Hornby’s announcement of their new range for 2013 will this year be made at Midday on Monday 17th December via their own website and some of the Model Press websites at the the same time.  This is slightly different from previous years when the announcement was made either on Christmas Day or around News Years Day.

I have a post prepared to also go live, here on this blog, at Midday on Monday 17th  detailing the models of interest and relevant to Southern Railway / Southern Region modellers to save you wading through the whole list of announcements.   I can assure readers that despite reported difficult trading conditions / supply chain issues that Hornby are in the process of  overcoming  there are new and exciting models planned.

In the mean time for a bit of fun and a chance to win a prize every day until the 25th December, and to get a sneak preview of some the new liveried items being announced check out Hornby’s advent calendar here.

For the full details as they say, watch this space…

As part of their announcement for planned new releases in 2013 Hornby have included a number of items of interest to SR / BR(s) modellers. The headline brand new model of interest is the 2Bil EMU

Eventually totalling 152 units the 2 Bil (bi-lavatory) first appeared in 1935 as a batch of ten units with 9ft wide bodyshells, intended for semi fast main line use on the Eastbourne line. Each unit consisted of a motor brake third and a driving trailer composite. A further batch of 2Bils was introduced in 1936 for use on the Waterloo to Portsmouth (slow) and Waterloo to Alton services. The final batch in 1938 was built for use on the Waterloo to Reading line. These post 1936 batches had detail differences and a slightly different layout to the motor car with larger luggage area and different compartment arrangement including a four seat coupe. The original batch also had a different control gear.
These units were long lived with some surviving until 1971, gaining the corporate blue livery and being allocated the TOPS Class 401.

Hornby’s new 2Bil EMUs ready for release first quarter in 2013 (picture courtesy and copyright A York)

Hornby are releasing sets 2114 and 2134 in train packs representing those from the post 1936 batches with R3161 as set 2114 in Maunsell lined olive green livery as when first introduced and R3162 as set 2134 in early British Railways mulitiple unit green with all over green ends.
Also being released is a National Railway Museum special edition R3177 representing set 2090 as preserved at the NRM. All of these units are in production now to be available for release in quarter 1 in 2013!

Keeping with EMUs the popular 5Bel “Brighton Bell” set will be available 2nd Quarter in the 1960’s version of umber and cream as train pack R3184 and coach pack R4582

Locomotives

R3160XS Rebuilt West Country Class No.34046 “Braunton” DCC Sound fitted in BR Brunswick Late Crest livery (Qtr1) Edit: 21/12/12 as 34046 would have been paired to a rebodied 5250 gallon tender not currently tooled by Hornby this release will now appear as 34108 Wincanton
R3010 King Arthur N15 Class No.771 “Sir Sagramore” in SR Pre 1931 Maunsell livery (Qtr1)
R3107 T9 Class No. 30313 in BR lined black with late crest livery paired to 6 wheel tender (Qtr2)
R3194 Schools V class No.30937 “Epsom” in BR lined black early crest livery with Lemaitre chimney (Qtr2)
R3208 Schools V class No.30915 “Brighton” in Br lined black early crest livery and white cab roof for royal train duty with Lemaitre chimney (Qtr3) (Concessions exclusive)
R3203 Rebuilt West Country Class No.34013 “Oakhampton” in BR Brunswick Late Crest livery (Qtr3)
R3159 M7 class no.30055 in BR lined black late crest livery, long framed Pull Push fitted. (Qtr3)
R3204 M7 class no.245 Special NRM Edition in LSWR livery, short framed. (Qtr3)

Somewhat more modern but running on previous SR territory the Eurostar and Javlin models are also to be released with the latest liveries (Qtr2).

Rolling stock

Although no new livery versions of the Maunsell coaches have been announced a further version of the Pull Push coach pack R4534B is added to the range (although the set number of this pack is yet to be confirmed) this is in addition to R5434A as Set 616 already announced with both to arrive Quarter 2.

Also relevant for BR(s) modellers is that the MK1 coach is being completely retooled and is included in the Railroad range aimed to compete on price with the Bachmann versions. (Qtr3)

The SR/BR(s) Van B will also be produced in BR Crimson R4586, BR Green R4536B and a version listed as BR Blue Scotland R4585. (Qtr2)

Of the new Private Owner wagon liveries announced R6590 is a 7 plank wagon in A & H Betts, Stewarts Lane Se&CR livery. (Qtr1)

Scaledale

Scaledale Southern Art Deco Signal box

The popular and convenient Scaledale range of resin buildings and accessories, that have been affectionately coined as ‘Ready-To-Plonk’ includes a couple of Southern inspired items, firstly: R9729 an Art Deco style signal box based on the SR box at Deal (Qtr2) and also R9727 trackside steps / rasised walkway for carriage cleaning etc based on those that were at London Victoria (Qtr2). Scaledale items tend to be limited to single production runs so purchase them while you can!

Summary

It is fair to say that Hornby have been suffering from supply issues in the last couple of years and this along with an aim to reduce rising costs has resulted in them making changes to their design philosophy. They have coined this as ‘Designed Clever’ and aims to simplify production, whilst maintaining quality and the detail levels whilst keeping products costs reasonable to the market place. The Pull Push sets were one of the first to be produced this way and their quality bodes well for this process.
Although the 2Bill is the only complete new tooling from a Southern / BR(s) perspective Hornby’s range to continue to increase as they have also announced totally new tooling for a GWR Star and a Hall along with an LNER P2, BR Standard 8 “Duke of Gloucester” and a Sentenal 0-4-0 industrial diesel.
These locos will be available with a lower detail / finishing (limited lining etc.) and therefore lower price version in the Railroad range too.
Three new wagons from new tooling have also been announced in the shape of a GWR shunters truck, a LMS / BR Parcels van CCT and BR 12T fish van (blue spot).

It is interesting to note that some of the incorrectly rumoured items have not appeared such as the Original Merchant Navy, S15 or 700 classes but hey at least my kit built examples will retain an air of originality on Fisherton Sarum!

The full range can be found on Hornby’s website here or also on the Model Railways Live website here.

Further to my post here on 17th December announcing the Hornby SR/BR(s) planned releases for this coming year it should be noted that I edited that post 21/12/12 with respect to the planned release R3160XS Rebuilt West Country Class No.34046 “Braunton” DCC Sound fitted in BR Brunswick Late Crest livery (Qtr1).

I have noticed on some confusion / incorrect information has arisen elsewhere on various internet forums and news pages, I therefore reiterate that, following communication with Simon Kohler at Hornby, this release will now appear as 34108 Wincanton.

This is due to the fact that during the proposed late crest time period 34046 would have been paired to a rebodied 5250 gallon tender. This is a tender type not currently tooled by Hornby hence the change. I hope this clarifies the situation and Hornby should be congratulated for making this amendment following advice given.

It might sound a little left field but continental manufacturer Arnold have yesterday announced a Brighton  Belle set in N Gauge and that will be in the British 1.148 scale rather then the usual continental 1.160 scale.

This is not perhaps as odd as it might seem as Arnold are part of the Hornby International stable and therefore have access to the information that Hornby used for their 4mm version in the UK.
A German flyer about the models to be produced in both Umber & Cream and Blue & Grey liveries is worth a look , and can be seen here, ignoring some of the obvious inaccuracies in the text which can be spotted even in German!

British N Gauge modellers will of course be pleased that it is to be manufactured in the establish British 1.148 scale and perhaps this might lead to other British prototypes appearing the Arnold range.

Hornby have already in the past dabbled slightly in British N Gauge with their now unfortunately ceased range ‘Liddle End’ of  very nice cast resin buildings that we similar to their very good 4mm big brothers in the Scaledale range. With Dapol announcing both SR / BR(s) locos and Maunsell coaches following the Farish announcement of Original Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacifics and Bulleid Coaches last year it appears to be a good time for Southen in N Gauge!

Another announcement of potential interest from the Hornby International stable under the Rivarossi brand is the USA 0-6-0 tank in HO. The body is therefore the wrong scale and lacks the modifications made by the SR for their USA tanks, however the chassis might be useful under perhaps a SE Finecast kit?  There is of course already the announcement earlier in the year of the Model Rail commission via Dapol of a 4mm SR USA tank which will be the best option for 4mm modellers.

The “Devon Belle” Pullman service between London Waterloo and Ilfracombe with a portion to Plymouth did not in reality last for long as named train services go. It was introduced by the Southern Railway on 20th June 1947 and lasted until September 1954. Usually the train was worked from London to Exeter with Merchant Navy class pacific’s and was then split with a four coach portion heading to Plymouth and the remaining eight (sometimes up to ten) coaches including the iconic observation car heading to Ilfracombe both portions usually behind Bulleid Light Pacific’s.

Light Pacific 34011 ‘Tavistock’ in experimental Apple Green livery heads the London bound Devon Belle deputising for the more usual Merchant Navy Class

At the time it was the only service to as advertised run ‘non stop’ from Waterloo to Exteter i.e. not stopping at Salisbury, although in reality an unadvertised stop was made at Wilton (the next station to the west of Salsibury) to change engines. This resulted in light engine movements between Wilton and Salisbury in each direction.

Merchant Navy 21C14 shows off the iconic Devon Belle headboard and deflector wing plates

To meet the needs of up and down services two Devon Belle rakes were formed along with two popular observation cars on the Ilfracombe portion. These observation cars, numbered 13 and 14, were converted from other coaches, with the origins of No 14 being an ex LNWR Ambulance car which was converted into a Pullman car in 1921 before being ultimately converted for its role as an observation car. With the decline in passenger numbers first the number of operating days was reduced, then from 1950 the Plymouth section ceased and ultimately the final Ilfracombe Devon Belle service was run in September 1954.

Passengers having paid the supplement enjoy the view from the ’00 Works’ Devon Belle observation car

A representation of the Devon Belle has been one of the signature trains on Fisherton Sarum since the layouts first public appearance in November 2006. My rake, albeit not a full 12 /14 coaches for space reasons is formed from Hornby Pullman coaches along with a brass observation car from ‘00’ Works prior to the later introduction of the Hornby model.  I have both a light Pacific 34011 ‘Tavistock’ (in early British Railways apple green livery) and a Merchant Navy Pacific 21C14 ‘Nederland Line’ decorated with the iconic Devon Belle head board and smoke deflector wing plates for operating this train. Where possible we also include the light engine movement from the shed to the west towards Wilton and back.

During the second world war the need for a goods locomotive with wide route availability at a time of scarce raw materials and labour was to provide Bulleid with a challenge. He has already voiced his dislike of the Maunsell Q class 0-6-0 (appartently stating he would have cancelled the build if he had taken over as CME soon enough). Bulleid being Bulleid, looked away from usual convention in some areas and introduced the 40 strong Q1 class.

It was a powerful, reliable loco with a large fire grate and considerably lighter, by 14tons, than a comparable engine with a wide route availability. The war time constraints including the need to be efficient with use of materials and keeping weight down resulted in the use of lighter lagging that would not allow the support of traditional boiler cladding resulting the very boxy appearance, a lack of a running plate and wheel splashers and the use of Bullied-Firth-Brown cast wheels. The Q1′s greatest weakness was its restricted braking power on unfitted goods trains often resulting in the need for a head of fitted wagons.

C21 is built from a then Little Engines white metal kit

I finished building C21 (apt for this post being the 21^st Talking Stock post) from a then Little Engines Kit (it is now available from South Eastern Finecast) just a couple of weeks before   Hornby surprised most Southern modellers by announcing their intention to produce one ready to Run. With a cast metal body and a Portescap motor this loco is like the prototype very powerful . As you can see Bullied also numbered these locos in accordance with their wheel arrangement as Cxx ie no bogie or pony axles and just three driving axles.

Hornby’s C8 weathered

C8 is a simply weathered Hornby example and the fact that not much detailing has been required is a testament to the Hornby model. Although this is a Southern variant Hornby cleverly made the tooling adaptable to cover some of the variations and modifications made to the class during their lifetime.

Q1 with BR number 33038 but unusually still with ‘Southern’ lettering on the tender

C38 or 33038 I have a number of my fleet lettered slightly differently on one side to the other (afterall you can only see one side of once) and this model follows that practice. One side of this renumbered and weather Hornby model she is C38 as per her Southern days whilst shortly after the formation of British Railways in 1948 she was renumbered in Southern numeral style as 33038 but curiously retained the ‘Southern’ lettering on the tender rather than being re-lettered ‘British Railways’ C38 also sports the mechanical lubricator driven off the front axle that some members of the class were fitted to improve cylinder lubrication.

So seen by some as an ugly duckling, with many derogatory nicknames but viewed by others as a curious and powerful, characteristic class; make your own mind up…

It was generally received with much acclaim when Hornby, at long last (some of us have known it was on the cards for a few years now), announced last December that it was not only going to be producing a Southern 2Bil EMU but that it was already at an advanced stage of production meaning it would be available in the first Quarter of this year. This was considered as good news on a number of counts firstly as it would be a popular model and secondly that some of the supply chain issues that had been a challenge for Hornby over the last few years were being resolved.

One of the issues with the model being produced before any announcement to the market has been made is that production volumes are based totally on estimated figures. Some of the 2Bil train packs have been available at full RRP via Hornby’s concession store Modelzone in advance of other stockists. This appears to be either a new policy or an experiment by Hornby and has unsurprisingly not been popular amongst the other retailers. It now transpires that those other  retailers are being told that the quantities that they originally ordered will not be met. In some cases retailers will only receive as little as 50% of their original order. This will likely mean that a number of customers pre-orders will not be able to be fulfilled. We can only surmise from this that Hornby have under estimated the demand for these models.

On a positive note Hornby have to their credit reacted to this and announced a further run of the Train Packs referenced R3162A and R3162AX (DCC fitted version), running numbers TBA, expected to be available in June.

I shall be reviewing the 2Bil models on this blog in due course, and whilst not wanting to steal my own thunder I can say that with the exception of some minor niggles (roof top lighting conduits for one and the trailing car outer bogie another) it is generally a splendid representation of the prototype but more on that later…

In addition to my post last week 2Bil or no 2Bil the issue regarding the availability of the 2Bil EMU train packs has been raised on a number of online forums, by retailers and also on Hornby’s own Facebook page where they have posted the following in response to a question raised there:

The popularity of the 2-BIL, although not a surprise has placed us in a very difficult situation. The original plan for the release of the 2-BIL was scheduled for early January, with this in mind orders for the unit had to be placed with our supplier very early in 2012. Obviously, as we had no orders to base our requirements on we had to estimate what we believed the demand would be. Of course if the model had been scheduled for release say in September 2013 we would not have been in the position we now find ourselves but we were determined to have a totally new model out into the market as early as possible in 2013.

The term “armchair modeller” has been about a while in the hobby referring to those who are vocal in criticism and comment but are sat in their comfy chairs tapping away on their keyboards without actually undertaking much modelling of their own. I have noticed more and more on various online forums etc. a new version of the “armchair modeller” the “armchair Ready -To-Run designer”  this breed makes assumptions on what the manufacturers can / should produce in the future on the basis of what they already already produced, without really understanding the mass manufacturing / marketing process.

Before I illustrate this below I will accept that in some cases the design of one model can be produced in such a away that it can also be used for another. An example of this is Hornby’s original chassis for the Rebuilt Merchant Navy pacific that had an offset rear bearing that can be turned to give the correct wheelbase for the Light Pacific’s. Also there will often be some commonality of parts such as tenders and possibly bogies, that will reduced some initial costs, but more often than not the main chassis and body mouldings are complete unique. Therefore to produce another, albeit similar,  locomotive class will require a complete new set of tooling which is where the majority of the development cost will fall.

A Hornby N15 (repainted) Note the 6’7″ driving wheels and spacing

From a Southern perspective the two most common assumptions for production of one model from another that regularly appear online are: firstly because Hornby have produced and N15 thay can simply produce a S15, or secondly because Bachmann have produced a N Class they can easily produce a U class.

A Kit built S15 note the smaller 5’6″ driving wheels and lack of footplate splashers compared to the N15

In both these examples there  are admittedly some commonality of parts such as tenders, bogies / pony trucks but with the locomotives having differing driving wheel sizes, driving wheel spacing,  varying boiler pitches, different cabs etc. The main body and chassis will need to be completely new and therefore costly toolings.

A kit built O2

A further example came to light online last week, to be honest is what promoted this post, is this statement ”A Western ‘G6’ 0-6-0T is an ‘obvious’ for Dapol because of the common boiler with their ‘O2’.”  Whilst the G6 did in reality share a boiler with some of the O2 class the design and construction of

A kit built, yes the boiler is pretty much the same but the tank and cab etc are all different

a model is somewhat different and boilers for example are not separate components and therefore there will be virtually no commonality of parts from a model perspective between these two classes other than perhaps the 4’10″ driving wheels and buffer heads everything else would be totally new tooling!

A Bachmann N Class, has 5’6″ drivers

It also has to be questioned if there is in fact a market to enable the manufacture to get the return on the investment from producing such similar models. Many modellers dedicated to a particular railway company will no doubt create an initial demand.

A kit built U class with 6′ driving wheels and different spacing to the N class among the differences

Indeed I would of course be part of that demand from a Southern perspective (even though I have already a number of kit built examples in my fleet).

To the average modeller / model market an N15 and S15 and N and U possibly  look too alike to gain mass market sales. At the end of the day the main drive of the Ready To Run manufacturers is to make the maximum profit and a return for their share / stake holders.

This does not of course mean that any of the locomotive types above will not be considered as giving a suitable return and therefore be produced in the future. For example Bachmann will be announcing their release plans for the next 18 months in the couple of weeks time and I am sure there will be one or two items of Southern interest (full details of such will be posted on this blog too).

Each year Model Rail magazine, RMweb and MREmag join forces to ask modellers to vote for their favourite models of the preceding 12 months. The results of the latest poll, are published today on both  RMweb and MREmag .

In another busy year for new British ready-to-run models in the three major scales, Bachmann Europe emerged as the clear winner, sweeping the board in ‘N’ gauge, winning all but one of the ‘00’ categories and scooping the overall Manufacturer of the Year award with almost 60% of the vote.

Southern Railway / Southern Region  models were top in many categories: Hornby claimed just one top prize – for its popular Maunsell pull-push coaches, whilst the Bachmann C Class 0-6-0 won the best ’00′ Steam outline model and their 25T SR ‘Pillbox’ brake vans won both the ’00′ and ‘N’ wagon categories.

Model Rail editor Ben Jones added: “Congratulations to all our winners. There are worthy victors in every category, but the quality of many models that didn’t win is testament to the high standards now being achieved by all our RTR manufacturers.”  The full list of Model of the Year 2012 awards winners is published in the Spring issue of MODEL RAIL magazine, on sale Thursday March 21st.

Alongside the platelayers hut next to the main line a group of Permanent Way workers, sometimes also known as platelayers,  are taking a taking a tea break, one of whom is sat reading the newspaper and another has a mug of tea in his hand. The gentleman leaning on his ballast fork is, as I have stated on the blog a few times,  a representation of my Grandfather* in his role as a Ganger.
The permanent way team would have been made up of a number of Linesmen and look outs under the leadership of a Ganger who in turn would have reported to a local / area Sub-inspector (Permanent way). On Fisherton Sarum the look out flag man is just walking towards the hut to join the rest of the team in taking there tea break.

The classic concrete platelayers huts were seen all over the Southern railway and were a design and product of the Southern Railway’s own concrete works at Exmouth Junction. The distinctive roof shape was so that minus the chimney they could be delivered, within the loading gauge on a well wagon, in one piece to anywhere on the network.
A number of 4mm models of these typical Southern Railway platelayers huts are available in kit or Ready-to-Plonk form from the likes of: Roxey Mouldings in white metal, as per this example along with the typical cast concrete ballast bin located alongside; Ratio in plastic and also in resin within the Hornby Scaledale range.

*My grandfather, Thomas Arthur Muspratt, in reality was a ganger for the Southern Railway, based at Salisbury for most of the period that I model before he gained promotion to Sub Inspector (permanent way) at Andover Junction during 1948.

The Southern Railway following on from its constituents made use of Pull Push sets across the network and this practice carried on well into British Railways Southern Region days. Other railways companies also made of such although they were often also known as autocoach, motor coach or push pull sets on these other railways. Originally many of the units were converted from either ex steam railmotors, following early pre grouping experiments  that found them to be inflexible and often under powered, and a mix of converted pre-grouping coaches.

Set 734 heads west past the shed at Fisherton Sarum

The main topic of this post are the nine Pull Push  sets converted from ex LSWR 46′ 6″ Emigrant corridor stock in 1942/3 that created sets 731 to 739. The sets comprised of a Driving Brake Third and a Composite and they retained their corridor connection between the two coaches. Although converted at the same time there were differences between the sets:  sets 731 to 4 were identical,  sets 735/7 had a slightly different Brake Third, sets 738/9 shared the same style Brake Third as sets 735/7 but with a different style of composite; confusing I know! The sets were widely travelled over all three sections of the Southern network and survived until 1959/1961.

Set 734 arrives at Ashland

My model of Set 734 that appears on Fisherton Sarum from time to time, and occasionally Hornby Magazine’s Ashland is a Northstar Models built set. Unfortunately Northstar Models that manufactured a number of limited ready to run ex LSWR coaches are no longer available. They were a Christmas present to myself a few years ago now.

Kernow Model Centre has commissioned the ex LSWR ‘Gate Stock’ Pull Sets numbers 363, 373/4 to be produced and hopefully these will make an appearance in early 2014, further details can be found here.

The Southern Region also created 20 Pull Push sets from late 1959 to mid 1960 as replacements for earlier Push Pull sets of SR and pre-grouping design. They consisted of two Maunsell vehicles, an ex-diagram 2403 BCK and an ex diagram 2005 SO.  These sets have now been produced by Hornby and my review can read here, they do not run on Fisherton Sarum as they outside my usual 1946 to 1949 modelling period.

The third and final series of Bulleid’s Merchant Navy Pacifics were not introduced until after the formation of British Railways in the Autumn of 1948. As a result they were numbered immediately into the new BR numbering series 35021 to 35030 but still initially appeared in malachite green whilst British Railways developed their own new livery schemes.

35021 once paired to her 6000 gallon tender in lined malachite green with lettering in British Railways Gills Sans.

The locomotives were built at Eastleigh and five of the first seven were finished before the completion at Brighton of their 6000 gallon tenders and were introduced into service paired with Bullied Light Pacfiic tenders, either 5500 gallon (35021/22/24) or 4500 gallon (35026/27) versions for a few months.

35022 looks a little strange in unlined malachite green, paired to a 5500 Gallon Light Pacific tender with names plates covered. Note also the mismatch of letting styles between loco and tender.

During this period of time they were finished in unlined malachite and had there nameplates fitted but covered up with wooden protective boards. Once coupled to their proper tenders they there finished in fully lined malachite although the lettering style varied between BR Gills Sans or ex Southern Sunshine style depending on when the 6000 gallon tenders were available.

35023 entered service from new with its correct 6000 gallon tender and was lettered in Southern Sunshine style.

My models illustrated here have been built from Millholme models white metal kits although the tender paired to 35022 is a repainted Hornby 5500 gallon tender. Numbers 35021 and 35022 are nearing completion and left the workbench for the first time  during the recent bank Holiday weekend and join the ever growing fleet some more of which can be found on my very first Talking Stock  post here.  35023 completed a while ago (although still requires a couple more details added) is shown here also as a further livery variation example.

Hornby’s R4538 Maunsell unconverted* open third class coach in BR green and R4537 Maunsell unconverted* open third class coach in Southern Maunsell green were originally announced in January 2012 and were a logical addition to the range as they were also tooling a variant to be part of the BR converted Maunsell Pull Push sets .
I have recently noticed a variety of misinformation about delivery dates appearing on various online forums and in communications from some retailers (although some do match that below), there has also been an increase in the number of times they have appeared in the search terms used resulting in readers arriving on this blog.

Maunsell Third/Second Open (Picture courtesy of Hornby Magazine)

To clarify the situation and after discussion direct with Hornby I am able to confirm the current anticipated delivery dates to Hornby in Margate, and therefore retailers shortly afterwards as being:

R4538 Maunsell open third class coach in BR green due June 3rd 2013
R4537 Maunsell open third class coach in Southern Maunsell green due 9th September 2013

I will not add to or comment on the reasons and or speculation for the apparent and or perceived delay in these arriving other than I am sure they will be worth the wait and sometimes as modellers we should be a little more patient in this seemingly “I want it now world”!

*Note: ‘unconverted’ is a term used by Hornby and is a bit like the term ‘unrebuilt’ being used for Bulleid Pacifics in original form. Technically the term ‘unconverted’ is not necessary at all in describing the coach.

Just a quick post to confirm that as advised in my delivery status update post, on 22nd May, the Hornby R4538 Maunsell open second class coach in BR green has now arrived with many retailers although those of you, like me, wanting the SR open third version will have to wait a little longer until September.
Although I do not have one of the BR liveried versions as it outside my usual 1946-1949 time period, I have in the past been fortunate to have had a close look at the pre-production sample, of course we have also seen the modified version as part of the 6xx series Pull Push sets, and it certainly maintains the high standards we have come to enjoy with the other Hornby Maunsell coaches produced to date.

Further to my post earlier this week regarding the availability of the Hornby R4538 Maunsell open second class coach in BR green, its arrival has generated some discussion on a number of forums and email lists with respect to the prototype that Hornby have chosen to model.

Friend and guru of all things Southern coach related Chris Knowles-Thomas kindly provided a useful summary for the R4538 model, so I hope he does not mind me using his information as the basis of this post.

R4538 has the running number S1314S and carries set No. 104 on one end. Coach number 1314 was one of the diagram 2005 open thirds (1312 – 1361) built in 1933. Its designation changed to open second in 1956 when British Railways abolished the use of Third.

It was loose, i.e. not allocated to any particular set, from 1933 until November 1959 when it replaced the ex SE&CR diagram 52 non-corridor second 1063 in 2-set ‘W’ Number 104.  [Edit: although, see Clive Standen's comment below, that it appears as allocated to South Eastern Division boat train set number 8 in 1957.]  The other coach in set 104 was Maunsell brake composite to diagram 2401 No. S6589S.
Hornby have also previously released a Brake Composite to diagram  2401 though not yet with the appropriate running number for set 104. This set was disbanded in June 1962 and 1314 reverted to lose stock. It was withdrawn in November 1962.

It is currently being debated whether S1314S carried set numbers in reality. Generally the Southern only applied set numbers to brake ends but at least some of the open seconds in 2-sets ‘W’ 100-110 are known to have had set number applied, e.g. set 103, so if anyone has any photo references for set 104 it would be good to know.

It is now less than two weeks until Fisherton Sarum makes an appearance at the Hornby Magazine Live exhibition being held in Hartlepool on 13th and 14th July. 

The show is filled with 25 layouts, with Fisherton Sarum flying the flag for the Southern along with  the Thornbury Hill Model Railway Group’s 4mm scale Southern Region layout Thornbury Hill. Hornby Magazines own St Stephen’s Road layout, on show  is also a Southern / Western Region joint station set somewhere over the border from Devon.

A view across the front of the shed (c) Hornby Magazine / C Nevard

Also present are almost 30 traders including display stands from Hornby and Bachmann showcasing their latest models. Demonstrations from Hornby Magazine contributors include Paul Chetter, on DCC Sound and Phil Parker on building just about any kit that that takes his fancy.

I shall be kindly joined by fellow members of the High Wycombe and District MRS, Roger, Mark and Daniel along with my Mum and Dad to operate the layout for the weekend, and I express my thanks in advance to them all. Hopefully the work and amendments made to the layout over the last few months, documented on these pages, such as the turntable and box van uncoupling will be effective throughout the show.

The shows venue is right in the town centre, within walking, and almost sight, of the railway and bus stations at the Hartlepool College of Further Education, Stockton Street, Hartlepool TS24 7LB. It is open to the public on Saturday between 9:30 and 17:30, and on Sunday between 10:00 and 16:30. If you are planning a visit,and it is well worth doing so, please come and say hello.

As per my post at the time Arnold one of the brnads of Hornby International announced last January their intent to produce a N Gauge Brighton Belle in British 1.148 scale rather then the usual continental 1.160 scale.

Hornby Arnold have today released further information as follows:

The “Brighton Belle” is one of the most famous, if not the most famous of the “Belle” trains to operate on British tracks. The “Belle” operated between London Victoria and Brighton and was the first all electric Pullman service in the World.  The service commenced in June 1934 and continued until April 1972 with only a period during the Second World War when the service was suspended.  There were three 5-Car units specifically built by Metropolitan Cammell for the “Brighton Belle”, a service which took just 60 minutes to travel the non-stop 51 mile distance between London and Brighton.

In recent years under the patronage of the Transport Trust a group was formed to restore a 5-BEL unit and bring it back into service under private ownership.

The stunningly elegant Hornby Arnold N gauge model, which will be initially produced in two distinctive periods, captures perfectly the opulence and style of the “Brighton Belle Pullman”, with each car lit with miniature table lamps as well as having carefully crafted detailed interiors.

These truly distinctive models will only be available via www.Hornby.com and advance orders will and can be taken.

Technical features:

·         Accurate UK N scale – 1:148
·         High performance motor with flywheel
·         6 pin DCC socket
·         Detailed differences on bogies between both models
·         Illuminated table lamps

HN3000 SR 5-BEL “Brighton Belle Pullman” – 2-Car set (DMBPT) in Cream & Umber – 1934 – £129.99

1 x DMBPT (Driver Motor Brake Parlour Third) Powered
1 x DMBPT (Driver Motor Brake Parlour Third) Unpowered

HN3500 SR 5-BEL “Brighton Belle” 3-Car pack (2 x TPFK, TPT) in Cream & Umber – 1934 – £79.99

2 x TPFK (Trailer Parlour First Kitchen)
1 x TPT (Trailer Parlour Third)

HN3001 BR Class 403 “Brighton Belle Pullman” – Blue & Grey – 1969 – £129.99

1 x DMBPT (Driver Motor Brake Parlour Third) Powered
1 x DMBPT (Driver Motor Brake Parlour Third) Unpowered

HN3501 BR Class 403 “Brighton Belle” 3-Car pack (2 x TPFK, TPT) – Blue & Grey – 1969 – £79.99

2 x TPFK (Trailer Parlour First Kitchen)
1 x TPT (Trailer Parlour Third)

All models are produced to 1:148 UK N Gauge standards.

Hornby Hobbies Ltd. is announcing a number of delays to 2013 catalogue items.  They advise that despite their best estimates a proportion of delivery dates will not be met.

It was back in January this year that the continental manufacturer Arnold that are part of the Hornby International stable of brands initially announced they were to produce an N gauge version of the Brighton  Belle set and that it will be in the British 1.148 scale rather then the usual continental 1.160 scale.

It was later announced here,  along with the actual livery variations being produced that these truly distinctive models will only be available via www.Hornby.com and advance orders will and can be taken.

The models will feature: being accurate to UK N scale – 1:148, High performance motor with flywheel, 6 pin DCC socket, Detailed differences on bogies between both period models and Illuminated table lamps.

First off Engineering Prototypes of The Arnold / Hornby N Gauge Brighton Belle

The first Engineering Prototypes (EP) of the bodies have now just been received by Hornby and I had the privilege, courtesy of Simon Kohler of Hornby, to be the first to take any photographs at the weekend.  It should be noted that these are the very first samples and there are a small number of inevitable design  tweaks needed that have already been noted.

Both Driving Cars feature a die cast detailed underframe

Both driving cars have a well detailed die cast full length underframe which should give a nice amount of weight for traction.  and the differences between the three trailing cars have been accurately portrayed and they also feature flush glazing.

If these first samples are anything to go by then the finished models will be an a worth addition to to any 2mm Modellers Southern / Southern Region fleet, although I don’t envy their need to install 2mm scale third rail!