Rail Express - January 2014 - Sample Edition

Packed with great photos!

Time Traveller: 18000

Type 2 No. 26038 sold

Colas ‘70s’ on the way

Essential reading for today’s rail enthusiast

0 to 60!

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WF

EA TU

RE

What’s the quickest

RAIL EXPRESS No. 212 JANUARY 2014 £4.25

off the mark?

40 pages of modelling: ● Bachmann LT Class 20 review

● Warley Show full news round-up

On shed at Neasden

Behind the scenes at LU’s ‘super depot’

www.railexpress.co.uk

● Hornby unveils 2014 range

Issue No. 212 January 2014

VETERAN Type 3 diesel No. 33207 Jim Martin, now over 50 years old, found itself among some very modern electric company when stabled at the bufferstops at Euston on November 30. The loco had been used on a charter stock move. See page 31 for more railtour news. Richard Dyke

6

NEWS

Folkestone Harbour branch to close; Network Rail looks ahead 30 years in four market surveys; DTG ‘Western’ on stone traffic, Colas Class 70s on the way; Great Western electrification HOPS train arrives for testing; TPE gets its first ‘Desiros’; Wimbledon builds a new wheel drop.

20 NEWS FOCUS: CLASS 317 REFURB

Angel Trains and Bombardier have developed a Class 317 demonstrator unit that will be trialled on Greater Anglia ahead of a fleet overhaul.

22 ON SHED: NEASDEN

Rail Express goes behind the scenes at London Underground’s Neasden depot, which is halfway through an upgrade to ‘super depot’ status for maintainance and overhaul of the ‘S’ Stock fleet.

26 0 TO 60!

The start of a new regular feature logging train performances from a standing start, beginning with a CrossCountry HST and Hull Trains ‘Adelante’.

28 EXPRESS MAILBAG

Which ‘Western’ query – identity solved; slotted signals, DLR photography.

29 REVIEWS

Looking at books on British Rail, London Underground in colour and Beeching Era maps.

30 TIME TRAVELLER

What was happening on the railways 10, 20, 30 40 and 50 years ago.

MODELLING The best from Warley...

Hornby’s 2014 range... plus the latest news and reviews.

56 IRISH ANGLE

A full round-up of railway news from both sides of the border in Ireland.

58 WAGONS ROLL

Bluebell KFAs start ‘leafbusting’ work in Kent.

11

35 RAILTOURS

Why ‘Choppers’ are still a popular choice for tours, plus a guide to Class 20/3 last workings.

33 PRESERVATION

6LDA Group buys No. 26038; Class 108 to stay at East Somerset Railway.

26

38 LU WORLD

A look back on the 150th anniversary events.

40 POWER BY THE HOUR

Colas expands its Class 56 fleet; Riviera Class 47s move to Crewe for possible use with GBRf.

42 POWERSCENE

Class by class workings in November, plus Name Game, Spectrum and Shedtalk.

52 SHUNTER SPOT

A news round-up and location changes.

53 UNITARY AUTHORITY

Half of Southern’s ‘377/6’ EMUs now in service.

55 COACH COMPARTMENT

Fomer HST Mk.3 coaches are in demand.

22

Editor’s comment

Cover image: Hull Trains’ No. 180109 heads south along the East Coast Main Line at Grassthorpe, north of Newark, December 13, 2011. Robin Stewart-Smith

Paul Bickerdyke Rail Express Editor

PRINT & DISTRIBUTION Newstrade & distribution

Welcome...

W

HATEVER your views on privatisation, and whether fragmentation was a good or bad thing compared with the monolithic nationalised British Rail, it’s hard to deny there is a lot of money being pumped into the industry right now – which can only be a positive thing.

For one thing there is a wealth of new locomotives and rolling stock being delivered or on its way. DRS has its diesel ‘68s’ and dualpowered ‘88s’ under construction, while the first of nine new Class 70s for Colas could well be on its way over from the US by the time this issue of Rail Express hits the shops. The mock-up of a Colas ‘70’ on page 11 shows that the locos will look quite striking in the company’s yellow and orange livery, one that seems to suit the angular shape much better than Freightliner’s does.

On the unit front, Southern has now received most of its new fleet of Class 377/6s, while deliveries have begun of the ‘350/4s’ for TransPennine Express. But these are just small fry compared to what’s still to come in the form of new fleets for Thameslink, Crossrail and the Intercity Express Program.

The growth of both passenger and freight traffic over the last 15 years looks set to continue over the next 30, if market studies

COMAG, Tavistock Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE. 01895 433600

published by Network Rail are to be believed (see page 8).

These reports will form the basis of future planning and – with many intercity routes set to double their passenger numbers, while intermodal freight could go up by a factor of eight! – then it is clear that even more money will have to be spent on network improvements to squeeze out ever more capacity, while further passenger and freight stock will be required to cope.

All of which backs up the call for HS2 to be built, not just as a speedier way of connecting north and south, but of relieving some of the pressure on our existing main lines out of London.

Advertising deadline January 5, 2014.

Next issue out January 16, 2014.

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Farewell 2013, hello 2014

AS this is the last issue to be published in 2013, it only remains for me to wish all our readers a Happy Christmas, and to look forward to an even more fascinating 2014 from a railway point of view.

You can be sure we’ll be reporting on every development here in Rail Express, so if you have any Christmas money left over, why not consider taking out a print or digital subscription so you’ll never miss an issue.

Paul Bickerdyke

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EDITORIAL

Editor Paul Bickerdyke RailExpressEditor@mortons.co.uk

Tel: 01507 529540 Editorial address Rail Express Magazine, Mortons Media Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ Member of the Professional Publishers Association

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NEWS

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the future of rail: how traffic Four market studies have been published to help determine the future of the rail network over the next 30 years.

By ‘Industry Witness’ NETWORK Rail has taken a new approach to long-term planning and has drawn up four market studies to look at changing demand over the next three decades. The studies cover London and the south east, regional urban, long distance and freight. They are described as the first in a new style of research, and are the first step in planning for control period 6 (2019-2024) and beyond.

More people travel on the railway today than ever before and demand for passenger and freight services is expected to rise significantly. The NR studies try to predict how demand is likely to change, and so help determine what kind of services will be needed to enable economic

growth, reduce the transport sector’s impact on the environment and improve the quality of life for communities.

“The investment decisions we make today will last for generations and it is vital that we base them on solid groundwork,” said Network Rail’s group strategy director, Paul Plummer.

“These market studies have been developed in consultation with rail industry partners and wider stakeholders and they are the crucial first stage towards planning the future for the railway.”

While the market studies provide predicted demand figures and the kind of services needed to deal with that demand, they do not suggest infrastructure improvements.

Those will form part of the next stage.

All market studies were drawn up to reflect HS2.

Assessing the likely demand for rail services in the years to 2043 carries one certainty: that the forecast will be wrong. But that does not invalidate the process undertaken

by Network Rail, as it is likely many of the trends that have been identified

will take place even if the precise numbers prove to be different.

It is worth thinking back 30 years and what the expectation for rail activity was in 1983. The outlook then was negative and network cutbacks for both passenger and freight services were being actively planned with the intention that buses would replace trains on many secondary and rural routes and the withdrawal of freight wagon load services.

If there had been any input that suggested both passenger and freight volumes would grow in the way that has been seen in the last 15 years, those assertions would have been dismissed as thinking that could not be supported by the facts that then existed with declining traffic and a lack of investment.

a higher proportion of commuting. It is estimated in this sector that 32% and 59% journeys are made for the purposes of business and leisure respectively, with only 9% travelling to or from work.

There is some change to this positioning with more longer commuting journeys, particularly to metropolitan cities outside London. The overall proportions are driven by journey time and the cost of rail for each travel purpose when compared to other modes.

There are currently 150 million annual long-distance journeys with growth averaging 3% since 1994. The volume represents a market share of 10% nationally, but a much greater figure applies on core services such as between Leeds and London. Travel for all

purposes has grown but weekend journeys for leisure purposes have shown the strongest increase.

The forecast demand for 2043 is based on assumptions about economic performance, population trends and how the rail product compares with other travel options. The traffic levels reflect the UK prospering in an environment of global stability, and among the features predicted is a reduced demand for domestic air travel.

The strongest growth is expected to take place between London and regional population centres, with Edinburgh and Glasgow featuring strongly with increases above 150%, but locations such as Cardiff and Bristol also recording an uplift of more than 100%. The figures reflect improvements to the journey

experience as a result of electrification and improved rolling stock. If the effect of HS2 is measured, a threefold increase is projected on major flows that benefit from the journey time reduction.

Stronger demand is also expected on cross-country routes, with journeys between Scotland and the West Midlands increasing by 150%, and extra flows between West Yorkshire and South Wales where rail currently has a low market share.

The East Midlands is another area where strong growth is forecast. To meet product expectations it is assessed that it should be the aim to offer an average point to point speed of 80mph – broadly that achieved on current journeys operated by trains with a maximum speed of 125mph.

relates to faster journey times compared to commuting by car where road congestion causes delay and the restriction and price of parking.

It is a reflection of the change in the use of rail services that most rural lines now experience substantial numbers of commuters. For example, 900,000 passengers per year travel into Truro, made up of 550,000 from stations between Plymouth and Penzance and 350,000 using the Falmouth branch. Also 420,000 annual passengers are recorded on journeys to Exeter from Axminster and other local stations on the former Southern main line.

The result of this is that increasingly there is a requirement for two trains per hour rather than the existing hourly frequency, which means the capacity of single line railways will need to be improved. The development of the market has seen major

employment centres outside London record a figure in excess of 10 million annual commuting journeys, including Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, and Glasgow. Other centres with a commuting figure above five million include Brighton, Bristol, Reading, Cambridge, and Edinburgh.

In the next decade the growth trend is expected to continue and, if there is economic prosperity, there is an expectation that passenger numbers in the sector will be 115% greater by 2043.

Service improvements that will be needed to cater for this volume reflect an expansion of the electrified network and a better standard of rolling stock and stations. As well as providing enhanced connectivity to city centres, there is a recognition that there will be demand to reach tourist centres, education establishments and other social infrastructure.

“Coal traffic is

expected to all but disappear over the next 30 years, but intermodal will grow eight-fold.”

long distance opeRations Journeys from London to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff will more than double as domestic airline use reduces.

THE needs of the long distance market have historically been defined by a combination of journey length (usually greater than 50 miles) and reasons for travel. Over time, the offer has been refined to meet the main requirements of these passengers – in terms of journey time, stations served, and the resultant division into franchises and train service groups.

The majority of long distance passenger traffic is for business purposes (on behalf of an employer) or leisure (such as tourism and visiting friends and relatives). This is in contrast to the other market sectors, which have

Regional uRban A new sector focusing on commuting to cities outside London.

THIS is a new sector that represents an expansion of cross-country flows to cover short distance travel within 50 miles of the 13 largest regional centres in England, Scotland and Wales.

The demand for rail services has increased strongly in the last decade, with growth of 55% between 2003 and 2012 as a result of a concentration of office based city centre employment and leisure activity. In total 340 million passengers were carried which makes up 23% of national journeys. The breakdown of the market is 63% for commuting, 28% leisure, and 9% for business travel.

The market also embraces smaller population centres that include rural corridors, which are to be the subject of future study as part of Network Rail’s route based plans. The attraction of rail

8 RAIL EXPRESS January 2014

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will change over the next 30 years London and THE SouTH EaST Traditional commuting will grow more slowly, but Crossrail and Thameslink will open up new opportunities.

THE geography is defined largely by the boundaries of the former BR Network SouthEast sector, with mileages from London extending to Weymouth (143 miles), Salisbury (84 miles), Swindon (77 miles), Banbury (69 miles), Northampton (66 miles), Peterborough (76 miles) and King’s Lynn (99 miles).

The demand for rail services is driven principally by the level of employment in London and 500 million annual journeys are made to and from stations in central London. Other employment centres such as the docklands area, Croydon and Hammersmith attract significant volume and the locations of airports at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton is another source of demand.

The market share of travel to work journeys is much higher than elsewhere in the country as half of all people employed in central London use main line rail services which amounts to a demand for 575,000 daily trips. There is also a substantial market associated with retail

and tourism and 70% of all national rail journeys are made within the geographic boundary.

In the future, demand will be driven primarily by employment in London and in the next 20 years 600,000 new jobs are forecast to be created, which will bring growth of 1.3% annually in the number of passengers using services at peak times. Off-peak travel has also become increasingly important and in the last decade grew by 4% annually.

A substantial increase in rail capacity is planned with the opening of Crossrail, which will have a core service between Maidenhead and Shenfield with connection to the Southeastern network at Abbey Wood. There is also the expansion of Thameslink capacity.

Electrification is to take place between Basingstoke and Reading and the Oxford-Leamington-Coventry corridor.

There will also be a new westerly connection from Heathrow Airport to the Great Western Main Line.

The forecast for likely passenger numbers in 2043 is related to London retaining its position as one of the most important financial centres in the world.

Assuming that the increase in

Crossrail is expected to deliver a threefold increase in passengers along its east-west route through London from 2018. The first tunnel was completed between Royal Oak and Farringdon in November after tunnel boring machine Phyllis completed its 18 month, 6.8km (4.2 mile) journey. Crossrail

employment levels takes place, the largest rise in passenger numbers is expected to be on longer distance services where demand is expected to double on Great Western, West Coast, Midland main line, and East Coast routes.

Growth within the South East for services on the third rail network is not expected to be more than 45% as

existing market share is high although Crossrail services are forecast to attract a threefold increase in passenger numbers.

The London Overground network is also forecast to record significant growth with up to 270 million annual journeys by 2043 compared to 83 million in 2011.

lifted and tkm increasing between 2009 and 2012.

Freight operators have had to convert themselves from carrying largely low value goods to serve a market increasingly influenced by fast moving consumer goods (FMCG). To penetrate the FMCG market, rail has had to accept lower margin business in strong competition with road hauliers.

This has required step changes in productivity and service standards – which rail has negotiated successfully, gaining market share encouraged in part by Government grants to remove heavy goods vehicle traffic from trunk roads.

The effect of these changes has been that imported containers conveying consumer goods has become the single largest commodity conveyed on rail, and domestic flows to and from major terminals like Daventry have also contributed to the predominance of intermodal rail freight.

Total intermodal activity in 2011 amounted to 18 million tonnes carried over 6 billion tkm and this is expected to grow to 51 million tonnes moved over 18 billion tkm by 2023, 87 million tonnes over 29 billion tkm by 2033 and no less than 134 million tonnes over 43 billion tkm by 2043. As a result of improved market share, the distance hauled will decline from 220 miles today to 198 miles in 2043. The rail market share from ports is expected to

rise from 37% to 63%.

Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) requirements will undergo considerable change in the next 30 years. The use of coal will largely disappear, being replaced by gas, renewable sources and nuclear power.

A new sector where rail has competitive advantage is the increased demand for biomass and the conversion of a number of coal fired power stations such as Drax is expected to create a significant demand for rail movement of the material.

For biomass traffic there is an initial estimate of 14 million tonnes or 2.3 billion tkm for 2023 but as yet no forecast have been produced beyond that. There is enormous potential for growth and investment is already taking place in rail based supply chains but uncertainty exists around the volume of movement required with the electricity generators still developing their strategy.

Compared to the changes in the intermodal and ESI markets, volume is unlikely to change greatly for other rail traffics although improved competitiveness compared to road transport will see some growth in market share.

Overall in terms of tonnes lifted, the forecast is for 2% annual growth to reach 212 million tonnes by 2043 with the rail haulage requirement expected to be in excess of 55 billion tkm.

FREIGHT SERVICES Coal traffic will decline to almost nothing, but intermodal will boom.

RECENT years have seen a structural change in the market as a result of the decline in the manufacturing industry – in common with many other Western nations – and an economy which imports a wide range of goods.

This has affected rail freight in two ways, with bulk markets such as UK

deep mined coal and steel production diminishing and the import of goods through major ports rising – particularly involving containerised freight from the Far East.

Since the mid-1990s, volume in terms of tonne kilometres (tkm, a measure that reflects distance hauled) has increased by 2.5% per annum and the sector has performed well during the recent recession, with both tonnes

Biomass traffic will grow to an estimated 14 million tonnes over the next 10 years but there are not yet any predictions beyond that.

Recently overhauled DBS Class 60 No. 60066 has been given a Drax Power livery for use on biomass trains to the power station. It was unveiled on December 7 before working 6H25/09.50 Hull Biomass Loading Point to Milford West Sidings, which is seen at Poolbank Lane crossing, east of Brough in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Syd Young

January 2014 RAIL EXPRESS 9

RAIL TOURS FORTHCOMING TOURS FOR JANUARY Date

Tour Name

From-To

Motive Power

Promoter

11 11 17 18 18 24 25 25 25

Golden Age of Travel Deviationer Murder Mystery Lunch Historic Bath Old Battle Axe Golden Age of Travel The Dinner Buffer Puffer 11.0 Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

Victoria circular Crewe-Ely/Potter Group Victoria circular Victoria-Bath Finsbury Park-Battleship Wharf/Lynemouth Victoria circular Victoria circular Crewe-London area branches ManChester-Carlisle

Unspecified (DBS) Class 20x2, 37 (DRS) Unspecified (DBS) Unspecified (DBS) Class 90, 66x2 (DBS) Steam: 35028 Unspecified (DBS) Class 37x2 (DRS) Steam: 44871+45407

BP PT BP BP UKR BP BP PT RTC

Promoter Codes: BP – British Pullman (VSOE); PT – Pathfinder Tours (2006); RTC – Railway Touring Company; UKR – UK Railtours.

IN BRIEF BLS SUCCESS AT BODMIN THE Branch Line Society ran a trip covering all available tracks at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway on November 23. Using No. 08444 as the main motive power hauling three brake vans, it visited the approach lines to the carriage shed, loco shed and workshop plus various run round loops/headshunts and the Fitzgerald Lighting siding. Class 10 No. D3452, which is on restricted duties due to shifted cranks, was used for movements around Bodmin General, while No. 37142 hauled the final leg of the tour. The Class 10 was undertaking its first passenger working since 2005. A similar outing is to be undertaken at the Mid-Hants Railway on February 22, 2014, using Nos. 08377 and 12049 (ex-No. 12082).

PENISTONE TOUR SUCCESS A CHARTER train arranged by the Penistone Line Partnership in association with Northern Rail raised around £1500 for the Huddersfield-based charity Ruddi’s Retreat as well as an additional sum for projects along the line.

The special train ran from Huddersfield to Nottingham on November 24 and was worked by DMU No. 158754. A similar outing, running from Barnsley and Huddersfield to another destination on the Northern network on November 30, 2014.

SPRING TOUR FOR CLASS 40?

THE Class 40 Preservation Society’s No. 345 could be operating its first railtour for over three years in spring 2014.

The CFPS expects to use WCRC to operate its first trip, and it has been suggested that the tour could start at Carnforth and run to the ELR before continuing on to another destination. The CFPS plans to recommission the loco’s boiler over the winter months, which could result in the tour being the first steam heated diesel hauled train to operate on the main line since 1987.

FGW DEPOT CHARTER: The Preserved Locomotive Enthusiasts Group (PLEG) ran a series of three mini-tours around the First Great Western depot at Bristol St Philip’s Marsh depot on November 16. Called ‘The Marsh’uns have landed’, the tours featured Class 08s Nos. 08822 John and 08663 Jack top-and-tailing HST power car No. 43171 (for electric train supply) and Mk.3 TGS No. 44005. They visited several sidings within the yard complex including the washing plant. Dan Phillips

FIRST TOUR TO TOWER COLLIERY SINCE 2001 FOLLOWING the reopening of Tower Colliery in 2012 (having closed in early 2008), UK Railtours is to visit the branch, which runs beyond Aberdare, with a tour from Paddington on March 9, 2014. The last occasion a passenger train traversed this freight line was on January 6, 2001, when Nos. 47376 Freightliner 1995 and 60023 worked the ‘Power Porter’ tour.

32 RAIL EXPRESS January 2014

It’s all quiet at Preston late on November 29, with deserted platforms and apparently no driver in the cab of Class 47 No. 47501 Craftsman. The loco was heading the Northern Belle on its way back from Edinburgh to Warrington Bank Quay, with classmate No. 47832 at the rear. Note the fencing on the end of the platform on the right. Terry Eyres

PReseRvation

David Russell

6LDA Group buys Type 2 No. 26038 Sulzer Type 2 gains new owner, while classmate No. 26004 is to be sold.

THE 6LDA Group, based at the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, has concluded a deal to purchase No. 26038. The loco was previously owned by the late Tom Clift, who died in September 2012.

No. 26038 moved to Bo’ness for a visit in summer 2012, but will now become a permanent resident at the SRPS headquarters, operating alongside sister 6LDAowned No. 26024. It will retain the Tom Clift nameplates applied earlier this year in his memory.

The loco was preserved in 1993 and had a spell at Meadowhall, near Sheffield, prior to being acquired

by Tom Clift. It then moved to South Wales for a lengthy and thorough restoration by Pullman Rail, initially at Cardiff Cathays and then at Canton.

Upon completion, the Type 2 moved to the Barry Island Railway for a short period, where it

undertook some shakedown runs and made its first passenger outings in preservation in May 2012, after which it moved to Bo’ness.

A bogie issue has seen a temporary swap take place, and the loco is currently running with a bogie from No. 26024 under it while one of its own undergoes attention.

Unknown future for No. 26004

One consequence of the purchase of No. 26038 is a decision by 6LDA to dispose of No. 26004.

This is due to a number of factors, including the need to finance the purchase of No. 26038, not enough volunteers to restore and maintain three locos, and a number of issues that would make its restoration very difficult for the group.

Restored in 1995, No. 26004 last ran in 2001, being stopped when the insurance on its air receivers expired.

The loco had a number of defects back then and would be a long term restoration project for any purchaser.

At present, it is fitted with an accommodation bogie at one end, although 6LDA does have a pair of bogies (ex-No. 26005), which were last used to transport bridge beams on London Underground.

There has been some interest from potential purchasers, and the owners are inviting any more parties interested in purchasing No. 26004 to make contact via email to 6LDAenquiries@gmail.com by early January.

Ultimately, if a new owner cannot be found, the loco could end up being sold for scrap and broken up.

‘Crompton’ moves to Burnham-on-Crouch for restoration work Former Fire Service Training College ‘33’ joins the Mangapps fleet AFTER more than 20 years in preservation, No. 33018 is to be restored to working order following its acquisition from the BRCWorkgroup by one of the team from Mangapps Railway Museum.

The ‘Crompton’ left Nemesis Rail at Burton-onTrent on November 26, and has been moved to a private site, around a mile from Mangapps Farm, in Burnham-on-Crouch (Essex) for attention. A number of spares have also been obtained to assist in its restoration. In addition to its mechanical rebuild, its bodywork is in need of a large amount of re-plating.

No. 33018 last ran more than 25 years ago, being withdrawn back in February 1988 with a power unit defect. It became a training loco at the Fire Service Training College at Moreton-in-Marsh (allocated departmental identity TDB968030), and was subsequently bought by Adrian Parcell in 1998.

Two years later, it was acquired as a spares donor by the BRCWorkgroup, owners of No. 33201, and moved to Crewe Heritage Centre when it was cosmetically restored. In 2002, it was transferred to Butterley, joining No. 33201, and in more recent years (in September 2011) moved to Nemesis Rail at Burton for continued storage.

‘Slim Jim’ Class 33 visits Swanage

Meanwhile, the other Class 33 based at Mangapps, No. 33202, has moved from the Epping Ongar Railway to the Swanage Railway for a visit. It is planned for it to remain on the line until the spring.

IN brIef ‘09’ REPLACES ‘08’ AT EAST LANCS

PREVIOUSLY expected to be housed at the Ribble Steam Railway, No. 09024, which was acquired for preservation in 2011 and has been stored at Moveright International’s yard at Wishaw for the past two years, is to take up residence at the East Lancashire Railway. It will replace No. 08700 which has been sold and will be leaving the railway shortly.

‘CHOPPER’ LOSES WATERMAN BLACK LIVERY IN REPAINT

HAVING carried black livery (in several variations) since its restoration by Waterman Railways back in 1994, No. D8188 was repainted into green livery by Boden Rail at Washwood Heath in readiness for its return to the Severn Valley in early December.

‘47/7’ LEAVES PRESERVATION

MTT Rail has sold No. 47715 Poseidon, which has been a resident at the Wensleydale Railway since its purchase from Cotswold Rail in January 2008, to HNRC with a view to returning it to main line service.

CLASS 20 SAVED

HNRC has sold No. 20057 for preservation. The shabby blue liveried EE Type 1 was taken from Barrow Hill to Butterley on November 25.

DUTCH ‘11’ TO PEAK RAIL

FORMER NS 0-6-0 shunter No. 692 (previously 649) was moved from EMD, Longport to Peak Rail on November 8.

The superbly restored Type 2 No. 26038 has been acquired by the 6DLA Group and will be based at Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, near Falkirk in Scotland. Back on April 26, it was visiting the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway for the line’s diesel gala, and is seen approaching Oxenhope with a working from Keighley. Nineveh Road Collection

NRM ‘08’ TO SHILDON

THE National Railway Museum’s No. 08064 was moved from York to Shildon on November 18.

January 2014 RaiL eXPRess 33

traction & rolling stock

Powerscene

Class 20

WHEN No. 91122 succumbed near Eastfield, Peterborough, on November 9 while propelling 1A36/14.40 LeedsKing’s Cross, assistance arrived in the shape of English Electric Type 1s Nos. 20096+20118. Rarely do these venerable locomotives get the chance to work top link passenger trains and admittedly it was only for a short distance, into Peterborough station where the train terminated, but one of the year’s more unusual duties nonetheless. Nos. 20096+20118 along with Nos. 20311+20314 resumed more normal duties on November 11 when hauling LUL ‘S’ Stock sets Nos. 21387/8 on 7X09/13.42 Old Dalby-West Ruislip and the quartet remained on such work for the rest of the month, heading for West Ruislip once again on November 25 with sets Nos. 21391/2 and powering, in the usual top-and-tail mode, 7X09 15.54 Derby Litchurch Lane-Neasden on both November 13 (with Nos. 21071/2) and November 27 (Nos. 21075/6).

The second quartet of EE Type 1s spent much of November in harness with Nos. 20132+20142 top-andtailing Nos. 20107+20901. As such, they powered 7X23/09.33 Derby Litchurch Lane-Old Dalby with LUL stock Nos. 21423/4 on November 15 and three days later headed south with 7X09 11.42 Old Dalby-West Ruislip (set nos. 21389/90) before a jaunt from Litchurch Lane to Neasden on November 20 with sets Nos. 21073/4 thence taking Nos. 21031/2 from Neasden to Derby for modifications on November 26. Later that day, the four Type 1s left Derby bound for Barrow Hill where No. 20142 was detached. On December 2, having been reformed, Nos. 20107+20132 partnered the two GBRf-liveried examples Nos. 20901+20905 on 6M21/09.00 Barrow Hill-Old Dalby before setting off with LUL sets Nos. 21393/4 on 7X09/12.45 Old DalbyWest Ruislip.

Class 31

THE green-liveried pairing of Nos.

There’s a great autumnal feel to this shot of Type 5 No. 59005 passing Bratton, to the east of Westbury, with the 7A09/07.12 Merehead to Acton on November 13. Nic Joynson

David rapson

Our authoritative class-by-class review of current newsworthy locomotive happenings.

31190 and 31452 were employed on overnight ballast work during the early part of the month, often to be found with PNA wagons and the Railvac machine in their care. Although much of the work was centred upon the southern counties, the duo managed to head north on November 4 working 6Z00/10.15 Totton Yard-Selby (Brayton Sidings). Late on November 11, however, they set off from Totton Yard bound for the work site near Winnersh but after working 6Z31/04.50 Feltham-Eastleigh Yard on November 12, the pairing was split allowing No. 31190 to work alone that night. Meanwhile, Nos. 31452+ 31459+47375 were seen forming a trio of light engines from Washwood Heath to Okehampton on November 13 before the former ran north to the Weardale Railway while No. 31190 and No. 56303 were paired up to continue on engineering duties until November 22 when 31190 ran light to Taunton and 56303 took the Railvac to Doncaster. Still relatively rare territory for the class, No. 31285 took a

combined ultrasonic and structure gauging test train to Fort William on November 14, returning south to Carlisle the next day.

Class 37

FOLLOWING the use of No. 37706 on the Branch Line Society tour of November 3, another West Coast Railways Type 3, No. 37516, ‘tailed’ a Bristol to Crewe charter via Shrewsbury and Chester on November 30, though the motive power on the outward leg was BR Standard ‘Pacific’ No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell. Another WCRC Type 3, No. 37669, moved from Carnforth to Barrow Hill on November 14 (between Nos. 57314 and 57313) for repairs and the fitting of ERTMS equipment prior to being used on future charter traffic along the Cambrian line. Three of the Network Rail Type 3s currently fitted with ERTMS, Nos. 97302-4, have covered the North and Mid Wales RHTT duties since early October and their yellow livery is grime encrusted as you would expect. The other member of this

traction & rolling stock SHED TALK Correct to November 26, 2013.

LOCOMOTIVES

Network Rail re-registered 56049/90 RU/MBDL 56074 RU/COLS Network Rail de-registered 70021-30

Allocation changes

37518 56049/90 56078 56096 56113 60011 60044 60059 60071 60079 60100 66001 66004 66013 66019 66023 66044 66051 66054 66058 66074 66079

One of the non-refurbished Class 60s still active is No. 60045, which on November 10 passes South Bank on the approach to Lackenby steel works with loaded slabs from Scunthorpe as the 6D36 09.10 from Tees Yard. The slabs should have been tripped into the works the previous night but an engineering possession prevented this. Nathan Seddon

quartet, No. 97301, spent all of November on test trains, leaving Derby with No. 31465 on a track recording trip on November 6 bound for Doncaster before teaming up with No. 37194 and test coach Mentor on November 19, this being noted testing newly-installed overhead line equipment across Chat Moss (where the railway opened to passengers on September 15, 1830) two days later.

A quartet of Direct Rail Services examples, Nos. 37605+37259+37688+37218, appeared at the business end of 6K73/17.18 Sellafield-Crewe Coal Sidings hauling seven flasks on

November 11. Back on November 4, this service was powered by a trio of Nos. 37688+37218+57308 while classmates Nos. 37601+37604 broke the Class 66 ‘mould’ on 6K05/12.02 Carlisle-Basford Hall on both November 27 and again the following afternoon. The same pair of locomotives had visited London’s Liverpool Street station back on November 11 with test car Mentor before making for Southend Victoria next day. No. 37607 took four JNA wagons from Carlisle Kingmoor to Wabtec Kilmarnock on November 6 while stable companion No. 37038 was hauling Mk.3a buffet No. 10229

from Doncaster back to its Norwich Crown Point base. No. 37419 Carl Haviland 1954-2012 passed Warrington Bank Quay with escort coach No. 9419 (November 15) while a pair of DRS ‘37/4s’, Nos. 37409 Lord Hinton and 37423 Spirit of the Lakes, powered 6C27/09.42 Carlisle YardShap on November 19, this conveying 15 empty MRAs, and returned with the loaded wagons later that day.

Pathfinder Tours’ charter on November 30 (1Z42/06.01 Whitchurch-Eastleigh via Portsmouth Harbour) was top-and-tailed by DRS Type 3s Nos. 37405 and 37261.

Looking in pristine condition despite

66085 66090 66093 66098

›

66102 66103 66112 66119 66125 66129 66134 66139 66141 66144 66160 66187 66188 66193 66250 67008 67020 73109 73206 90026 92015 92029 92030

HQ/MBDL-CS/AWCA MBDL-COLS COLS-COFS HQ/EPUK-RU/COLS COLS-COFS WCAI-WCAK-WSSK-WCAK-WSSK WNWX-WFMU-WCAK-WFMU WCBI-WFMU-WSSK WSSK-WFMU-WCBI-WCBK WCAI-WSSK-WFMU-WCAI WSSK-WCAI-WSSK-WFMU WBAK-WBST WBAI-WBSN-WBAI WBSN-WBAI WBAK-WBST WBSN-WBAK-WBAI WBAK-WFMU-WCAI-WBSN WBAK-WBSN-WBAI-WBAK WBSN-WFMU-WBAK-WBSN WBAI-WBSN-WFMU-WBSN WBSN-WBAK-WFMU-WBAK WBAK-WBSN-WBAK-WBSNWFMU WBSN-WBAK WBAK-WBSN-WBAI WBAK-WFMU-WBSN WBSN-WBAK-WFMU-WBSNWBAK WNTR-WBBI WBBK-WBSN-WBAK WBBI-WBBK-WBSN WBSN-WFMU-WBAK WBAK-WBSN WBSN-WBAK WBSN-WBAK WBSN-WFMU-WBAI WBAK-WBSN WBAI-WBSN WBAK-WFMU-WBSN-WBAK WBSN-WBAK WBAK-WBSN WBAK-WBSN WBSN-WBAK WFMU-WAAN-WBSN WFMU-WNTR-WAAN-WNTR MBED-GBED GBED-GBBR WNTR-WFMU-WEFE WTHD-WTHE WTAE-WFMU-WTAD WFMU-WTAD

Renumbered

73903 formerly 73206

Locations amended since last report

Barrow Hill: 37669 Cardiff Canton: 70801 Crewe Electric: 67020 Crewe Gresty Bridge: 37059 Daventry: 37714 Midland Railway – Butterley: 20057 RVEL. Derby: 37670, 37696 Washwood Heath: 56032, 56049, 56074, 56090, 56128 Weardale Railway: 08809

Returned to traffic

56078, 60044, 66102, 66750, 87002, 90026

Returned to France 66191

Returned from France 66210

Disposals

CF Booth, Rotherham: Cut dates: November: 37415

Sold

Against the background of a stormy sky, double-headed Class 37/6s Nos. 37605 and 37611 power up Shap at Greenholme, Cumbria, on November 20 with the 6C27 Carlisle to Shap ballast trip. John Longden

DRS: 37503/21, 37670/96 Europhoenix: 37906 HNRC: 47715 Wabtec: 60002/13/21/26/28/29/33/38/41/4648/55/56/61/76/85/87/95/96

January 2014 rail EXPrEss 43

launches 2014 product range

– full details of all the new diesel & electric era releases inside

Su

pp No lem .1 en 17 t

This month Bumper bundle of new products including:

DIESEL AND ELECTRIC ERA MODELLING London Transport Museum’s limited edition Class 20s

Hornby’s all new British Railways ‘blue spot’ fish van Bulleid coaches from Graham Farish and LMS CCT vans from Hornby

EXCLUSIVE First look at Hornby’s Sentinel shunter

Bachmann’s longawaited ‘OO’ gauge Covhop wagon

Issue No. 117 January 2014 Inside Rail Express Issue 212

The past year has been a good one for the London Underground, with the various events related to the 150th anniversary of the ‘Tube’ bringing much positive publicity. 2013 has also ended on a high note for modellers of the system, with the London Transport Museum delivering its pair of limited edition Class 20s while Heljan has announced its intention to reproduce the Metropolitan Railway electric locomotives in ‘OO’ by 2015. Today embodied by the ever-popular No. 12 Sarah Siddons, the vintage electric played a key role in the various steam specials operated over the sub-surface lines.

On the second weekend of these workings, January 20, No. 12 rolls into Edgware Road with the vintage set of Chesham coaches employed on the specials.

Tim Easter

Editor’s comment

Simon Bendall Rail Express Modeller Editor

8

Newsdesk: Hornby 2014

It’s Christmas so it must be time for Hornby to unveil its range for 2014. Rail Express Modeller brings you a full rundown of all the new D&E items, which includes a new Electric Multiple Unit and air-conditioned Mk.2 coaches.

10

Newsdesk: Latest developments

Heljan springs a surprise at Warley by unveiling a retooled Class 33/0 while announcing the Metropolitan Railway electric locos. Meanwhile, Bachmann defers the launch of its 2014 range until the summer.

12

Newsdesk: Warley products

The National Model Railway Exhibition once again saw a wide range of new D&E products on show from companies both large and small.

A full pictorial round-up is presented here.

17

Modelling: DBS Class 08

Newly repainted by Bescot, the first Class 08 in DB Schenker colours has caused quite a stir among enthusiast and modellers. The Hornby model is given a quick makeover as No. 08907.

21

Reviews: Bachmann Covhop

Eagerly awaited for some time, Bachmann’s 4mm scale recreation of the distinctive BR Covhop wagons has now arrived with the vacuum-braked variant being reviewed.

24

Reviews: LT Museum Class 20s

With the London Underground 150th anniversary celebrations having drawn to a close, the year’s events can be remembered with this pair of colourful limited edition Bachmann Class 20s.

27

Reviews: Hornby Fish Van

Also new from Hornby this month is the BR-built 12 ton fish van, as used on express freight services from Scotland to London and made famous by the distinctive ‘blue spot’ branding.

28

Serial: Elcot Road #36

With work on our ‘P4’ project layout drawing to a close, the last major element of the coal concentration depot is tackled with the scratchbuilding of the coal merchant’s office building.

Pictorial: Warley layouts

The Warley exhibition is not all about the trade of course, there being a fine array of layouts on show as well. Some of the highlights among the diesel and electric layouts are pictured.

20

26

Reviews: Hornby Sentinel

Undoubtedly one of the most anticipated models for some years, Hornby’s all-new Sentinel industrial diesel shunter has the potential to trigger a raft of layout building. How does it measure up?

30

Serial: JLTRT Class 50 #3

No matter what the kit, all need a smooth running chassis.

The latest instalment of our series on building a 7mm diesel kit details the construction of the bogies and fitting the motor.

31

Reviews: Farish/Bachmann

This month’s miscellaneous releases are rounded up, the highlight being the release of the Bulleid coaches as part of the Graham Farish range. There are also new TTA tankers in 4mm scale.

32

Reviews: Hornby coaches

Completing a busy month for the famous brand, the remainder of the Railroad Mk.1 coaches have now arrived as has the new LMS-built Covered Carriage Truck. All are reviewed here.

33

As ever, the end of the year is a busy one in the world of model railways with all the news from the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition along with the traditional splurge of new models as manufacturers rush to get their products into the shops before Christmas.

Topping all this off is Hornby’s annual announcement of its new range for next year. While the company has undoubtedly endured a difficult 2013, it aims to bounce back over the next 12 months with an interesting selection of new releases.

Although the majority of the new tooling is again directed to the steam era, the promise of brand new Mk.2e coaches is certainly intriguing, while the programme of reliveries is one of the most exciting for several years, seeing several much requested models finally taken up.

EXPRESS RATING A breakdown of our new Express rating system

✓✓✓✓✓ poor ✓✓✓✓✓ average

✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓

good

excellent

outstanding

Editor: Simon Bendall REMeditor@mortons.co.uk Contributing writer & modelmaker: Alex Carpenter Publisher: Tim Hartley Designer: Rosie Ward Advertising: Fiona Leak Tel: 01507 529573, fleak@mortons.co.uk Customer services, back issues and subscriptions: Telephone: 01507 529529 (24hr answerphone) Fax: 01507 525263 Email: railexpress@mortons.co.uk

Newsdesk Extra

With so much news this month, an extra page is required to fit it all in! With weathered locos increasingly popular, The Model Railway Loft is now offering high quality custom models.XII

Layout Focus: Dragonby

Like us on facebook facebook.com/RailExpressMag Follow us on twitter@railexpress Visit our website railexpress.co.uk

NEWSDESK

Heljan conjures up a ‘Crompton’ The Danish company unveils further plans for 2014-15, this including a new Class 33/0 and the Metropolitan electrics.

WARLEY saw Heljan once again make its traditional announcements regarding new models scheduled for production over the next couple of years.

Undoubtedly the most intriguing is the news that Heljan is to go it alone in the wake of its legal dispute with Rail Exclusive and deliver its own retooled ‘OO’ gauge Class 33/0. The announcement was backed up by two pre-production samples being on display with a 2014 release date being anticipated.

Utilising new CAD files in order to correct the flawed cab roof profile of the original model, the standard ‘Cromptons’ will appear with both the as-built and modified roof layouts.

Other improvements have also been made to areas such as the bogies, although it is hoped that the mesh used for the radiator and roof fan grilles will be changed before production, the samples both sporting rather crude etches. With the original roof silencer will be the BR green quartet of Nos. D6507 and D6577 without yellow panels, No. D6530 with rounded-corner

yellow panels and No. D6570 with full yellow ends and BR coach roundels.

Sporting the revised roof with repositioned exhaust port and panel clips will be Nos. D6506, 6544 and 33003 in BR blue, No. 33002 Sea King in ‘Dutch’ grey/yellow and No. 33033 in Trainload Construction.

Also to be produced in ‘OO’ are the Metropolitan Railway/London Transport Bo-Bo electric locomotives, as popularly represented by No.12 Sarah Siddons.

Scheduled to appear in late 2014 or 2015, CAD images were on display on Heljan’s stand but few other details, such as liveries or detail variations, have been released.

Due out at the end of next year are the previously announced ‘OO’ gauge Hunslet Class 05 diesel shunters, the RRP for these having been set at a rather steep £124.95. Heljan has opted to produce the later version of the class first, encompassing Nos. D2574-2618 with the larger cab. Even within this batch, there were variations in the body dimensions so two different models are to be produced to take account of this.

Selected locos are No. D2574 in plain BR green, Nos. D2578/82/91, D2600 and Departmental 88 in BR green with wasp stripes, industrial condition Cider Queen in green and No. D2595 in preserved BR blue. www.heljan.dk

West Coast Railways ‘57/3’ from R3sprays Now available from R3sprays are ‘OO’ gauge Bachmann Class 57/3s resprayed into West Coast maroon.

Priced £155, Nos. 57314 and 57315 are both available and prototypically have the Dellner coupling heads removed from the cab front recesses.

In conjunction with Olivia’s Trains, the company is also to produce a limited edition respray of No. 37605 in DRS ‘compass’ colours. Due for release at the turn of the year, the model will use a Bachmann donor and feature bespoke modified front ends with

BACHMANN’S BULKY RELEASE Arriving just as this issue closed for press was the first version of Bachmann’s highly anticipated ‘Polybulk’ covered hopper. Representing No. 33 70 9382 029-4 in the green and

grey livery (38-426, £32.25), the ‘OO’ gauge wagon will be reviewed in full next month. However, an initial inspection suggests the wait has been well worth it.

M10 RAIL EXPRESS Modeller January 2014

working light clusters. Priced £175, the run will be limited to 150 examples with pre-orders now being taken. www.r3sprays.co.uk

New steel wagon from Cambrian Now available from Cambrian Models is its latest 4mm scale BR air-braked wagon kit, this portraying the BMA/BNA conversions. Created in 1987-88 by removing the bodywork from BPA Boplates and replacing it with bolsters and high ends, the modified wagons were initially coded BMA. Early uses included transporting steel from Scunthorpe

and aluminium ingots from Fort William. Privatisation saw them pass into EWS ownership with 1999 bringing recoding as BNA to differentiate them from the similar BMA design that had been converted from BDA bogie bolsters at the end of the 1980s. The plastic kit is priced £10.75 (ref no. C89). www.cambrianmodels.co.uk

Supplement No.117

NEWSDESK

Bachmann delays the launch of 2014 range The manufacturer pushes its annual announcements back to the summer to mark its 25th anniversary.

Normally unveiled in mid March, Bachmann has confirmed that there will be a four-month delay in announcing its new range for the 2014-15 period. Affecting both the ‘OO’ and ‘N’ gauge programmes, the

new catalogues will now not be launched until July. The change has been made so that the announcements can coincide with events marking the 25th anniversary of the creation of

Bachmann Europe Plc, rather than to give additional time to allow the delays to this year’s range to be caught up. Planned to be a one-off occurrence, 2015 is expected to see the launches revert to their traditional spring date.

Meanwhile, work continues on the remaining models from this year. Besides those illustrated overleaf in the Warley report, Bachmann has now received decorated samples of its two new ‘OO’ gauge Class 419 Motor Luggage Vans. These depict No. 68008 in the initial version of the London & South East ‘Jaffa Cake’ scheme before set numbers were applied, while No. 68004 (set No. 9004) carries Network SouthEast colours. Notably, the tooling has not been modified to incorporate the distinctive yellow-painted battery cover clips. www.bachmann.co.uk

Shawplan releases new etches Invicta Recent weeks have seen Shawplan add several new parts to its Extreme Etchings range.

These include roof fans and grilles for the Class 47 in both 2mm (EEDP2-47-00, £7) and 7mm (EEDP7-47-00, £19) along with the previously pictured 4mm scale Class 37/9 roof conversion for Mirrlees engined Nos. 37901-4 (EEDP37-901-4, £20). Also new are five 4mm nameplates, these employing transfers for the complex crest elements where required, with Nos. 31327 Phillips-Imperial, 60025

commissions weedkiller

Caledonian Paper, 60029 Clitheroe Castle and 66739 Bluebell Railway all being priced £9 while No. 60008 Gypsum Queen II is £10. www.shawplan.com

Invicta Model Rail has commissioned a further ‘OO’ limited edition from Bachmann, this being a triple pack of TTA water tankers as used with the Fisons weedkiller train in the late 1980s. Carrying the company’s green livery, they are priced £43.99 (37576T) and are due for release in January. A pack of two Mk.1 coaches designed to represent part of the train will follow later in 2014. www.invictamodelrail.com

IN BRIEF New from Cambridge Custom Transfers are three transfer packs for Mk.1 coaches in maroon, carmine/cream, chocolate/cream and Southern green. Pack BL130 covers various underframe lettering, BL131 features bodyside lettering (Restaurant, Griddle, etc.), class markings and end details, and BL132 has coach numbering. The latter pack is available in five different versions depending on the region required and the content is tailored to suit each one. Also new are two packs for grain hoppers, BL133 covering the BR builds while BL134 does pre-nationalisation wagons. Prices for all packs are 2mm/4mm £6.50 and 7mm £19.50. www.cctrans.freeserve.co.uk Railtec Models has released a number of new transfer packs in 4mm scale to cover further Network Rail rolling stock. Most useful is a full set of markings for the Railhead Treatment Trains (2994, £14.50), this covering both the FEA wagons and the various modules. Also now available are sheets for the Harsco-built rail grinders (2038, £6.90), the Class 489 GLV de-icer conversions (2039, £6.90) and lettering/ numbering for the New Measurement Train HST coaches (2040, £8.50). Staying with 4mm is a pack with white Freightliner lettering and BR arrows for use on early containers (6503, £3.50) while 2mm gets a sheet covering Buxton and Crewe-based departmental stock and DMUs (1282, £5.50). www.railtec-models.com A further version of the black-liveried LMS ‘twins’ Nos. 10000/1 has been commissioned by Rails of Sheffield from Bachmann. This will see the two ‘OO’ locos packaged in a wooden presentation box with both being finished in as delivered condition.

This means No. 10000 will carry LMS lettering while No. 10001 will be devoid of BR emblems.

Limited to 500 examples, the price is £249.50.

With the black versions, which are exclusive to Rails, requiring different tooling to the recently released BR green models, these are still working through Bachmann’s design process and will appear during 2014. www.railsofsheffield.com FTG Models has announced that its planned ‘OO’ gauge ready-to-run SPA steel open wagon is to be manufactured by DJ Models. First unveiled back in March 2011 but delayed by various issues, it is hoped to have decorated samples by the end of 2013 with a view to production taking place early in 2014. A website will be launched around the same time with ordering details.

Due for release shortly in 4mm scale from Southern Pride Models is the new kit for the Overhead Line Maintenance cable drum carriers.

Converted from Mk.1 coach underframes, these operated with the OHLM coaches, as released in etched kit form earlier in the year. www.southernpridemodels.co.uk

C=Rail shows off tanktainer The Warley show saw C=Rail Intermodal display the first sample of its new 20ft tanktainer tooling, this being a different design from the one currently available.

Hand finished in GCA colours for display at the exhibition, C=Rail hopes to release the 4mm model around the end of May. Also now available are four new containers, these being the 20ft by 8ft 6in ‘dry box’ in P&O and Medite colours (£7 each), the same height 40ft box again in P&O (£7.50) and an ice blue 20ft P&O refrigerated container (£9). www.c-rail-intermodal.co.uk

Supplement No. 117

January 2014 RAIL EXPRESS Modeller M11

pictorial

Warley puts on a show With the dust having settled on the 2013 Warley National Model Railway Exhibition – another successful event which saw an attendance increase of 3% – Tim Easter presents a selection of images of some of the D&E layouts on show.

ABOVE: One of the stars of the show among the D&E exhibits was the Kendal Model Railway Club’s Scorbiton. Set in the early 1980s, the ‘OO’ layout portrays a medium sized town on the banks of the River Severn with a wide variety of passenger and freight workings on show.

Winners of the Railway Modeller award for the best layout at the show in the opinion of its editorial team, the viaduct forms the centrepiece of the layout. Just as impressive though is the large brewery in the process of demolition, this dwarfing a passing No. 25245 on a Ministry of Defence working.

LEFT: Set in the early 1990s when Sectorisation was in full effect, Oulton depicts a busy ‘OO’ gauge Midlands location with a variety of freight activity, including a cement works and an oil terminal. The work of Allan Cromarty, this scene shows part of the engineers’ yard with an excavator busy replenishing the stack of ballast, having loaded the rake of ‘Sealion’ and ‘Seacow’ hoppers. In the background, ‘Dutch’-liveried No. 37035 awaits its next duty.

Supplement No. 117

January 2014 rail EXprESS Modeller M17

pictorial

ABOVE: Flying the flag for ‘O’ gauge was Peter Clark’s Leavesden, which portrays a terminus station and freight yard during Network SouthEast days. Featuring a wide variety of kit-built items, the latest additions include a number of DEMUs from the owner’s own etched brass range. Looking splendid in NSE colours, No. 205033 awaits departure, this being one of the ‘Berkshire’ units with a larger brake compartment in the power car.

RIGHT: Another view of Oulton, this time showing the Traction Maintenance Depot with an array of colourful locos on shed. Prominent in the line-up are Network SouthEastliveried No. 33035, while behind it lurks No. 47522 Doncaster Enterprise in its unique LNER apple green scheme. Also visible are resident pilot No. 08661 Europa in Railfreight Distribution European colours while No. 20132 can be glimpsed inside the building.

LEFT: Adrian Newman’s ‘OO’ gauge High Peak was on show next to the Rail Express Modeller demonstration area. Featuring a station and maintenance depot, it is heavily based on Buxton with stock appropriate to the late 1980s and early 1990s.

In this view, a pair of Bachmann Class 20s, Nos. 20052 and 20023, depart the depot for their next working.

RIGHT: The peace and quiet of the Scottish Highlands is disturbed as No. 26046 burbles into Portchullin with a mixed freight bound for Kyle of Lochalsh.

The work of Mark Tatlow, the everpopular ‘P4’ gauge layout has in the past year had an array of semaphore signals installed, further enhancing the already stunning vistas that the layout affords of this corporate era backwater.

M18 rail EXprESS Modeller January 2014

Supplement No.117

SERIAL

A ‘Hoover’ in 7mm

Part

Alex Carpenter continues the build of the Just Like The Real Thing Class 50 kit by tackling the bogies.

Arguably the key part to any successful build is the chassis and running gear, and the Just Like The Real Thing locomotive kits are no different in this regard. This is the main reason that the ABC Gears ‘drop in’ R-T-R power bogie was selected for the job, as all you have to do is attach the sideframes and brake gear and away you go. Granted they are not cheap but, if you think about it, your £200 per bogie includes wheels, pickups, a quality motor, superb gears and full factory assembly. So it is actually a decent price when all of this is taken into consideration.

As with the underframe last month, first ensure all the polyurethane parts have been washed thoroughly in warm soapy water and allowed to dry, as the greasy casting residue must be totally removed before assembly. Once happy, you can start by cleaning up and checking all the associated whitemetal and cast brass castings. On the whole, the whitemetal castings are commendably clean and only require a little cleaning up with a small file, whereas the lost wax brass items tend to have quite chunky casting feeds attached, which need removing from the sprue with a good pair of side cutters as close as you dare to the part in question. Cleaning up these latter parts is more involved but a vice and a solid file will do the trick, it just takes a little longer as the material is very hard.

For each bogie sideframe, there are just three brake actuators and three ‘U’ shaped axlebox retainers to be attached

3

1 along with the cab step. As a result, each sideframe can be assembled in around 15 minutes (Picture 1). I chose to add the air pipes coming out of each brake actuator, these being made from 0.7mm brass wire and glued in place in pre-drilled holes. On the trailing bogie centre, the two cast brass guard irons can also be fitted (Picture 2).

Once everything has good paint coverage, assembly can begin. Starting with the trailing bogie, the turned brass axle bushings are next up. The holes may have to be opened out slightly to accept these, but be careful and ensure everything is square when filing away material. Dry fit the bushes and the axles, ensuring everything runs freely. Once happy, fix the bushes in place with a Next steps small amount of superglue The trailing bogie on the inside edges. centre and the four When building the Capillary action will pull completed sideframes bogies and chassis the glue around the edge can now be painted. of any kit, work on of the bush. Note that the An overall coat of a piece of glass to centre axle ‘floats’ and Halfords grey primer ensure everything the bushes are not fixed in was applied and allowed is level. place, being held in by the to dry; a fan heater can wheels; ensure they move greatly aid this at this up and down freely in their time of year if you are channels. Once the wheels are fitted, working in the garage! Once dry, the brake gear is next.

Halfords matt black was built up in Pre-paint the brake blocks, hangers stages, working from all directions to and etched brass slack adjusters in the ensure even coverage and that no same way as the sideframes. It is far difficult to reach areas were missed. easier to paint the parts in advance There will always be a part which rather than after fitting with the wheels escapes the paint; sometimes you only in the way. Fit the brake blocks first notice when the paint has dried but followed by the etched adjusters, you can come back to it and re-coat making sure they do not foul the without a problem.

TOP TIP

2

3 M30 RAIL EXPRESS Modeller January 2014

wheels. The clearance is very tight and the positions are critical to ensure free running. Once this is done, paint the wheel rims matt black before the sideframes go on as it is easier to do it now. Finally, the completed sideframes are glued on using small amounts of superglue, checking everything is located correctly and square. The final item is the etched brass bogie pivot plate; this is a three-part etch and is simply folded up and soldered together.

Two nuts and bolts hold it in place but do not do it up tightly as it will inhibit movement (Picture 3).

Adding motion

Moving on to the power bogie, the first job is to transfer the details moulded on the JLTRT bogie centre, which is no longer required, on to the ABC brass bogie. These encompass the front and rear bogie ends complete with guard irons, and the four secondary suspension spring assemblies. The spring detail can be simply cut out from the plastic bogie and glued into the recesses provided in the new one. The bogie end beams are a little more fragile and need extra care to be taken when cutting them off. I used a razor saw and cut as close as possible to the rear of each beam, cleaning up with a file afterwards. What remains of the JLTRT bogie centre can now be discarded or put in the spares box.

Assembly of the sideframes is the same as the trailing bogie although, with the mechanism ruling out spraying, you will have to paint most of the ABC bogie by hand with a brush, which can take a while (Picture 4). Once you are happy everything is level and square, this stage is complete.

4 Supplement No.117

REVIEWS

Bulleid coaches join Farish range

N

GAUGE 2mm:1ft

19561968

EXPRESS RATING

ERA

✓ ✓✓✓✓✓

Bachmann’s ‘N’ gauge portfolio is expanded with the addition of the distinctive Southern vehicles. and Composite Corridor. Initial liveries are BR(S) plain green and BR crimson/cream.

Pictured here is Second Open No. S1482S (374-450, £20.95), one of a batch built to diagram 2017 between 1947 and 1951. Unlike many Bulleid coaches, these were not assigned to specific sets but used as ‘loose’ vehicles as required. This included deployment on Southampton boat trains as well as relief services. The model captures the distinctive look of the Bulleid design very well with nicely tooled bodysides and roof. Separate parts include metal end handrails and toilet filler pipes while the accessory bag features brake pipes and gangway covers.

Of note is the correctly moulded 2+2 seating arrangement and welldetailed underframe, which features finely moulded trussing and brake

THE newly tooled Bulleid-designed Southern Railway coaches have now arrived in the Graham Farish range, having been announced back in March 2012. Not previously available in ready-to-run form in ‘N’ gauge, the appearance of the coaches fills an important gap for both steam and green diesel modellers of the Southern and, indeed, elsewhere as the mid 1960s saw some examples transferred to the Eastern and Scottish regions to release Mk.1s for EMU conversion.

The models have undergone an extensive research process due to the numerous differences that existed between the various batches. Four types have been produced initially, all featuring the larger window quarterlights and 63ft underframes, with these being the Brake Second SemiOpen, Second Corridor, Second Open

rigging, although the latter stops a little short of the bogies to allow sharp curves to be negotiated. The bogie sideframes are perhaps a touch lacking in depth but the stepboards help disguise this to a degree. Self-centring close-coupling mechanisms with a NEM pocket are provided while the simple paint job is well up to standard.

Also new this month is a further Farish Class 08, this depicting No. 08856 in BR standard blue (371-015B, £76.95). Best known as the final

locomotive to receive an overhaul at Derby Locomotive Works before closure in 1988, which was commemorated by a plaque on its cabsides, the model predates this minor claim to fame. As such, it represents a typical late-build Class 08 from the late 1970s/early 1980s with metal cab doors and dual brakes, including the air compressor cabinet.

EXPRESS RATING

N

1970s1980s

ERA

GAUGE 2mm:1ft

DCC

NOT FITTED

New tankers span the decades

GAUGE 4mm:1ft

8

PIN

DCC

Hornby ‘Shed’ in lower league THE former Lima ‘OO’ gauge Class 66 is back for another outing, the acquired model having already appeared several times under the Hornby banner. This time it depicts GB Railfreight’s No. 66736 Wolverhampton Wanderers in the current Europorte version of the operator’s livery (R3182, £64.75). The former No. 66404 was repainted into this scheme in July 2011, gaining its attractive ‘footballer’ nameplates that December.

Although once a flagship model in Lima’s range, the hobby has moved on in the 14 years since it first appeared and, as such, it does not stand close comparison to the superior Bachmann rendering.

Supplement No. 117

READY

20112013

ERA

EXPRESS RATING

That said, it still has some merit for junior modellers or those seeking a robust recreation of the all conquering GM design. As with previous releases, it features Hornby’s improved power bogie, which drives two axles, an 8-pin DCC socket and NEM coupling pockets.

While Hornby has sensibly opted to portray a loco with the original body design, the limitations of the tooling mean that the wrong headlight style is carried. Well finished in the colourful livery, the edges of the various colours are crisply defined while the printing is also very good. On the down side, the shade of blue is a bit too light. In a welcome move, Hornby has resisted printing the nameplates over the bodyside ribs, instead providing etched versions in the accessory bag, which also contains alternative bufferbeam cowlings and brake pipes.

Reviews by Simon Bendall

Bachmann’s TTA tanker has now returned in two further new liveries, it having been a staple of the ‘OO’ gauge range for a number of years. Suitable for the 1980s and early 1990s is No. STL54858 in ICI branded off-white and red (37-578A, £12.80). Having begun life in Texaco ownership for carrying Class A petroleum products, the majority of Nos. TEX54855-69 were sold to EG Steele in 1984 with many being hired to ICI for methanol traffic out of Haverton Hill. By the mid 1990s, most had been refurbished as water tankers for weedkiller and water cannon use.

Also new is a further tanker, this being finished in silver with red Fina lettering (37-586, £12.80).

Representing a 35-ton GLW design built in 1959 and hired from Storage & Transport Systems Ltd, the Class A wagon is appropriate for the 1960s and simply carries the pre-TOPS identity of No. 4. Like many other TTA releases from Bachmann, the ‘one size fits all’ approach to the tooling means that certain details, particularly on the underframe, are not correct for the two wagons but they are both nicely finished.

GAUGE 4mm:1ft

1960s1990s

ERA

EXPRESS RATING

January 2014 RAIL EXPRESS Modeller M31

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