Left: Warley finally brought confirmation of the DMU projects that Realtrack Models has been working on for the past couple of years, the Class 156 being displayed in pre-production decorated form with the Class 142 ‘Pacer’ to follow. The erstwhile ‘Super Sprinter’ will be released in a number of liveries, including First Group’s ‘Barbie’ colours, as shown here by First ScotRail’s No. 156496 as it ambles across Rannoch Moor with the 06.03 Mallaig-Glasgow Queen Street on June 13, 2009. Below: The Sealink-liveried Mk.1 coaches deployed on the Glasgow Central-Stranraer boat train services in the early 1980s were a strong contender for the gaudiest livery created by British Rail. In model form, Bachmann has now followed up its Collectors’ Club twin-pack limited edition with a further second class vehicle, allowing a full set to be modelled. On August 27, 1984, No. 47206 crosses Pinmore Viaduct bound for the Scottish port. John Chalcraft/Rail Photoprints (2)
Editor’s comment
Simon Bendall 7
Newsdesk: Latest developments
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Warley brought several new announcements, including the Class 142 and Class 156 DMUs from Realtrack and HOA hoppers from Revolution, not to mention the unveiling of more of Hornby’s 2017 range.
January is traditionally a quiet time for exhibitions, but not in 2017 as another small-scale all D&E event is set to take place just outside Nottingham. There is also a look at David Larkin’s latest wagon book.
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Newsdesk: Warley pictorial
As ever, the UK’s biggest model railway show saw plenty of new models and liveries on display from many manufacturers, the highlights being illustrated here in our traditional pictorial round-up.
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Reviews: Hornby
Several new D&E models from Hornby have made it into the shops in recent weeks, these including the Drax-liveried Class 60 and the Virgin East Coast Mk.3 coaches. The colourful models are examined here.
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Scrapyards offer all sorts of modelling potential for layouts, especially if well executed. One such example is Albion Metals by Richard Coleman, the compact layout being set in Sectorisation days.
Layout: Albion Metals
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Bachmann also has several new models on the way, including the second batch of North British Class 43 ‘Warships’ and more weathered wagons in 4mm, including the ‘Queen Mary’ brake van in Satlink garb.
Reviews: Bachmann
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Reviews: Dapol Class 08
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Reviews: Heljan/Bachmann
Eagerly awaited for several years, Dapol’s ‘O’ gauge model of the Class 08 shunter could be the entry point for many modellers to the scale, its highly competitive price making for an attractive proposition.
Rail Express Modeller editor
Exhibition diary
At long last, the Metropolitan electric loco that many have been waiting for is here as Sarah Siddons is released in ‘OO’ by Heljan. There are also further new Mk.1s from Bachmann, including the Sealink livery.
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O, that was 2016. A modelling year that will perhaps be best remembered for the rise of numerous small manufacturers, all promising, and in some cases delivering, highly useful models that will plug several important gaps. Their focussed approach and willingness to listen to customers is also refreshing, resulting in benefits all round. On the downside, the year ends with the spectre of significant price rises hanging over the hobby as a result of the poor exchange rate. With Dapol and Hornby having already recently increased prices as a result of this, 2017 could get even worse as the Brexit process gets underway. Model railway retailers are already reporting a noticeable drop in sales as prices spiral ever upwards and with record numbers of new models on the way, can the hobby support them all?
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Editor: Simon Bendall REMeditor@mortons.co.uk Contributing writer & modelmaker: Alex Carpenter Publisher: Tim Hartley Designer: Tim Pipes Reprographics: Jonathan Schofield, Paul Fincham 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
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