The Railway Magazine Guide to Modelling - Issue 3 - Preview

RAILWAYMagazine The

GUIDE TO

Modelling FEBRUARY 2017, FREE

FREUEE

REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, NOSTALGIA, ADVICE

ISS

INDUSTRIAL RAILWAY PERFECTION

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

LAYOUTS WE LOVE

A LOOK AT HORNBY'S PAST

From

King’s Cross to Leeds in a Victorian schoolroom

MARKLIN GIVEAWAY || NEM-362 COUPLING EXPLAINED || COLLECTORS' CLUBS

CONTENTS

16

32 60

Contents 08

What’s in the shops?

Hawksworth autotrailer, BM PRV and Hornby Peckett.

ON THE COVER King's Cross modelled in cardboard in a former schoolroom in Gainsborough.

See page 22.

22

Get your track fix

King’s Cross station in a Gainsborough schoolroom.

32

Getting started

Where to begin if you’re planning a layout.

38

Small is beautiful

What is the universal appeal of modelling?

38

42 46

Past and present

Why join a collectors’ club?

Stockists

Where to get your copy of RMM.

49

Blasts from the Past

Tony Stratford takes a look at Hornby.

54

Falkirk Show review and this month's giveaway

Win a My World set.

58

Layouts we love

What’s caught our eye this month?

60

Ask a daft question

Looks at NEM362 coupling.

66

Diary dates

Get out and about.

68

Places to visit

Mevagissey in Cornwall.

February 2017

| 5

A view of the station at ‘Rumbling Bridge’ which was an intermediate station on the secondary line between Kinross and Alloa. The model is set in the early 1960s transition era between steam and diesel traction. NIGEL BURKIN

From the editor

Staff

Editor Sarah Palmer RMModellingeditor@Mortons.co.uk Contributors Brian Sharpe, Matt Wickham, Tony Stratford, Nigel Burkin, Ian Lamb Production editor Sarah Wilkinson Senior designer Kelvin Clements Designer Libby Fincham Picture desk Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield Advertising manager Sue Keily Publisher Tim Hartley Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Subscription manager Paul Deacon Circulation manager Steve O'Hara Marketing manager Charlotte Park

To advertise, contact: Colin Smith 01507 529454 csmith@Mortons.co.uk Fiona Leak 01507 529573 fleak@Mortons.co.uk

Where to find us

Editorial, advertising and administration Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR Tel 01507 523456

www.railwaymagazinemodelling.co.uk

Copyright

© Copyright Mortons Media Group Ltd. Reproduction in any manner, in whole or part, without prior approval in writing is prohibited. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors in articles or advertisements, or for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations.

Printing

Mortons Print, Horncastle, Lincs.

Tel 01507 523456

6

| February 2017

R Sarah Palmer Editor

ecently scanning through the BBC iPlayer I came across an old series of Big Dreams Small Spaces. For those who haven’t seen it, it’s a gardening programme where Monty Don tries not to pour scorn on some outrageous gardening projects, while offering some brawn and advice.

The particular episode I watched involved a couple who wanted to build a model village in their front garden. They were duly sent to Bekonscot, the oldest model village in the world, for inspiration (see page 38 for more on this).

Sadly their model village fell short of the installation of a garden railway, although they did toy with the idea.

But it did get me thinking about the dreams people have whether they be for gardens or model railways, and does it really matter if an ‘expert’ tells you it’s not how it should be? Do you really have to follow the rule book, surely it’s the journey that counts not the destination.

Certainly the front-garden model village couple were very happy with what they had created, so much so that it featured

in an annual art walk where they lived.

What are your dreams for this year, and are you planning to do it by the book, or throw the rule book out of the window?

We’d love to hear about your projects, whether they’re a dream or a reality!

We’ve got plenty in this third issue of The Railway Magazine Guide to Modelling to help with your modelling dreams, whether they’re armchair or baseboard based. Nigel Burkin has reviewed the Hornby ‘Peckett’ which he describes as one of Hornby’s most appealing models of recent times, while I went to visit a former Victorian schoolroom to discover a labyrinthine model of the East Coast Main Line from King’s Cross to Leeds Central. Ian Lamb talks about the importance of collectors’ clubs and also interviews a former driver on the Highland Railway about dealing with winter weather. Oxford TRAINing offers some advice if you are thinking of starting on a dream layout, and if you want to know more about NEM-362 couplings, then we’ve got the answers in Ask a Daft Question!

What's in the shops

SPONSORED BY

Bachmann reissued its Hawksworth Diagram A38 auto-trailer in early 2017, including a 1951 version finished in BR carmine and cream livery as No. W234.

A match made at Bachmann Nigel Burkin describes Bachmann’s new Hawksworth auto-trailer as the perfect companion to the 64xx pannier tank.

B

achmann’s Hawksworth auto-trailer model represents a late chapter in the GWR’s successful and longlived steam powered push-pull operation, although it was not the last.

Twenty-five auto-trailers (also called autocoaches) were constructed at Swindon in 1951 (Nos. 220-234) and 1954 (Nos. 235-245) by BR to replace ageing trailers still working branch line duties in the South-West and other parts of the former GWR system. They retained the same distinctive bow-ended shape at the cab and inner end as earlier autotrailer designs. However, the body sides were smoother and there was a distinct change in the design of the passenger saloon windows compared with earlier builds.

GWR auto-trailers were used in push-pull trains and feature a single driving cab at what would be the leading end. The opposite

8

| February 2017

end has a guard’s compartment and blank panelling instead of a driving cab.

Locomotives designed to work with auto-trailers would be coupled to the guard’s end and driven remotely using duplicate controls in the cab of the trailer, which included a steam regulator, brake and electric bell communication equipment.

The fireman remains in the locomotive to feed the firebox with coal and control the water supply to the boiler, among other duties.

A simple control rod runs the length of the auto-trailer, from front headstocks to the inner-end headstocks, linking the remote cab controls with auto-fitted locomotives via a flexible linkage.

The control rod and linkage can usually be seen at the inner end of preserved auto-trailers. A box houses the electrical connections on the bufferbeams of autoequipped locomotives and on both ends of the trailers.

The concept was simple: one or more trailers could be used with an ‘auto-fitted’ locomotive to work in push-pull mode.

Operationally, it was a flexible method of working, which avoided run-round moves at branch terminus stations Model details:

Hawksworth 1951 and 1954 GWR auto-trailer coaches.

Manufacturer:

Bachmann Europe Plc.

Scale:

4mm (1:76) scale, OO gauge.

Era:

1951 to early 1960s.

Web:

www.bachmann.co.uk

Suggested retail price: TBC.

and those locations where a reversal of running direction was required. Two or more auto-trailers (of any GWR diagram) could be marshalled on either side of the locomotive to increase capacity. Several GWR tank locomotive classes were either adapted for autoworking or were equipped from new. Auto-fitted locomotives included the iconic ‘pannier tank’ locomotives of the 54xx and 64xx class. It should be noted that the 74xx class was not auto-fitted.

The model The model is a completely new tooling first released in late 2015 and while similar in appearance to the older Hornby model, it is a different version of the GWR design of auto-trailer. Its 1950s build date means that they should not normally be worked with locomotives in GWR livery (unless representing a heritage railway scene) and are perfect

NEWS

in brief

Bachmann news

Bachmann’s 2017 prices will come into effect as of February 1, 2017. The company maintains that price increases for 2017 have been held to a minimum, with 72% of the Branchline products either being held or being reduced in price, with an average of only a 6% rise in price.

“We have also been able to hold, or reduce our prices on 64% of our Graham Farish products with only a 4% average price increase where absolutely necessary,” said a company statement.

The new 2017 Branchline catalogue, which includes details of all of Bachmann’s new products, is now available.

One 1951 BR-built Hawksworth auto-trailer survived on the main line for many years after the remainder were withdrawn from service. W233W was allocated to a departmental role, becoming ADW150375 (Test Car 1).

for the relatively new Bachmann 64xx Class pannier tank model as finished in BR livery.

Three versions are offered in the 2017 release including the attractive BR carmine and cream livery applied to the 1951 batch, which would be exclusively applied to express passenger stock (plain crimson was the official livery for non-express stock such as auto-trailers, so this was a deliberate error on the part of the workshops). Following welldocumented objections from BR (WR) management, subsequent builds were finished in plain crimson and subsequently BR maroon is represented by the second model of the three.

One livery not applied on the trailers when in day-to-day passenger service was GWR chocolate and cream, or its BR (WR) variation. However, this is the third livery offered by Bachmann because there are several preserved trailers painted in this livery. As an aside, one auto-trailer of this type did run on the main line painted in chocolate and cream colours but as a departmental vehicle: No. ADW150375 (Test Car 1).

It was heavily modified for its role as a test vehicle and finally entered preservation in 2013.

Bodyshell Modellers generally agree that Bachmann has faithfully

captured the distinctive shape of the bow-ended body shell very well. Moulded detail is fine in appearance including the roof rivets (easily lost if weathering is heavy-handed), destination board brackets, door hinges, handles and the hand rails adjacent to the leading cab door and guard’s doors.

In common with models developed in recent years, there is a high reliance on separately moulded components. Notable parts include the fine-looking shell vents and the warning gong applied to the cab front.

Glazing is commendably flush and very clear allowing a good view of the model’s interior.

Assembly of the glazing, moulded details together with the separate wire hand rails is neatly and securely executed and without any traces of adhesive.

Looking along the roof from the driving cab end. The roof vents are separate mouldings with a good level of detail.

Bogies, wheels and underframe The high level of detail seen in the body moulding is also applied to the underframe and bogies. Trussing, battery boxes and brake linkages are all represented with individual components. The essential control rod is also fitted to the underframe, running down the middle of the coach, slightly off-set, between the trussing.

One feature of this vehicle is the retractable steps fitted

World-renowned publisher pulls out of railway titles

»

IAN Allan has pulled out of the sector after more than seven decades. The announcement, made before Christmas, has seen Crécy Publishing acquire the railway, transport and military books previously published by Ian Allan Publishing.

Crécy has also acquired the Oxford Publishing Company and abc imprints.

However, the company will not be allowed to publish under the Ian Allan imprint, and neither can the abc series retain the Ian Allan name.

Shepperton-based Ian Allan pulled out of railway magazine publishing several years ago, with its portfolio of titles being acquired by Stamford-based Key Publishing.

However, Ian Allan Publishing will continue in its own right as a publisher of Masonic books and will still run its dedicated bookshops in London and Birmingham.

February 2017

| 9

What's in the shops Bachmann’s 64xx Class pannier tank is a perfect companion to the auto-trailer, the full-size locomotives being so fitted from new.

« to the middle door for

use at stations with low or non-existent platforms. The step detail is, in common with the end foot steps, made up of strong but delicate-looking moulded details.

Bogies are as refined, fitted with split axle wheels allowing current pick-up from the axle ends. Interior lighting circuits are not fitted in this version or the 2015 releases of the model, but make it easier for the modeller to do so.

Electrical contact between the bogies and underframe of the coach is made through metal contacts allowing the bogies to be easily removed for repair. NEM-362 coupling pockets are fitted to the bogies together with standard tension lock couplings.

A pack of fine details including brake and steam hoses are supplied with the model to detail the headstocks at both ends of the model. I suspect that many modellers will only apply details to the front end headstocks after discarding the coupling, leaving the inner end unmodified so it may couple to the locomotive.

Livery application BR carmine and cream is a lovely livery and well replicated on the Bachmann model. There are subtle details in the livery including lining between the two body colours, particularly where it follows the roof line

The level of fine detail and quality of assembly is excellent, which together with well-researched livery application, makes for a very fine model.

10 | February 2017

above the driving cab. Printed details are sharp, opaque and legible including the running number which is to the right-hand end of the trailer. The livery application is neat, pristine (no weathering) and with a delicate eggshell finishing coat.

In preservation Numerous GWR auto-trailers of various types can be found in operational condition on heritage railways today. Of the seven preserved Hawksworth

trailers, four, including former Test Car 1 reside on the South Devon Railway (Nos. 225, 228, 233 and 240). The remainder, are located on the Severn Valley Railway (No. 238), Didcot Railway Centre (No. 231) together with the Bodmin & Wentford Railway (No. 232). ■

Driving controls including the steam regulator are fitted to the cab interior. Tension lock couplings are clipped into NEM coupling pockets moulded as part of both bogies.

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February 2017

11

What's in the shops

SPONSORED BY

Bachmann OO gauge Passenger Luggage Van (BR PMV) Nigel Burkin describes the popular parcels and miscellaneous van model which is being reissued by Bachmann (together with the CCT).

A

n important signature vehicle for modellers of the Southern Railway and British Railways is the Southern Railway four-wheel utility and luggage van, which was constructed in several different forms.

SR ‘Passenger Luggage Vans’ (PLV, latterly PMV) and ‘Covered Carriage Trucks’, were based on SCER vans built around 1919 and 1922 and were the subject of a new model released by Bachmann in October 2015.

They are characterised by the

use of two widths of planking on the sides, ends and the double loading doors.

Both PLV (PMV) and CCT vans were built either using 6½in planks (even planking) and a mix of 3½ and 6½in planks (uneven planking).

The result, together with the fixed ends of the PMVs and double end loading doors of CCTs offers Bachmann a wide range of body styles built on a standard underframe to reproduce over the next few years.

The review model represents a Southern Railway-built PLV van with even planking and fixed ends, as built between 1934 and 1939. Classified as a parcels and miscellaneous van (PMV)

by BR, it was used as a general merchandise van, which would have found use on a variety of traffics ranging from fruit and vegetables; newspapers and as a luggage van within passenger trains in Southern Railway days.

At around the same time, the Southern Railway constructed even-planked CCTs with twin

leaf end loading doors, which would be used at loading ramps at stations and in freight yards.

Providing Bachmann with an opportunity for variation in the models are those vans with bodies built from around 1938 to 1951 with a mix of narrow and wide planking on the same basic underframe. They included PMVs and CCTs, and the latter which is offered as a version of the model.

A further body variant emerged in 1940 when a further