R60205) variants. Prices are set at £38.49 each, with release currently

slated for October 2023.

Continuing the bogie bolster theme, a newly-tooled GWR ‘Macaw B’ bogie bolster is also being developed, which will also feature a die-cast metal chassis and extensive detailing. Two GWR ‘Macaw B’ models are planned, finished as 107287 and 107292 (R60210/R60211) together with two

Above: Hornby is to produce a series of all-new ‘OO’ gauge TTA tank wagons, with development already at an advanced stage.

Newly-tooled LMS/BR 62ft ‘Salmon’ bogie bolster wagons are planned for release later this year.

Below: Hornby’s range of Liverpool & Manchester Railway rolling stock receives a boost with several new vehicles this year, including this Second Class carriage.

BR bogie bolster ‘C’ wagons, which will appear as W32798 and W32876 (R60212/R60213). Priced at £26.49 each, they are also expected to be released later this autumn. Completing the all-new ‘OO’ gauge wagon line-up are newlytooled BR TTA tank wagons. Currently at the engineering prototype stage, these new additions to the freight roster will feature a detailed body and chassis, filler caps, etched metal detailing including ladders and walkways, wire grab handles, handrails, sprung metal buffers and turned metal wheels. Underframe, discharge and brake equipment will also feature. Hornby’s tooling suite will also include inserts to enable further variants to be modelled in the future. Liveries planned include Shell grey, ESSO grey and BP green (R60207-R60209), with prices set at £34.99 each. Release is anticipated for later this autumn.

Hornby’s wagon range is also set to receive a boost with a series of re-issues including two versions of its Cowans Sheldon crane – one in BR red as RS1092/75 (R60077) and the other in BR yellow as carried by the One:One Collection example based at the Margate site (R60123). Further wagons due to appear include PGA hopper wagons in ARC and Tarmac colours, a return of the 82ton Procor Palvan in UKF Shellstar livery, two ZBA ‘Rudd’

engineers’ wagons in Transrail branded ‘Dutch’ yellow and grey and an altogether different blue and grey scheme and a series of private owner single and triple wagon packs.

CARRIAGES

A series of ‘OO’ gauge train and coach packs are set to appear this year, including a couple of Liverpool & Manchester Railway (L&MR) packs with newly-tooled vehicles included. The previouslymentioned Rocket train pack contains a new second class vehicle (see pages 8-9), while a new L&MR coach pack is planned which contains a newly-tooled model of Queen Adelaide’s coach, together with two First Class vehicles – Globe and Wellington (R40357). Another L&MR coach pack with First Class coach Times and two Third Class vehicles is also planned (R40372). Prices are set at £99.99 and £94.99 respectively.

Hornby’s recently retooled BR Mk 3 High Speed Train carriages receive two new colour schemes in BR Western Region blue and grey and InterCity ‘Executive’ colour schemes, with a full rake of each planned –see Table 3 for more details. The manufacturer’s popular Gresley 61ft 6in corridor stock is also set to reappear in LNER teak, with five vehicles set to appear. The Mk 3s are priced at £44.99, while the Gresley

TABLE 3  HORNBY 2023 ‘OO’ CARRIAGES AND NEWLY TOOLED WAGONS

CARRIAGESPRODUCTDESCRIPTION

ERA CATNO.

L&MR carriage and Times coach pack 1 R40372

L&MRcoachpack Wellington, Globe andQueenAdelaide’scoach 1 R40357

LNER 61ft 6in Gresley Corridor Composite 42873, LNER teak 3 R4826A

LNER 61ft 6in Gresley Corridor First 31869, LNER teak 3 R4827A

LNER 61ft 6in Gresley Corridor Third 334, LNER teak 3 R4828A

LNER 61ft 6in Gresley Buffet 21608, LNER teak 3 R4829A

LNER 61ft 6in Gresley Full Brake 4247, LNER teak 3 R4830A

BR Mk 3 Trailer First W41138/W41137, BR blue and grey 7 R40386/R40387

BR Mk 3 Trailer Guard Standard W44005, BR blue and grey 7 R40388

BR Mk 3 Trailer Restaurant Buffet (TRUB) W40330, BR blue and grey 7 R40389

BR Mk 3 Trailer Standard W42283/W42284/W42285, 7 R40391/R40392

BR blue and grey R40393

BR Mk 3 Trailer First 41059/41060, BR InterCity Executive 8 R40234/R40235

BR Mk 3 Trailer Guard Standard 44042, BR InterCity Executive 8 R40236

BR Mk 3 Trailer Buffet 40733, BR InterCity Executive 8 R40237

BR Mk 3 Trailer Standard 42336/42115/42116/42117, 8 R40238/A/B/C

BR InterCity Executive

EWS Business Coach pack, FO 3279/3318, TSO 6139, BSO 9531, 10 R40374

EWS maroon

R60208

BRTTAtankwagon67765,BPgreen 8 R60209

GWRbogiebolster‘MacawB’107287 3 R60210

GWRbogiebolster‘MacawB’107292 3 R60211

BRbogiebolster‘C’W32798 4 R60212

BRbogiebolster‘C’W32876 4 R60213

coaches are priced at £66.99. Finally, an EWS Business Train coach pack (R40374) is due in late 2023, which is set to contain four EWS lined maroon air-conditioned Mk 2 carriages – a First Open, two Tourist Second Opens and a Brake

Second Open. These attractive coaches are set to complement the EWS Business Train pack outlined on pages 10-11. The price is set at £169.99.

•SeeTable3formoredetails andvisit www.keymodelworld.

Hornby’s ‘OO’ gauge air-conditioned Mk 2e/f coaches are set to gain EWS lined maroon for release later this year.

Hornby’s recently-tooled ‘OO’ BR Mk 3 carriages are due to receive BR blue and grey and InterCity Executive colours for their 2023 release.

Hornby is also releasing a ‘OO’ gauge model of the One:One Collection’s Cowans Sheldon crane in BR yellow.

Hornby launches

BLUETOOTH DIGITAL CONTROL

SINCE launching its Zero 1 Digital Control System in the late 1970s, Hornby has innovated with technology and this year the company is set to launch its all-new HM7000 Bluetooth Digital Control System.

At the heart of the new control system are a series of all-new Bluetooth decoders, which are available as standard motor control and digital sound decoders. These decoders can be operated on any layout – analogue or digital - through a new app-based controller that can be downloaded free to a smartphone or tablet via the Hornby website and app store. The controller communicates to Bluetooth receivers on each digital decoder.

Decoders will be available in 6-pin, 8-pin, Next18 and 21-pin configurations and are available in non-sound and sound versions – the latter excluding the 6-pin design. The sound decoders will be blank by default, but a bank of downloadable sound files will be available free containing more than 30 steam, diesel and electric locomotive sound projects and can be overwritten multiple times. These also form the basis of Hornby’s new Triplex Sound –TXS – which enables the user to play up to three sound functions on a locomotive or multiple unit simultaneously. Each sound decoder also comes with a cube speaker and sprue of parts to build a choice of speaker enclosures. A selection of steam and diesel locomotive releases are set to

HM7000-21TXS 21-pin Bluetooth and DCC sound decoder.

include TXS this year.

The decoders also feature a shunting and creep mode, as well as manual and automatic braking. All programming can be carried out directly from the app and each decoder also features sockets for plugging in the speaker and a power bank (available separately), which offers up to nine seconds of power should continuity be interrupted.

The system has been developed with simplicity in mind so programming is easy to follow without the need to recall CVs, functions are shown on screen and – importantly – Bluetooth decoder fitted locomotives are compatible with DCC systems.

HM7000 is upgradeable and will work with existing control systems. As long as power is supplied to the rails – either via an analogue or digital supply – locomotives can be operated. It will work with any analogue controller – simply turn the power controller up to apply

power to the rails and then control locomotives directly through the Bluetooth system, though sound functions will not be available via analogue power supplies.

It will also work with existing

DCC control systems in the same manner and can work in conjunction with the DCC system, either separately (Bluetooth and DCC control on same track) or through a plug-in Legacy dongle via the RJ12 socket on compatible systems such as the Hornby Elite, Roco Z21 or similar, enabling the Bluetooth app to control a DCC layout remotely. For those without an existing power control system, a power supply and adaptor will be available.

Prices range from £31.99 to £39.99 for standard decoders and £61.99 to £69.99 for TXS sound decoders. See Table 4 for more details.

• Visit www.keymodelworld.com/ hornby-new-releases to find out more about Hornby’s HM7000 bluetooth control system.

A HORNBY

HST

HM7000-8

8-pin standard Bluetooth and DCC decoder with harness.

TABLE 4  HORNBY HM7000 BLUETOOTH DIGITAL CONTROL

PRODUCTDESCRIPTION

CATNO.

HM700021-pinTXSBluetoothandDCCsounddecoder R7322

HM7000Next18TXSBluetoothandDCCsounddecoder R7345

HM70008-pinTXSBluetoothandDCCsounddecoder R7336

HM700021-pinBluetoothandDCCdecoder R7402

HM7000Next18BluetoothandDCCdecoder R7401

HM70008-pinBluetoothandDCCdecoder R7335

HM70006-pinBluetoothandDCCdecoder R7321

HM7020Powersupplyadaptor R7324

HM7040Legacydongle R7326

HM7070PowerBank R7377

PLUS

HM7000-8TXS

8-pin Bluetooth and DCC sound decoder with harness.

SKALEDALE

Hornby’s ‘OO’ gauge Skaledale range of resin buildings receives a boost with a new girder bridge (R7390), Chinnor signal box (R7393) and a selection of GWR Dunster station buildings (R7391/R7392/R7394/R7369). Prices range from £17.99 to £54.99.

RAILROAD/RAILROAD PLUS

Hornby’s RailRoad and RailRoad Plus range gains 15 new ‘OO’ gauge locomotives and multiple units this year including an eye-catching Network Rail liveried Class 101 two-car DMU Iris 2 (R30195). The manufacturer’s new Triplex Sound – TXS – also appears within Class 47 47188 Herbert Austin in Railfreight Distribution livery (R30321TXS) and Class 73 73109 Battle of Britain in GB Railfreight colours (R30176TXS).

MAGNETIC COUPLINGS

Three packs of Hornby’s new NEM magnetic couplings will be available separately, with two vacuum pipe examples – 20mm (R7399) and 17mm (R7400) – and a buckeye coupling set (R7398). Each pack contains ten pairs of couplings. Prices are set at £10.49 for the buckeye couplings and £14.99 for the vacuum pipe examples.

TT:120 2023

HM7040 Bluetooth Legacy Dongle.

Hornby’s new ‘TT:120’ scale Easterner and The Scotsman train sets will be available with Triplex Sound (TXS) later this year. Prices are set at £249.99 and £264.99, with delivery expected in June. Gresley ‘A3’ 4472 Flying Scotsman will also be available in TXS form, priced at £194.49. Several other steam locomotives including two LNER ‘A3s’, three Gresley ‘A4s’ and three pairs of HST power cars will also receive the TXS treatment. Prices are set at £194.49 for the steam locomotives and £183.99 for the HST power car packs.

PLAYTRAINS

Hornby’s new entry-level battery-operated train sets and packs are set to feature new characters this year with Scottie the Highland Express train set and Duckie the East Coast Flyer Express train pack, Rockie the local adventurer pack, Star the express goods pack and various coach/wagon packs. Prices range from £17.49 to £64.99.

HOW TO ENTER

•Foryourchancetowin,simply visit www.keymodelworld.com/ hornby-magazine/competitions, clickthecompetitiontabonthe menuandfillintheonlineform tocompleteyourentry.

HORNBY MAGAZINE is offering the chance to win one of Hornby’s newly-tooled ‘OO’ gauge High Speed Train (HST) power car packs, finished as Class 255 ‘Castle’ Class 43004 Caerphilly Castle and 43155 Rougemont Castle in GWR green (Cat No. R30098). The prize is worth £362.99 and features two Class 255 ‘Castle’ Class High Speed Train power cars (one motorised and one nonpowered), now fitted with 21-pin Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder sockets

and twin cube speakers. These models are to the latest specification as reviewed in this issue and also feature directional lights and cab illumination.

To be in with a chance of winning this latest addition to the Hornby range, all you have to do is answer the accompanying question by February 25 2023.

Even if you don’t win, Hornby’s latest ‘OO’ gauge High Speed Train power car packs are available now from Hornby stockists and at www.hornby.com now. Good luck!

Onlineentriesopenat0900on January112023andtheclosing dateforentriesisFebruary25 2023at1700GMT.Thewinner willbenotifiednolaterthan March12023. Thereisnocashprizealternative andtheEditor’sdecisionisfinal. Competitionsarenotopento employeesofKeyPublishing, Hornby,theirfamilymembers oranyoneelseprofessionally connectedtothecompany.No purchasenecessary.

QUESTION: GWR has named its last remaining Class 255 High Speed Train power cars after what? a. Kings b. Castles c. Saints

Heljan adds

‘O’ GAUGE CLASS 58

toWarley were the first to see a surprise addition to Heljan’s‘O’gauge range of British outline diesel locomotives - the Class 58.This model

all-new model has been produced in response to strong demand from‘O’gauge modellers.

modellers.

CLASS

with independently switchable headlight, cab interior and tail light functions, provision for a DCC activated smoke unit and a large speaker, sprung buffers/couplings and detailed cab interior.

cab and sprung buffers/couplings

‘O’

British Rail Engineering Ltd (BREL) built 50 Class 58s in 1983-1987 to a modular design aimed at the export market. For much of their career they were based at Toton depot and deployed on merry-goround coal trains between East Midlands collieries and power stations.

between

Features of the new Heljan ‘O’ gauge Class 58 include a ‘plug-and-play’ DCC interface (ESU LokSound XL #58515 decoder required – not supplied), powered roof fans (independently controlled in DCC mode), LED lighting

Full details of Heljan’s newly-tooled ‘O’ gauge Class 58 can be found in the company's new 2023 catalogue, out now.

All models will be supplied with three alternative sets of cab door handrails or etched metal baffle plates allowing locomotives to be tailored to specific liveries/timescales.

Six liveries will be available on general release from Heljan stockists with a further locomotive in Mainline blue available as part of the Gaugemaster Collection. Two more versions will be available

LIVERY CATNO. 58042, Ironbridge Power Station

IDENTITY

BRRailfreightlargelogo 5850(TM) 58014, Didcot Power Station

BRTrainloadCoal(triplegrey) 5852(TM) 58034, Bassetlaw

BRRailfreightlargelogo 5855 58021, Hither Green Depot Mainlineblue 5856(GM)

Unnumbered

BRRailfreightlargelogo 5851 Unnumbered

BRTrainloadCoal(triplegrey) 5853 Unnumbered EWSmaroon/gold 5854 Unnumbered Mainlinegrey 5857 Unnumbered BRtriplegrey(nologos) 5858

NOTES:

GM Gaugemaster Collection exclusive TM Tower Models exclusive

exclusively from Tower Models. Prices are set at £729 for pristine models and £749 for factory

weathered models.

•Visit www.heljan.co.uk formoreinformation.

Heljan confirms ‘OO’ Class 86/2 plans

Heljan is adding ‘OO’ gauge Class 86/2 Bo-Bo electrics to its roster in 2023 to join the recent AL6 and Class 86/4.

Two versions of the model will depict the 100mph passenger/ parcels Class 86s in the late 1970s to mid-1980s guise and for the late 1980s period onwards featuring high-intensity headlights and Time Division Multiplex cables. These latter models will be available with Faiveley or Brecknell-Willis pantographs.

Eight liveries will be available on general release via Heljan stockists with a further Gaugemaster Collection special edition of 86235 Novelty in ‘Rainhill 150’ livery (Cat No. GM4240304).

The main releases are 86253 The

Manchester Guardian in BR blue (8621), 86204 City of Carlisle in InterCity ‘Executive’ colours (8623), 86238 European Community in InterCity ‘Swallow’ (8630), 86240 Bishop Eric Treacy in Virgin Trains red/grey (8631), 86259 Les Ross in BR electric blue (8633), 86261 Rail

Charter Partnership in EWS red/gold (8634), 86701 Orion in Colas Railfreight (8635) and 86260 in Anglia Railways colours (8636). Standard

features include a 21-pin Digital Command Control (DCC) interface, LED lighting, provision for DCC sound, sprung buffers and more.

Prices are set at £254.95 each, with delivery anticipated in late 2023.

•Visit www.heljan.co.uk formore information.

Heljan is to bolster its roster of all-new ‘OO’ gauge AL6 and Class 86/4 AC electrics with new Class 86/2s.

gauge which is currently at the decorated sample stage.

HELJAN 'O' GAUGE CLASS 58 DIESELS

Heljan is developing an all-new Class 58 diesel for

Newton Chambers

CAR TRANSPORTER

Heljan’s range of ‘OO’ gauge rolling stock is set to expand in 2023 with the release of six coach packs featuring the stylish double-deck car transporters built by Newton Chambers for BR’s Eastern Region in 1960/1961.

In total 14 vehicles were built for Anglo-Scottish sleeper trains. They were 64ft 1in long over buffers and had 6ft 9in wheelbase bogies. Each vehicle could convey six cars – two in a well between the bogies and four on the upper deck. Withdrawal came in the 1980s, but not before they were converted to dual braking and to operate with Electric Train Heated coaching stock.

Heljan’s all-new ‘OO’ models will cover the original and revised pattern glass fibre roof lights plus vacuum brake/steam heat and dual brake/dual heating vehicles with Electric Train Heating (ETH) and air brake equipment added to several transporters towards the end of their life.

Other details include separately fitted handbrake wheels, end door details, air pipes and etched train

in ‘OO’ gauge from Heljan

ferry lashing eyes. NEM coupling pockets with small tension locks together with sprung buffers are being fitted to each model as standard.

There will be three triple packs modelling Eastern Region car transporters in BR lined maroon. Pack 1 will contain E96288/E96289/

E96290E (Cat No. 9620), Pack 2 will contain E96286/E96293/E96297E (9621) and Pack 3 will contain E96286/E96291/E96294E (9622).

The BR Motorail blue/grey packs will contain TCV E96290/E96297/ E96298E in Pack 1 (9623) while Pack 2 will feature NVX E96291/ E96294/2E9699E (9624) and Pack

3 comes weathered and contains NVV E96288/E96289/E96293E

(9625).

Factory prototypes are currently in the UK for review and production is expected in early 2023, with prices set at £229 per triple vehicle pack.

•Visit www.heljan.co.uk formoreinformation.

Heljan unveils ‘O’ gauge PCAs

Heljan and Realism Redefined –the retail arm of Britain’s Biggest Model Railway – have joined forces to create a ready-to-run ‘O’ gauge model of the PCA depressed centre bulk powder four-wheel tanker. The all-new model will be produced exclusively for Realism Redefined by Heljan and models the depressed centre PCA tanks used for cement and chemical traffic since the 1980s.

The model is at the tooling phase with the first engineering prototypes expected to arrive in early 2023. Features of the readyto-run model are set to include

These all-new models will feature separately fitted walkways, fine pipework, sprung buffers and compensated axles.

Heljan is developing a newly-tooled ‘O’ gauge depressed centre PCA tank wagon exclusively for Realism Redefined.

compensated axles, fine pipework, separately fitted walkways, underframe detail, sprung buffers and working Instanter couplings.

The first batch includes ten individually numbered and decorated wagons, in Blue Circle Cement, Lever Bros/Tiger Rail Leasing and Albright & Wilson/ Procor colours.

Priced at £99 each, release is expected in late 2023.

•Visit www.heljan.co.uk and www.realismredefined.co.uk formoreinformation.

Ten individually numbered wagons will appear initially in a selection of authentic colour schemes.

The car transporters will be available in triple vehicle packs finished in BR lined maroon and BR blue and grey.

Heljan is adding all-new ‘OO’ gauge models of the Newton Chambers double-deck car transporter vans to its range.

KR Models reveals the

CLASS 40 IS NEXT!

KR MODELS revealed at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition that it has selected the everpopular English Electric Class 40 1Co-Co1 diesel-electric as its next ‘OO’gauge ready-to-run project. These substantial 133ton Pilot Scheme Type 4 diesels were built by English Electric in the late 1950s. They produced 2,000hp from an English Electric 16SVT Mk II engine and measured 69ft 6in over buffers. Being an early diesel locomotive, their weight meant that a 1Co-Co1 chassis was required to meet British Railways’ axle loading limits.

Over four years, 200 were built by English Electric at Vulcan Foundry

KR Models has announced plans for an all-new ‘OO’ gauge Class 40 diesel. On October 7 2006, Class 40 D306 Atlantic Conveyor calls at Wansford, Nene

and at Robert Stephenson Hawthorns with the initial Pilot Scheme order being delivered to the Great Eastern and Great Northern sections of the Eastern Region.

Construction of the Class 40s was split across three distinct nose end designs. D200-D324 were built with disc headcodes while D325-D344 were built with split headcodes - both of these batches having central communication doors in the nose ends. The final batch, D345-D399, was built with central four-character headcode boxes.

The Class 40s saw service across the Eastern and Midland regions on a wide variety of duties covering express passenger,

parcels, freight and engineering trains. Withdrawals started in 1976 with the last stood down in 1988 following temporary reinstatement of a handful of locomotives to work trains in connection with Crewe station’s remodelling. Seven have been preserved with two examples currently main line registered.

KR Models’ first batch includes examples of all three bonnet front designs. The specification includes etched metal grilles, cab interior lights, a cast metal chassis plus a choice of DCC ready, DCC fitted and DCC sound-fitted versions.

The DCC sound locomotives are set to include a LokSound V5 decoder with twin speakers, and

a cold start sound function is also flagged as part of the model’s highlights.

Locomotives selected for release are 40106 with disc headcodes in BR green with full yellow ends, 40135 with split headcodes in BR blue and 40145 with centre headcodes in BR green with small yellow warning panels. In addition, a fourth limited edition is planned modelling the 1963 Great Train Robbery locomotive D326 which will be released in BR green and restricted to 250 pieces.

Prices are set at £210 DCC ready, £240 DCC fitted and £310 DCC sound fitted.

•Visit www.krmodels.net formoreinformation.

Valley Railway. Mike Wild.

Original headcode disc Class 40s will be amongst the initial batch of ‘OO’ gauge releases.

KR Models’ all-new ‘OO’ gauge Class 40 will also appear in split headcode form.

Tooling is being developed to represent 40145 in present day main line condition.

Dapol adds ‘OO’ ARC JHAs

Dapol is developing all-new ‘OO’ gauge models of the Powell and Duffryn designed JHA bogie hopper wagons, originally built for ARC aggregates use.

As with the Orenstein and Koppel (O&K) JHA wagons, these distinctive hoppers with low track force TF1 bogies were built as inner and outer wagons, with only the outermost ends of the outer wagons fitted with traditional buffers. In addition to ARC colours,

they have also carried Hanson livery and more recently some have appeared in plain grey, to mask graffiti damage.

Dapol’s newly-tooled models will reflect the prototypical differences between the inner and outer wagons and will feature a die-cast chassis, profiled wheels, buckeye couplings to inner wagons and the inner end of outer wagons, close coupling mechanism, sprung buffers (outer wagons)

DESCRIPTION LIVERY CATNO.

JHA 19823 (inner hopper wagon) ARC 4F-081-101

JHA 19841 (inner hopper wagon) ARC 4F-081-102

JHA 19853 (inner hopper wagon) ARC 4F-081-103

JHA 19802 (inner hopper wagon) Hanson 4F-081-104

JHA 19811 (inner hopper wagon) Hanson 4F-081-105

JHA 19833 (inner hopper wagon) Hanson 4F-081-106

JHA 17912 (outer hopper wagon) ARC 4F-081-001

JHA 17918 (outer hopper wagon) ARC 4F-081-002

JHA 17913 (outer hopper wagon) Hanson 4F-081-003

JHA 17922 (outer hopper wagon) Hanson 4F-081-004

and working tail lamp (outer wagons). The tail lamp will also be controllable through a 6-pin DCC decoder socket for digital operation.

Currently in tooling, ten models are planned, with six inner and four outer models due for release in the initial batch, split between ARC

olive and grey colours and Hanson blue and grey livery. See table for more details.

Prices are set at £55 for inner wagons and £60 for outer wagons. Delivery is expected during the third quarter of 2023.

•Visit www.dapol.co.uk formoreinformation.

Dapol super-sizes HIAs

Dapol has revealed it is to bolster its ‘O’ gauge range with a newlytooled HIA limestone hopper wagon.

Used to transport limestone from Derbyshire to Cambridgeshire, Kent, Lancashire, Norfolk and Yorkshire, these distinctive Freightliner Heavy Haul branded bogie hopper wagons were built in Poland in the mid-2000s. Of the 122 wagons in service, most carry Freightliner green, although 27 were delivered in white.

Development is well advanced

HIAs

samples already assessed and

operating system detail, bogies with metal suspension springs, sprung buffers and screw link

with Engineering Prototype samples already assessed and decorated samples awaited. Each will feature a die-cast chassis, finely moulded body, dooroperating system detail, bogies with metal suspension springs, sprung buffers and screw link couplings.

Six wagons are planned initially, with four Freightliner green examples finished as 369008 (Cat No. 7F-026-001), 369022 (7F-026002), 369002 (7F-026-005) and 369020 (7F-026-006), together

Dapol is to producing an ‘O’ gauge version of Freightliner’s HIA limestone bogie hopper wagon, which is already at an advanced stage of development.

with two in Freightliner Heavy Haul white as 369027 (7F-026-003) and 369044 (7F-026-004).

Priced at £80 each, release is

‘N’ gauge Ivatt 2-6-2T upgrade

Dapol is upgrading its ‘N’ gauge London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Ivatt 2-6-2T with an upgraded chassis.

Currently at the Engineering Prototype stage, the new chassis features a three-pole motor, diecast chassis and die-cast wheels with keyed axles to prevent quartering slippage. The chassis has also been designed so the onboard PCB can be replaced with a Digital Command Control (DCC) ‘wired’ decoder, if required, utilising four solder points on the model.

Seven new colour schemes are planned, with models due to appear as 1207 in LMS plain black (Cat No. 2S-015-005), 41227 in

Dapol has announced plans for a new batch of ‘N’ gauge LMS Ivatt 2-6-2Ts with upgraded chassis.

British Railways lined black (2S-015006), 41208 in BR lined black with early crests (2S-015-007), 41236 in BR lined black with late crests (2S-

015-008), 41204 in BR lined black with late crests (2S-015-009), 41319 in BR lined black with late crests (2S-015-010) and 41241 in Keighley

expected in the second quarter of 2023.

•Visit www.dapol.co.uk formoreinformation.

and Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) lined maroon (2S-015-011).

Priced at £110 DCC friendly and £148 DCC fitted, release is expected during the third quarter of 2023.

•Visit www.dapol.co.uk formoreinformation.

DAPOL ‘OO’ GAUGE POWELL AND DUFFRYN JHA WAGONS

Dapol’s next ‘OO’ gauge wagon project will model the Powell and Duffryn designed JHA bogie hoppers, originally built for ARC aggregates traffic.

The specification includes a die-cast chassis, inner and outer wagon variants, close coupling mechanism and separately applied detailing.

ACCURASCALE‘OO’

ACCURASCALE has received the first Engineering Prototype (EP) sample of its new ’OO’ gauge Class 89 CoCo electric for evaluation.

Revealed earlier this year, the all-new ‘OO’ Class 89 project is a joint development between Accurascale and Rails of Sheffield.

Five models of 89001 are planned, finished in present-

day InterCity ‘Swallow’, original InterCity ‘Swallow’, GNER (gold lettering), GNER (white lettering) and InterCity ‘Executive’ colour schemes.

The specification includes a die-

Five different versions of 89001 are being produced by Accurascale, in association with Rails of Sheffield.

cast metal chassis, five-pole motor, twin flywheels, metal helical gearbox, all-wheel drive and pick-up, 21-pin Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder

MORE WARLEY CONTENT

Development of Accurascale’s newlytooled ‘OO’ gauge Class 89 electric has progressed to the first Engineering Prototype sample stage.

Revolution debuts Clayton Class 18 EP samples

Revolution Trains revealed development on several new model projects at the recent Warley National Model Railway Exhibition. Leading the charge were first EP samples of Revolution’s newlytooled ‘OO’ gauge Class 18 Clayton hybrid shunter, representing the Beacon Rail and Tata Steel variants, for assessment. Whilst these EP samples didn’t feature working mechanisms or lighting, they enable the development team to evaluate the fit and appearance of parts. Fully functioning EP samples will follow in due course.

Revolution’s all-new 'OO' gauge model will feature working light functions and will be available with DCC ready and DCC soundfitted options and a choice of Beacon Rail blue, Tata steel pale blue and Sellafield blue with yellow handrails. Priced at £179.95 DCC ready and £279.95 DCC soundfitted, they are available to preorder exclusively through Rails of Sheffield.

Also on display was the company’s all’new 'OO’ gauge FNA-D nuclear flask wagon which has progressed to the decorated sample stage, together with a first Engineering

Right: Revolution Trains debuted a decorated sample of its allnew ‘OO’ gauge FNA-D nuclear flask wagon at the Warley show.

Class 18

Prototype (EP) sample of the ‘N’ gauge version.

Eight differently numbered models in each scale will be available, priced at £32.95 each.

Finally, Revolution Trains has confirmed it is producing another batch of its popular ‘OO’ gauge MMA/JNA bogie box wagons.

As well as a re-run of the DB red examples, the company has also added Cappagh blue, Touax maroon and Wascosa/Network Rail yellow which will require some minor modifications to the tooling. Release is expected during 2023.

•Visit www.revolutiontrains.com formoreinformation.

The Class 89 will feature a motorised Brecknell-Willis pantograph which can be raised or lowered.

Left: A first Engineering Prototype sample of Revolution Trains’‘N’ gauge FNA-D has arrived for scrutiny.

Right: First Engineering Prototype samples of Revolution Trains’ newlytooled ‘OO’ gauge Class 18 hybrid shunter have arrived.

•Visit www.keymodelworld.com/ warley-model-railway-exhibition for more news and pictures from the 2022 show.

CLASS 89 DEBUTS!

socket, separately-applied etched metal and plastic detailing, sprung metal buffers, scalesized Brecknell-Willis pantograph (which can be raised or lowered on DCC) and powerpack

capacitor. Sound-fitted models will also include dual pre-fitted speakers and a hall sensor for wheel flange sound effects on DCC.

Following assessment, any

amendments will be made to the tooling before decorated samples are produced. These are anticipated for early 2023, with delivery currently slated for the third quarter of 2023.

Prices are set at £229.99 for DCC ready models and £329.99 for DCC sound-fitted examples.

• Visit www.accurascale.com for more information.

New Diesel Brake Tenders launch!

The third batch of Key Publishing’s popular ‘OO’ gauge Diesel Brake Tender ready-to-run models are now available with three new running numbers being applied to the Dapol-produced model. The models are available to purchase exclusively through Key Publishing.

Diesel Brake Tenders were introduced in the early 1960s to increase the brake force available to unfitted goods trains hauled by new diesel locomotives. There were several versions of the Brake Tender with Key Publishing’s model representing the Diagram 1/555 vehicles built at York between 19621965 and fitted with Gresley bogies.

Ideal for pairing with classes 17, 24, 25, 37, 40 and 44 diesels, identities chosen for the three models are B964040E in plain BR green with original bodyside markings (Cat No. HM-DBT-017), B964066E in BR green with small yellow warning panels and original bodyside markings (HM-DBT-018) and B963113 in BR green with small yellow warning panels, later bodyside markings and a weathered finish (HM-DBT-019).

Above:

B964113

first

Above:Three new versions of Key Publishing’s‘OO’gauge Diesel Brake Tender are now available, including B964040E in BR plain green.

Product highlights include removable lamps at each end of the brake tender, NEM coupling pockets fitted with small tension lock couplings, turned metal wheels and two designs of handbrake wheel to match the real vehicle.

Pristine models are priced at £36.99 with the weathered edition priced at £38.99. Each version is limited to 500 pieces and all three are available to purchase now from the Key Publishing Shop.

•Visit shop.keypublishing.com to purchase your Diesel Brake Tender model.

Above: B964066E is finished in BR green with small yellow warning panels and features three-spoked handbrake wheels.

A weathered version of the Diesel Brake Tender is also offered for the

time, as

in BR green with small yellow warning panels.

Recalling happy childhood memories of holidays in the West Country, MARTIN REYNOLDS selected a fictional location in Somerset to relive summer Saturday traffic – and more. PHOTOGRAPHY, MIKE WILD

WITHAM is a fictitious ‘OO’ gauge Digital Command Control (DCC) layout set in Somerset in an early 1960s summer. It is based on memories of childhood holidays when we travelled from Paddington down to Paignton, initially behind steam locomotives and in later years behind some of the Western Region’s early diesel motive power. The layout’s name was decided by the use of placing a pin in a map of the West Country and intended as a pastiche of those memories rather than an accurate replica of a real location. With a footprint of 12ft x 6ft, it easily fits within my double garage and allows reasonable length trains to be run while providing ample viewing space for the public at exhibitions.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

From the age of nine to 16, model railways were a major part of my childhood which only ended when the need to obtain a motorcycle for independence resulted in the sale of my collection. More than 40 years later at retirement, I decided that perhaps railway modelling could just be the hobby to take up again.

One thing that wasn’t around in my childhood was the use of computers and access to the internet, which has proved such a useful tool in research, video tutorials and planning. Following online research and attending some major model railway exhibitions I decided to take the plunge and build a ‘OO’ gauge DCC layout.

As Witham was going to be kept in the garage on a non-permanent basis, it also meant that if it could be built to a satisfactory standard, there was also the possibility of exhibiting the layout. In late 2016 planning began in earnest. There were several features that I wished to include - a double-track main line, a branch off it, goods yard and a locomotive servicing area – plus, I wanted the branch line to cross over the main line.

This last feature involved a little head scratching as to get the necessary 7cm height difference using 1-in-40 gradients would have taken almost three metres of track. The solution was to have the main line descending at 1-in-40 with the branch line climbing at a similar gradient, so the height clearance was achieved in less than 1.5m of length. To facilitate this, the storage yard at the rear of the layout would be about

12cm lower than the scenic front. Most track planning was carried out using the AnyRail software which is certainly quicker than drawing on graph paper with a pencil and rubber, which had been the main planning tools in my youth.

CONSTRUCTION STARTS

The layout was built using seven 4ft x 2ft open construction baseboards

formed from good quality 9mm plywood. Having worked out the number and measurements of all the end, side and cross-member pieces, I planned how these could be cut from two 8ft x 4ft sheets with the minimum of wastage and presented this to my local timber supplier.

Although they charged a small cutting fee, this was offset by the time it saved and the accuracy and squareness of the

“The main point I always try and impress on my operating team for exhibitions is that we must keep something moving on the layout at all times in order to keep the viewing public entertained and interested whilst observing the layout.”

resulting parts. The baseboards were constructed on a production line basis with the use of a good exterior wood glue, panel pins and sash clamps with regular checking with a square. For all areas where track was to be laid, a trackbed of 6mm plywood was used which was fitted to the relevant formers to give the required change in elevation. Finally, each baseboard was completed with two sets of removable legs.

TRACK

Code 75 track was selected for the scenic part of Witham. Following a successful cheap bid on an online auction site for more than 20 lengths of unused concrete sleeper Code 100 flexible track, this was used in the storage yard area as it would be unseen and easier to place stock on. To ensure electrical continuity, each section of track had droppers soldered on, which in turn were soldered to the relevant power busbar. All points

are Peco live frog items which were modified with frog polarity switching. It is amazing how focussed you become when you’re setting to work on a brand new point with a razor saw and soldering iron!

For the points, I used SEEP solenoid motors with built-in polarity switch, as this would prove easier to set up than using microswitches. As a newcomer to DCC, I was pleased to discover that isolating sections were not necessary

Hymek dieselhydraulic B-B D7062 rumbles through Witham at the head of a military train, formed of loaded ‘Warwell’ wagons.

within the track plan and that stationary accessory decoders can be used to switch points and signals.

After some research I chose the TrainTech range of decoders. For my DCC equipment, another online auction purchase equipped the layout with a Digitrax Command Station and a couple of throttles. Again, discovering I could change accessory decoders with the throttle was a revelation, meaning a dedicated control panel was not necessary.

SCENERY

With the track and electrics tested and running, the scenery was next. Ballasting was the first task accomplished using fine granite ballast carefully laid by hand and then glued in place with a 50:50 water/PVA mix dispensed by pipette and left to dry. This was was then weathered with the rail sides painted Humbrol rust, followed by airbrushing sleeper grime along each track. Where trains would be sat for lengthy periods, such as at the platform ends and home signals, black weathering powder was applied between the tracks to simulate leaking oil.

Embankments and cuttings were formed next. These were achieved using 50mm polystyrene foam cut to the relevant contours which were then further shaped with the use of a hot wire cutter. Once complete, a couple of layers of plaster bandage were laid down and once hard, a thin coat of filler was applied to get a smooth finished shape.

Once everything had been allowed to dry for a couple of days, a quick coat of Burnt Umber acrylic paint was

applied before adding static grass. This is a gigantic advance on the coloured sawdust of my youth and with some practice of building up the different layers and colours produces some very realistic results. The rock face was produced using casting moulds from Woodland Scenics.

BUILDINGS

The buildings are a mix of modified Metcalfe, Scale Model Scenery and Petite Properties kits. I found that adding strips of cut card roofing tiles which were then painted and weathered, along with adding gutters and downpipes really improves the look of the finished building. The station footbridge was the result of modifying two Hornby footbridge kits which involved changing the span and steps arrangement and lowering the support legs to make it usable for the platform height.

The final touches were items like street name signs, road traffic, fire hydrant and utilities signs, together with drain covers on the roads. The roads were painted with a textured paint. Using a stencil, small sponge and some very light grey acrylic paint, the road markings were applied. Finally, black weathering powder was added with a fine brush to simulate the rubber tyre build-up that you find on roads.

SIGNALLING

For the main line signalling, Eckon colour light signal kits were used with Dapol servo semaphore signals on the branch line – these latter items connected to the Train-Tech DCC accessory decoders. The original plan

Left: Passing the signalbox and goods yard, Churchward ‘42XX’ 2-8-0T 5243 slows for the approach to Witham station.

5 6

Right: Detailed cameo scenes with buildings, figures and road vehicles help add character to proceedings.

Below: ‘Western’ diesel-hydraulic D1039 Western King approaches Witham station hauling a westbound express. In the background, an 0-6-0PT and diesel railbus are amongst the motive power onshed at the town’s locomotive depot.

7

“Discovering I could change accessory decoders with the throttle was a revelation.”

MARTIN REYNOLDS

was to allow drivers to change signals via the DCC throttles, but it was quickly discovered that it placed a high workload on the operators. I therefore changed the decoders for automated signal control via infra-red detection using control boards from Heathcote Electronics, allowing operators to concentrate purely on driving.

A manual switch for the driver allows platform starter home signals to be changed to red for stopping trains. Once ready to depart, the switch is operated to place the starter signal on green and it reverts to automatic mode. For the branch line where the pace is less hectic, the DCC decoder operation of signals remains.

THE TRAINS

Rolling stock for Witham is predominately Western or Southern Region, although I do allow a few visitors from other regions to appear. The modelled time period allows a mix of late steam and early green diesels to be used. All locomotives have been fitted with digital sound and have crew, coal, lamps and buffer beam detail applied before they are weathered. I’ve found that even a light weathering greatly improves the realism.

I have a basic airbrush that I use to apply roof dirt, frame dirt and track grime, with weathering powders for areas of rust and limescale. Areas of water on tenders or side tanks are replicated using gloss varnish. I’m currently adding passengers to the coaching stock when I get the chance, but painting model people is definitely a skill I’d like to improve.

OPERATIONS

The main point I always try and impress on my operating team for exhibitions is that we must keep something moving on the layout at all times in order to keep the viewing public entertained and interested whilst observing the

Right: Buildings are a mix of laser-cut card, wood and resin cast structures.

Below: Originating from the Southern Region, Maunsell ‘Lord Nelson’ 4-6-0 30850 Lord Nelson calls at Witham with a westbound summer Saturday train. The ‘LNs’ would have been extremely rare visitors to this part of the world.

layout. It sounds obvious and it’s a phrase you hear a lot, but it is absolutely true: layouts with no movement can quickly lead to people losing interest. We regularly hold running sessions in the garage so operators remain familiar with its operation, which also act as a means of checking the reliability of locomotives and rolling stock before an exhibition.

Although we have only attended three exhibitions so far, feedback from the viewing public has been very positive and we were even awarded Best in Show (as voted by visitors) at the recent Sleaford Show. We look forward to receiving more invites to attend exhibitions with Witham. Exhibition managers are welcome to make contact via hornbymagazine@keypublishing.com for more details.

FINALLY

Witham took just over four years to complete and has been an enjoyable journey of discovery with many new skills learnt. I’d like to thank the members of my local club – Market Deeping Model Railway Club – for their encouragement and constructive criticism during the construction phase and for those members that have now become my operating team. A special big thanks to my wife Andrée for the support, understanding and cups of tea during my many hours spent in the garage constructing Witham and also joining the operating team for exhibitions. HM

•Read more layout features at www.keymodelworld.com/trains/layoutfeatures.

Right: Collett ‘14XX’ 1432 in work-weary BR lined green simmers at the head of the branch line shuttle, prior to departure.

Left: Former GWR parcels railcar W34 wends its way along the branch line towards Witham as Churchward ‘28XX’ 2-8-0 2810 passes beneath with a train of fuel tanks.

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Below: Witham station features three through platforms and a bay for the branch line shuttle. A Collett ‘5101’ 2-6-2T and '14XX’ 0-4-2T restart their respective trains, as a Class 117 threecar DMU slows for its station stop.

20/20

VISION

PART

1

TIM SHACKLETON brushes up on the basics of weathering with a pair of Bachmann Class 20s.

of Bachmann

BR’s new English Electric Type 1 diesel locomotives didn’t stay clean for long. 1957-built D8002 at Willesden on 19 April 1963 is a classic ‘Pilot Scheme’ locomotive in plain green. Note the gap in the handrail where an access ladder had until recently been located. The first 75 or so initially ran in service with these ladders on the right-hand side only but they were removed between 1961 and 1963 following concerns over proximity to overhead wires. Tim Shackleton.

REFRESHER COURSES are always useful – whether they relate to your CPR training or driving skills – and here I thought we’d take another look at the basics of weathering. Because I do so much weathering, I’m aware of how my approach steadily evolves and polishes itself - but for those who only occasionally pick up an airbrush or buy weathering powders, your techniques will understandably get a little rusty over time. So let’s keep it simple and remind ourselves of what we’re doing and why.

My demonstration piece is one of the new generation of Class 20s from Bachmann, in this

case the pilot scheme model in the green livery current from 1957 to the early 1970s. This will be a two-part feature – in this part, we’ll convert a shiny out-of-the-box model into a typical workaday diesel of the transition era using methods that can be applied to any class of locomotive.

In the second instalment, I’ll look at ways of expanding the process and introducing a number of custom features, again sticking with my chosen timeframe and class of

locomotive.

An integral part of this recap –and of my approach to historical modelling generally – is a reminder that everything I do is based on empirical observation of the real thing, either in photographs or online or even from memory. There’ll be a total of ten weathered Class 20s across this piece and every single one of them will have been copied as closely as possible from a real example.

Made-up modelling never looks right, whether it’s a wildly

PRODUCT

WHAT WE USED

SUPPLIER CAT NO.

BRlocomotivenumbers,earlyBRgreen/maroon www.railtec-models.com 9611

Blackweatheringpowder www.migjimenez.com A.MIG-3001

FlatBlackacrylic www.tamiya.com XF-1

Maskingtape www.tamiya.com Various

PlainWhiteacrylic www.tamiya.com XF-2

RedBrownacrylic www.tamiya.com XF-64

Rustweatheringpowderset www.migjimenez.com A.MIG-7400

improbable track layout or weathering that’s largely a work of fiction. Successful weathering is 10% technique, 10% materials and 80% familiarity with your prototype. My methods may

have evolved, but that’s one formula that hasn’t changed over the years. HM

•Visit www.keymodelworld.com/ step-by-step for more step-bystep modelling guides.

PLEASE TURN FOR STEP BY STEP GUIDE

I wanted to change the identity of my model from D8015 to D8014. Number transfers are rarely if ever the same size or weight as those on the model, so you’re honour-bound to replace the whole thing. Here I was lucky, and my sheet of Railtec BR numbers (9611) gave me a pretty exact match. The first step was to scrape off the ‘5’ with a wooden cocktail stick.

In their green livery days, D8000-49 and D8128-77 had the 1957-style BR crest (the one with ‘handlebars’) but quite early on D8014 acquired the type normally used on coaching stock. I therefore needed to remove the existing crest, again by

This

gentle scratching with a cocktail stick.

method leaves virtually no trace whereas removing markings by chemical means (such as T-Cut) usually affects the underlying surface in some way.

At the start of any project, think hard about what you want to achieve. In this instance I wanted to recreate the effect of a particularly careworn locomotive. The real D8015 would have looked like a box-fresh model for a few days at most, immediately after delivery. Between overhauls, locomotives were rarely if ever cleaned and even then the effort would have been perfunctory, as contemporary colour images confirm.

Flashback to the June 2015 issue (HM96) and a very different approach – a gleaming pair of English Electric Type 1s brand new from Vulcan Foundry. They would have lasted in this condition for a matter of days –already sooting is starting to build up around the exhausts and there’s brake dust on the bogies.

5 7

With the numbers jockeyed into position and allowed to dry, they can be sealed with a drop of decal softener. You’ll notice that I’ve used the same method to change the BR emblem for the carriage crest, which was carried by D8050-127 as built and also, uniquely, by D8014.

I wanted my model to have small yellow warning panels, so I masked off the areas I didn’t want to be affected by overspray. Tamiya is the brand of tape I normally use –it is available in various widths, but I find 20mm is the most useful.

6 8 9

Once the paint is touch drybut before it’s had a chance to properly harden - you can cut back into any areas you want to remove – in this case to create the rounded corners of the warning panels. This is much easier and quicker than trying to mask off a quarter-circle.

10

Now we can come in close and spray a much blacker mix (maybe 80:20) on to the inner ends of the bogies, an area where fuel spills often accumulate on the real thing. Successful weathering is all about the steady build-up of believable effects – it doesn’t happen in one hit, with one pass of the airbrush.

On the real thing, weathering builds up incrementally. On our models, we can replicate this by doing things in stages, one step at a time, slowly building up the effects we want. Something I always forget to do is to weather the wheels and the undersides of the buffers. If I do them first, I don’t have to worry about it. I use a 9v battery to turn the wheels while I flow the paint on with a cheap brush.

Notice how the appearance of the model starts to change after I’ve sprayed road dirt on to the underframes using a 60:40 combination of Tamiya Red Brown (XF-64) and Flat Black (XF-1). You don’t need a posh airbrush for this kind of thing, but you must remember to mask areas you don’t want to show dirt. I used a piece of card to shield the bonnet from overspray.

Having checked and checked again that there are no chinks or crevices that paint can permeate, I’m spraying a light undercoat of white on to the relevant areas. This is just plain matt white acrylic from Tamiya (XF-2) rather than the Stynylrez primer I normally use but couldn’t find on this occasion.

The next stage is governed by how dirty you want your model to look. In my case, it was pretty filthy so I went back to the 60:40 weathering mix and sprayed the still-clean green bodywork. By design the coverage is slightly uneven – you don’t want a solid blanket of dirt and if you look at photographs of the prototype, you’ll see that the weathering patterns are often quite irregular.

Before adding the end details, I’ve weathered the buffer beams by spraying them with a dark mix and then, using an old brush dipped in airbrush cleaner, taken most of it off again, leaving convincing deposits of dirt in out-ofthe-way places exactly as you see it on the prototype.

Then on to the roof, again spraying patchily as seen in photographs of the real thing. This again is an 80:20 mix of Tamiya Flat Black (XF-1) and Red Brown (XF-64), wafted gently on from a couple of inches away so as not to saturate the surface.

Now we start to add the finer weathering details by hand-brushing. Here I’m using black weathering powder from the MIG range to suggest oil seepage around the doors. You don’t need much powder, just a touch on the end of your brush.

The grilles on diesels tend to blacken quickly, so I’ve started filling these in with the 80:20 mix applied by airbrush and using the edge of a business card as a mask to ensure I get a crisply-defined edge.

Detail weathering is what brings a model to life – here, a hint of rust where paint has burned off around the exhausts, one of the hottest parts of any locomotive. Rust-coloured weathering powders can be extremely powerful so be very cautious when using them!

The outcome – a very natural-looking English Electric Type 1, with all the

characteristic weathering features found on the class. There’s nothing special or particularly novel about the methods I used in achieving this effect although I would emphasise the need to take things slowly and build up the weathering in stages, rather than trying to do it all in one hit.

A potted history of the EEType 1s

As delivered, there were three basic varieties of the English Electric Type 1s. In May 1957, the first 'Pilot Scheme' English Electric Type 1 D8000 in pristine condition makes a test run from the Vulcan Foundry, seen on the approach to Frodsham. The first 20 members of the class featured oval buffers, headcode discs and flat-sided bogies (often swapped between class members) with four sandboxes per bogie. Also note the locomotive is fitted with a steam heat pipe, however the locos were through piped only not having a fitted steam heat boiler.

R.A. Whitfield/Rail Photoprints

An interim stage of development is represented by D8030. One of a large batch built originally for the Scottish Region and numbered D8028-34/70127, it retains headcode discs but the design has now been developed to feature fluted bogies, round buffers, a tablet catcher (mounted in recesses on both sides of the cab) and larger side windows. Originally fitted with four sandboxes per bogie it now has just two, a modification that often seems to have coincided with repainting into corporate blue in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The number is on the cabside with the BR symbol on the bonnet, a style initially favoured by Cowlairs but later pretty much standardised. Jacy collection.

Now minus the D prefix, 8305 is one of the final batch built in 1966-7. These machines had round buffers, route indicator boxes and fluted bogies with lightening holes and were built with sandboxes at the outer ends only (to which configuration all members of the class were modified from 1967 on). D8178-99 and D8300-27 were delivered in Rail Blue with full yellow ends and never carried green livery. Debate surrounds the nose ladders – it is arguable that all the later members of the class had them as delivered but they were removed during acceptance trials, and none from the later batches entered service with them. A handful had the gap filled in, as here, but the vast majority didn’t. Jacy collection.

River

a or CROSSINGS

SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL, people have had to cross streams and minor rivers - and where bridges don’t exist, the crossing point is often a shallow ford. These days most are surfaced, and for motorists they present an interesting and sometimes exciting way of crossing a waterway. A ford is an ideal feature for layouts where a full-blown river or canal scene isn’t possibleand a rarely modelled feature. With today’s wonderful range of road vehicles, there are excellent possibilities for cameos - whether a vehicle about to cross or in mid-flow... or a motorist who has attempted to cross when the water is too deep and broken down!

In this feature, I model a ford in high winter using a wide selection of products and an array of techniques to create a realistic diorama that could be added to any rural model railway. HM

A river crossing will make an attractive scenic feature. This scene has been finished with a winter feel incorporating falling leaves, bare trees and plenty of water in the river.

A ford crossing a river or stream could make an interesting and unusual setting on a layout. DAN EVASON shows how you can build one and bring it to life.

mid-flow...

DAN EVASON

“With today’s wonderful range of road vehicles, there are excellent possibilities for cameoswhether a vehicle about to cross or in

or a motorist who has attempted to cross when the water is too deep and broken down!”

An idea has to start somewhere and I always find mocking up the project more helpful than drawing it out on paper. Using 9mm MDF as my diorama base, this was cut to 11in x 11in. I then cut a second smaller section of MDF and glued this in place to create the upper part of the weir for the ford.

2 1

With the foam cut and roughly formed, it is attached to the board using a hot glue gun which helps to speed the process up. PVA glue is also suitable, but this does take longer to dry.

Using some leftover foam from another project, the river banks were marked out. A hot wire cutter was used for this job, but a sharp knife will achieve the same effect. Gaugemaster and Woodland Scenics are one of the suppliers of hot wire cutters ideal for the task.

For visual interest on the river crossing road section, a sheet of Wills cobbled setts was used. One edge was cut to help blend these into the gravel of the river, the other left square to butt up to the edge of the weir wall. For the weir wall, I used Wills dressed stone plastic sheets. This was trimmed and fixed in place with the hot glue gun, along with the cobbled road section.

CREATING A RIVER FORD CROSSING STEP BY STEP 3 5 7

Now for the fun part – creating the tracks. For this I use an old Oxford Diecast vehicle, which is simply pressed lightly into the wet clay and then moved back and forth, leaving an imprint of the tyre marks in the clay.

Once the glue has dried and the foam is firmly set in place, a retractable blade craft knife was used to shape it to look more like a river bank on each side. Sections were also cut into the foam either side of the crossing to represent a dirt track. Take care when using sharp blades.

Using

4 6 8

Having left the clay to dry, the next step is to add a brownish undercoat. My go-to colour is Daler-Rowney Raw Umber acrylic which is applied with a large artist’s brush. This also helps hide any bright foam that could show through.

DAS air dry clay, the gap between cobbles and foam was blended in. For the dirt track style roadway, a thin layer of DAS clay was also smeared on both sides of the roadway, blending this into the cobbles of the river bed for a smooth transition.

This is where it can get messy. WWS Basing glue was applied in a thin layer all over the diorama followed with some dry fine earth and then a sprinkling of Woodland Scenics fine burnt grass. Once applied, I find the Basing glue grabs and sets quicker than standard PVA, which prevents progress slowing.

With base ground cover now applied, the first layer of static grass was added. As I wanted to create a more wintry scene with the use of darker dirty colours, 4mm Muddy Grass was used as my main cover followed by 6mm Wild Meadow to add a little colour to the scene. I used WWS layering spray to attach the static grasses and to build up layers.

Once happy with the effect of the grass, some ground foliage really starts to bring it all to life. Using Coarse Burnt foliage as my main colour, this was randomly sprinkled over the grass, followed by Olive scatter. These were then fixed with layering spray.

Moving on to the river bed, some large rocks were fixed in place with Basing glue. My aim was to create a fast-flowing wintry white water river, so to aid the effect more rocks were added to the centre of the river bed, top and bottom of the weir.

A Network Rail Land Rover splashes into the ford crossing as a fisherman continues looking for his next catch.

CREATING A RIVER FORD CROSSING STEP BY STEP

Next, the rest of the river bed needed filling. For this, War World Scenics dark grey extra fine ballast was used. This was sprinkled on, making sure that the cobbled section was blended and merged into the upper river bed.

Once

With the ballast in place and damped down, WWS track ballast glue was applied as it has a great consistency and flow. Once this has been poured in place, leave it be and let it dry.

Sea foam was used for the trees, but it is quite bright in colour. Armed with cans of Brown and Matt Grey aerosol car paint, I set about the task of creating the wintry look by toning down the overall appearance.

With the Land Rover ready, it was placed on the diorama. To create a sense of motion as the vehicle enters the water at speed, teddy bear stuffing was tucked in and around the front end - this would be the start of the water froth. It was also applied to the weir, as I wanted it to look like more than just a summer trickle. Once teased into place, layering spray was added to the stuffing to secure it.

happy with the appearance of the river bed, it’s time to dampen it down. I like to use a spot of washing-up liquid with water in a spray bottle to help break the surface tension. The nozzle is set to a fine mist to avoid dislodging the carefully placed ballast.

The star of the scene is this long wheelbase Network Rail Land Rover. For a realistic appearance it was given a simple acrylic black wash to help bring out the panel lines and details. Vallejo clear Gloss Varnish was then applied to give it a wet appearance, while some leftover fine dirt from the river bed section was mixed together and applied where necessary.

I wanted to add a few dead leaves to the trees and after rummaging through my stocks of scenic spares, some dried catkins were discovered. These were then scrunched up by hand and, following an application of layering spray, were sprinkled over the trees.

Using Vallejo Gloss Varnish and Woodland Scenics soft snowflakes, these were mixed together to create a white paste. This was then brushed in to place at the base of the stuffing. Once dry, this will give a great watery sparkle to the foam.

One last job on the embankments before the trees were set in place was to add a little leaf scatter to the floor, so it appeared as though dead leaves had fallen from them.

Trees were then added, having first created holes in the foam base with a screwdriver. Glue was applied to the base of the trees and they were then carefully secured in place. The aim is to create holes in a fairly random pattern so the placement doesn’t appear too uniform.

WHAT WE USED

PRODUCT SUPPLIER CATNO.

Angler www.modelu3d.co.uk 1668-076

Basing glue www.wwscenics.com N/A

Burnt coarse green scatter (1000ml) www.wwscenics.com N/A

Clear gloss acrylic www.acrylicosvallejo.com 70-510

Extra fine dark grey stone/ballast www.wwscenics.com N/A

Fine Burnt Grass www.woodlandscenics.com T45

Flat Green acrylic www.acrylicosvallejo.com 70.924

Land Rover Defender, Network Rail www.oxforddiecast.co.uk 76DEF008

Muddy Grass 4mm static grass fibres (500ml) www.wwscenics.com N/A

Olive scatter (1000ml) www.wwscenics.com N/A

Raw Umber acrylic www.daler-rowney.com 247

Sea foam www.wwscenics.com N/A

Soft snowflakes www.woodlandscenics.com B1230

Track ballast glue www.wwscenics.com N/A

Wild Meadow 6mm static grass fibres (500ml) www.wwscenics.com N/A

Next, the river needs forming. For this, WWS deep pour resin was used. This product is a two-part mix and it is very important that you read the label and measure the hardener and resin to the correct proportions. If you get this wrong, your resin will never set. A few drops of Vallejo Flat Green paint were added to give the clear resin a more river water look. Make sure you stir the two-part resin well and mix it slowly to avoid creating air bubbles.

As there were a few leftover trees, these were stripped down and the finer branches used to create bushes. These were bunched together and randomly placed to good effect.

While the resin was setting, a 4mm scale ModeIu 3D printed fisherman was painted and then added to the scene for a bit of foreground interest. Using a pair of tweezers, he was gently pressed into place.

Before pouring the mixed resin, it is critical that you seal any areas where it may escape. I used two strips of plastic and a hot glue gun to attach them to the diorama. Once the resin is set, the plastic will peel off the glue and you can slice the glue off with a knife, leaving no damage behind. Pour the resin slowly: it is best not to go too deep and build it up in layers if needed.

With the resin set, it was time to revisit the froth and add the final details. Another snowflake paste was mixed and this was added sparingly where white froth would form. Once dry, white paint was added here and there to enhance the froth appearance and complete the scene.

MAKING

BUILDINGS

Creating bespoke buildings for your layout may sound daunting, but as MALCOLM BRIGGS shows in the start of a new series, it is far easier than you might think.

Malcolm Briggs’ attention to detail can be appreciated in this scene from his ‘OO’ gauge North Cornwall Brewery layout (HM163/165), showing different styles of building construction. Mike Wild.

MANY YEARS AGO, I realised I had neither the skills or the patience to build locomotives and rolling stock from scratch. My attempts at kitbuilding wagons and coaches bear testimony to the simple fact that manufacturers produce vehicles that always run better than mine. So how do I stop my railway layouts looking like everyone else’s? Well, to me, when I look at pictures of old railways, I always find myself looking at the railway infrastructure and the contextual setting into which it has grown – be it urban, country or even isolated. Therefore, I concluded at the age of about 12 that I wanted to make my own buildings and set about doing so. Fortunately, no photographs exist of those early attempts as most of them would defy the laws of physics – I knew nothing of how buildings were actually constructed and that they had to have such things as lintels

above openings.

In my late teens, I was given a photocopy of a signalbox plan by a fellow member of the Hampton Court Model Railway Society and asked to construct a model of it in 4mm scale for a new exhibition layout. I did so and was pretty

Above: One of Malcolm’s very early builds was this scratchbuilt signal box kit, with interior and lighting.

pleased with the results. This set me on a path of scratchbuilding all of the buildings on my layouts. Techniques, materials and components have changed over the ensuing 50 years, so this seems an appropriate point at which to shortcut that learning process and provide some insight about how to produce your own individual buildings for your own layouts, regardless of scale.

BASIC PRINCIPLES

I’m going to start from absolute beginnings and take you through the construction of a number of buildings on my North Cornwall Brewery layout, which was featured in HM163/165. Before we get into the nitty gritty though, it is worth establishing some basic construction principles.

The primary purpose of a building is to provide shelter and safety for the occupants - whether people, animals, produce or machinery. In

this regard, they generally therefore need to be constructionally safe and weather-tight. The materials can vary – they started with wattle and daub with a mud/dung filling, but if we look at the period from 1850 to today, there are a limited number of methods used.

MATERIALS

These days timber is generally only used for agricultural and garden buildings, but 100 years ago, station buildings, goods sheds, small shops and even engine sheds were constructed from wood. Brunel and others even managed to make viaducts from it!

Corrugated cladding was also a very popular method, generally over a timber frame, with corrugated iron sheet being used for light railway structures, factories, mines, garden buildings, cycle shops, motor garages and places of worship (the famous ‘tin tabernacles’) and corrugated

asbestos for engine sheds, garden sheds and factories. It is mostly used these days for farm and industrial buildings.

Bricks have been a mainstay in construction for the past 250 years and were generally hand-made, often on-site from clay dug up adjacent to the building site and fired on the spot. Once machinemade bricks came into being, it was the railways that changed everything as they could transport the raw materials to a point of manufacture and then transport the bricks anywhere in the country. If you look at any town, you will find the older buildings are made of the same colour brick which is produced from the local clay. Then as the structures get newer, the range of bricks changed as they could be brought in from further afield.

An alternative to brick is cement, brieze or concrete block which tends to be used when the visual

appearance does not matter or it is going to be rendered or tile-hung. They are also used for the inner leaf of cavity walls and the primary advantage is that they are cheaper and quicker to lay (build.)

Stone buildings go back to time immemorial as shepherd’s huts and basic shelters could be constructed of them, mostly laid dry (iwithout mortar) but it is probably fair to say that modern stone structures started after the Norman conquest with the building of the White Tower in the Tower of London and subsequently, Norman churches throughout the land, although there were Saxon stone churches in existence.

Stone was regularly used for houses from the late Middle Ages onwards and railways also used the local stone rather than import expensive brick. Nowadays it tends to be used for more upmarket dwellings as it imparts a feel of quality and expense.

Brick construction is by far the most prolific method for buildings – and by looking a little closer you can appreciate the different types and colours used through the years, as well as bricklaying styles.

Timber has been an important building material for centuries. This delightful clapboard cottage was spotted in Suffolk.

Stone provides a more aesthetically pleasing finish. The type of stone used is also often reflective of the area.

Corrugated cladding over a timber frame was also a very popular method of construction. Note the timber building in the background.

Although the Southern Railway was a great fan of concrete, it tended to be used for fence panels, lamp posts and other peripheral buildings like platelayer’s huts. The 1920s saw an expansion of the use of concrete with modernist and subsequently brutalist architectural styles, especially for larger buildings, industrial complexes, car parks and shopping centres. Large blocks of flats were also built of concrete.

As a material, it was popular until the early 1970s when the disadvantages of staining, spalling (frost damage) and alkali-silica reaction (concrete cancer) became more apparent and these days it tends to be clad with non-structural brick or a composite cladding material. Between the wars it was also used for structures with brick infill.

Clad structures are a more recent development and are generally steel structures with some form of

sheet cladding. Typical uses would be modern warehousing and supermarkets, and the ubiquitous retail parks.

Most buildings we encounter in or around railways are likely to be brick or stone, and so I shall concentrate on these, with some references to timber, concrete, corrugated cladding and steel bridges.

MODEL FINISHES

Stone is fairly easy to summarise. It is generally either coarse or dressed and there are a number of suppliers of embossed sheet versions of both options for modellers. Unless it is a dry stone construction, which is mostly used for walls, it is the mortar which holds it all together, the same as brickwork.

The most common type of construction we will need to model is brick. For this, we need to understand how bricks are stuck together with mortar to give

strength. Every school child learns that piling bricks on each other provides no strength and that overlapping them provides a way to increase the chances of them standing up. This is essentially a bond and this is the single most important thing for us modellers to understand – how brick structures hold together and how they must be laid - as this affects the visual appearance which is far more important to us than the strength as we will be using non-structural materials to represent this.

Simple overlaying of bricks is known as a Stretcher Bond and it is not particularly strong. You will sometimes see it referred to as Garden Bond because it is used in single skin garden walls. Most buildings in or around a railway station would be Victorian, Edwardian or inter-war. It is unlikely that they would have been built as a single skin as there is insufficient strength in them and therefore

unlikely that they would be in Stretcher Bond. However, buildings built from the 1950s onwards (bearing in mind that there was little construction in the 1940s, until right at the end) may well have Stretcher Bond walls after the introduction of cavity walls.

The Victorians had experimented with cavity walls by putting a gap between two single layers of bricks to create an air barrier which stopped the damp crossing and this became popular in the 1920s and ‘30s once galvanised wall ties to hold the two layers together were available, but not universal until the 1950s and it became law in the 1990s.

This means that the thickness of the walls was different –approximately 9in for solid walls with two layers of brick or 11-12in for the cavity wall which will alter the way we model them, as this is visible around window or door openings.

Steel forms an important part in construction, particularly for railway bridges.

Concrete was a very popular medium – the Southern Railway made great use of it for its infrastructure – although it is less so today.

This 4mm scale building site is well-observed and features many individually placed bricks and brieze blocks.

Brieze blocks and the like can be used for more practical buildings such as agricultural or industrial applications.

BONDS

If you are laying two leaves of bricks together to increase the strength, you would want some bricks to cross between the leaves and ensure maximum strength. How you do this can vary tremendously and this is what gives rise to different bonds. The most popular are Stretcher Bonds created using only the long face of each brick. It is the most common type in use today and certainly for the past 70 years.

English Bond/English Cross Bond is created by laying alternate rows of stretchers (the long edge of the brick) and headers (the short end of the brick). It is incredibly strong and frequently used for bridge supports.

English Garden Wall Bond is three rows of stretchers and one row of headers. The headers are centred over the headers in the course four courses below and gives a strong lateral spread of load whilst using fewer facing

bricks than English Bond.

Flemish Bond is a very popular bond with railway builders which alternates headers and stretchers on the same row. The headers are centred over the stretchers in the row below. It is a very strong bond.

Sussex Bond (or Flemish Garden Wall Bond) uses three stretchers and one header in the same row, with the header centred over the middle of the middle stretcher of the row below.

Header Bond is exactly the same as the Stretcher Bond, except that only the header face is used. It is most often seen when building curves into walls, especially on bay windows.

You can always use some specialist bonds too, such as herringbone style but it reduces strength and may involve you scribing your own bricks – as far as I can tell there are no suitable embossed plastic sheets available.

Clearly, walls are not an exact number of brick widths and a

slice of brick has to be inserted immediately before the corner brick, especially when it gets to window and door openings. These slices are cut to be equal on all courses and this is where the professional bricklayers’ skill comes into play – almost anyone can lay bricks but few people can lay them well! The slices of bricks are known as Queen headers or Queen closers when they are cut from the width of a brick header face.

MODELLING BRICKS

There are three main ways to replicate bricks on model railways, with sheet embossed materials, such as paper, card, plastic and laser-cut MDF, printed paper and hand engraving (on plastic, card or plaster).

Many years ago there was an individual brick system (Formcraft) which was quite intricate to use; applying the scale 4mm bricks with a tweezer over multiple plastic rods could be challenging. The great

thing was you would, in theory, be able to put closer bricks in and so create accurate brickwork which otherwise could only be replicated with hand-engraving.

If we are going to use brick papers or sheet embossed materials, we have to accept that there will be compromises around windows, doors and at wall ends. In reality, in 2mm and 4mm scales, it doesn’t really show, except under close photography.

I think printed papers have a place and some are embossed too, albeit quite expensive as a result. I tend to use them for buildings at the back of a layout to reduce the texture and create a false impression of distance. In the foreground I always use embossed materials and the larger the sheets, the better.

Of the embossed plastic examples, Slaters’ sheets are readily obtainable, are available in a number of different brick bonds and easy to cut, being about 15-20 thou thick. Wills sheets are smaller

Flemish Bond brickwork alternates headers with stretchers in the same row and forms a strong bond.

Stretcher Bond brickwork, created using only the long side of each brick.

Specialist bonds such as this herringbone style are particularly attractive, but reduce strength.

English Bond/English Cross Bond brickwork, created using alternate layers of stretchers and headers.

this provide model projects

but more solid and stand up on their own, while South Eastern Finecast’s embossed sheets are larger than A4, the moulding is fine and they handle well.

INSPIRATION

I never make models up from my imagination. Buildings need to be designed and I am no architect. There are millions of structures to choose from so it is much easier, and quite enjoyable, to find one to base your model on. I sometimes replicate them slavishly and other times, use an interpretation or re-scale to suit a site.

Sometimes the prototype is too large for the space available, such as the subject for a public house I chose to build. This was shrunk to fit whilst maintaining the main features and overall proportions. A similar approach was adopted for a restaurant spotted in Southampton which I wanted to model. This had characteristics incorporated into the design, but

it was much reduced in size – I even lopped a storey off the top! It also changed to brick and is now a hardware store.

Inspiration can come from any number of sources. Over the years, I have accumulated many books on railway subjects and then taken hundreds of photographs when I have been out and about of houses, shops, churches, bridges and so on. But the greatest source these days is the internet – both images that people have posted and mapping sites which show streets from ground level. These new forms of research allow you to check out a particular area to spot buildings that might be suitable to model and with some of the multi angle views available you can also see how the roof is constructed, too.

With images of real buildings at your disposal, specific brick bonds can be observed rather than having to employ guesswork. Once you have found a building

you want to model, then it’s time to get going.

Hopefully, this introduction to building construction has inspired you to give it a go yourself. Next time, I’ll demonstrate some of the modelling techniques to construct buildings from scratch

and how they can be scaled up for some larger and more involved structures. HM

•Part two of Malcolm Briggs’ new series on constructing buildings from scratch will appear in the April 2023 issue of Hornby Magazine (HM190).

Some buildings can provide inspiration for other model projects – this restaurant in Southampton formed the basis of a 4mm scale hardware store with a brick finish.

Malcolm shrunk the proportions of this full-size pub in Kent to create his 4mm scale model of The Dog and Bucket to great effect.

The scratchbuilt 4mm scale Brewery Hotel from Malcolm’s North Cornwall Brewery layout was inspired by a hotel in Faversham, Kent.

PARKWAY Newvaddon

Based on a fictional new town in West Cornwall, father and son team NIGEL and DARREN GLASSON set out to show what a busy parkway station in the area could look like in ‘N’ gauge.

PHOTOGRAPHY, TREVOR JONES

NEWVADDON PARKWAY

is based on a fictional version of Cornwall, but has its principles firmly based in reality. The station is set two miles south of the growing town of Tolvaddon near to the A30 road, which in Nigel and Darren Glasson’s version of events,

is being converted into a motorway. With rapid growth of housing and shops in the area, Newvaddon Parkway is expected to become very busy indeed. It has two branch lines – one heading west via a flyover to the coastal town of Falryn (a combination of Falmouth and Penryn), while another heads to the north coast town of Portwell (Portreath). Both of these

branches see some freight in addition to the passenger service.

The station area incorporates a significant amount of railway infrastructure with a fuelling point, diesel locomotive depot, wash plant and Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) depot. From the west, the double track main line diverges into four through the station,

and one track on the north side of the island platform also provides access to the depot.

Traffic from the western town of Penance includes coal, oil and intermodal trains, as well as being the literal end of the line.

Setup established – and bar the real Penzance, Newvaddon Parkway would likely be the most substantial station in Cornwall – it was father and son trainspotting which sparked the genesis for Newvaddon Parkway, and Darren’s desire to have his own layout.

Planned and designed over a weekend, it is set anywhere from the 1990s to the present day, allowing a wide range of interests and rolling stock to be catered for. Baseboards are 9mm birch ply supported by 2in x 1in bracing, all built by Nigel. There are four boards, all 4ft x 3ft. Control is analogue, and the first trains ran around two months after the build started. However, as it evolved, the pair made some changes. The Falryn branch was changed to run over rather than under the main line, and two bay lines were added.

CORNISH SCENE

The hills have been made using contoured polystyrene formers covered with three thin layers of car body filler. This method ensures that the scenery can ‘flex’ slightly and will not crack. Each area was then painted with acrylic artist’s paints in a

Newvaddon's old engine house sets the scene firmly in Cornwall as a Class 66 hauls its train of tankers off the fuelling point. The CrossCountry Class 170a type never seen in Cornwall - is on loan to fill in on local duties.

1

Looking up through the station, the Class 60 is held at a signal on the through line, while a Great Western Railway Class 158 draws into the platform from Portwell. A Class 08 works some ballast wagons through the station.

suitable base colour and then covered with various Woodland Scenics products.

The ground cover has been fixed using photo spray mount. This is used to build up layers of scatter materials and static grass and has the advantage of being invisible and quick drying. Trees are a mixture of handmade and proprietary armatures which have been flocked using PVA and hairspray.

Most of the structures have been modified using plastic kits from a number of manufacturers. The station buildings and canopies use Kestrel products and successfully convey a busy main line station. The platforms were formed using 9mm ply covered with Peco edging and plastic sheet tops, while the footbridge was made of three Kestrel kits altered to suit the track and platform alignments.

The shed buildings and fuelling facility are modified Peco, Kibri, Scenecraft and Ratio products. A Bachmann Scenecraft

Above: The station’s main entrance is best described as functional. Any spotters in the area would surely be delighted with the sight of the New Measurement Train in the platform, Class 60 passing with a steel train and a Colas Rail Class 37 in the yard.

Below: A view of Newvaddon Parkway station showing the bay platform and the track off to the wash plant and DMU depot. A Class 66 approaches heading a rake of CDA china clay hopper wagons, whilst HSTs – including the New Measurement Train – await the ‘right away’.

BR Type 15 signalbox and modified wash plant also feature.

Of note are the Armco safety barriers located at various points where roadways are adjacent to the permanent way. These have been made from ‘Z’ gauge rails soldered to posts formed from short pieces of ‘N’ gauge rail which have then been painted yellow.

The distinctive derelict engine house and chimney clearly place the layout in Cornwall and were an internet find. They are souvenir models made locally which happened to be made to the correct scale. These have been covered by foliage to reflect scenes which are well-known in the Tolvaddon home of the layout builders.

LIGHT FANTASTIC

For many viewers at exhibitions, the scenery and operation of the layout are very interesting but overshadowed perhaps by Newvaddon Parkway’s standout feature

An aerial view of the illuminated station shows just how effective the hundreds of lights are – and how visible the colour light signals are too.

5

– the lighting. Described as a ‘labour of love,’ there are more than 200 micro-LED lights on the layout. The street, yard and station lights are all pre-wired products sourced from China operating off a 12V supply with 1kOhm resistors on each. There are also speed cameras and a police car with flashing lights which bring life to the background. This is in addition to the 20 colour light signals on the track, some of which are handmade. When Newvaddon Parkway is illuminated, it really is spectacular.

“Planned and designed over a weekend, it is set anywhere from the 1990s to the present day, allowing a wide range of interests and rolling stock to be catered for.”

DARREN GLASSON

Newvaddon Traction Maintenance Depot is a compact but busy facility, as a trio of Class 66 traction rests between duties and a Class 08 diesel shunter undergoes maintenance inside the shed.

OPERATION

Using analogue control on a layout this complex has led Nigel and Darren to create three control panels – one each for the Up and Down lines, with the third controlling the branch lines and each of the depot facilities.

With a 30-year time period to choose from, rolling stock is predictably eclectic and with the fictional port of Penance providing much freight traffic, the railway through Newvaddon Parkway is busier than the real Cornish main line has been for decades, if ever.

MOTIVE POWER

Whilst the layout can be stocked to represent operations over the past three

decades, it is the present day scene which brings the layout to life with a kaleidoscope of colour. From a humble Class 08 shunter in BR Railfreight grey to the latest Class 800 InterCity Express Trains in GWR livery, the layout roster enables a representative selection of authentic trains to be operated together with a few additional passenger and freight trains that add a little extra variety. Where possible freight trains are formed into block trains of similar vehicles with suitable motive power heading each, such as the obligatory DB Schenker Class 66 and CDA china clay hoppers (a Cornish staple), which have also been sympathetically weathered, a DB Class 60 hauled steel train, GB Railfreight Class 66 on loaded

MJA twin box bogie wagons and Colas Rail Freight Class 70 on a set of autoballaster wagons. While some of these may not be 100% accurate for this part of Cornwall in reality, they work for the fictional location.

Gaugemaster’s Kato-produced ‘N’ gauge Class 800/0 five-car IETs in GWR livery have been a welcome addition to the layout’s roster, as has a Cross-Country liveried InterCity 125 High Speed Train (HST), reflecting the present-day scene. On that subject, the Network Rail liveried New Measurement Train with HST power cars also adds a welcome splash of colour to the layout, as does a locomotive hauled set of Network Rail test train carriages, hauled by a Colas Rail Freight Class 37. Some of these vehicles feature vinyl overlay sides to better represent the prototypes.

Also making a regular appearance is GWR’s Night Riviera overnight sleeper

Above: A GWR liveried Class 57 departs from Newvaddon Parkway with the ‘Night Riviera’ sleeper train as a Class 66 arrives with a sand train. In this busy scene, a Class 70 stands with a rake of autoballasters in the yard, ahead of infrastructure work in the area.

train formed of a GWR liveried Class 57 and former BR Mk 3 sleeper coaches –these also utilising bodyside overlays. Amongst the DMU fleet is a Class 170 Turbostar in Cross Country colours – a class never seen in these parts, but in this fictional setting it is on secondment to the West Country route – as well as Class 150 and Class 158 DMUs in GWR livery (the latter models also featuring body overlays).

With a fuelling point, traction maintenance depot and DMU servicing depot represented, a good selection of motive power can also be viewed within each facility, with visiting Class 66, 67, 68 and 70s for fuel, as well as the occasional veteran diesel locomotive. The fuelling point also includes a fuel road which usually houses a rake of TTA fuel tank wagons, in a nod to the train that once operated to GWR’s Long Rock depot.

9

Very much echoing the look of Long Rock in Penzance, a Hitachi Intercity Express Train is serviced at the GWR DMU depot.

WHAT’S NEXT

Newvaddon Parkway is now an established exhibition layout, with much positive feedback from visitors to shows, which makes all the hard work worth it. Indeed, these are set to continue with more appearances booked for 2023 and beyond. Darren and Nigel are also set to build a new home-based layout next, but if they exhibit Newvaddon Parkway near you, it is well worth seeing. HM

Overview of Newvaddon Parkway. At 16ft x 3ft, the layout is packed with trackwork, scenic details and lights.

Hornby's all-new

HIGHSPEEDTRAIN FIRST REVIEW

The

Hornby has refreshed its HST tooling for a new lease of life including chassis upgrades. Amongst the first releases on the new tooling are First Great Western, East Coast, GWR and Midland Pullman

Class 43s.

AMAZINGLY it is now exactly 15 years since I wrote Hornby Magazine’s first ever first review of an all-new HST power car from Hornby. That was for the eighth issue of the magazine released in January 2008.

Models have moved on since then, and in the 2022 catalogue Hornby announced its plans to offer a new generation model of the ever-popular HST bringing new

features including powered roof fans, independent lighting control and a new design of NEM coupling pocket. Added to this, the body tooling has been refreshed and also encompasses the latest variations including the Midland Pullman power cars with upper headlights. The real HSTs are now in their final years of service. 2019 and 2020 saw withdrawals en masse from service with GWR, LNER and EMR, but happily there was

also a reprieve with GWR and ScotRail operating four and five-car formations on dedicated services while CrossCountry has continued to operate long-distance trains with HSTs. However, following the Carmont derailment and increasing operating costs for the remaining HSTs, there have been calls for the remaining sets to be withdrawn from frontline passenger service with the GWR ‘Castle’ sets due to be withdrawn at the end of 2023

and the ScotRail sets by 2035 at the latest as things stand.

Nevertheless, the sight and sound of the HST will continue on the main line network as Locomotive Services Limited operates its Midland Pullman luxury train formed from Mk 3s and HST power cars while Network Rail and Colas Rail continue to use the 125mph capable diesel-electrics on the New Measurement Train and other inspection workings.

iconic British Rail Class 43 power cars have held sway in frontline main line service for more than 45 years and Hornby has revisited the high-speed diesels with a brand-new tooling. MIKE WILD takes a closer look.

liveried

Livery application on all of our samples was excellent throughout. The First Great Western colour scheme is particularly well done.

The East Coast liveried pair model 43314 and 43315 in the smart silver and white colour scheme of the mid-2000s.

You can read more about the HSTs in Reality Check on pages 74-77 while a visit to www.keymodelworld. com/class-43 will take you to our full collection of Class 43 High Speed Train features.

THE MODEL

The first of the new batch of HSTs arrived in stock during December offering modellers a plethora of new colour scheme choices – and more have been announced in the

Different roof fan designs are incorporated into the tooling. This is the single fan design of the GWR ‘Castle’ set power cars.

2023 Hornby catalogue (see pages 10-11).

The first batch models are M43046 and M43055 in Midland Pullman blue as part of the One:One collection (Cat No. R30077), 43136 and 43189 in First Great Western ‘fag packet’ green, white and gold (R30096), 43004 and 43155 in GWR green (R30098), 43314 and 43315 in East Coast white and silver (R30099), 43480 and 43434 in Rail Adventure grey (R30218), 43049

and 43060 in East Midlands Trains livery (R30219), 43022 and 43052 as a Jubilee Silver special edition pack (R30215) plus 43058 and 43059 in Rail Charter Services green (R30204). Prices start from £362.99 for standard editions and rise to £381.49 for the Midland Pullman pair.

Opening the box, the familiar lines of the Class 43 power car are present with this new edition using the same packaging style as the

MIKE WILD

outgoing model. The colourful liveries for our quartet of test subjects have all been completed to the highest standards with crisp edges between all colours and excellent reproduction of printed details.

Main body colour shades are authentic for the liveries in question and when we paired the First Great Western power cars with a full rake of matching trailer coaches they really came to life.

The

“The lighting functions offer greater operational value while the big change is the introduction of an independently powered roof fan.”

REVIEWS FEATURE

Body detail is excellent and builds on the strong foundations of the outgoing model with cantrail grilles appearing crisper and sharper than before while the overall shaping is spot-on too.

A standout element of our samples was the sheer number of variations built into the tooling. Different exhausts, alternative exhaust cowls, roof fan grille styles, light clusters, cab door windows and the unique upper headlight of the Midland Pullman power cars are all catered for giving these new models plenty of customisation options to replicate these trains throughout their lives.

PERFORMANCE

Placing the new HST on the track is where the new features really become apparent. Firstly, the running characteristics are excellent with silky-smooth operation throughout the speed range with both analogue and digital control systems. The die-

cast chassis of the powered vehicle ensures the powerful five-pole motor has plenty of torque to move a scale length train at a realistic speed too.

Adding a DCC decoder takes these models to the next level. They have been designed around Hornby’s new TXS (Triplex Sound) Bluetooth chips, but they can be controlled through conventional decoders too. However, we did note that not all brands are configured to operate the light and fan functions without adjustment. On the plus side, we found that the Dapol Imperium 21-pin chip worked with the models straight from the box to control the functions as per the instructions: F0 – main lights on/ off, F1 – cab light/roof light on/off, F2 – day/night lighting and F3 –powered roof fan.

The lighting functions offer

greater operational value while the big change is the introduction of an independently powered roof fan. This comes in the form of a small secondary motor mounted to the roof fans in both the powered and unpowered cars. Use of F3 on a DCC decoder can turn the roof fan on and off while Hornby has also included a potentiometer (an adjustable resistor) on the main circuit board which allows users to choose how fast or slow the roof fan will run. Taking operation to another level, the new generation Hornby TXS sound decoders will also run the fan at 30% of the locomotive speed and will automatically switch the fan off 10 seconds after model has stopped

moving. Finally, in analogue operation the roof fan operates when power is applied to the track. The finishing touch for these new HST power cars is the inclusion of factory-fitted twin cube speakers in both vehicles in a train pack, though R30099 and R30215 do not have factory fitted speakers in this production run.

OVERALL

The Class 43 High Speed Train has become even more popular in the past 15 years since we reviewed the previous generation for the first time. New liveries and

Main

Exhaust arrangement and cowls to suit different locomotives.

Upper headlight on the Midland Pullman power cars.

Working directional lights with day and night mode.

Comprehensive

Printed Circuit Board with blue adjustment screw for fan speed.

Detailed bogie side frames with turned metal wheels.

Fully detailed cab interior with lighting.

underframe equipment.

variations have come through and it is great to see the tooling refreshed and given a new lease of life. The internal specification is a big step forward and following on from the announcement of the new TXS decoders from Hornby, we are looking forward to putting a pair of power cars through the

works to examine their capabilities and features with Bluetooth DCC control.

With a wide selection of livery choices, excellent detail and a superb mechanism, this new Class 43 will be hard to resist. We are very tempted! (MW)

“The first of the new batch of HSTs arrived in stock during December offering modellers a plethora of new colour scheme choices.”

MIKE WILD

Independently powered roof fans with option for function control on DCC.

21-pin decoder socket to power the new HSTs with Digital Control.

Die-cast chassis for weight and model haulage capacity.

Twin 15mm x 11mm cube speaker positioned in each power car.

It is the interior which has the most obvious upgrades. The latest generation HST power cars have 21-pin decoder sockets, powered roof fans and factory fitted twin speakers at the rear.

The GWR ‘Castle’ sets are represented by 43004 and 43155 in gloss green.

HSTs

WIND DOWN

British Rail’s Inter-City 125 is one of the most recognisable and successful trains in railway history but is now reaching the end of its operational days. Some units, however, are enjoying a second life, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.

IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE the iconic Inter-City 125, or High-Speed Train, is now almost 50 years old. This sleek, streamlined design icon revolutionised railway services in the 1970s, lifting average speeds by around 30mph to 100mph and proving capable of sustaining 125mph for hours on end. They have been the mainstay of services on the East Coast, Midland and Great Western main lines for decades and have proved popular with passengers and operators alike.

Now, however, the fleet has been largely replaced on front line duties by new units from the Hitachi stable, yet a considerable number have escaped to find further use with some entering preservation, some in charter fleets and with a handful even finding employment on freight trains.

The HST was developed to some extent due to the difficulties that were being experienced in the construction of the Advanced Passenger Train, which was running over budget and under expectations. BR’s Chief Rolling Stock Engineer, Terry Miller, was given just £800,000 and was told to develop a more conventional alternative which could still run at 125mph. To do this it was calculated that 4,500hp would be required, provided by using two diesel power cars, one at each end of the train, which would also allow operation in fixed formation.

SEVENTIES FLAIR

Construction of the power cars took place at Crewe, with their striking design coming from Kenneth Grange, while the accompanying carriages were built at Derby to the latest Mk 3 design. The new trains proved to be an instant success,

with 161 sets being ordered and being introduced first on services to the West of England and later taking over on the East Coast Main Line (ECML). In the end the order was cut back and only 95 sets were actually made and plans to use them on North East-South West services and between Glasgow and Edinburgh were dropped.

As HSTs came into service, the impact on services was remarkable. The new trains cut an hour off the London-Edinburgh journey time while you could now travel from Paddington to Cardiff in 1hr 45mins. They were also a publicist’s dream because passengers loved them and now, for the first time since the 1930s, trains were

appealing again. This enthusiasm was matched by a substantial increase in ticket sales and BR proudly proclaimed that this was ‘The Age of the Train’.

Electrification of the ECML ten years later led to many of the HSTs being displaced to Cross-Country and Midland Main Line duties and upon privatisation the fleet was shared out between GNER, Midland Mainline, Great Western and Virgin Trains. This latter move led to some set reformations with Virgin, in particular, favouring short sets while other operators preferred to lengthen theirs by one coach.

As originally built, the HST’s power cars were fitted with Paxman power units, which had a reputation for producing a

lot of smoke and noise and as a result in 1987 four Western Region examples were fitted with Mirrlees Blackstone MB190 engines, but this was unsuccessful. In the early 1990s, 39 power cars were fitted with Paxman VP185 engines and from 2005 onwards the MTU 16v 4000 began to be fitted, with the eventual result that the original Paxman unit became extinct.

NEW MILLENNIUM

There were huge changes for the HST fleet in the early 2000s due to the introduction of the Virgin West Coast and CrossCountry Voyager fleet with some sets laid up for a while, but these were soon deployed on ‘Project Rio’ which provided extra

London-Manchester services during West Coast Route Modernisation works, while seven years later open access operator Grand Central took eight power cars and three sets of coaches for its North East to London services while the rest went to CrossCountry, Great Western and Midland Mainline.

With the HST reaching 40 years old and having achieved many millions of miles each it was inevitable that eventually they would have to be replaced, with the new rolling stock selected coming from the Hitachi Class 800 family delivered from 2017 onwards. The recently partiallyelectrified Great Western Main Line was the first to be converted to the new stock

with those units that were still operating on the East Coast route next to be taken out of service. With new stock on order for the Midland Main Line it was thought inevitable that the Age of the Train would be coming to an end.

CASCADE

Happily, this proved not to be the case, as some HSTs found further use, largely on routes and duties they were not originally designed for. In Scotland there had always been an issue with the quality of services offered from the Central Belt to the north which were being worked by diesel units intended for inter-urban work rather than long-distance routes.

The LNER ‘Lets Go Round Again’ HST farewell tour arrives at Grantham on December 21 2019 led by E43112 (254029) and tailed by W43006 (253003). Mike Wild.

A solution was worked up for these services to be worked by pairs of HST power cars with four or five coaches between them, which would provide what the public would perceive as proper express trains but at the performance levels of the previously-used DMUs. As a result, 27 former Great Western power cars were transferred to Scotland and their accompanying coaches were fitted with retention toilets, power doors and enhanced disabled facilities. Known as Inter7City these trains are used between Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness.

Although Great Western had dispensed with its HSTs on its principal routes some were retained for local and regional services in the South West. There, 24 power cars were formed up into 11 fourcoach trains, being rebranded as ‘Castle’ sets, with modifications including the provision of power doors and retention tank toilets. While these sets have operated successfully since, time is running out as there are spare Class 80x trains due to changes in demand from the Covid pandemic, which - perhaps with other diesel units filling in - will replace them completely from December 2023.

CHARTER OPERATION

In a surprising move, a small fleet of power cars and coaches was obtained by Crewe-based private train operator Locomotive Services Ltd. Two of the power cars and nine coaches have been reliveried in the style of the Midland Pullman train of the 1960s and have been offered out for charter work. This set is unique amongst HSTs in that all nine coaches are now First Class and all have been refurbished to high standards. The company also has a second HST set, which has five coaches, painted in a green Rail Charter Services livery. This was used for a scheduled scenic service over the Settle-Carlisle line as well as for charter trains. It could find work in

Wales in 2023.

Some HSTs have found work outside the passenger sector. Network Rail uses the class on some of its Measurement Trains while Colas Rail also has some power cars that it supplies for similar work. However, perhaps the most unusual second use for HST equipment has come from a new operator, RailAdventure, which has acquired a number of power cars which it operates in back-to-back form essentially as conventional locomotives. These have been used for hauling stock moves, such as of Class 777 trains for Merseyrail, but also for moving track equipment such as Railvac machines around, producing the unlikely sight of two HST power cars hauling a single wagon on the main line.

PRESERVATION

As might have been expected some HST sets have found their way into preservation, with at least one group having its eyes firmly set on using its sets back on the main line. The 125 Group was formed in 2011 and was responsible for the return to service of prototype power car 41001, and now has a fleet of four power

cars. Although based at Ruddington, due to access issues it currently bases three of its power cars and a rake of eight coaches at the Midland Railway Butterley where they operate service trains on selected days. The group intends to use its trains on charter work and for this reason it is investigating the fitting of retention toilets to its carriages.

In contrast 125 Heritage, based at the Colne Valley Railway in Essex, has three power cars and a number of coaches and intends to confine its operation to this short line, where it hopes to build

“The new trains cut an hour off the LondonEdinburgh journey time while you could now travel from Paddington to Cardiff in 1hr 45mins.”

EVAN GREENHUGHES

GWR 'Castle' Class HST power car 43097 Castle Drogo awaits departure from Taunton, bound for Cardiff Central on August 11 2021. Mark Chivers.

LNER HST power car 43277 arrives at Edinburgh Waverley bound for London King's Cross, as Scotrail Inter7City liveried power car 43177 rests between duties in the adjacent platform on February 25 2019. Mark Chivers.

Colas Rail Class 43 43251 leads a Network Rail overhead line inspection train, including test coach Mentor, through Helpston on October 4 2022 with 43257 at the rear forming 1Q18 Darlington South Sidings-London King’s Cross. Mike Wild.

maintenance facilities. The group’s operational set is often used for public services and also is available for driver experience days, which have proved particularly popular.

A third HST group is 125 Preservation which has obtained two power cars and three trailers and which is shortly to move them to Railworld at Peterborough from store at Long Marston. The group intends to keep this set in full working order as the site is connected to the Nene Valley Railway but when it is not in use its buffet car, which is from the first-built

production HST, will be used to provide refreshment facilities at the site.

The National Railway Museum has two production power cars as well as one of the prototypes and exhibits these at its sites in York and Shildon while the Crewe Heritage Centre has one as an exhibit, as has the Gwili Railway. Many of the displaced carriages have also found alternative uses, such as buffet cars at Stanhope on the Weardale Railway and Leicester on the Great Central while others have been converted to offices, accommodation and even holiday lets.

While the HST may have been displaced from its intended and original duties, some of the sets will continue in traffic for many more years to come - although given their high operating costs, it seems likely those in front line service will exit the scene rather sooner than the charter examples.

From a modelling point of view the revised sets, which are shorter than the originals, are easier to accommodate on a layout while the back-to-back freight operation brings with it a whole new range of possibilities. HM

Locomotive Services’ HST power car 43046, with 43047 at the rear, leads the Midland Pullman as 1Z44 Eastleigh-Scarborough on August 27 2022 at Marholm on the East Coast Main Line. Mike Wild.

Heljan

the Class 14 REVITALISES

14

a new

The Swindon-built Class 14 0-6-0DHs have been refreshed for a new lease of life with Heljan. MIKE WILD inspects one of the new batch.

THE Class 14 ‘Teddy Bears’ were one of the few failures from Swindon Works. They were conceived at a time when the railway was transitioning from steam to diesel traction and trip freights between yards and short distance goods workings were still a part of the daily scene.

The first order was placed in 1963, with the class eventually totalling 56 locomotives - but even by the time the first of the new 0-6-0 diesel hydraulics were completed in 1964, the work they were intended for was already drying up. However, despite this, the Class 14s were reliable locomotives and following withdrawal from BR service in 1970 the remaining Class 14s passed into industrial service. Amazingly, 19 of these 650hp hydraulics have been preserved. Heljan first released the Class 14 for ‘OO’ gauge as an exclusive product for Hattons in 2010 (HM33), but it has since migrated into the main Heljan range. Previous releases have had an 8-pin decoder socket, but for this latest production run, the Class 14 has been upgraded to have a 21-pin decoder socket inside.

•Gauge: ‘OO’

•Price: £199.00

•Cat No: 1413 (reviewed)

•Site: www.heljan.co.uk

•Era: 5

•DCC: DCC ready, 21-pin socket

The 21-pin socket is connected to a new Printed Circuit Board which sits on top of the motor in the longer bonnet of the Class 14. A pair of leads is included for connecting a speaker, although being an older generation model space is at a premium inside this locomotive.

Running qualities are improved with the chassis of this new batch built to tighter tolerances to reduce side-to-side movement of the wheels and in turn ensure the rear of the wheels stay in contact with

the pick-ups which are now made from blackened metal to disguise their appearance at the top of the chassis block. During our tests we found this latest Class 14 to be smooth running and powerful with capacity to move a 20 wagon goods with ease.

Externally, the model captures the Swindon ‘Teddy Bear’ superbly with neat detailing throughout, correct shaping of the handrails plus neatly applied body colours and printed elements. Even the headcode lettering has been

refined. Our sample models D9545 in original BR two-tone green with ‘wasp stripes’ and it is one of six versions which have been released alongside a seventh as a train pack with four ‘Dogfish’ ballast hoppers.

The Class 14s may not have had the longest service life with British Railways, but for the Western Region hydraulic era modellers, these are a must-have addition to complement the bigger ‘Westerns’, ‘Warships’ and ‘Hymeks’. (MW)

Heljan has produced six new versions of its upgraded ‘OO’ gauge Class 14 0-6-0DH for general release.

The new‘OO' gauge‘Teddy Bears’ feature improved running characteristics, new Printed Circuit Board and 21-pin DCC decoder socket.

from Heljan ‘HYMEKS’

Heljan

THE ‘Hymek’B-B dieselhydraulics were the Western Region’s answer to the need for a mixed traffic Type 3 diesel locomotive. The first was introduced in 1961 and they featured a single Maybach MD870 engine giving the fleet of 101 locomotives a maximum speed of 90mph. In model form, the Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ have been produced for ‘OO’, ‘O’ and ‘N’ gauge and this month Heljan has released a new batch of its longstanding and popular ‘OO’ version. Five versions are on the way, with our sample model being D7041 in BR two-tone green with small yellow warning panels.

This locomotive was completed at Beyer, Peacock’s Gorton Works in Manchester in July 1962 and remained in service for just 10 years and was later disposed of, leaving just four in preservation – D7017, D7018, D7029 and D7076.

Heljan produced its first ‘OO’

gauge Class 35 in 2003 and the model which we are reviewing here stems from that product. However, for this version, while the external appearance is the same, it has received upgrades to its chassis in the form of LED lighting, a 21-pin decoder socket and switches to allow analogue users to manage the cab and tail lights on the locomotive. The only small down

a

The upgraded ‘Hymek’ includes a new Printed Circuit Board, 21-pin DCC decoder socket, switchable lighting and LED lights.

side is that there isn’t a specific space for a speaker and that no wired socket is provided to connect to the speaker terminal on the main Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

The paint finish, which features correct rendition of the BR twotone green colours, is enhanced with additional painted elements on the bogies and white tanks below the buffer beams. One of the

buffer beams is also fully appointed with pipework while a full set of

spare parts for the other is included in the box together with small tension lock couplings.

The Heljan ‘Hymek’ is always a popular model in ‘OO’ gauge and we can see this latest batch being an attractive proposition to transition era Western Region modellers. (MW)

The popular Class 35 ‘Hymek’ is back from Heljan with an upgraded chassis. MIKE WILD inspects a classic BR two-tone green version of the Western Region hydraulic.

has introduced a series of improvements to its venerable ‘OO’ gauge ‘Hymek’ B-B diesel hydraulic.

REVOLUTION’S IPA CAR CARRIERS ROLL IN

NEWLYARRIVED from Revolution Trains are these eye-catching‘OO’ gauge IPA car carriers.

Originally built as double-deck car carriers for use in France in the 1950s and 1960s, they were identified as being suitable for conversion in the late 1980s ahead of the opening of the Channel Tunnel for use in the UK and to/ from Europe. To enable them to work within the restricted British loading gauge they were reworked

as single deck open carriers with new side panels for use through the Channel Tunnel and also provided with securing points for use on train ferries.

Designated IPA under TOPS, they were permanently formed into twin-vehicle sets for conveying a variety of cars and vans.

Some vehicles were later converted to covered car carriers in a bid to protect their valuable cargoes from getting damaged in transit. These conversions included canvas sides being added as well as covers with rooflights. While also

formed as twin-sets, some of these were also permanently coupled together to form quad-sets.

These models have been designed to represent the various forms of these vehicles since conversion in the late 1980s and are offered as IPA open twin-sets, open twins with side stakes, twin-sets with canvas sides and roofs and quad-sets with canvas sides and roofs. Liveries cover original STVA grey, STVA red and Groupe Cat blue (quads).

For review, we received an IPA-B quad-set in STVA red numbered 23.87.4384.021-3 (Cat No. OO-IPA461B) with what may appear on first glance to include four identical vehicles. However, this is not the case as one vehicle in each pair features more brake equipment than the other and on even closer

inspection, one vehicle per fourcar set also features yellow painted handbrake wheels.

Weighing in at around 109g each, the wagons feature a diecast chassis around which the moulded superstructure parts are fitted. Our quad-set featured separately applied wire handrails, etched metal footsteps, pipework, handbrake wheels, buffer rungs and chequer-plated flaps between vehicles (fixed in position at outer ends with small wire clips and movable at the inner end of one vehicle per twin) to aid loading of cars onto the decks.

The main bodywork on each vehicle is well moulded, formed from three parts – two sides and the roof section. The sides feature taut canvas sheeting and there are neatly formed ripples where appropriate for added effect.

The roof features seven glazed

MARK CHIVERS

Revolution Trains’ newly-tooled ‘OO’ gauge IPA car carriers are now available.

“The sides feature taut canvas sheeting and there are ripples where appropriate for added effect.”

sections which really look the part and provide further views inside each vehicle. As a result, the manufacturer has also included interior detail such as the decking and relief to the canvas sheeting and supports. The wagons also include moulded mechanism detail for the canvas sides as well as anchoring points on the solebar picked out in yellow, which would have been used on ferries.

Application of the STVA red colour scheme is superb with a highquality overall finish, relieved with the grey canvas sides. Printed detail is also excellent with crisp legible lettering and numbers throughout, including Channel Tunnel logos and STVA’s contact details. Much of the lettering reflects the vehicles’ French origins.

Underneath, each vehicle is numbered so they can be assembled into an accurate fourcar set, and each pair of vehicles features a shorter moulded screwlink coupling bar for slotting into the NEM pockets between car one and two and car three and four. A longer moulded screwlink coupling bar is supplied for

use between car two and three to complete the set.

As already hinted at, the underframes feature some superb and delicate detailing, so it is important to handle the models with care. Axle spring detail is good and brake shoes sit in line with the turned metal wheels, which in turn enabled the vehicles to run smoothly on Hornby Magazine’s office test track. Buffers feature at the outer ends of each twinset while the inner ends feature a blank shank ‘peg’ on one side and a plated over section on the other. Small tension lock couplings in NEM pockets are fitted to the extreme outer ends of each quad set for coupling to other wagons.

Automotive traffic in the UK and to/from Europe forms an important aspect of rail freight history and these all-new ‘OO’ gauge IPA car carriers are set to prove popular with modellers wishing to recreate these trains. Formations have ranged from short sets of similar wagons to lengthy rakes of mixed types through the years, which will also appeal. Excellent and available now. (MC).

Amongst the all-new releases is this four-vehicle IPA-B covered quad-set in STVA red.

NEM style moulded screw link couplings slot into the coupler pockets to bring vehicles closer together.

Heljan’s

SULZER BROTHERS SULZER FIRST REVIEW

The BRCW Class 26 and 27 Bo-Bo diesel-electrics are synonymous with Scotland and now brand-new models are available for ‘O’ gauge from Heljan. MIKE WILD checks out these exciting arrivals.

THE Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon (BRCW) Class 26 and 27 Bo-Bo diesels were a product of the 1955 Modernisation Plan. The first to arrive was the Class 26 which was a 1,160hp diesel-electric powered by a Sulzer 6LDA28A engine with the

pioneer batch of 20 being part of the Pilot Scheme orders to trial new diesel locomotive designs. They were instantly successful and a follow on order for 26 further Class 26s was placed with the entire fleet of 46 locomotives completed in 1958-1959. The Pilot Scheme locomotives, later classified 26/0,

entered service on the Great Northern section of the Eastern Region while the production locomotives, later Class 26/1, were delivered to the Scottish Region. In 1960 the entire Class 26 fleet was allocated to Scotland.

One year later the success of the Class 26 saw BR place an order with

BRCW for a new batch of Sulzerpowered Bo-Bo diesels, but this time the engine was uprated to 1,250hp and the maximum speed was increased from 75mph to 90mph. These new locomotives were later classified 27 and while they had a strong association with Scotland, they were split between

New from Heljan for ‘O’ gauge are the BRCW Class 26 (left) and Class 27 (right).

Original boiler exhaust features are modelled on the Class 27.

The roof of the Class 26/1 models the GRP engine cover.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Manufacturer: www.heljan.co.uk

Cat No: 2681 – Class 26, 2770 – Class 27 (reviewed)

Description: Class 26 and 27 Bo-Bo diesel electrics

Builder: BRCW

Region: Eastern and Scottish (Class 26) Midland, Eastern and Scottish (Class 27)

Gauge: ’O’, 32mm

Scale: 7mm:1ft

Length: 356mm

Price: £649 (DCC ready)

Couplings: Working screw link couplings

DCC: DCC ready, LokSound XL socket

Speaker: 66mm x 29mm EM2 supports provided

Exterior lights: Directional head and tail lights

Interior lights: Cab and engine room lights

Minimum curve radius: Second

Motor type: Five-pole, x2

Flywheel: Two (one per motor)

Wheel arrangement: Bo-Bo

Purpose: Mixed traffic

Scotland, Teeside and London on delivery with allocations to Eastfield, Thornaby and Cricklewood depots respectively.

Like the Class 26s, the Class 27s were ultimately concentrated on the Scottish Region with the entire class moving north by the end of the 1960s where they found service

on passenger and freight traffic. In particular, the Class 27s are best known for their use in top and tail form on Glasgow-Edinburgh expresses for which a batch was modified with dual braking as well as Electric Train Heat (ETH) equipment.

Both the Class 26 and 27 have

fared well in preservation with 13 of the earlier BRCW locomotives and eight of the higher powered Class 27s saved for the future.

THE MODEL

Heljan is no stranger to the BRCW Bo-Bos as it has produced both types for ‘OO’ gauge in the past.

However, in ‘O’ gauge only the Class 26 has been made before with the arrival of the Class 27 being the first time that a ready-torun model of the 1961-introduced Bo-Bos has been available for 7mm scale.

The previous generation ‘O’ gauge Class 26 from Heljan was one of its

REVIEWS FEATURE

earlier models and this new batch bares no relation to the original model other than the fact that it recreates the same prototype. Two versions have been produced by Heljan to model the Class 26/1s in original condition with boiler water tanks and in later condition with air brake equipment between the bogies. The tooling also caters for two door styles and two types of windscreen wipers while there are also optional accessories to allow earlier Class 26/0 steps to be fitted and NRN radio aerial pods, should a specific locomotive warrant such features.

Our sample of the Class 26 modelled one of the refurbished examples equipped with air brakes and a plated boiler port finished in Railfreight red stripe grey. This model is unnumbered, but is otherwise fully decorated and it is clear that Heljan has upped its game when it comes to the paint finish on its ‘O’ gauge locomotives. Highlights include smooth application of the body colours, excellent reproduction of the BR double arrow logo plus BR blue backed data panels, electrification

Directional lighting is fitted the detailed cab fronts.

MIKE WILD

warning flashes, boiler pipework picked out in white, painted buffer beam pipes and even painted gauges and controls in the cab. The external appearance of the Class 26 is captured superbly by this model and it’s a definite improvement over the previous product from the wheels up. The bogies have much greater depth while the body has all the right ingredients for the Sulzer Type 2. Etched grilles are fitted on the bodyside while the roof fan grille is also etched metal and affords a view of the powered roof fan below. Also neatly done is the Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) engine room roof panel.

Cab interior detail is comprehensive and as well as the control desk there is an AWS bell on the central bulkhead while the cab to engine room partition is detailed in both moulding and painting too.

Moving on to the younger brother, the Class 27 received for review models an example from the 1960s finished in BR green with small yellow warning panels. Like the Class 26, its decoration is excellent with crisp application of the main colours together with plenty of detail printing and painting too. It is another

Detailed cab bulkheads with internal lighting from above.

unnumbered version leaving it up to the customer to choose their own identity for the locomotive.

The detail variations introduced into this new series of models are clear to see with this Class 27 having windows in the cab doors, boiler exhaust for the steam heating equipment and a single large engine cover panel without the GRP section.

Outwardly this is an excellent reproduction of the Class 27 and we can see ‘O’ gauge modellers being particularly pleased to be able to add these BRCW locomotives to their fleet for the first time. Detail highlights include the bogies, underframe, cab interiors and buffer beam which, alongside the accurately shaped body, add up to an attractive package.

Large brass flywheels on each motor.

Fully detailed cab interior including control desk.

All-wheel drive with a fivepole motor on each bogie.

“In ‘O’ gauge only the Class 26 has been made before with the arrival of the Class 27 being the first time that a ready-to-run model of the 1961-introduced Bo-Bos has been available for 7mm scale.”

PERFORMANCE

The new Class 26 and 27 share a common chassis arrangement when it comes to the mechanical and electrical components. Excitingly, these are the first of a new breed of Heljan ‘O’ gauge ready-to-run locomotives which are designed for plug-and-play DCC and sound conversion through the use of the LokSound XL decoder interface.

Twin motors are provided with each driving one bogie. This provides these Bo-Bo diesels with plenty of haulage capacity to move scale length trains in ‘O’ gauge. Our testing was limited to a short demonstration track, but this showed that the models

Detailed roof exhausts.

were smooth running and quiet in operation and that they ran smoothly through points. The ESU LokSound XL decoder interface means that for the first time a larger diesel from Heljan can have a DCC chip fitted without the need to remove all the wires from the circuit board. Instead, the blank is removed to be replaced directly by a LokSound XL chip which can be preloaded with Class 26 or 27 sound from suppliers including Legomanbiffo through DC Kits and Digitrains. Being brand specific in terms of the ESU connection, it

LokSound XL plug-and-play decoder socket.

does mean that ZIMO and other sound users will still need to follow the hardwiring route should you want to use an alternative source for chips.

In addition, Heljan has expanded the light functions on these new models. Each features switchable tail and cab lights while the engine room has lighting. All of these can be controlled through a DCC decoder or, for analogue operation, using a set of switches in the underside of the chassis.

Etched metal roof fan grille.

OVERALL

The arrival of the new Class 26 and Class 27 for ‘O’ gauge heralds a new era of user friendly locomotives from Heljan for the scale and it is pleasing to see that a plug-andplay option for digital sound has been introduced. Body detail, shaping and assembly quality are all excellent and we can see this new pair of BRCW Type 2s being a very popular addition for ‘O’ gauge. (MW)

Separately fitted metal handrails throughout.

Correct underframe equipment for different periods.

Above: The latest chassis design from Heljan incorporates a plug-and-play LokSound XL decoder interface as well as upgraded lighting features.

Right: Our sample of the Class 27 models an example in BR green with small yellow warning panels.

Sprung metal buffers at all four corners.

Fuly detailed bogie side frames.

Revolution delivers ‘OO’

ECOFRETS

REVOLUTION TRAINS’ newly-tooled ‘OO’gauge FWA Ecofret intermodal wagons have arrived.

First introduced in 2012, the Greenbrier-built vehicles were introduced to maximise payloads on intermodal trains. With an increase in the transportation of 40ft containers, traditional 60ft container flats have often been seen running with just a single 40ft container per flat wagon, resulting in wasted space if there were few 20ft containers to fill the vehicles to capacity.

The shorter FWA-A Ecofret container flat was designed by Lloyd’s Register Rail around a single 40ft container deck, maximising the number of containers that can be carried in a given train formation. In addition, a FWA-B inner wagon was designed that could also carry two 20ft containers (or a single 40ft container) – thanks to a set of pivoting spigots at the centre of the vehicles.

Owned by rail leasing company VTG, the Ecofrets are operated by Freightliner, GB Railfreight and DB Cargo. The Freightliner sets work as twin-sets comprising two FWA-A wagons, while triple vehicle sets are leased to GB Railfreight and DB Cargo, formed of two FWA-A outers and a single FWA-B inner wagon. These distinctive vehicles can be seen operating across the rail network between inland terminals and major container ports.

Revolution Trains' models are available in twin and triple vehicle sets with twin wagon packs in VTG (Freightliner) green, together with triple wagon packs in VTG (GBRf) blue and VTG (DB) red.

Our review samples were finished as FWA-A outer wagons 83.70.4520.184-0/83.70.4520.1857 and FWA-B inner wagon 83.70.4521.028-8 (Cat No. OO-FWA4111C) in VTG/GB Railfreight blue, representing vehicles built in 2016.

As soon as you release each of these super container flats from the stout cardboard box and packaging, you can feel

their quality. Weighing in at 57g59g (inner/outers) each, their sturdy metal spine construction aids stability on the track. Once assembled, our triple-wagon pack measured 553mm over buffers. Detailing is superb throughout with a raft of separately fitted parts including levers, brake equipment, pipework, data panel boards, handbrake wheels and more –even the SCT bogies comprise

separate parts. Each of the outer wagons features spigots at each corner for one 40ft container, while the inner vehicle is similarly equipped but also features the four

MARK CHIVERS

“As soon as you release each of these super container flats from the stout cardboard box and packaging you can feel their quality.”

Intermodal traffic forms an important part of the present-day rail scene and Revolution Trains' all-new FWA Ecofrets are set to fill another gap for ‘OO’. MARK CHIVERS takes a closer look.

Detailing includes a wealth of decorated moulded and separately applied parts.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Manufacturer: www.revolutiontrains.com

Cat No: OO-FWA-4111C (reviewed)

Description: FWA Ecofret intermodal flat

Builder: Greenbrier, Poland Region: Any Gauge: ’OO’/16.5mm Scale: 4mm:1ft Price: £149.95

Couplings: Small tension locks in NEM pockets

Minimum curve radius: Second Purpose: Intermodal container traffic

small pivoting spigots which can be used to secure two 20ft containers in place. When not required, they pivot outwards enabling one 40ft container to be placed on the wagon.

We trialled our review samples with a selection of Hornby’s latest ‘OO’ 20ft and 40ft containers which fitted securely to the spigots. Decoration is equally superb with a high-quality evenly applied dark blue paint finish and exquisite printing with legible numbers,

while the inner ends and the inner wagon don’t. A set of clipin bar couplings connect each of the vehicles within the triplewagon set, while small tension lock couplings in NEM pockets feature at the outer ends. Free-rolling turned metal wheels complete

the package and demonstrated smooth running characteristics through second radius curves and standard Code 75 pointwork on our test track.

These delightful new vehicles from Revolution Trains fill another gap in the modern freight roster and given the prevalence of maritime traffic on today’s railway are certain to prove popular with modellers of the contemporary intermodal scene. (MC)

lettering, data panels, VTG, Ecofret and GB Railfreight (multicolour) branding, together with warning notices and other small details. Look closely at the tops of the bogie frames and they also feature tiny printed panels. Levers and the handbrake wheels are neatly picked out in appropriate colours, as are some of the pipes and axlebox covers, adding to the overall appearance.

As with the prototypes, the outer wagons feature traditional buffers and separately fitted lamp irons,

Below: Revolution Trains has released its all-new ‘OO’ gauge FWA Ecofret wagons.

Outer ends of the wagons feature buffers, while printed numbers, lettering and data panels are crisp and legible.

Bogies include separately applied details, while the handbrake wheels even include tiny printed on/off instructions.

The VTG GB Railfreight triple wagon sets include two FWA-A outer and one FWA-B inner wagon.

‘Teak’ Thompsons

TOUCHDOWN!

•Site: www.ellisclarktrains.co.uk

ELLIS CLARK TRAINS’ eagerly-awaited‘O’gauge Thompson main line gangwayed carriages in simulated teak are now available, following the British Railways carmine and cream liveried vehicles

released in mid-2022 (HM181). First introduced in 1946, the London and North Eastern Railway’s new Thompson corridor stock was painted in a simulated teak colour scheme to match existing Gresley teak-bodied

coaches. This lasted into British Railways days, when the effect was replaced by the new nationalised railway’s carmine and cream scheme. Some retained their original paint finish into the early 1950s.

THE MODELS

Manufactured by Darstaed Finescale exclusively for Ellis Clark Trains (ECT), these latest additions to the range include Corridor Third (TK), Corridor Brake Third (BTK), Corridor Brake Composite (BCK), Corridor First (FK), Restaurant First with Kitchen (RF), Restaurant Third Open/Third Open (RTO/TO), Restaurant First Open/First Open (RFO/FO) and Full Brake (BG) vehicles.

Our review samples of these new ‘O' gauge Thompson corridor coaches, comprised Diagram

354 Restaurant First with Kitchen (RF) 1655 (Cat No. D24-1-05A), Diagram 329 Corridor Third (TK) 1043 (D24-1-01A) and Diagram

344 Full Brake (BG) 106 (D24-107A) – all in LNER ‘faux’ teak.

As with the initial releases, these latest models are to an exacting

Corridor Third 1043 features straight edged window frames and 8ft 6in light bogies with impressive spring and axlebox detail.

Ellis Clark Trains has taken delivery of its exclusive faux teak ‘O’ gauge Thompson main line carriages from Darstaed. MARK CHIVERS takes a closer look at these new arrivals.

Ellis Clark Trains’ exclusive ‘O’ gauge Thompson carriages are now available in LNER simulated teak.

standard and comprise finely detailed brass sides, moulded roofs, die-cast underframe, compensated die-cast bogies, impressive interior detailing, illuminated interiors, magnetic corridor connectors, Kadee couplings and sprung LNER clipped buffers.

Amongst the impressive small parts included are separatelyfitted door handles and hinges, grab handles, footboards, steps, carriage roof board holders, roof ventilators, water filler pipework and a wealth of underframe components including battery boxes, dynamos, reservoirs and intricate bogie details. Roofboards for these carriages are also available separately from Ellis Clark Trains.

Look closer inside each of the vehicles and you’ll also appreciate

Amongst the new Darstaedmanufactured ‘O’ gauge carriages is this LNER faux teak Restaurant First with Kitchen, which also features rounded edged window frames.

exquisite interior detail, with decorated seating and tables (appropriate to the respective vehicles), brass luggage racks, lamps and mirrors. Glazing is neatly fitted and transparent, except for areas that are opaque – lavatories and the Kitchen car area on our review samples. Subtle nuances such as roundedged windows to the RF and square-edged examples on the TK are also notable, while our review samples reflect the various bogie design differences that have been incorporated for the new coaches – 8ft heavy (BG), 8ft 6in light (TK) and 8ft 6in heavy (RF). Decoration on our review samples has been superbly applied with a realistic representation of the simulated teak effect (known as scumbling) – adding to the wow factor. The

overall finish certainly looks the part, relieved with pristine white roofs and light brown solebars. Pipework and conduit also features a light brown finish, while footboards and bogie foot steps are black, as are the bogies, trussing and underframe equipment. Shaded lettering and running numbers are crisply printed on the sides, while interior handrails are printed along the inside of the windows on corridor sides of appropriate vehicles.

PERFORMANCE

Each vehicle also features corridor connections at each end fitted with magnets to ensure the vehicles maintain a connected appearance while in use, and Kadee couplings are fitted to each buffer beam to complete the secure coupling of each coach.

Factory-fitted interior lighting operates through pick-ups to one bogie and illuminates under analogue and digital control, while darkened turned metal wheels are fitted to the bogies. These feature pinpoint axles in standard brass bushes and alternative ball bearing-fitted axleboxes are also available at a supplement to the standard coach price to help reduce drag in lengthy formations.

OVERALL

These latest arrivals from Ellis Clark Trains represent the LNER’s new coaches in the final years of Grouping. Darstaed has made an excellent attempt at replicating this effect in model form for ‘O’ gauge, recreating some truly eye-catching and outstanding vehicles from the period. (MC)

“Look closer inside each of the vehicles and you’ll also appreciate exquisite interior detail, with decorated seating and tables.”

MARK CHIVERS

Above: Each coach features LNER clipped buffers, magnetic corridor connections and Kadee couplings.

As well as the exquisite external finish, each coach also features a fully decorated interior.

PECO’S ‘N’ GAUGE NEXT GENERATION

NEW FROM PECO ARE these newly-tooled ‘N’gauge seven-plank open wagons. This new selection of next generation nine-foot wheelbase wagons in the Peco Quality Line range includes 14 different colour schemes covering private owner and railway company liveries. Our review samples included seven-plank examples in Great Western (GW) grey (Cat No. NR-7000W), Southern Railway (SR) brown (NR-7002S), London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) grey (NR-7003M) and London, North Eastern Railway (NE) grey

(NR-7001E), together with BR grey (NR-7004D) and National Coal Board (NCB) black versions (NR-7005P). All bar the GWR wagon feature end doors at one end.

These all-new models incorporate a neatly moulded wooden-planked body with bodyside door and fine metal bracing, rivet detail, separately applied V-hanger and handbrake lever, refined axlebox and spring detailing, together with inclusion of the interior plank lines. Fine buffer shanks and buffers feature at each corner.

While moulding of the body is

commendably fine, this does seem to have resulted in the sides to a couple of our samples appearing to bow inwards ever so slightly. Meanwhile, underframes are also neatly moulded with subtle representation of the metalwork, while brake shoes and associated rigging are also included.

Decoration is up to the standards we have come to expect from Peco, with evenly-applied paint finishes to the exteriors, crisp lettering and

brown interior wooden finish.

Metal tyred wheels and Rapido style couplings in NEM 355 pockets complete the package, with each wagon displaying easy-to-couple characteristics.

Another super set of releases from Peco, which are set to bolster ‘N’ gauge steam era train formations. (MC)

Below: A triple pack of ‘TT:120’ scale BRUTE platform trolleys has also been added to the new range.

Right: National Coal Board (NCB) black and BR grey seven-plank wagons are also now available.

introduces ‘TT:120’ range

New from West Hill Wagon Works are these all-new ‘TT:120’ scale 3D printed model railway accessories from the company’s range of lineside detailing.

Buoyed by the interest shown in ‘TT:120’ since Peco and Hornby announced their intentions in

2022 (HM 182/186), West Hill Wagon Works (WHWW) has been developing its own range of detail parts for the scale.

More than 40 new items have been added to the ‘TT:120’ scale range including BRUTE platform trolleys, platform tugs, key clamp

SEVENPLANK OPENS

•Gauge: ’N’ gauge

•Price: £15.95

•Cat No: Various (see text)

•Site: www.peco-uk.com

•Era: 3-5

The all-new seven-plank wagons are being offered in a selection of liveries, including GWR, SR, LMS and LNER variants.

Right: West Hill Wagon Works has also added a 3D printed Class 47 power unit to the new range of ‘TT:120’ scale items.

safety railings, wooden fencing, a UK-style electricity transformer, traditional gradient posts, speed restriction signs, Network Rail style mileposts, TPWS grids, paint tins, buckets and depot buffer stops. In addition, WHWW has also added TT:120 scale versions of its 3D printed Class 47 bogie and power unit.

Each of our review items was neatly printed in white plastic material – shown here in grey primer for clarity – or in selfcoloured material, such as the blue British Railway Universal Trolley

Equipment (BRUTE) trolleys. Once removed from the support structure, all detailing appeared crisp and ready for painting and/ or installing on a layout – the outstanding ‘TT:120’ scale Class 47 bogie and power unit, in particular, include some impressive small details and definition.

With prices ranging from £1.29 for ‘TT:120’ scale paint tins to £7.95 for the Class 47 power unit, they represent excellent value for money, and are sure to look the part once painted and installed on a layout. (MC)

Above: West Hill Wagon Works

introduced a new ‘TT:120’ scale range of accessories including these speed restriction signs.

Above: The all-new range of ‘TT:120’ scale model railway detailing includes this 3D printed Class 47 bogie.

has

Below: These all-new models feature fine body detailing, underframes, metal tyred wheels and Rapido couplings in NEM pockets.

Mk 3 Maglights

•Gauge: ’OO’ gauge

•Price: £15.99

•CatNo: R7305

•Site: www.hornby.com

•Era: N/A

WITH THE RECENT arrival of Hornby’s newly-tooled BR Mk 3 High Speed Train (HST) trailer cars (HM187), it has also released a new version of its Maglight lighting unit specifically for these vehicles.

The pack contains a button battery, actuation magnet block and wired battery housing and lighting PCB assembly, which also includes a reed switch. This has been designed to fit within the latest generation BR Mk 3 carriages, which now

Hornbyhas introducedaMaglight coachlightingunitfor itsall-new ‘OO’gauge BRMk3carriages.

feature a circular battery housing underneath the chassis.

The pack includes all you need to install the lighting unit in the coaches, with all parts supplied in one fixed length – no soldering is required.

Full instructions are supplied for dismantling, installing the unit and reassembling the Mk 3 carriage interior, which is a straightforward task.

An excellent addition to the range which will enhance the interiors of these superb carriages. (MC)

3D printed garden railway

•Gauge: ’OO’ gauge

•Price: £2.95-£5.95

•CatNo: N/A

•Site: www.westhillwagonworks.co.uk

•Era: 8-11

West Hill Wagon Works has added a novel 4mm scale garden railway to its range of 3D printed model railway accessories and detailing.

Two packs are available, with the main set containing a 3D printed diesel locomotive, driver’s trailer and four passenger carrying vehicles, together with a selection of track – three straights, one

straight with a lefthand turnout and two curves.

The second pack is a track extension set which contains another 3D printed fret of the track included with the main pack.

The locomotive is based on a Class 44/45/46 diesel and this together with the track and rolling stock will look great in a large 4mm scale back garden or perhaps a park scene. (MC)

Manholes and drains

•Gauge: ’OO’

•Price: £12.49

•Cat No: LX-350-O

•Site: www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk

•Era: Any

New from Scale Model Scenery is this pack of 4mm scale laser-cut and engraved manhole and drain covers.

Formed from 0.4mm laser board, the laser-cut fret includes 84 assorted drain covers and

Scale Model Scenery has added packs of laser-cut manhole and drain covers to its range of accessories.

manholes in a selection of shapes and sizes.

Typical dimensions are 12mm x 12mm x 0.4mm for these 7mm:1ft scale covers, while 4mm scale (‘OO’) versions are also available (Cat No: LX-350-OO).

Scammell low loaders

Corgi has added two new versions of its 1:76 scale Scammell low loader to the Trackside range of die-cast vehicles.

These latest additions appear in Pickfords and George Sanders of Mancherster colour schemes – the former accompanied by a Coles crane and the latter a drag shovel.

Both models feature die-cast bodies, removable low-load trailer and their respective separate loads. The British Railways liveried Coles crane features a swivelling base, pivoting crane arm and rotating wheels, while the George Sanders Ruston Bucyrus 19-RB drag shovel can also be posed in position. Fine threads are fitted between the 19-RB’s cab and drag shovel arm to represent the lifting mechanism as a further

Scale Model Scenery recommends that they should be painted in appropriate colours while still attached to the fret.

Once dry, they can be removed with a sharp blade and glued in place with Roket card glue or similar. Available now. (JN)

•Gauge: ’OO’ gauge

•Price: £29.99

•Cat No: DGS00001/DGS00002

•Site: www.corgi.co.uk

•Era: 3-5

Corgi has issued two new Scammell low loaders suitable for 'OO'.

enhancement to this model. Decoration is to a high standard on each, with the Pickfords example featuring a neatly applied blue colour scheme, crisp white lining to the tractor unit and white cab roof, while the crane features a maroon body and white arm. The George Sanders lorry displays

a gloss red paint finish to the lorry, low loader and drag shovel, relieved with a black cab roof to the Scammell, together with white cab roof to the 19-RB. A silver grey finish has been applied to the arm mechanism and shovel.

Printing is crisp and legible on both with British Railways

Dennis F12 Pump Escape

Corgi’s popular 1:76 scale Dennis F12 Pump Escape fire engine returns in the manufacturer's trackside range, now finished in City of Coventry yellow.

This eye-catching machine features a die-cast body with neatly represented door/compartment handles and hinge detail, glazing, cab detail, silver and black radiator grille, black bumpers, twin blue lights and hose reel, silver trim, hose connector equipment, headlights and roof-mounted bells. Printed detail includes neat Dennis badges, FIRE markings, lettering, registration plates and coats of arms.

Sure to add a splash of colour to a street scene. (JN)

branding to the Pickfords tractor unit and crane and ornate shaded letters to the cabsides of the Sanders liveried items. Further embellishments include registration plates, chromed radiators and lights.

Sure to look the part in a yard scene or on a road. (JN)

•Gauge: ‘OO’ gauge

•Price: £15.99

•Cat No: DG223004

•Site: www.corgi.co.uk

•Era: 4-6

Corgi's 1:76 scale Dennis F12 Pump Escape fire engine gains City of Coventry yellow for its latest outing.

Mail by Rail

Author: Peter Johnson

Publisher: www.pen-and-sword.com

Title: Mail by Rail

ISBN: 978-1-52677-613-6 Price: £35 Spec: 296 pages, hardback

THE carriage of mail by rail first began shortly after the Liverpool & Manchester Railway opened in 1830 and has continued in one form or another – along with the odd hiatus – through to a more streamlined form today. This recent release from Pen and Sword focusing on Mail by Rail is in two main parts, the first featuring material on the Travelling Post Office (TPO) network of services through the years (some of which has appeared before) with details of the apparatus, rolling stock, routes operated and much more.

Part two covers the underground system operated in London known as the Post Office (London) Railway – branded Mail Rail in later years – and its subsequent transition to The Postal Museum, where you can take a ride through the tunnels of this once secret system.

For modellers there is a great deal of detail covering rolling stock, workings, train names and formations, as well as a look at the equipment used both on the trackside and inside the carriages – all of which are useful for those wishing to reflect these mail operations in model form. Additional details cover rolling stock allocations through the years, the current Royal Mail fleet of Class 325 EMUs, preserved rolling stock, Post Office (London) rolling stock details, special postmarks and more. Illustrated throughout with an impressive array of black and white and colour images on high quality gloss paper, this is a richly detailed history of the way mail has been transported by rail throughout the country – above and below ground - with fascinating insight. (JN)

Disused railways

Author: Mark Jones

Publisher: www.crecy.co.uk

Title: Exploring Britain’s Disused Railways: North-West England

ISBN: 978-1-80035-257-5 Price: £20 Spec: 176 pages, hardback

THE Victorian ’railway mania’resulted in the UK being covered near and far with main lines, secondary lines and branch lines. With the introduction of motorways and families being able to afford their own motor car, many of these railways were closed, lifted and lost forever.

Early closures from the 1920s to the 1950s accelerated in the 1960s, with some routes lost as recently as the early 2000s. This latest book from Crecy focuses on a variety of closed and disused lines in North West England.

Some of Britain’s earliest railways can be seen in this book, now long-gone and consigned to history. The area covered by the volume covers the Wirral and Chester, Mid and East Cheshire, Warrington and Altrincham, Liverpool, Wigan and St Helens, Bolton and Bury and Stockport and Tameside. Also covered are Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale, East Lancashire and Blackburn, Preston, Blackpool and Southport, Fleetwood, Lancaster and Morecambe, Barrow and the South Lakes, Whitehaven and Workington, Carlisle and North Cumbria, Pennine Cumbria and some tram lines too.

The book is illustrated throughout with a super selection of mainly colour photographs, together with occasional black and white images which also cover the present day locations too, some of which bear little or no sign of their previous railway heritage.

Text is well written and informative, while reproduction throughout is very good and the volume also includes maps of each area together with a key to show which lines are still operational and which have closed. (JN)

Exeter’s Railways

Author: David Mitchell

Publisher: www.nostalgiacollection.com

Title: Exeter’s Railways

ISBN: 978-1-85794-474-7 Price: £40 Spec: 224 pages, hardback

NEW from Silver Link Books is this impressive work showcasing the rail network in and around Exeter in Devon.

At more than 220 pages, this weighty tome charts the history of the railway in great detail from the early days of broad gauge to the present day operations that emanate around Exeter St David’s and Exeter Central stations.

As well as the Great Western Railway lines, the former Southern Railway route is also included, together with chapters on the Exmouth branch, Exe and Teign Valley lines, the GWR and SR engine sheds, signalboxes, the famous gradient between St David’s and Central stations, passenger and goods traffic and much more – even the Southern’s Exmouth Junction concrete works warrants a mention.

More recent events such as the Exeter resignalling works, flood prevention work around the Cowley Bridge area and reflection of the changing railfreight scene since the 1970s (with some long-gone views of goods facilities) are also included within the volume’s pages. Each of the topics is well illustrated with historical and modern photographs, drawings, diagrams and timetables with superbly reproduced black and white and colour images throughout, depicting steam and diesel era motive power and rolling stock.

In addition to the general history of the railway in the area, the book also includes some rather enthralling anecdotal observations during the steam era and some out-of-the-ordinary photographs too.

A well-researched and fascinating read. (MC)

Modelling electrics

Author: Ian Morton

Publisher: www.crecy.co.uk

Title: Electrics for the Railway Modeller

ISBN: 978-1-91080-978-5

Price: £14.95

Spec: 80 pages, softback

IN this fast-paced world, little stays the same for long, it seems. This certainly applies to the seemingly complex topic of model railway electrics, which is often the very aspect of the hobby that is the most daunting and off-putting for both experienced modellers and those new to the craft.

However, in this updated volume of Electrics for the Railway Modeller, Ian Morton seeks to take the sting out of model railway electrics and shed light on how things work - and how you can apply that knowledge to your layout.

Beginning with the assumption that the reader has little knowledge of the subject, this book guides you through the various methods used until you have a basic understanding of how to wire up a model railway – from starter to more elaborate arrangements.

Following a detailed introduction to electricity and how it works, the author also outlines using multiple controllers, wiring point motors and frogs, control panels, bulbs, LEDs, accessories and much more.

The basics of soldering wires are coveredan essential skill - while a series of practical examples are also featured to help put everything into perspective.

Such is the breadth of the book, it covers the pinnacle of analogue layout operationso-called cab control – the working of signals and points, train detection and lighting in an easy to read, step-by-step fashion with the use of simple drawings and step-by-step guides.

If you're looking to expand your skills or simply demystify the topic, this volume is a great place to start. (JN)

Yorkshire steam

Author: Keith W. Platt

Publisher: www.amberley-books.com

Title: Steam around Leeds in the 1960s

ISBN: 978-1-39810-550-8

Price: £15.99

Spec: 96 pages, softback

LEEDS was a real hotspot for steam in the 1960s with its leading shed 55A Holbeck home to the last of the Stanier ’Jubilee' 4-6-0s. Yorkshire was one of the crucibles of the railway and steam lasted almost until the very end of BR service there. It boasted fascinating variety - from express steam and heavy freight to industrial railways serving the many collieries and other heavy industries in the area. Locomotives were also built there at Hunslet’s famous Works.

This book features a superb array of photographs around Leeds and the West Riding such as Low Moor, Bradford Exchange and Leeds City Station. Locomotives featured include ’Black Fives’, ’8Fs’, Fairburn ’4MT’ 2-64Ts and BR Standards as well as flagship locomotives of the East Coast Main Line such as the ’A1s’, ’A3s’ and ’A4s’. Each photograph has a caption which includes the locomotive(s), location and the date, along with information relating to that image.

From a modeller’s viewpoint, this book offers a great close study of the condition of steam in the 1960s which is perfect for reference when you’re weathering a model. The air of neglect - particularly towards the end of steam - is palpable, and there are many useful details around engine sheds, stations, the lineside and general railway scene which are eminently modellable.

The album features a super selection of well reproduced photographs which really capture this period when steam was in decline and brings the area and era back to life. An excellent reminder of the 1960s scene around Leeds. (JN)

MidlandsMidlands freight

Author: Paul Shannon

Publisher: www.keypublishing.com

Title: Rail Freight: The Midlands

ISBN: 978-1-80282-352-3

Price: £15.99

Spec: 96 pages, softback

THIS latest release from Key Books focuses on railfreight in the Midlands from the 1980s to the present day.

As with previous picture volumes in the series from Paul Shannon, this album is full to the brim with monochrome and colour photographs from the author’s collection.

Chapters are set out by county and cover Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, West Midlands, Worcestershire and East Shropshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire.

As you might expect, coal was one of the dominant freight operations during BR days and into privatisation, but is now almost nonexistent. This and a vast array of freight are featured throughout the volume including aggregates, automotive, cement, chemicals, china clay, containers, offal, oil, steel and more.

From Class 08 shunters on the main line to mighty Class 70 diesels on oil trains, there is a diverse collection of freight illustrated throughout the volume, with many of the goods facilities and yards featured no longer in existence. However, examples of modern day facilities are included as are the various – and in some cases one-off – colour schemes carried by the various freight operators’ locomotives.

Reproduction is excellent throughout with images presented on glossy paper stock which really enhances the detail in the photographs. Each is accompanied with an extended caption outlining the scene, train and date information, providing plenty of inspiration for those wishing to replicate some of the train formations in model form. (MC)

The completed model of 7827 coasts onto the viaduct at Swithland on the Hornby Magazine test track with a rake of BR Mk 1s.

Wheeltapper sound for the Dapol ‘Manor’

MODERN MODELS have been making great strides in simplifying how we can go about adding digital sound. Dapol has been particularly keen to make its models as friendly as possible in this area with its recently released GWR ‘Manor’ 4-6-0 being the latest to employ its tool-free route to sound. The real locomotives were introduced in 1938 to a Collett design with 30 being completed to provide a mixed traffic locomotive of a lighter weight. They were synonymous with the Cambrian Coast route, but were also seen in the West Country and occasionally operated as pilot engines to assist heavily laden trains over the Devon Banks. Nine have been preserved including the subject of our project locomotive 7827 Lydham Manor

sound.

SOUND

F0 Firebox glow F1 Sound on/off F2 Whistle F3 Whistle

FUNCTIONS

Buffer clashing/coupling F5 Brake application F6 Emergency braking

The ‘OO’ gauge model from Dapol features its slide out Printed Circuit Board (PCB) in the smokebox which plays host to a Next18 decoder socket on one side and a space for a 15mm x 11mm cube speaker on the other which is held in place with a dedicated sound chamber from the accessory pack. Also included in the accessory pack is a plastic tool which is used to remove the smokebox door and to slide the PCB out.

For those who want to go further, a second speaker can be added in the tender, but this does require the use of additional tools including wire strippers and a soldering iron to make all the necessary connections.

Injector F8 Automatic uncoupling F9 Flange squeal (speed dependent) F10 Guard’s whistle (stationary) F11 Wagon buffer clash (speed dependent) F12 Coal shovelling with firebox glow F13 Water filler (stationary) F14 Safety valves

cocks

a full range of steam locomotive sounds for the Collett 4-6-0s.

the Dapol model of this class of 30 locomotives. Highlights of the of as well as the firebox glow and

Our project uses a new sound profile from Wheeltapper Sounds for the GWR ‘Manor' which has been created to suit the Dapol model of this class of 30 locomotives. Highlights of the project include function control of heavy exhaust and coasting sounds as well as the firebox glow and

The complete installation process for this model took less than 30 minutes from start to finish for the twin speaker setup and you can read the full step by step guide below. Plus don’t forget to visit www.keymodelworld.com/manor to watch our full video sound demonstration and read our full collection of ‘Manor’ related news, reviews and features. HM

2

The first step is to separate the locomotive and tender. These are clipped together and simply pull apart, making it simple to work on either part.

3 4

The locomotive has its decoder socket in the smokebox. A small plastic tool is included in the accessory pack for removal of the smokebox door using the chamfered end.

5 6

With the PCB removed, access to the decoder socket and speaker location is simple. The Next18 socket is located on one side of the PCB with a blank for analogue operation fitted to our project locomotive.

Once the smokebox door has been removed, the other end of the tool with a hook can be used to slide out the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) from the smokebox. This hosts the Next18 decoder socket and space for a speaker.

Fitting the new ESU LokSound V5 chip from DC Kits loaded with Wheeltapper's new Dapol ‘Manor’ sound is simple. Unclip the blank and then replace it with the ESU decoder.

A speaker enclosure is included in the accessory pack to host a 15mm x 11mm cube speaker. The spring tabs make contact with the PCB on completion to power the speaker.

Dapol’s new GWR ‘Manor’ 4-6-0 has been designed with sound installation in mind and includes options for fitting one or two speakers. It has a Next18 decoder socket in the smokebox.

With the speaker fitted into the enclosure, it can be clipped onto the rear face of the PCB. Make sure you mount the speaker the correct way around so the spring tabs press against the contact pads.

Now the decoder and front speaker are fitted, the PCB is ready to refit into the smokebox of the ‘Manor’.

R. A. Whitfield/ Railphotoprints.uk.

Refitting the PCB is a simple case of reversing the removal process. Ensure the speaker is facing upwards so that the contacts with the locomotive align correctly.

The smokebox door can now be refitted and if you wish you can sign off on the sound installation process now. However, with a few extra steps we can add a second speaker in the tender.

Beginner

An immaculate 7827 Lydham Manor and sister loco 7828 Odney Manor stand at Afon Wen with the empty coaching stock from a Royal Train duty on August 9 1963. The late

INSTALLING DIGITAL SOUND IN A DAPOL GWR‘MANOR’ STEP BY STEP

Inside the tender, there is space for a 40mm x 20mm speaker with wires pre-fitted which link back to the main PCB via the tender coupling.

The

7827 is now ready for testing, addressing and entry to service with a full suite of authentic sounds. Don’t miss our full video sound demonstration online at www.keymodelworld.com

To fit a second speaker, the tender body needs to be removed. Four crosshead screws located at the four corners of the chassis need to be released to separate the body from the chassis.

Our speaker choice is a 20mm x 20mm x 7mm mini cube speaker from DC Kits. It fits comfortably into the speaker well in the tender chassis while affording space for the wires to be curled after connection.

heatshrink has been shrunk around the bare wire connections using the side of a soldering iron to prevent any potential for short circuits. The speaker is now fixed in place with Black Tack while the wires are neatly curled in the space ahead of the speaker.

The speaker wires and locomotive black and red wires were stripped of 4mm of insulation and then twisted together before being soldered for a permanent joint. Note that we have also added two sections of heatshrink insulation before joining the wires.

The tender body can now be refitted to the chassis and the screw put back in place underneath to complete the installation.

RAIL EXCLUSIVE’s popular range of dynamic loudspeakers have been specially selected for the discerning DCC sound enthusiast. It is often overlooked that digital sounds are only as good as the weakest link in the audio chain. In many cases, that comes down to the last component before the sound waves actually arrive in your ears - the loudspeaker. Most readily-offered or pre-installed model railway speakers are of very low quality or severely limited in frequency range for simple reasons of cost. But don’t get disillusioned, help is now at hand...

Speaker design has improved in recent years with the introduction of miniaturised devices for smartphones, tablets and laptops

Mini‘Box’ 12x8x8(mm) Single 8Ω 0.5W

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Maxi‘Tablet’ 15x8x12 Single 6Ω 0.8W

Mini‘SugarCube’ 15x11x9 Single 8Ω 1.0W

Maxi‘SugarCube’ 15x11x12 Single

produce to order for well-known premium technology companies.

Such products are simply not available on the open retail market and should not to be confused with cheap auction site offerings that may look similar but will give sub-standard results.

Each of our speakers is matched with a precision injection-moulded plastic resonance chamber, that has been acoustically-tuned using premium ZIMO sound decoders to offer the best possible result within physical size constraints.

Our components have been sourced from high-end specialists who only

A decent speaker can make all the difference! Available in 12 sizes.

Ha and

The North of England near the Scottish border is the setting for JOHN GAY’s steam era ‘OO’ gauge layout which captures the isolation and beauty of this region to a tee.

PHOTOGRAPHY, RICHARD WATSON

Above: Making use of the station and run-round loop, Midland ‘1F’ 0-6-0T 41726 shunts wagons into the goods yard.

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Below: With headlights illuminated, a Derby Lightweight Diesel Multiple Unit awaits a clear signal before departing Halland station.

HALLAND started life with my friend Ron North when we acquired a ‘OO’ gauge Bachmann Scenecraft stone station building which inspired us to build a new exhibition layout.

My interest has long been the Midland Railway and its London Midland & Scottish Railway successor, so Halland is set firmly in that territory in the 1950s. We started by building a 4ft x 18in diorama which we took to an open day at the High Wycombe and District Model Railway Club.

There, our exhibition manager, David Fryer, asked if we could make it an extra 4ft long for the exhibition later that year. Six months later, Halland was 8ft long, and its first exhibition was Wycrail 2012. However, in 2014, wishing to add some extra length and scenic interest to the layout, I built an additional 4ft baseboard with a river. Having spent the day laying the track, wiring it in and placing the

board in situ, I had great fun saying to Ron as he came to the club that evening: “Look what I’ve done today!”

Over the next few months Ron and I, together with some club members, populated the new board with scenery. We also showed it in stages of construction at a few exhibitions to demonstrate the progression in the scenic work.

Construction was straightforward and simple, with 2in x 1in wooden battens supporting a 9mm thick plywood surface. All scenic boards are 4ft x 18in, with the fiddle yard a foot longer – resulting in a 17ft x 18in long exhibition layout in total. Every section of track has droppers to the Digital Command Control (DCC) busbar, which has resulted in the layout proving to be extremely dependable. I love the fact that whenever it is set it up at exhibitions, it just works!

We had lighting from the first extension, but when the river baseboard was added we had to upgrade this to two 6ft long bars for the new 12ft long scenic section.

The original cheap LED strips have been replaced by a 24V commercial setup which gives off a lovely warm white illumination. This was much more expensive, but it makes a huge difference to the appearance of the layout.

THE RURAL SCENE

Ballasting is also conventional, but with fine ballast used to reflect the secondary/ branch line nature of the scene. We paid particular attention to the track, with the sleepers painted to give a realistic appearance.

One of the challenges we had on a flat plywood surface was to try and give some height to the scenery. In this, the river scene really helps – particularly where it splits. This is matched by Ron’s superb hand-painted backscene which blends the river into the background to give a real sense of perspective. The backscene always generates many comments at exhibitions, but although Ron has tried to teach me the tricks of the trade many times, painting

Passing over the small steel plate river bridge, a work-weary Midland ‘Compound’ 4-4-0 heads a mixed freight.

A quiet interlude, as period vehicles set the scene outside the stone-built cottage and timber garage.

There are few buildings on the layout as we wanted to give it a convincing feeling of space: country stations were often very spread-out affairs in areas where land was cheap and not a consideration. A selection of road vehicles and people add character and life to the scene, but we have been careful not to overpopulate the layout – in reality, a station like this would seldom have been busy.

LINE OF ROUTE

As trains enter the scenic section of the layout from the storage yard, they pass over the steel plate river bridge, which is my favourite part of the layout. I like nothing more than watching trains trundle across the river here and onwards over the culvert, before passing the small stonebuilt cottage and timber garage with its corrugated metal roof.

As trains approach the road bridge, the goods yard headshunt appears in view on the right hand side, indicating the approach to the station and sidings. A loading dock is located to the right, while a stone-built signalbox sits to the left, controlling movements along the single line section and within the station area.

The goods yard is well-appointed with coal staithes, office, goods store, goods shed and a goods office. As this is the end of the line, a substantial water tower has also been built here for replenishing visiting locomotives. The station features a sufficiently lengthy single platform together with a loop for engines to run round stock, while a substantial stone station building – the catalyst for the layout - completes the scene.

OPERATION

At the heart of the layout is a Digitrax DCS100 Digital Command Control (DCC) system with a PR4 USB interface which connects to a Raspberry Pi computer

convincing landscapes continues to elude me!

With station lights illuminated, dusk is approaching as Midland ‘Compound’ 4-4-0 40934 departs Halland with a mixed goods.

board. This in turn runs JMRi Panel Pro software and enables me to run the layout through a WiFi connection with Apple iPods and iPads as controllers.

This wireless operation also has an added benefit in that the JMRi software also stores all the locomotive digital sound function keys in a roster, together with the signals, turnouts and layout features too – all instantly accessible on the wireless handsets.

We have had some problems with the Wi-Fi antenna on the Raspberry Pi computer which controls the layout being a little weak, but this can be solved by using a plug-in Wi-Fi extender. In a worstcase scenario, I can also plug in any compatible loconet throttle to control the layout, as a back-up.

The original two Dapol signals on the layout have been modified after they stopped functioning. While the lamps continued to work, the wire to the arms was replaced and connected to SG90 servos. These and the points are controlled via a pair of Tam Valley Quad Pic four-way servo boards.

Motive Power is – as you might expect –largely LMS-based, with a representative selection of typical locomotives including Midland ‘1F’ 0-6-0Ts, a Fowler ‘Jinty’ 0-60T, Johnson ‘1P’ 0-4-4T, Aspinall ‘2P’ 2-42T, Midland ‘Compound’ 4-4-0, Ivatt ‘2MT’ 2-6-0 and an Ivatt ‘4MT’ 2-6-0. A British Rail Derby Lightweight Diesel Multiple Unit and BR Sulzer Type 2 also appear on passenger services, reflecting the changing railway scene of the time.

“One of the challenges we had on a flat plywood surface was to try and give some height to the scenery.”

JOHN GAY

Left: A lineside photographer captures BR Sulzer Type 2 D5061 on film as it accelerates away from Halland station at the head of the branch passenger train.

Right: As passengers settle in their seats, the driver of the Derby Lightweight DMU prepares to depart Halland station.

Below: Fowler ‘Jinty’ 0-6-0T 47472 heads off the single line branch into the goods yard at Halland with a mixed goods train.

In terms of rolling stock, the carriages include Stanier and BR designs, with a mix of non-corridor and corridor vehicles, while freight trains also feature an eclectic mix of Midland and BR types including box vans, cattle trucks, open wagons –wooden planked and 16ton steel mineral examples – and even the occasional BR 22ton Presflo cement wagon.

THE FUTURE

Halland has appeared at many shows including Warley, Peterborough, Wigan and the recent Hornby Magazine Great Electric Train Show. There are a few projects in the pipeline with Halland completed. First is my other exhibition layout Byway MPD, together with Clifton Street (another MPD-based layout), plus my home layout Westmorland Railway to work on. I also have a selection of ‘OO9’ gauge sound-fitted locomotives and associated rolling stock which are really crying out for a layout to run on – so there is plenty to do! HM

Above: Midland ‘1F’ 0-6-0T 41708 shunts a rake of open wagons along the headshunt and past the small goods shed, as an Ivatt ‘2MT’ 2-6-0 restarts its passenger train in the distance.

Above: The yard foreman observes the team as they prepare to load their BR liveried Leyland flatbed lorry with recently-arrived goods.

An overview of the 12ft x 18in scenic section of Halland. The single line branch disappears into the storage yard in the distance. 3 6 3 5 6

9

“Having spent the day laying the track, wiring it in and placing the board in situ, I had great fun saying to Ron as he came to the club that evening: “Look what I’ve done today!”

JOHN GAY

While electrification is very much in the news these days, the release of a model of a pioneering North Eastern Railway locomotive reminds us that such schemes have been around for more than 100 years. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES has the story.

WHEN, in 1991, the first electric train ran into Edinburgh Waverley from London King's Cross it was the culmination of a 15-year-long plan which brought the wires to one of the most important routes in the UK. However, few know that had history

taken a slightly different path a large part, if not all, of the route might have seen electric trains some 70 years earlier.

The North Eastern Railway (NER) was in many ways a trailblazer, and had from early days realised the advantages that electric traction could provide. In 1904 it completed work on its Tyneside suburban electrification scheme, which used the

third-rail to provide a frequent and cheap service that could compete successfully with the area’s growing tramway network.

At the same time as the suburban scheme was under construction, the remarkable decision was also taken to electrify the short branch from Manors station down to the quayside in Newcastle and to construct two electric locomotives to work this

Above: North Eastern Railway (NER) electric ES1 26501 at Trafalgar Yard, Manors on October 2 1963. Based at Heaton Shed, its primary duty was the movement of freight from Trafalgar Yard to Newcastle Quayside Yard. Neville Simms/Ranwell Collection/Railphotoprints.uk.

Below: In this undated view, several NER EF1 electrics rest between duties, stabled within Shildon’s roundhouse shed.

W.H. Whitworth/Rail Archive Stephenson.

service. The Manors branch had always been difficult to work as it descended in a semi-circle on a gradient of around 1-in-27 and contained no less than three tunnels, meaning that the railhead was always damp. Steam locomotives had difficulty maintaining adhesion, while conditions for footplate crews were intolerable. Frequent damage also occurred to the contents of wagons, which were often set alight by stray sparks.

The decision to electrify this branch was heavily influenced by the presence of one Charles Hesterman Merz, who was born in Gateshead, and who aged 26 had already built the country’s first three-phase power station. He was later considered the ‘father’ of the national grid. Merz, with his business partner William McLellan, acted as consultant to all the North Eastern Railway’s schemes and was to be instrumental in their successful delivery.

EARLY SPARKS

Merz and McLellan’s suggestion was for a twin-bogied locomotive working at 600V DC with current to be taken from a thirdrail, as on the Tyneside suburban system, which would produce a tractive effort of some 25,000 lbs and enable a single locomotive to handle any load that was practical on the incline.

Two locomotives were authorised, with the frames and bodies built by Brush Electrical Engineering, while the electrical equipment was supplied by British Thomson-Houston. Both were of the centre cab design, with a sloping bonnet at each end and equipped with a single pantograph intended to be used in yards where the third-rail was considered to be too dangerous.

What were to become known as the ES1 locomotives entered service on June 5 1905, both shedded at Heaton. Only one was required for each turn of duty as the branch was operated on the one engine in steam principle, and there was an unusual movement each day when the electric hauled a tank engine, usually a ‘J72’, that would operate on the dock lines during the shift, up and down the incline.

The ES1s were very successful and remained on their original duties until 1964 when they were finally replaced by diesel shunters. One then passed to the National Collection and is on show today, usually at Shildon, and has recently become the subject of a major new release

“The North Eastern Railway (NER) was in many ways a trailblazer, and had from early days realised the advantages that electric traction could provide.”

EVAN GREENHUGHES

from Locomotion Models and Rails of Sheffield – manufactured by Heljan.

In 1910, Vincent Raven became Chief Mechanical Engineer of the NER and he was heavily influenced by Merz, taking trips to the USA to see the latest developments in electric traction. As a result, the following year the company commissioned a feasibility study into wider electrification and this led to a pilot scheme on a main line and for freight traffic being authorised.

The section of track picked for this experiment ran between Shildon and Newport in County Durham. At this time the yards at Shildon received a huge flow of coal from the numerous collieries in the area and this was despatched mostly to Newport for onwards movement by ship. Traffic on this 18-mile-long line was fairly self-contained, so the projected electric trains would not have to interface with either passenger trains or steam-hauled goods workings to or

from other destinations.

In a break with previous electrification systems, power was transmitted to the locomotives entirely from the overhead, but this time at a voltage of 1,500V DC. Masts were placed at 300ft intervals and power came from two purpose-built power stations, with work to provide the necessary equipment being commenced in June 1913.

Ten locomotives were constructed to work the electrified section, with construction this time taking place at Darlington Works to designs prepared by Raven and with electrical equipment coming from Siemens Brothers in Stafford. These were Bo-Bos and considerably larger than the earlier Tyne Dock locomotives, but they retained the centre cab arrangement, this time with two bow collectors mounted on the roof. Numbered 3-12, these locomotives were designed to haul 1,400-ton trains at a minimum speed of 25mph.

Electric working of the ShildonNewport section commenced on July 1 1915, with the new machines provided with a specially-adapted roundhouse at Shildon shed. By this time the country was at war with Germany, which affected the North East’s export markets for coal and it was to be 1920 before the final locomotive was completed and available for traffic. In service the locomotives did everything promised from them, including working trains of up to 90 wagons long, and electrical engineers gained valuable experience of working a main line electrified system.

CURRENT FAILURE

During the war years Raven had been seconded to the Woolwich Arsenal but on his return in 1919 he was sufficiently impressed with the progress on the Shildon-Newport scheme to push forward with a plan to electrify the YorkNewcastle main line, seeking as a first step permission to build a prototype large express locomotive.

This 2-Co-2 machine was constructed at Darlington Works in May 1922 and used electrical equipment supplied by Metropolitan Vickers. It had a large centre cab section and huge nose ends, although this time the locomotive was more of a box shape and had lost any similarity to the ‘crocodile’ design much favoured on the continent.

Numbered 13, this locomotive was designed to haul 14 coaches at a speed of not less than 45mph on the level, with a maximum design speed of 90mph, and interestingly included in its specification a requirement to be able to start this train on a gradient of 1-in-78, which did not exist on NER metals but did at Edinburgh Waverley, perhaps showing what the longterm intentions were.

Unfortunately, by this time the country’s finances were in tatters and it was realised that there was insufficient money available for such a large capital scheme, with the result that the future of main line electrification was placed in doubt.

Matters were finally resolved in 1923 when

NER Bo-Bo electric 4 approaches with a coal train at Aycliffe on August 24 1923. Wm. Rogerson/Rail Archive Stephenson.

the NER became part of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), which decided not to proceed with the idea.

Consequently No.13 never ran, apart from some trials between Shildon and Newport, and appearances at railway celebration events. Somehow it managed to escape scrapping, lasting in store until British Railways days when it met its end at Rotherham in 1950.

The ten Shildon engines fared just as badly as the depression caused a dramatic decline in traffic on their intended route, so much so that in 1933 when renewal of the overhead wires was required it was instead decided to revert to steam operation and place the electrics in store. Nine of the ten remained at Darlington until 1947 when they were moved to South Gosforth, while No.11 was sent to Gorton for conversion to a banking engine for the Wath line, but following this it returned to South Gosforth. Ultimately No.11 went to Ilford where it spent some years as depot pilot, occasionally venturing out on the main line.

The Shildon electrics were condemned in August 1950 and broken up except for the former No.11, by now numbered 26510, which lasted until 1964 before making its final trip to Doncaster Works. This left only the first Tyneside electric, No.1, as the sole survivor of this

interesting period in history. It is interesting to wonder what might have happened had the post-war depression not caused the railways to suffer from a lack of finance. Had the East Coast route between York and Newcastle been electrified in 1922 and had No.13 exhibited the kind of performance anticipated, then it is entirely possible the whole route between London and Scotland might have been electrified and that famous locomotives such as Gresley’s ‘A3s’

Immaculate NER prototype 4-6-4 (2-Co-2) express electric loco No.13 is hauled by ‘J71’ 0-6-0T 1163, whilst taking part in the Stockton and Darlington centenary cavalcade on July 2 1925.

F.R. Hebron/ Rail Archive Stephenson.

and ‘A4s’ might never have seen the light of day.

In the event, Manchester-Sheffield was to be the first main line route to be electrified, to the same specification the NER had used some 40 years previously. That this should be so says a great deal for the pioneering work of Charles Merz and the foresight of Vincent Raven, who between them laid many of the foundations of the modern electrified system that we have today. HM

NER Bo-Bo electric 11 heads a lengthy coal train at Simpasture on May 14 1923.

Wm. Rogerson/Rail Archive Stephenson.

SHOW GUIDE

Welcome to the Hornby Magazine Show Guide – your guide to the exhibitions that are taking place throughout the country every weekend. This listing is a guide to events planned by model railway clubs and societies and is updated each issue. With the gradual resumption of events, we recommend checking the society website or using the contact details provided to check a show or event is on before travelling, as changes may occur at short notice. All information is provided in good faith, and Hornby Magazine cannot be held responsible for any changes that may take place following publication.

January 2023

14 BEAMINSTER MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Bridport and District Model Railway Club

Location: Beaminster Public Hall, Fleet Street, Beaminster, Dorset DT8 3EF Times: 10am-4pm

Prices: Adults £3, children free Features: Layouts, trade support, nearby parking and disabled access.

14/15 BOGNOR REGIS MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Bognor Regis Model Railway Club

Location: Felpham Community College, Felpham Way, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO22 8EL Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Prices: Adults £6, children £3 Website: www.bognorregismrc.co.uk Features: Layouts, trade support, societies, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

14/15 ELMRO CHARITY MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: East Lancashire Model Railway Charitable Organisation

Location: Mill Hill Community Centre, New Chapel Street, Blackburn BB2 4DT Times: Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-3pm

Prices: Adults £5, concessions £3, children £3, family (2+2) £12 Website: www.elmro.org

Features: Layouts and trade support.

15 GUILDFORD MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Astolat Model Railway Circle

Location: Surrey Sports Park, Richard Meyjes Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7AD Times: 10am-5pm

Prices: Adults £7, children £3.50, family (2+2) £14 Website: www.astolatmrc.co.uk

Features: Layouts, trade support, demonstrations, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

15 WESTONSUPERMARE MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Burnham Model Railway Club

Location: Winterstoke Academy School, Beaufighter Road, Weston-super-Mare BS24 8EE Times: 10am-4.30pm

Prices: Adults £7, children free Website: www.bdmrc.co.uk

Features: 20 layouts, trade support, refreshments and parking.

21 WITHAM MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Host: Dakota Dibben

Location: Witham Public Hall, Collingwood Road, Witham CM8 2DY

Times: 10am-4pm

Prices: TBA Contact: info@dakotadibben.co.uk

Features: Layouts and trade support.

21/22 CANTERBURY MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Host: City of Canterbury Model Railway Society

Location: St. Anselms School, Old Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3EN

Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Prices: Adults £7, accompanied children £5, family (2+2) £20 Website: www.ccmrs.co.uk

Features: 15 layouts, trade support, demonstrations, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

28/29 IRVINE MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Host: Kilmarnock Model Railway Club

Location: Scottish Maritime Museum, Linthouse Building, Harbourside, Irvine KA12 8QE Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Prices: Adults £7, concessions £5, accompanied children free (up to three per paying adult) Website: www.kilmarnockmrc.com Features: Layouts, trade support, refreshments, parking and access to maritime museum.

28/29 KENDAL MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Kendal Model Railway Club Location: Kendal Leisure Centre, Burton Road, Kendal LA9 7HX Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Prices: Adults £6.50, concessions £5.50, children £3, family (2+2) £17 Website: www.kendalmrc.org Features: Layouts, trade support, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

28/29 LONGFIELD MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Erith Model Railway Society Location: The Longfield Academy, Main Road, Longfield, Kent DA3 7PH Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm Prices: Adults £9, accompanied children £1 Website: www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/erithmrs Features: Layouts, trade support, demonstrations, societies, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

28/29 PONTEFRACT MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Host: Normanton and Pontefract Railway Modellers Society

Location: New College, Park Lane, Pontefract, WF8 4QR Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm

Prices: Adults £8, accompanied children free Website: www.nprms.co.uk Features: 20 layouts, trade support, demonstrations, refreshments and disabled access.

28/29

SOUTHAMPTON MODEL RAILWAY SOCIETY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Southampton Model Railway Society

Location: Barton Peveril College, Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 5ZA

Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm

Prices: Adults £9, accompanied children free Website: www.southamptonmodelrailwaysociety. wordpress.com

Features: Layouts, trade support, demonstrations, refreshments and parking.

February

4 HILLINGDON RAILWAY MODELLERS TEST TRACK OPEN DAY

Hosts: Hillingdon Railway Modellers

Location: Yiewsley Baptist Church Hall (side entrance), Colham Avenue, Yiewsley, Hillingdon, London UB7 8HF Times: 10am-3pm Prices: Admission £5 Website: www.hillingdonrailwaymodellers.co.uk Features: Meet fellow modellers, refreshments and test your models on the club’s ‘O’, ‘OO’ and ‘N’ gauge test tracks (DC and DCC available).

4 SHIREHAMPTON MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Shirehampton Model Railway Club

Location: Shirehampton Public Hall, Shirehampton, Bristol BS11 9TX Times: 10am-5pm Prices: Adults £3, family (2+2) £5 Website: www.shirehamptonmrc.com Features: Layouts, trade support, refreshments and nearby parking.

18 HARROGATE MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Harrogate Model Railway Group

Location: Constance Green Hall, St Aidan’s School, Harrogate HG2 8JR Times: 10am-4pm

Prices: Adults £5, children £2, family (2+2) £10 Website: www.harrogate-modelrailwaygroup.org.uk Features: Layouts, trade support, demos, societies, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

18 TONBRIDGE MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Tonbridge Model Railway Club

Location: The Angel Centre, Angel Lane, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1SF Times: 10am-5pm

Prices: Adults £7, children 10+ £1, children under 10 free Website: www.tonbridgemrc.com

Features: 20 layouts, trade support, displays, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

18/19 SEDGEMOOR GAUGE O GROUP EXHIBITION

Hosts: Sedgemoor Gauge O Group

Location: The King Alfred School and Academy, Burnham Road, Highbridge, Somerset TA9 3EE

Times: Sat 10am-4.30pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Prices: Adults £5, accompanied children free

Contact: 01278 684606

Features: Eight layouts, trade support, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

18/19 TENTERDEN MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Ashford Model Railway Club

Location: Homewood School, Ashford Road, Tenterden, Kent TN20 6LT

Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Prices: TBA Website: www.ashfordmrc.co.uk

Features: Layouts, trade support, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

18/19 YORK AGAINST CANCER MODEL RAILWAY SHOW

Hosts: EBOR Group of Railway Modellers, York

Location: Heworth Church Hall, Melrosegate, York YO31 0RL

Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm Prices: Adults £4, children £1 Contact: 07538 677540

Features: Ten layouts, trade support, demonstrations, societies and refreshments.

19 WARLEY MODEL RAILWAY CLUB OPEN DAY

Hosts: Warley Model Railway Club

Location: Unit 1F Pearsall Drive, Oldbury, West Midlands B69 2RA

Times: 11am-4pm

Prices: Free Website: www.warley-mrc.org.uk

Features: View progress on club projects, demonstrations, meet club members and find out more about the club.

DON’T MISS

2426 MODEL RAIL SCOTLAND

Hosts: The Association of Model Railway Societies in Scotland (AMRSS)

Location: Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Hall 3, Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW

Times: Fri 10.30am-6pm, Sat 10.30am-6pm, Sun 10.30am-5pm

Prices: Adults £15, children £5, family (2+2) £35

Website: www.modelrail-scotland.co.uk

Features: 40+ layouts, trade support, societies, demonstrations, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

25/26 NEW MILLS AND DISTRICT RAILWAY MODELLERS EXHIBITION

Hosts: New Mills and District Railway Modellers

Location: Chapel-en-le-Frith Leisure Centre, Long Lane, High Peak, Chapel-en-le-Frith SK23 0TQ

Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm Prices: TBA Website: www.nmdrm.co.uk

Features: Layouts, trade support, societies, demonstrations, refreshments and parking.

26 HEANOR MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Ilkeston (Woodside) Model Railway Club

Location: Heanor Miners’ Welfare, Ilkeston Road, Heanor, Derbyshire DE75 7DT

Times: 10am-4pm

Prices: Adults £5, accompanied children free Contact: 07930 909571

Features: Layouts, trade support, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

4/5 BIRTLEY MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Birtley Model Railway Engineers

Location: Birtley Community Centre, Ravensworth Road, Birtley, Tyne and Wear DH3 1EN Times: Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-4pm Prices: Adults £5, accompanied children free Contact: 07806 323860

Features: 11 layouts, trade support, displays, refreshments and disabled access.

4/5 RAINHILL MODEL RAIL 2023

Hosts: Rainhill Model Railway Club

Location: Rainhill Village Hall, Weaver Avenue, Rainhill, Merseyside L35 4LU Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm Prices: Adults £6, children £4, family (2+2) £16 Website: www.rainhillmrc.org.uk Features: Layouts, trade support, demonstrations, refreshments and disabled access.

5 SIDMOUTH MODEL RAILWAY GROUP MINI EXHIBITION

Hosts: Sidmouth Model Railway Group

Location: Sidford Social Hall, Byes Lane, Sidford EX10 9QX Times: 10am-4.30pm

Prices: Adults £3, accompanied children free Website: www.sidmouthmrg.com Features: Layouts, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

11

NARROW GAUGE NORTH 2023

Hosts: Narrow Gauge North

Location: Pudsey Civic Hall, Dawsons Corner, Pudsey, Leeds LS28 5TA

Times: 10.30am-4.30pm

Prices: Adults £10, accompanied children £1, family (from 1.30pm) £15 Website: www.narrowgaugenorth.org.uk Features: 20 layouts, trade support, societies, parking and disabled access.

11/12 MIDLANDS GARDEN RAIL SHOW

Hosts: Meridienne Exhibitions

Location: Warwickshire Event Centre, A425, Southam Road, Leamington Spa, CV31 1FE Times: Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-4pm Prices: Adults £10, concessions £9.50, accompanied children £4.50 Website: www.meridienneexhibitions.co.uk Features: Layouts, trade support, displays, societies, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

12 WEALDEN RAILWAY GROUP MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Wealden Railway Group

Location: Coombe Court, Steyning Centre, Fletchers Croft, Steyning BN44 3XZ Times: 10am-5pm

Prices: Adults £4, accompanied children free Website: www.thewealdenrailway.club/ Features: 10 layouts, trade support, demonstrations, refreshments and parking.

18 TADWORTH SPRING MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: North Downs Model Railway Circle

Location: The Good Shepherd Church Hall, Station Approach Road, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 5AE

Times: 10am-5pm

Prices: Adults £6, concessions £5, children £3 Website: www.ndmrc.info

Features: 26 layouts, trade support, refreshments and parking.

25 NEWTON AYCLIFFE MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Rotary Newton Aycliffe/Shildon Model Railway Club

Location: Newton Aycliffe Youth and Community Centre, Burn Lane, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4HT

Times: 10am-5pm

Prices: Adults £6, children 50p, family £12 Website: www.newtonayclifferotary.org.uk

Features: 20 layouts, trade support, societies, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

25/26 CARLTON RAILWAY SOCIETY SPRING SHOW

Hosts: Carlton Railway Society

Location: Howden School, Derwent Road, Howden DN14 7AL

Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Prices: Adults £5, children TBA

Contact: 07795 831494

Features: 20 layouts, trade support, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

25/26 NAILSEA AND DISTRICT MODEL RAILWAY CLUB EXHIBITION

Hosts: Nailsea and District Model Railway Club

Location: Nailsea School, Mizzymead Road, Nailsea, BS48 2LE

Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Prices: Adults £8, children £2, family £16 Website: www.nailsea-district-mrc.co.uk

Features: 21 layouts, trade support, demonstrations, societies, refreshments and parking.

April

1 BECKENHAM VINTAGE MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Hosts: Beckenham and West Wickham Model Railway Club

Location: St John’s Church, Eden Park Avenue, Eden Park, Kent BR3 3JN Times: 10am-5pm

Prices: Adults £8, accompanied children under 15 free Website: www.bwwmrc.co.uk

Features: Ten vintage layouts, trade support, refreshments, parking and disabled access.

1 HILLINGDON RAILWAY MODELLERS TEST TRACK OPEN DAY

Hosts: Hillingdon Railway Modellers

Location: Yiewsley Baptist Church Hall (side entrance), Colham Avenue, Yiewsley, Hillingdon, London UB7 8HF Times: 10am-3pm

Prices: Admission £5 Website: www.hillingdonrailwaymodellers.co.uk

Features: Meet fellow modellers, refreshments and test your models on the club’s ‘O’, ‘OO’ and ‘N’ gauge test tracks (DC and DCC available).

•Is your club or society planning a model railway exhibition? Hornby Magazine’s Show Guide is a free listing that allows you to promote a forthcoming model railway show. If you have a show to add to the Show Guide, contact us at Hornby Magazine by e-mailing: hornbymagazine@keypublishing.com and please ensure you include appropriate contact details for the public as we are unable to publish listings without this.

0-16.5

The hot anticipated brand new Accurascale Class 37 of without doubt the most successful diesel design of the BR era and a strong contender to be called the greatest locomotive in British railway history, the definitive model of the English Electric Type 3 / Class 37 has been a long time coming.

RRP: £378.00

THE HUNSLET

The Hunslet Engine Company supplied a small saddle tank engine to the Dinorwic slate quarry in 1870. The ‘Alice’ class developed from this engine, being slightly larger but now proving ideal for working the galleries of the vast slate quarry. RRP: £139.95

£13.45 NR-P987I Shell/BPblackno.5174....................£13.45 NR-P987JW Shell/BPblackno.5173wthd £14.25

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s soollddffoor r £ £3 3,,00000 0, , p paarrttooffGGlloorriioouussTTrraaiinnssiinnJJuunnee22002222tthhaattttoottaalllleedd££227788,00000 0 Witth h o ovveer r 1 1,,55000 0 l lootts s i in n T Trraaiinns G Gaalloorre e i in n Deeceemmbbeerr, , P Paarrt t T Twwo o o on n 2 24 J Jaannuaarry y w wiilll l f fooccuus s o on n s smaallller r g gaauuggeess. . T Thhe e n neexxt t s speeciiaal l G Gloorriiouus s T Traaiinns a auuccttiioon n o on n 2 25 5 a annd d 2 26 6 A Apprril l w wiilll l i inncclluudde e a annootthher r h hugge e a arrray y o of f l looccoommoottiivvees s a annd d s sttoocck k i in n a alll l p pooppuullaar r g gaauuggees. .

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R.T.R in unpainted brass/factory painted

GWR/BR Railcar 19-33.......................£550.00

GWR/BR Parcels Railcar No.34...........£550.00

GWR 1361 Early black chassis...........£525.00

GWR/BR 1361 Late black chassis £525.00

LY/LMS/BR Pug black.........................£450.00

LNER/BR J39 0-6-0 black..................£815.00

GWR/BR 8750 Pannier black chassis .£525.00

FULLY FINISHED R-T-R LOCOS

L&Y/LMS/BR Pug 0-4-0T ...........from £525.00

GWR/BR 1361 0-6-0ST..............from £695.00

GWR/BR 8750 Pannier tank .......from £695.00

GWR/BR Razor Edge railcar................£835.00

GWR/BR Parcels railcar......................£810.00

LNER/BR J39 0-6-0 ...........................£950.00

LMS/BR Original Patriot....................£1650.00

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GL1 BR D10/11 4-4-0 ...............................£400.00

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Basic RRP £195.62 OUR PRICE £165.00 Sound fitted RRP 391.23 OUR PRICE £330.00 NOW AVAILABLE

DAPOL ANCHOR MOUNTED TANKERS

DAPOL 14 TON ANCHOR MOUNTED TANKERS

5 LIVERIES OF CLASS A 5 LIVERIES OF CLASS B

RRP £59.40 OUR PRICE £50.00

NOW AVAILABLE

NEW HELJAN CLASS 33 Early and Late Versions RRP £579.00 OUR PRICE £466.65 9 Liveries IN STOCK

HELJAN CLASS 58

NEW

GL44 LNWR/LMS /BR COAL TANK 0-6-2 £320.00

GL50 LNER/BR 2-8-8-2 GARRATT ............£750.00

GL57 LNER / BR L1 2-6-4 .........................£380.00

GL58 LNER / BR B1 4-6-0 ........................£460.00

GL59 LNER / BR K1 2-6-0 ........................£440.00

GTR62 SR/BR Urie King Arthur...................£550.00

GL70 SR / BR SCHOOLS 4-4-0 .................£500.00

FT9 NER/LNER/BR G6/BTP 0-4-4T............£275.00

TOWER COLLECTION (D.J.H) BEGINNERS KITS

Includes wheels, gears and motor

TC1 Class 02 0-4-0 Diesel Shunter........£250.00

TC3 Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 Steam Shunter£250.00

TOWER COLLECTION LOCO KITS

Require wheels, gears and motor

TC2 LMS streamlined Coronation £595.00

TC4 LMS/BR non streamlined Duchess £595.00

TC5 LMS/BR de-streamlined Duchess £595.00

TC6 LMS/BR Sir William Stainer £595.00

TC7 LMS/BR Black Five 4-6-0 £595.00

TC14 LMS/BR Stainer 8F 2-8-0 £595.00

D.J.H LOCO KITS

K300 B.R Standard 84xx 2-6-2T .........£465.23

K301 B.R Standard 2MT 2-6-0 .......... £532.87

K302 LMS/B.R Ivatt 2-6-2T................ £465.23

K303 LMS/BR Fairburn 2-6-4 T ......... £483.89

K310A LNER/BR A3 with Corridor tender..£764.89

K317B BR Britannia with BR1/1A tender..£764.89

K320 LMS / BR 2P/ 2F/ 2MT 2-6-0 .... £532.87

K325 BR Standard Class 5 4-6-0 .......£764.89

K336 LNER/B.R Peppercorn A2 .......... £728.75

K338 LNER/B.R G5 0-4-0T................. £532.87

K340 B.R Class 14 complete kit......... £532.87

K344 NEW LNER/BR Hunt Class 4-4-0 £612.15

K345 NEW LNER/BR Thompson A2/1 ..£764.89

K346 NER / LNER D1 Class H1 4-4-4T...£524.70

K347 LNER/BR Class ‘A8’ 4-6-2T....... £524.70

K349 NER/ NE/LNER/BR D20 4-4-0.....£524.70 PECO LINESIDE KITS

LK704 Wooden lineside hut kit.............£24.95

LK705 Brick lineside hut ......................£24.95

LK709 Ground Level Signal Box ...........£35.95

LK710 Signal Box Interior Kit................£26.50

LK715 Brick Base Signal Box...............£49.50

LK735 GWR Yard Crane........................£26.95

LK741 GWR spear fencing ...................£13.80

LK742 GWR spear fencing ramps.........£13.80

LK743 Field fencing and gates..............£12.50

LK747 Telegraph Poles (6)....................£11.90

LK748 Ladders (4)..................................£9.50

LK749 Loading Gauges (2)....................£15.60

LK750 Single track level crossing ates.£25.40

LK758 Platelayers tools .........................£8.00

LK759 Platform lamps (4 .....................£11.00

LK760 Telephone boxes(2 ....................£11.00

LK761

STU750BH

PS16

PS17

PS23

PS24

PS27

PS28 GWR/BR 12 ton plywood van ..... £38.25

PS29 GWR/BR Fruit van ...................... £38.25

PS30 BR 16 ton mineral wagon .......... £38.25

PS31 BR 16 ton slope sided mineral ... £38.25

PS32 BR 16 ton mineral (ex SNCF....... £38.25

PS33 BR 8 Plank wooden mineral....... £38.25

PS42 LMS/BR 12 ton open wagon ...... £38.25

PS45 LNER/BR 12 ton goods van ........ £38.25

PS46 LNER/BR 12 ton fruit van ........... £38.25

PS49 GWR/BR Mica van...................... £38.25

PS100 SR/BR Banana van................... £38.25

PS101 SR/BR Meat van....................... £38.25

PS104 BR 21 ton coal hopper ............. £38.25

PS107 SR/BR Cattle truck................... £38.25

PS112 GWR/BR Gunpowder van ......... £38.25

PS114 LMS/BR Banana van ................ £38.25 PS115 LNER/BR Brake Van ................. £45.00

NEW DAPOL 57XX/8750 PANNIERS 57xx in BR Livery 8750 in GWR & BR Liveries with riveted tank option

Basic Version RRP £262.68 OUR PRICE £223.00

DCC Fitted RRP£296.22 OUR PRICE £250.00

NOW AVAILABLE

NEW DAPOL 10 FOOT W.B WAGONS

B.R Open Wagons (various)

RRP £50.71 OUR PRICE £43.00

B.R MEAT, INSULATED AND STANDARD VANS (12 TYPES)

RRP £55.62 OUR PRICE £47.00

DAPOL HBA & HEA COALWAGONS

8 LIVERIES AVAILABLE

RRP £59.40 OUR PRICE £50.00

TOWER MODELS SET OF SIX RAIL FREIGHT RED GRAY RRP £356.40 OUR PRICE £275.00 NOW AVAILABLE

NEW DAPOL 20 TON BRAKE VANS

7 liveries available RRP £90.72 OUR PRICE £77.00

NOW AVAILABLE

TOWER MODELS

LIMITED EDITION ICI WAGONS

1950’s:

Red Salt Van (9 types) £42.50 each 1960’s:

Blue Salt Vans (4 types) £42.50

5 plank Lime (5 types) £40.00

5 plank Alkalid (5 types) £40.00

16 ton minerals

SODA ASH Livery(3 numbers) £41.50 NOW AVAILABLE

NEW DAPOL AUSTERITY J94

TEN LIVERIES BEING PRODUCED

BASIC RRP £270.00 OUR PRICE £229.50

DCC FITTED RRP £307.80 OUR PRICE £261.50

SOUND FITTED RRP £410.00 OUR PRICE £348.50

AVAILABLE SPRING 2023

ADVANCE ORDERS WELCOME

HELJAN CLASS 31/1 & 31/4 Various liveries RRP £579.00 OUR PRICE £466.65 NOW AVAILABLE

HELJAN

Station

HELJAN CLASS 56

Total of 8 liveries RRP £699.00 OUR PRICE £594.15 NOW AVAILABLE

HELJAN CLASS 40 CENTRE HEADCODE 5 liveries RRP £579.00 OUR PRICE £466.65 NOW AVAILABLE

NEW HELJAN

CLASS 117 2 Car and 3 Car D.M.U Available in a range of liveries from Cats Whiskers to N.S.E Available Easter 2023 Reserve yours now

DAPOL HAA COALWAGONS

HELJAN CLASS 52 WESTERN

6 LIVERIES AVAILABLE

RRP £659.00 OUR PRICE £560.15 AVAILABLE 2023

SCALE DESTINATION

Coming this month

Featuring

HORNBY 2023 – THE FULL RANGE!

The January 2023 edition of the Key Model World TV Show is a Hornby 2023 Catalogue special. Join Mike and Richard as they explain the full range, the new announcements, the new products and more. Don’t miss it!

THE LATEST MODELS TESTED

Don’t just read our reviews, see the models in action on our test track as we demonstrate the all-new Hornby Class 43 HST power cars and Mk 3 coaches as well as the latest Heljan ‘OO’ gauge locomotives and more while discussing their finer points.

DAPOL ‘MANOR’ SOUND

As the follow up to our sound installation guide on pages 102-106 of this issue, join Mike and Richard in the Hornby Magazine Workshop as they discuss and demonstrate the Wheeltapper sound profile and installation on video.

EXTRA FEATURES ONLINE!

KeyModelWorld is about more than just the latest features and models. Revel in our latest features from the Hornby Magazine Archive including layouts, modelling guides, class profiles, product reviews and more.

The eagerly awaited 2023 Hornby Catalogue is here, detailing all the maker’s key model rail releases for the next 12 months together with detailed information on existing favourites. Full of hundreds of exciting new releases across various categories, the 2023 Hornby Catalogue is set to be a winner!

Whether you’re purchasing it to add to your collection, you’re new to the hobby and looking for informative and useful reading material, or you’re after a gift for a model railway enthusiast, the 2023 Hornby Catalogue ticks all the boxes! 228 pages, softback

Britain’s Railways Series, Vol 37 With over 120 images, this book details the construction and layout, providing a thorough history of the creation of the line.

Britain’s Railways Series, Vol.32

66/0s from their early days up to the present at various locations around the UK.

Britain’s Railways Series, Vol 29 Set against the contrasting rural and industrial scenery of northern Lincolnshire, this book illustrates the area’s fascinating passenger and freight trains, railway infrastructure, stations and signalling over a 40-year period.

Britain’s Railways Series, Vol 36

Including over 200 images, this volume shows the class at work around the UK, covering not only the BR era, but also subsequent years.

Following on from HSTs: The Western Region Illustrated with over 230 images, this book shows HSTs over the past 20 - 30 years, in numerous UK locations, highlighting why they have served so long and why they should be saved.

Britain’s Railways Series, Vol 41

It seems that 73/9s may be part of the railway scene for a long while to come. With over 220 images, this book shows off all the sub-classes of the 73s and their work around the country.

Having established itself as a leading publisher of railway books, Key Books is now looking for authors to join its interna�onal team of contributors. We are looking for exis�ng authors and new ones, who really know their subject, especially if they have a great picture collec�on that could become an illustrated book.

CUMBRIA

ï JACKSONS MODELS & RAILWAYS

33 New Street, Wigton, Cumbria CA7 9AL

Telephone: 01697 342557

Email: info@jacksonsmodels.co.uk Website: www.jacksonsmodels.co.uk

DERBYSHIRE

ï A2B MODEL RAILWAYS

30 North Parade, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire DE4 3NS

Telephone: 07711 318489

Email: kingston129@hotmail.co.uk Website: www.a2bmodelrailways.co.uk

DEVON

SHADYLANE MODELS

ï

11 Grenville Street, Bideford, North Devon EX39 2EA

Telephone: 01237 238872

Email: shadylane@live.co.uk Website: www.shadylanemodels.co.uk

EAST SUSSEX

ï BLUEBELL RAILWAY GIFTS & MODELS

Sheffield Park Station, East Sussex TN22 3QL

Telephone: 01825 720 803

Email: retail@bluebell-railway.co.uk Website: www.bluebell-railway.com/shop

HAMPSHIRE

ALTON MODEL CENTRE

ï

7A Normandy Street, Alton, HampS GU34 1DD

Telephone: 01420 542244

Email: Sales@AltonModelCentre.co.uk Website: www.altonmodelcentre.co.uk

ï

RON LINES

342 Shirley Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO15 3HJ

Telephone: 0238 0772681 Email: r.lines@hotmail.co.uk Website: www.ronlines.com

WICOR MODELS

ï

7 West Street, Portchester, Hampshire P016 9XB

Telephone: 02392 351 160

Email: mail@wicor-models.co.uk Website: www.wicormodels.com

LONDON

ï JANES TRAINS

35 London Road, Tooting, London SW17 9JR

Telephone: 020 8640 1569

Email: Janestrainsemail@aol.com Website: www.janestrains.co.uk

NORFOLK

ï SMITHS MODEL RAILWAYS

10 Station Road, Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8RE

Telephone: 01263 478420

Email: info@smithsmodelrailways.co.uk Website: www.smithsmodelrailways.co.uk

NORTHUMBERLAND

ï J & J MODELS

Unit 8 Packhorse Buildings, 17 Newgate Street, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE16 1AW Telephone: 01670 503885 Email: enquries@jandjmodels.co.uk Website: www.jandjmodels.co.uk

NORTH YORKSHIRE

ï PETERS SPARES MODEL RAILWAYS LTD

2J Brighouse Business Village, Riverside Park, Middlesbrough, Teesside TS2 1RT

Telephone: 01642 909794

Email: sales@petersspares.com Website: www.petersspares.com

SCOTLAND

ï HARBURN HOBBIES

67 Elm Row, Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH7 4AQ

Telephone: 0131 556 3233

Email: sales@harburnhobbies.co.uk Website: www.harburnhobbies.co.uk

ï TIME TUNNEL MODELS

Unit 3, Fenton Barns Retail Village, North Berwick EH39 5BW Website: www.timetunnelmodels.com

ï THE SPORTS & MODEL SHOP

66 High Street, Dingwall, Ross-shire IV15 9RY Telephone: 01349 862346

Email: sales@sportsandmodelshop.co.uk website: www.sportsandmodelshop.co.uk

STAFFORDSHIRE

ï TOPP TRAINS LLP

28 Marston Road, Stafford, Staffordshire ST16 3BS

Telephone: 01785 247883 Email: toppstrains@gmail.com Website: www.topptrains.co.uk

TYNE & WEAR

ï POOLEYS PUFFERS

382a Jedburgh Court, Eleventh Avenue, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE11 0BQ Telephone: 0191 491 0202

Email: pooleyspuffers@btopenworld.com Websire: www.pooleyspuffers.com

ï SUNDERLAND STATION MODELS

35C Ellesmere Court, Leechmere Industrial Estate, Sunderland,Tyne and Wear, SR2 9UA Telephone: 07727 288574 Email: sunderlandstationmodels@hotmail.com Website: www.sunderlandstationmodels.co.uk

WARWICKSHIRE

ï

TONY’S TRAINS OF RUGBY

Studio 4, The Locks, Hillmorton, Rugby CV21 4PP Telephone: 01788 543442 Email: tonystrains@outlook.com Website: www.tonystrainsofrugby.com

WEST YORKSHIRE

ï FRIZINGHALL MODELS & RAILWAYS Unit 8A, Sapper Jordan Rossi Park, Otley Road, Baildon, West Yorkshire BD17 7AX Telephone: 01274 747447 Email: shop@fmrdirect.co.uk Website: www.modelrailshop.co.uk

WILTSHIRE

ï SALISBURY MODEL RAIL CENTRE 37 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 7SU Telephone: 01722 334 757 Website: www.salisburymodelcentre.co.uk Open 6 days a week inc. Sundays