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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So far released are the following variations:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kernow Model Centre

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Graham Farish

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

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

Dapol

The Dapol first livery sample of E6003

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

Hornby

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

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

I have posted before about the S15 class firstly in my Talking Stock #16, blog post titled, The S15 Goods Arthurs and covered the announcement made by Hornby in December last year that they were to produce the S15 in ready to run form during 2015. The first of the variants being produced have now arrived in the shops in the shape of R3328. For this post I have taken a look at this version of the model before I backdate her to suit my own 1946-49 modelling period.

R3328 S15 No. 30843 in BR early emblem livery. Note I have not fitted any of the accessory details pack yet as I will do this once I have backdated the model

A right hand rear 3/4 view of 30843

The all important ‘front face’ captures the look of the S15

An accessory bag is included that include the front foot steps, cylinder drain pipes, dummy screw link couplings, steam heating pipes, loco and tender brake rigging for the owner to fit, and supplied with the late crest version is an AWS protector plate to mount under the front buffer beam. Also included is a front tension lock coupling to be fitted if required (although mine arrived missing the rear tender tension lock coupling).

A front right 3/4 view. The blanking plate on the smokebox where the snifting valve was removed can be seen

A left hand rear 3/4 view space is included within the tender for speaker and an 8 pin DCC decoder

A view from the rear also showing the fine cab detail

Although I am not in the DCC camp there is space in the tender for both an 8 pin decoder and and also a cut out in the weight ready for a 28mm round sound speaker located over cut outs in the chassis for the sound to escape. It is however a bit of a shame that design is such that to access the two screws holding the tender body to the chassis require the bogies to be removed first (although these are not totally removable as the wired pickup connections are soldered).

The other two releases on the way this year are as follows:

R3327 in SR Maunsell lined olive green as number 824 paired with a Urie Bogie tender and smoke deflectors representing the condition she was in from September 1932 when renumbered without the ‘E’ prefix. Number 824 was one of the first batch of the Maunsell S15s built in March 1927 and an Exmouth Junction allocated locomotive during all her Southern Railway days. 824 remained in this livery until April 1940 when under wartime conditions she was repainted in unlined olive green with Bullied style lettering. She also has the additonal detail of the crosshead driven vacuum pump fitted correctly on the left hand side only and snifting valves on the smokebox.

R3329 in BR late emblem livery as 30830, with AWS fitted, paired to a Urie Bogie tender c/w auxiliary vacuum reservoirs. 30830 was a from the second batch of Maunsell S15s built in August 1927. 30830 ran in this livery, with a 72B Salisbury shed plate between May 1960, when AWS equipment was fitted, and December 1963 when she was transferred to Feltham.

It is good to see that Hornby have very much returned to form over the last 12 to 18 months or so with releases such as the Drummond 700 class and meeting the intended delivery schedule for the S15 as being a 2015 release. Long may it continue, mine will now go in the queue for backdating and renumbering, (thankfully the smokebox door is quite easily removed to assist with the removal of the BR number plate) and suitable weathering, so keep an eye on my Workbench Witterings pages for further details.

Oxford Rail, the new brand of The 4mm scale road vehicle manufacturer Oxford Diecast, announced last November their intention to enter the UK 4mm 00 scale ready to run market, with initial an ex London & South Western Railway (LSWR) Adams 0415 class 4-4-2T Adams Radial Tank and a range of 1923 PO wagons (which perhaps would have been better being the 1907 version not currently already produced in RTR form). Within weeks of their announcement Hornby also announced that they were already producing such a model and theirs is currently due in January 2016.  Oxford Rail have this week released images and samples of the first version of the locomotive in their range reference number OR76AR001 as number 30583 in British Railways Late Crest livery and stated that they are due to be available from Monday 23/11 next week.

I have not yet seen a physical model in the flesh and fully accept that judging such a model from only the pictures released by Oxford Rail here along with the image below, that is courtesy of Tony Wright / BRM Magazine / Andy York / RMweb / (although their sample does appear to have a bent piston rod and one of the tool boxes is not sat square on the running plate), does not possibly give the full story, so this post is not a review just a few initial thoughts.

The Oxford Adams radial 30583 picture courtesy and copyright of Tony Wright / BRM Magazine

The first thing that struck me is that the front face of the model does not appear to be quite right, which might be due to what seems to me to be a lack of taper on the chimney, slightly high positioning of the smokebox number plate and the silver painted possibly slightly overscale appearance of the handrails, stanchions and also the smokebox dart (perhaps if they had been left unpainted they might have looked finer?).  But I would have to reserve final judgement once I have had a chance to see the actual model in the flesh. From a construction / tooling perspective there appears to be some prominent mould lines along both the boiler, chimney and also the cylinders and the dome does not appear to sit as flush to the boiler as perhaps it should. Also the motor assembly (including a flywheel),  that drives the rear axle,  is located forward within the smokebox end of the boiler resulting in the motor casing being visible under the boiler at the front which should really be daylight above the frames.
Other details such as cab backhead, pipework, underframe brake gear etc. look to be to the fine standard we have come to expect from recent Ready to Run models.

There were a number of detail difference between the last surviving three locomotives such as front frames, slide bars, Adams / Drummond boilers (with differing domes and safety vales) which were swapped betweenthe three locomotives over time, and rear radial wheel diameters etc. Oxford Rail have stated that they are tooling for all this differences and from my initial check the combination of the variations appears to be correct for 30583 in the livery being produced.

We shall have to wait and see how these models look and perform in the flesh and compare with the albeit slightly more expensive Hornby model in due course.  We will of course be able to pay our money and make our own choice.

As has been evident over the last 12 months Hornby have changed the way in which they are announcing new produces to market, moving away from a single announcement around Christmas time, and have already made headline announcements of some of the new models for 2016 during the year. These from a Southern Railway perspective had included Bullied Merchant Navy Pacifics in original air smoothed form (February 2015) and ex LSWR 58ft non corridor coaching stock (June 2015). Hornby have today (26/11) just prior to this weekends Warley National Model Railway exhibition announced here the full details of their entire 2016 which has included a number of previously unannounced items including a SR diagrams 1529 and 1530 cattle wagons from new tooling, the latter being the Bulleid version with plywood ends.  The aim of this post is to round up the announcements that are of a Southern Railway / Southern Region interest, although some details are still to be confirmed and I will update this post once further information becomes available. Also two new models will be further announced at 1.30pm direct from the Warley National Model Railway exhibition this Saturday.

[Updated: 27/11/15, with clarification of the cattle wagon releases]

[Updated: 29/11/15, with further clarification of the cattle wagon variants / liveries, Merchant Navy liveries, Maunsell coach types and the Lyme Regis train pack contents]

[Updated 30/11/15, with further livery details added and Maunsell 58′ stock running numbers added]

Locomotives and train packs

• The S15 is being released as No.827 in SR Bulleid Post Black. Picture courtesy Hornby

  R4311 – SR 4-6-0 ‘827’ Maunsell S15 Class, Urie style tender – Post war Bulleid black with ‘Sunshne’ lettering

• R3412 – BR 4-6-0 ‘30842’ Maunsell S15 Class, flat sided tender – BR Black early crest
• R3413 – BR 4-6-0 ‘30831’ Maunsell S15 Class, Urie style tender – BR Black late emblem
  (The S15 variants are due Feb 2016)
• R3419 – SR 0-6-0 ‘693’ 700 Class – Post 1931 SR Black (14′ WB tender)
• R3420 – BR 0-6-0 ‘30346’ 700 Class –  BR late emblem (13′ WB tender)
• R3421 – BR 0-6-0 ‘30698’ 700 Class –  BR early crest (14′ WB tender)
  The 700 class variants are due April 2016)
• R3422- SR 4-4-2T ‘3125’ Adams Radial 0415 Class – SR Olive Green
• R3423 – BR 4-4-2T ‘30583’ Adams Radial 0415 Class –  BR lined black late emblem
  (The Adams 0415 variants are due Sept 2016)

• 21c1 ‘Channel Packet’ in as introduced 19414 condition. Picture courtesy Hornby

  R3434 – SR 4-6-2 ‘Channel Packet’ ’21C1′ Merchant Navy Class (Original Air Smoothed) in as introduced 1941 condition with widows peak (new tooling due due Sept 2016)

• R3435 – SR 4-6-2 ‘Royal Mail’ ’21C3′ Merchant Navy Class (Original Air Smoothed) in as introduced 1941 condition with widows peak (new tooling due Sept 2016)
• R3436 – BR 4-6-2 ‘Clan Line’ ‘35028’ Merchant Navy Class (Original Air Smoothed) – BR Brunswick Green. early crest (new tooling due Sept 2016)
• R3445 – BR 4-6-2 ‘Camelford’ ‘34032’ West Country Class – BR Early – Air Smoothed
• R3456 – BR 4-6-0 ‘Sir Hervis de Revel’ N15 King Arthur Class – BR Lined Brunswick Green early crest
• R3457 – SR 4-4-0 ‘116’ Class T9 – Post 1931 lined olive green
• R3458 – SR 4-4-0 ‘Shrewsbury’ Schools Class –  SR Black with Sunshine lettering
• R3468 – BR 4-6-2 ‘603 Squadron’ ‘34077’ Battle of Britain Class – Rebuilt – BR Lined Brunswick Green with late emblem
• R3467 – SE&CR liveried 0-6-0T ‘751’ A1X Terrier
• R3341A – BR 2-HAL ‘2623’ 2 Car Electric Multiple Unit Train Pack – BR Blue
• R3373 – BR Class 71 ‘E5001’ NRM – BR Green
• R3374 – BR Class 71 ‘71012’ – BR Blue
• R3376 – BR Class 71 ‘E5022’ BR Green
  (The class 71s are new tooling and due May 2016)

• The Series 3 Merchant navy Pacific as 35028 or 35023 with TTS sound. Picture courtesy Hornby

  R3382TTS- BR 4-6-2 ‘Holland-Afrika Line’ ‘35023’ Merchant Navy (Original Air Smoothed) – BR Brunswick Green, early crest with TTS Sound (new tooling due Sept 2016)

• R3386TTS – BR 4-4-0 ‘King’s Canterbury’ ‘30933’ Schools Class – BR Brunswick Green late emblem
• R3398 – Lyme Regis Branch Line Train Pack – Limited Edition, [Edit 29/11/15] Comprising of Adams 0415 radial tank number 30583 in BR lined black with early crest and two coach set No. 42 made up from Brake Third No. S2636S and Brake Composite No. S6401S in BR(s) Green   (Due August 2016)
• R3400 – Golden Arrow Last Steam Run Train Pack – Limited Edition, comprising Bulleid Re-Built West Country class No.  34100 ‘Appledore’in BR lined Brunswick green with late emblem and 73A (Stewarts Lane) shedplate along with Pullman Kitchen Car ‘Minerva’, and Parlour Second Cars Nos. 34 and 36. The pack will also contain a full set of Golden Arrow regalia for attaching to the locomotive,   (technically the Pullman coaches should be the 1951 ‘square window’ type not yet produced RTR) (Due October 2016)

Coaches

• R4717 – SR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Eight Compartment Brake Third Class Non-Corridor, SR Olive Green [Edit:  Diagram 99 No. 2639 that formed set 49 with R4718) 
• R4718 – S R 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Six Compartment Lavatory Composite Coach, SR Olive Green [Edit: actually a 6 compartment lavatory Brake Composite to Diagram 418 No. 6404 that formed set 49 with R4717]
• R4719 – SR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Six Compartment Lavatory Third Class Coach, SR Olive Green [Edit: actually a 6 Compartment lavatory Brake Third to diagram 98 No. 2626 used as ‘loose’ stock]
• R4720 – SR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Nine Compartment Lavatory Third Class Coach, SR Olive Green [Edit: Diagram 31 No. 304 used as ‘loose’ stock]
• R4745 BR ‘2-Set W’ Coach Pack, Maunsell BCK + SO (Diagrams 2401 & 2005) [Edit: 30/11/15] Set number 109 (due July 2016)
• R4746 – BR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Eight Compartment Brake Third Class Non-Corridor, BR Green [Edit:  Diagram 99 No. S2627S that formed set 43 with R4747) 
• R4747 – BR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Six Compartment Lavatory Composite Coach, BR Green [Edit: actually a 6 compartment lavatory Brake Composite to Diagram 418 N0, S6402S that formed set 4 with R4746]
• R4748 – BR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Six Compartment Lavatory Third Class Coach, BR Green [Edit: actually a 6 Compartment lavatory Brake Third to diagram 98 No. S2629S used as ‘loose’ stock]
• R4749 – BR 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Nine Compartment Lavatory Third Class Coach, BR Green Edit: Diagram 31 No. S267S used as ‘loose’ stock]
  (The 58′ Maunsell Rebuilt (Ex-LSWR 48’) Stock is from new tooling and due August 2016)
• R4734 – SR Maunsell Corridor First Class Coach – Lined Olive Green [Edit 29/11/15] High window style
• R4735 – SR Maunsell Corridor Third Class Coach – Lined Olive Green [Edit 29/11/15] High window style
• R4736 – SR Maunsell 6 Compartment Third Class Brake Coach – Lined Olive Green [Edit 29/11/15] High window style
  (The re-liveried Maunsell Stock is July July 2016)
• R4534D – BR Pull Push Coach Pack – set number tbc (Due July 2016)
• R4699 – BR Mk1 Parcels Coach, BR Green
• R4711 – BR Mk1 Coach Corridor 2nd Class, BR Green
• R4712 – BR Mk1 Coach Corridor Composite, BR Green
• R4713 – BR Mk1 Coach Corridor Brake 2nd Class, BR Green

Wagons

• Hornby’s new diagram 1529 SR cattle wagon. Picture courtesy Hornby

  R6735 – SR Cattle Wagon – Bulleid SR diagram 1530

• R6735A – SR Cattle Wagon – Bulleid SR diagram 1530
• R6737 – BR ex SR Cattle Wagon – Maunsell SR Diagram 1529
• R6737A – BR ex SR Cattle Wagon – Maunsell SR Diagram 1529

  The later diagram 1530 cattle wagon, note the steel ends. Picture courtesy Hornby

  Note: now confirmed as both the diagram 1529 (Maunsell) and later diagram 1530 (Bulleid) wagons have been tooled.
  [Edit: 29/12/15] Although listed above on the Hornby website I can now confirm that in fact there will be a SR and BR livery version of each diagram.

(These cattle wagons are from new tooling and are due August 2016)

Also new tooling announced for a BR 20t Coke wagon.

As per the opening text I will update this post with some illustrations and updated information as it becomes available.

Last weekend saw the annual Warley National Model railway Exhibition at the NEC, this post rounds up some of the the news and items of interest from mainly a Southern / BR(s) perspective.  It is usual for many of the manufacturers to use the event to make announcements of new items or showcase updates to new products under development. This year was no exception although Hornby  of course announced their plans for 2016 last week but held over two items to be announced at the show.
Many thanks to those of you who read this blog for popping by the Topley Dale layout on the Hornby Magazine stand, where I was playing trains during the weekend, and saying hello it was good to see you.

Hornby

In addition to the announced plans for their 2016 range last week, which I have also recently updated, so check back again for the additional information. Hornby also announced two further models in the shape of NER / LNER Raven Q6 0-8-0 and Holden B12 4-6-0.

Hornby Adams Radial No. 30852 with Drummond boiler

The Hornby Class 71

3D prints of the two SR cattle wagons dias 1529 (front) & 1530 (rear)

Bachmann / Graham Farish

The Graham Farish PLV/PMV in N Gauge

Model Rail Magazine

The Model Rail EP of the USA tank (SR version)

Model Rail USA tanks a line up of the variations, see if you can spot the differences!

Dapol 

Dapol Class 73

Dapol SR Rail Post signals

The first livery sample of the Dapol N Gauge Schools class

AYJAY Models

AYJAY models whom have been producing a range of 4mm scale resin bodied and etch brass Southern / Southern Region EMU kits (with some also available Ready to Run) launched a 4mm version of the Class 508 EMU in both kit and Ready made versions and in ‘N’ Gauge a version of their 4Cor EMU kit at the show. Many thanks to Grahame Hedges for the heads up.

I think that just about covers it for now, if there is anything that I have missed and am advised of I will update this post accordingly.

This weekend I finished changing the identity of one of Hornby’s excellent S15 Class 4-6-0 models to represent 30847 one of the locomotives preserved by the Maunsell Locomotive Society. I carried out the work on behalf the Company Secretary of the Society and it was a pleasure to assist him in getting a model of 30847, that has been lovingly restored by members of the Society, and has seen frequent service on the Bluebell Railway.
Further details on the actual 847 / 30847 can be found on the Maunsell Locomotive Society’s website here, in addition to 847 they also have U class 2-60’s Nos. 1618 & 1638, Q class 0-6-0 No. 541 and Schools Class V 4-4-0 No. 928. If you are interested in joining and supporting the Society click here. 

Carrying her new identity as 30847 just prior to the cabsides gaining a coat of satin varnish.

The donor locomotive was a Hornby R3328 No. 30843,  although I have detailed my method of changing model identities on this site before and I generally followed my usual processes, I detail them again here for reference. In this instance I did not require to repaint the model and for a change I would be giving the locomotive a BR identity.

Another view of 30847, the replacement smokebox door number can just be seen.

I actually removed the entire number on each cabside rather than just try and change the last digit (as generally the available transfers never quite exactly match the factory applied numbers) using good quality enamel thinners on a cotton bud, this also leaves the are where the numerals have been removed as a shiny surface finish which is good for the application of the replacement transfers. I took care not remove the existing small 6F power classification printing. I then replaced the numbers starting with the centre digit ‘8’ and working outwards on both cabsides, as this I find it easier to keep the numerals level, using HMRS Pressfic transfers sheet 14 BR steam era loco and coach insignia.   To seal the number transfers and retrun the cabsides to an ex-factory finish I masked off the model just leaving the cabsides exposed and sprayed with a light coat of Railmatch satin varnish.
The smokebox door number plate was changed using transfers from the Fox Transfers FRH4099/003 – Southern Region Smokebox Numbersets 30726-31059 set which simply and neatly covers the existing printed number plate.
To complete the identity change I fitted one of the very fine (and small!) etched shed code plates for 72B (Salisbury) also from Fox Transfers. Finally I finished the model by adding its detail pack of brake rigging on both loco and tender, front steps and cylinder drain pipes, although it should be noted that the packing does require some trimming to allow the model to fit back in once these items have been fitted.

I hope the owner will be pleased with his S15, now 30847, and if readers are able to support the Maunsell Locomotive Society in anyway, I am sure you will be more than welcome.

With a break from real work planned over the Christmas period I hope to be able complete a number of outstanding projects so watch the space for further ‘Workbench Witterings’.

In previous years the model of the year poll was jointly run between RMweb, Model Rail Magazine and the online MREmag.com. This year Model Rail Magazine have decided to run their own awards and so the established process and poll will now be promoted on RMweb, through British Railways Modelling Magazine and on the online MREmag.com as the British Model Railway Awards.

As well as giving you the chance to vote for your favourite models and manufacturers of the year as before, the categories have been broadened to celebrate excellence and innovation in the wider British model railway scene. New awards cover retailers, websites, exhibitions and layouts, acknowledging the huge contributions they make to our hobby.

The voting is now open, running from Saturday 26th December to Saturday 9th January and the results will be published at the end of January to tie in with the magazine sale dates.

There have of course been a number of Southern / Southern Region related models released during 2015 so I urge you to support the production of these models by choosing your best in the relevant category and voting accordingly. These Southern models are as follows:

N Gauge:

• Graham Farish – Air Smoothed Merchant Navy Pacific 4-6-2
• Graham Farish –  N Class 2-6-0
• Graham Farish – Bogie Van B
• Dapol – SR Maunsell Coaches
• Dapol – Van C

00 Gauge

• Bachmann E4 class 0-6-2T
• Hornby 700 class 0-6-0
• Hornby S15 class 4-6-0
• Kernow Model Centre O2 class 0-4-4T
• 00 Works I3 class 4-4-2T
• Oxford Rail Adams Radial 0415 class 4-4-2T
• Dapol Class 73 Bo-Bo
• Bachmann PLV/PMV vans

0 Gauge

• Dapol A1x ‘Terrier’ 0-6-0T

I am also very humbled to see that this little corner of the blogosphere of mine has been nominated within the website of the year category, so and this is a bit of a, well a big, shameless plug, please feel free to vote for it, if you have enjoyed my ramblings over the last twelve months.

Regular readers will also know that I am member of the High Wycoombe and District Model Railway Society and our annual Wycrail exhibition is one of those that has been nominated in the Exhibition of the year category, so again if you attended it, enjoyed it and think it deserves your vote…

Please make sure you vote counts to support the Southern / Southern Region models that have been produced by voting here before the 9th January. 

Here endeth the shameless plug….

As regular readers of my blog will I know I often assist a number of the model manufacturers and commissioners with support, advice and research in conjunction to models that they are in the process of developing. This post is a ‘comment piece’ and my own opinions on aspects of the process to producing a Ready-To-Run (RTR) model and I apologise in advanced for it ending up a little longer than I initially intended…

My own involvement varies from sometimes providing the initial idea, research and concepts, providing information from my own collection of drawings, documents and other reference material, checking drawings / CADs and perhaps checking livery samples etc. My involvement also varies depending on the manufacturer or commissioner involved as each has their own resources either full time employed, sub contract (sometimes off shore) or part time as they endeavour to run their own business.

I am not always at liberty or indeed willing to divulge or publish such intent, discussions, details and or CADs etc. as this is often of course commercially sensitive information; also with some manufacturers I have formal non-disclosure agreements in place.

This is not a full time occupation for me as I as I have a full time proper job and so is carried out in what little spare time I have. I should also make it clear that I do not get directly paid for my involvement, as my main interest is support the production of Southern Railway / Region related models (even in scales in which I have no direct interest), however my involvement does sometimes lead to a benefit in kind to which I am of course grateful.

Often I will speak to others whom I know and trust, that are experts in a particular field, or put them in direct contact with the manufacturer concerned, to obtain further information and advice. Others often assist with constructive comments and advice once a project in the public domain and on the whole this is welcome.
Sometimes however certain individuals decide to be: less than constructive, cryptic, verging on the rude and insulting; and often this has led to them being ignored or even blocked from communicating (including by a number of the manufacturers / commissioners), as their sometimes combative style does not encourage further dialogue (which is often a shame as their direct input could perhaps be useful if they were prepared to be involved on sensible and civil terms), although in some cases this does not stop them from trying to voice their often cryptic opinions elsewhere.

The overall process includes some or all of these steps, all within the constraints of scale, gauge and mass production techniques, of which I may or may not be involved in one or more:
Initial research » concepts / proposal for costings » additional research » collation of available information » laser scanning of any available prototype »
initial basic design of the model (such as chassis, PCBs etc.) »
production of full design and CADs – 3D printed samples (to check initial designs for fit etc.) »
tooling » Engineering Prototype(s) (EPs) – tooling changes / modifications / corrections »
2^nd or more EPs » testing » livery artwork » livery samples » packaging design »
production » and finally of course sale to the general public.
Manufacturers and commissioners must be expected at the end of the day make a return on the not insignificant investment. This hopefully will then encourage more such investment in the future.

Differences, sometimes mistakes, can occasionally creep into the process due to a number of reasons such as:
Changes and/or variations in the prototype from available drawings, mistakes in available drawings, alterations made during lifetime and also preservation (which needs to be noted when scanning is used), and/or variations within the same prototype(s) even with only a small number of original prototypes, and during different periods in their life. 
All of which have to be accounted for and sometimes compromises will have to be made to make producing a model costs effective. The collaborative approach hopefully limits the number of these items that go unnoticed or misinterpreted by any one individual.

This process can take anytime between 18 months or so to even four or more years depending on the particular manufacturer / commissioner concerned, the available resources (either in house or sub-contract, full or part time), the information available and/or due to unforeseen circumstances that can sometimes crop up along the way.

Whilst I agree that often the process does appear to take too long this is sometimes beyond the control of the manufacturer for a variety of reasons, some of which have been well documented over the last 5 years or so. In some case s however such intent to produce a certain model can be seen to be announced to early, although often a market force at the time dictates such a decision whether right or wrong. Such a stake in the ground, as we have seen in the last 12 months or so,  does not of course prevent possible duplication, especially where one party is already well down the development process detailed above. Any form of behind the scenes collusion between manufacturers would of course be illegal as being a restrictive practice under completion law. I would however prefer such announcements to be made in a timely manner when the initial work undertaken is at such a place to backed up with a realistic delivery intent.

I hope this comment piece gives an indication of the processes involved in getting a RTR model to market and long may we continue to see Southern related models being produced as accurately as possible. I certainly believe that it is a positive step taken by many of the manufacturers and commissioners over the last few to involve members of the wider modelling community. We cannot expect all those involved at such companies to be experts in everything, especially the larger manufactures that are producing a range of RTR models over a wide range genres and eras. I therefore maintain that the constructive involvement of any subject experts in the wider community should be a benefit to us all.

I realise that some of the content of this comment piece, and it just that, a comment piece and my own opinion and views, might not be welcome in some quarters but if the cap fits…

In a way this post follows on from my previous ramblings in my ‘armchair’ series such as “Armchair R-T-R Designers” and “Armchair R-T-R tooling and manufacturing Logistics” and even my comment piece on “The process in producing an R-T-R Models”.
Questions were recently raised on a popular model railway forum why certain Ready-To-Run (R-T-R) models either have not been or are going to be produced in either Pre-Grouping liveries or form, even to extent that the manufacturers were losing sales because of it. I would point out however that if the demand was not actually there to sell a complete batch, as minimum production run sizes often come into play, of a certain livery then it might be a case of not enough sales rather than one of loosing sales.

I picked up on this because the models in question being discussed were the recently released Adams O2 class 0-4-4t and the forthcoming Pull Push Gate Stock from The Kernow Model Centre, that were not being produced in London South Western Railway (LSWR) liveries. The particular post also cited the fact some manufacturers had already managed to issued Pre-Grouping livery versions such as: the Bachmann E4 Class 0-6-2t and C Class 0-6-0; and the Hornby M7 0-4-4t. Whilst other models including the Hornby 700 Class 0-6-0 and T9 class 4-4-0 and the aforementioned O2 have not yet been so issued.

In an ideal world if money was no object I am sure the likes of The Kernow Model Centre and even the larger manufacturers such as Hornby would love to tool for all permutations and variations of a particular prototype, but economics do rule and decisions have to be taken based on the size of a potential market for a specific variation / livery and the return possible.

Where the existing tooling is correct / accurate for the same locomotive / rolling with either no or very limited detail changes for an earlier period such as the Pre-Grouping era, or even early Grouping times, then producing such liveries, in perhaps a smaller production run becomes a viable option. However where there would need to be substantial tooling changes, complexities or even completely new tooling the return on such an expense, that can easily run into tens of thousands of pounds, against potential sales needs to be taken into account.

I would therefore not perhaps rule out an LSWR liveried Adams O2 at some stage, as this importantly could be achieved from the existing tooling.

With respect to the Kennow Model Centre ex LSWR Gate Stock these were modified in the early 1930’s from the original LSWR design and therefore the proposed tooling would not be correct for any liveries before that modification took place. Sets 373/4 were converted to Southern Railway air control system in 1929/30 and at the same time gained the standard Southern Railway four window pull push unit style front end, instead of the earlier LSWR 3 window front end.  Set 272 was disbanded in 1929 (prior to driving front end and air control conversion) and reformed as set 363 in 1933, with standard SR front and air control, as per sets 373/4.

A version of the Kernow Model Centre ex LSWR Beattie Well Tank was produced in SR Maunsell 1930’s livery No 3329 but as in the early 1930s the Well Tanks were already on their second substantial rebuild, completely new tooling would have been required to be correct for any earlier livery application.

Both the Hornby produced 700 class 0-6-0 and T9 class 4-4-0 engines were fitted with superheaters from the very end of the pre-Grouping period onwards that not only extended the smokeboxes but in the case of the 700 class also raised the pitch of the boilers, by some 9 inches, extended the frames and a new taller cab, and in such a case would not only require a totally new body tooling but would effect the chassis design as well, which even with the high pitched boiler of the superheated version produced is already very tight for space for the motor a gearbox etc. I do note however that that there would be possibly 4 or 5 members of each class that could legitimately be produced in late LSWR livery in the superheated form from the existing tooling, if Hornby felt the the market was there for them.

I hope this post goes a little way to further explain the issues and complexities of producing Ready To Run models and that sometimes it is neither practical or cost effective to be able to please all modellers all of the time. I am pretty sure that none of us want to return to the days of putting any livery on any model regardless of any historical accuracy!

As they have done for a couple of previous years now at around this time, Hornby have reviewed both their available production slots and the pre-orders received for the 2016 range and withdrawn some items from the range. This has included a small number of SR / BR(S) related items. Hornby have in fact withdrawn over 20 items from the range, including a number of their TTS DCC sound range locomotives and also the all BR (ex-LNER) 61’6″ Gresley coaches in Crimson & Cream livery.

I have therefore updated my Hornby 2016 announcement post here to reflect these changes.

The SR / BR(s) related items withdrawn to date are as follows:

• R3458 – SR 4-4-0 ‘Shrewsbury’ Schools Class –  SR Black with Sunshine lettering
• R3386TTS – BR 4-4-0 ‘King’s Canterbury’ ‘30933’ Schools Class – BR Brunswick Green late emblem
• R4745 BR ‘2-Set W’ Coach Pack, Maunsell BCK + SO (Diagrams 2401 & 2005)

If any further items are withdrawn I will update this post accordingly.

With a nod to the fact that today, 23rd April, is not only St Georges Day, but also the date on which William Shakespeare is understood to have both been born and this year the 400th anniversary of his death, hence the stretching of a few quotations from his writings (so much more than witterings) in the title.
My last Workbench Witterings #4 post detailed some of the locomotives I have been working on and finishing over the last few weeks and this Workbench Witterings #5 post shows a few more.

The Kernow Model Rail Centre O2 number 225 now weathered

O2 Number 225 will be coupled to a Pull Push set using a prototypical screw coupling

O2 Number 193 for use on shunting duties

A rear 3/4 view of O2 number 193

A repainted and weathered Bachmann E4

A rear 3/4 view of a work stained E4 number 2486

Van B number 231

A weathered Bachmann PLV

As I said before I have managed to catch up with finishing a number outstanding projects and these last two Workbench Witterings Posts don’t yet cover them all but I wont bore you with more pictures of weathered black locomotives for now  so watch this space for something different next time around.

Further to my post last week advising that a number of the Hornby 2016 range items had been withdrawn from the range, Hornby have also confirmed that a number of the 2016 range items have now been moved into the 2017 range, including a number of the SR / BR(s) items such as the Original Merchant Navy pacifics and the two further Adams 0415 radial tanks.

I have therefore updated my Hornby 2016 announcement post here to reflect these changes.

The SR / BR(s) related items moved to the 2017 range are as follows:

• R3382TTS BR 4-6-2 ‘Holland-Afrika Line’ Merchant Navy (Original), Early BR TTS sound fitted
• R3422 SR 4-4-2T ‘3125’ Adams Radial 0415 Class
• R3423 BR 4-4-2T ‘30583’ Adams Radial 0415 Class – Late BR
• R3434 SR 4-6-2 ‘Channel Packet’ ’21C1′ Merchant Navy Class (Original)
• R3435 SR 4-6-2 ‘Royal Mail’ ’21C3′ Merchant Navy Class (Original)
• R3436 BR 4-6-2 ‘Clan Line’ ‘35028’ Merchant Navy (Original) Early BR
• R3445 BR 4-6-2 ‘Camelford’ West Country Class BR Early (Original)
• R3458 SR 4-4-0 ‘Shrewsbury’ Schools Class – SR Black
• R3468 BR 4-6-2 ‘603 Squadron’ ‘34077’ Battle of Britain Class – Rebuilt
• R6775 SR Vent Van

The full list of changes including those withdrawn can be found on the Hornby website here.

In slightly more positive news the final approval samples of the Class 71s have now arrived with Hornby as can be seen on their Engine Shed blog post here.

With a nod to a lyric from the Genesis track ‘Deep in the Motherlode’ from their ‘Then there were three’ album (did I not mention before I am a bit of a Genesis geek) Fisherton Sarum is celebrating its 10th birthday (its first exhibition was in back in 2006) by heading West on Saturday 30th July to be at the Barnstaple Model Railway Club exhibition.

This one day show is organised by my friends at the Barnstaple MRC, and has gained a reputation for enticing good quality layouts to North Devon. The exhibition is being held at: Christ Church, Bear Street, Barnstaple EX32 7BU.
It is open to the public between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm
Fisherton Sarum will be in the company of some excellent layouts that I can recommend seeing  including: Portchullin (P4) a Scottish DCC layout of small coastal station, Banbury (N) a model of the real station in Oxfordshire set almost in the current day, Tidworth (00) a fictional station and yard in Networth South East era, Bratton Lane (00) a small shunting yard and Wantage Narrow Gauge Tramway (009) a narrow gauge model based upon the real location. Also a selection of traders  will be present and refreshments will be available.

Competition Time!

It is a first for my blog,  but I thought I would have a competition, as a celebration of Fisherton Sarum’s 10th birthday, for you my readers to be in with a chance to win a mint boxed and brand new Hornby R2620 Urie N15 King Arthur Class number 746 ‘ Pendragon’ in Bulleid post war malachite green livery.

This is the only version that Hornby have produced so far of their excellent N15 class model in this livery. No.  746 represents one of the first batch of the N15 class introduced by Urie between 1918 and 1923, and featured the LSWR style high arc cab roof profile, Urie style safety valves and coupled to a  5000 gallon bogie style tender. More details of the Hornby N15 models can be found here on my Talking Stock #9 post. This model R2620 was introduced as one of the first releases back in 2007 and has not been available since.

So how do you enter…

Barnstaple is not the furthest west that Fisherton Sarum has appeared, so to be in with a chance to win all you need to do is work out where Fisherton Sarum has so far made its furthest west appearance (it has been mentioned on this site before so check the archives…) and send your answer, naming the town, to me by email here, before the 28th July and I will draw at random the winner from all the correct entries during the Barnstaple Exhibition on the 30th July.

Good luck in the competition and come and say hello if you are able to get along to the show in Barnstaple on the 30th.

Firstly I would like to thank all the readers of my little corner of the blogosphere whom took the time to enter my little competition to win a brand new Hornby R2620 Urie N15 King Arthur Class number 746 ‘ Pendragon’ in Bulleid post war malachite green livery. The competition set in my post here in conjunction with Fisherton Sarum’s appearance at the Barnstaple Model Railway Club exhibition last Saturday, and celebrating ten years of exhibiting Fisherton Sarum,  asked the question “where has Fisherton Sarum has so far made its furthest west appearance“. The answer as many of you correctly deduced was its appearance at the Wadebridge show in 2008.

My Mum draws Jon’s name from the hat assisted by Daniel

The lucky winner whose name was literally drawn out of a hat, by my own mother ably assist by another long standing Fisherton Sarum operator Daniel (who operated at Fisherton Sarum’s first exhibition when he could hardly see over the top of the fiddle yards), at the Barnstaple Model Railway Club exhibition on Saturday was Jon Summers of Devon who advises me (being a man after my own heart) that malachite green is his favourite colour! Well done to Jon, the locomotive is winging its way to you by Royal Mail (unfortunately not 21C3).

Secondly; the Barnstaple Model Railway Club exhibition was a pleasure to exhibit at and it was as ever great meet up with old friends, make new ones and put faces to names with whom I have communicated with either on here or via other online means.
If you have you not visited this show before then all I can say is try and make it next year, it really was a superb line up of layouts and humbling to have been included among them. I can confirm that the date of next years show will be Saturday 29th July, Richard, the exhibition manager, and his team at the Barnstaple Model Railway Club are rightly gaining a reputation for putting on a quality show and I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to anyone who can get there.

Some say that Southern modellers have never had it so good. Over the last couple of months a number of SR / BR(s) related products have arrived in 4mm scale (a future post will catch with recent 2mm releases). These have included: from Hornby the Class 71, ex LSWR 0415 Adams radial tanks, ex LSWR Maunsell rebuilt 58′ non corridor stock and Dapol SR style signals. I am also pleased to start with be able to provide an update on the next Class 24 release from the Sutton’s Locomotive Works.

Sutton’s locomotive Works Class 24

In my post about the launch of the Sutton Locomotive Works (SLW) Class 24 here I highlighted not only that the BR Derby built, Type 2 diesels, Class 24s played an early role in the initial modernisation plans for the Southern Region, but also that their were some details variations among the initial members of the class.

Class 24 as D5016 with ‘Athermos’ axle boxes n the condition that it worked on the Southern Region.

The main differences were that ten of the initial batch of 20 locomotives D5010 to D5019 and therefore nine of those that worked on the Southern Region, were fitted with the distinctive larger but experimental ‘Athermos’ axle boxes, rather than the SKF roller type that became the standard.

Philip Sutton the man behind SLW advised me at the time of writing that tooling had been produced to this variation in the future.

A view of the SLW D5016 on non ETH fitted Bulleid stock one of the reasons why they were needed on the BR(s)

Philip paid a visit to me on Fisherton Sarum at the Barnstaple show at the end of last month with a ‘hot of the production line’ SLW catalogue number 2403 as D5016, with the ‘Athermos’ axle boxes along with extra bodyside air intake grilles, original exhaust and front end doors in all over green livery.
It goes without saying that I took the opportunity to take a quick snap of the D5016 on the main running line of Fisherton Sarum. I can also confirm that the running quality demonstrated was as good as all the plaudits elsewhere have stated. I must congratulate Philip Sutton on his attention to detail and model design with these models.

Hornby

Hornby’s output of new models over the last few months has continued at pace and for Southern modellers we now seen recently the arrival of the Class 71 Bo-Bo electric, the Class 0415 Adams 4-4-2T Radial and within the last couple of weeks the ex LSWR 58ft Maunsell rebuilt non corridor coaching stock.

Set 45 comprising of a Dia 418 Brake Composite and a Dia 99 Brake Third

The latter coaches have been developed with the assistance of friend and Southern rolling stock guru Mike King and splendidly and exquisitely (insert any other positive adjective here) represent the 58tft stock converted in 1934/5 from ex LSWR 488ft stock to Diagram 99 and Diagram 418 Brake Third and Brake Composites respectively that made up 2 coach lav Sets 42 to 46 and also the diagram 31 all third and diagram 99 brake third that were mainly used as ‘loose’ coaches. They capture the prototypes very well including the characteristic timber weatherboard that ran the full length of each coach at floor level owing to the new standard SR underframes being slightly wider than the ex LSWR bodies.

Diagram 31 all Third ‘loose’ coach

Although sold as individual coaches the Dia 99 and 418 coaches have been correctly numbered, including the central end set numbering, to make up sets 42 and 43 in unlined SR olive (as introduced) and BR crimson liveries respectively. See my original Hornby 2016 announcement post here for the relevant Hornby R numbers.

Diagram 98 Brake Third ‘Loose’ coach

These coaches were seen on the Lyme Regis branch, so are therefore a perfect companion for the ex LSWR 0415 Adams Radial  4-4-2 tanks, but also these coaches were seen on both branch and local services on across the South Western section of the SR / BR(s).
These continue the standard set by Hornby with their recent coach releases such as the Maunsell stock. Fine details include separately applied hand rails and grab handles, a representation of the grills behind the luggage compartment doors, very well detailed bogies,  fine livery application including window smoking signs.

A close up of the end of the Dia 418 Brake Composite showing the exquisite detail

These coaches did gain SR malachite livery followed by BR style lettering on malachite (heavily varnished so slightly darker in appearance) in addition to the unlined Olive and BR crimson so far released so Hornby have a few more livery options up their sleeve. The 2 lav sets did not make it into post BR(s) Green although it is understood that a small number of the Diagram 31 and Diagram 99 coaches did.

For those wishing to fit Kadee buckeye style couplings, I can confirm that the Kadee number 18 medium length fit nicely between the coaches, bringing the sprung buffers together and should also enable the coaches to be able to be propelled OK on 2nd radius and above trackwork.

Going head to head:  both the Class 71 and the class 0415 Adams radials are going head to head with other manufacturers with the former up against the DJModels class 71 that is yet arrive and the latter with the earlier released Adams radial from Oxford Rail.

The Hornby 0415 class Adams Radial as No 30582

I do not currently have a Hornby Class 71 as I have preferred to wait for the DJM version which I feel is likely to be the slightly more higher specification and detailed version, however having been able to get a close look at the Hornby pre-production samples of the Adams radial last year I decided to wait for the slightly more expensive but overall in my view more accurate (taking all the slight detail variations between the locomotives at different times in their lives), and finer Hornby version, pictured left. Mine will soon be backdated to 1946 guise as 3520 in Bulleid post war black ‘Sunshine lettering ‘ livery.

Dapol 

Dapol SR Rail Post signals

The Dapol working upper quadrant Southern Signals available as Rail Post (for some reason named by Dapol as ‘Ladder post’) in both Home and Distant styles and a short lattice post platform Starter (some might say dinky) have now hit the retailers.
I have had previously heard mixed reports about the reliability of the previously issued Dapol signal due to their mechanism, along with the rather odd control single pulse to change control method (which does not make it easy to know which position the signal is in from the switch). It does seem anecdotally that those signals that have been controlled by a DCC accessory decoder appear to fair better than directly via push to make switch.
It is my understanding that these release utilise the same mechanism as the previous releases.

Dapol have also announced (05/08/16) that they have Merged with Lionheart Trains that will see much of the Lionheart Trains range of 7mm 0 gauge come under the Dapol brand. Richard Webster of Lionheart Trains has been working closely, (with a little assistance from myself) with Dapol on the development of new models in all scales.

As I said in the introduction above a round up of some of the recent 2mn releases will be the subject of a future post soon, so what this space.

Today, via their Engine Shed blog, Hornby have announced that they are to produce the ex SECR / SR Wainwright H class 0-4-4 tank as part of their 2017 range. The blog post also includes images of the first 3D Stereolithography printed samples showing the excellent progress that they have made so far. Ever since they posted a teaser picture some time ago on their Engine Shed blog and social media, taken on the roof whilst photographing and measuring the only surviving member of the class, number 1263, on the Bluebell Railway the rumours have been circulating; although I have been fortunate to know it was being worked on for some time now.

My model of H class number 1522 buit from a South Eastern Finecast white metal kit

The first 64 of the eventual 66 members of the class were first introduced by Wainwright of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway between November 1904 and 1909. The final two members of the class were eventually built under the auspices of Maunsell in 1915! They first appeared in Wainwright’s fully lined dark green livery followed by by Maunsell’s plain dark green livery, then the wartime dull grey livery up until 1923. In Southern Railway days they were in lined olive green which gave way to Bulleid black under wartime conditions and eventually British Railways lined black.

Although in a spurious malachite green livery, this is my very early attempt at producing an H Class tank using an much cut about Wrenn R1 0-6-0T as the starting point, but is one of the 15 with the flat sided bunker

All but two members of the class (numbers 1264 & 1312 due to cracked frames) entered British Railways service with withdrawals taking place initially between 1951 and 1953 as a result of the spread of electrification and the remainder between 1959 and 1964.  A large number of the class were fitted with standard SR air control Pull Push gear from 1949 onwards to replace some of the aging D3, R &  R1 0-4-4 tanks. There were a number of slight differences within the class such as steam and Westinghouse braked versions, slight variations in coal and water capacities, while fifteen of the class had straight sided rather than flare topped coal bunkers.

Hornby have announced their intention to initially in 2017 to produce three versions: SECR full lined green, Southern olive green (subject to confirmation) and early emblem BR liveries; along with a fourth BR late crest variant in a train pack with two Maunsell 6xx series Pull Push coaches.
Final details and actual locomotive numbers etc will be further revealed in due course, and posted on this blog when available, however the Hornby design team have advised me that they are tooling to accommodate steam and Westinghouse braked versions, flat and flared bunker sides along with those fitted with air control pull push gear.

This will no doubt be a popular release and very useful for modellers of the Eastern and Central sections of the Southern Railway rather then the Western Section which has already recently been well catered for by Hornby with their M7, N15, S15, T9 and 700 class releases.