Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2018 i Rail Express

I AM pleased this month to be able to announce a special railtour that will take a pair of Class 50s to some rare territory. We have teamed up with Pathfinder Tours, Riviera Trains, GB Railfreight and the Class 50 Alliance to run the ‘Cumbrian Hoovers’ charter on April 14, with proceeds going to the Railway Children charity. The tour will cover two spectacularly scenic lines. It will run from Birmingham International to Carlisle, outward via the Settle & Carlisle Line and back via the Cumbrian Coast Line. The S&C will test the locos as they haul the 13-coach train up the famous ‘Long Drag’ to Ais Gill summit. But even more mouth-watering is that return trip along the edge of the Lake District. ‘Hoovers' never regularly worked between Carlisle…

CROYDON TRAM REPORT THE Rail Accident Investigation Branch has released its final report into the overturning of tram No. 2551 at Sandilands junction, Croydon, on November 9, 2016. The report found that the risk of trams overturning on curves was not properly understood by the tramway and so there were insufficient safety measures. All of the passengers who were killed, and many of those who were seriously injured, fell through the windows or doors as the tram tipped over. RAIB has recommended action in five main areas: the use of modern technology to intervene when trams approach hazardous features too fast, or when drivers lose awareness of the driving task; tramways need to promote better awareness and management of the risk associated with tramway operations; work needs to be done…

WARLEY saw Shawplan release a number of new components in its 4mm scale Extreme Etchings range. The highlight is the bodyside grille etches for Class 44 ‘Peaks’ Nos. 44009 and 44010, these recreating their unique mesh style (EEDP44-09, £12), while there are also windscreen surrounds to suit North British-built Classes 21/22/29 and the D600 ‘Warships’ (EEDP21-03, £5). For the Romanian-built Class 56s, Nos. 56001-30, there is a specific suite of new parts, including radiator cantrail grilles (EEDP56-12, £4.50), roof fan grilles (two etches, EEDP56-01, £6), cabside window frames (EEDP56-20, £5) and cab front window rubbers (EEDP56-19, £5). The latter etch should be painted black before application to represent the thick rubber grommets used on this batch of ‘Grids’. Due imminently are etched bodyside radiator grilles, again with the correct pattern…

IN a not entirely unexpected development, Kernow Model Rail Centre has announced it is developing a ‘OO’ gauge model of the Bogie Bolster E wagons. Introduced at the start of the 1960s, 1200 examples were constructed, most eventually going on to be rebuilt as the YCV ‘Turbot’ ballast wagons. The retailer is due to release its version of the ‘Turbot’ in early 2018 with the bolster following later. It is currently at the CAD design stage. www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com…

THE London Transport Museum is inviting expressions of interest in a new pair of limited edition ‘OO’ gauge Bachmann Class 20s, these representing Nos. 20142 Sir John Betjeman and 20227 in their current London Transport maroon livery. However, the company is unsure of the interest level so is asking for potential purchasers to email shopping@ltmuseum.co.uk. A provisional release date of late 2018 or early 2019 has been quoted, assuming the project goes ahead. www.ltmuseum.co.uk…

IN a notable development, Britannia Pacific Models has announced plans to produce ready-to-run models of the popular Class 442 ‘Wessex Electric’ EMUs in ‘OO’ gauge. Following its usual methods, these will effectively be hand-built kits employing single-piece cast resin bodyshells. Each set will be motorised with the mechanism housed in the motor brake car along with a DCC socket. Purchasers can specify whether or not the cab front jumper cable covers are fitted along with the livery and set number required and if weathering should be applied. Britannia plans to offer all the liveries carried, including Network SouthEast, South West Trains and Gatwick Express. Each fully finished set is priced £750 and will be delivered from January 2019 with the models built on a first come, first served basis. www.britanniapacific.co.uk…

ALONGSIDE the LMS built prototypes of Nos. 10000/01, Bulleid’s three diesel pioneers had a profound influence on the development of BR’s first generation diesel fleet in the late 1950s. The Southern Region built three locomotives, Nos. 10201/02 at Ashford in 1950 and No. 10203 at Brighton in 1954. The latter was three tons lighter than its sisters but had its English Electric engine uprated to 2000hp. It was the first diesel-electric of this power rating to run on BR and led directly to the development of the Class 40s. Despite their EE electrical and mechanical design, the Southern’s influence was evident externally, being devoid of English Electric’s trademark noses. The bogies, with outer carrying axles giving a 1Co-Co1 wheel arrangement to reduce the weight on each axle, were an innovation…

NEWLY released by Irish Railway Models is its second ‘OO’ gauge wagon model, this joining the ballast wagon that was released back in the spring to great acclaim. The subject this time around is the long-lived CIE/IR two-axle bulk cement wagons, better known as ‘bubbles’ thanks to the distinctive barrel shape. Built in batches between 1964 and 1972, the fleet eventually totalled 150 examples, numbered as 25050-199, and worked from the Irish Cement plants at Castlemungret, Drogheda and Platin to terminals across the country, including over the border. The number of ‘bubbles’ in a block train could vary from over 30 to less than 10, while they could also be found running in small numbers in mixed freight consists at times. Most of the fleet remained in service up to…

RECENT weeks have seen two 4mm scale models added to Oxford’s ever growing range of Network Rail vehicles. In its rail range there is the road/ rail Land Rover Defender (OR76ROR002, £6.95) while the Ford Transit gets a makeover as a Network Rail/British Transport Police camera enforcement van (76FT026, £5.75). Taking the former first, this sees Oxford’s standard Defender tooling equipped with poseable rail wheels as an approximation of the small number of road/rail 'Landies' used across the country. The real vehicles employ the crew cab variant of the Defender though as the pick-up truck rear bodywork is more suitable for the roles undertaken. The rail apparatus has a resemblance to the Aquarius system but the roof-mounted ladder would not be allowed in real life. If its ultimately fictitious nature…

THE eight-year Virgin Trains East Coast franchise is to finish three years early in 2020 following lower than expected growth in revenue and passenger numbers. It will be replaced by an integrated ‘track and trains’ joint venture between Network Rail and a new operating entity. It had become clear that the financial performance of VTEC, which is 90% owned by Stagecoach and 10% by Virgin, was falling far short of the predictions it made to enable the promised premium payments. For the eight-year agreement between 2015 and 2023, the franchise contract included a commitment to pay £3.3 billion to the Department for Transport. This was based on a 50% increase in passenger numbers over the period, and revenue growth of close to 10% per annum. The belief was that a…

PADDINGTON DERAILMENT THE Rail Accident Investigation Branch has issued its report into the derailment of a HST at Paddington station in August. The report concludes that timbers on the track had decayed to the point that they were no longer able to maintain the alignment of the track, derailing the rear power car of the 11.57 departure from platform 2. The report concludes that once work to renew longitudinal timbers has been identified as being necessary, it should be given appropriate priority, and that routine visual inspection of these timbers should take account of defects identified in previous detailed examinations. The report also states that when consideration is being given to prioritising project activities over remedial maintenance work, the risk of infrastructure failure is taken into account. MML UPGRADE THE…

COLLAPSED WALL REPORT THE RAIB has released its report into the partial collapse of a wall onto open railway lines at Liverpool on February 28, 2017. Around 170 tons of masonry and other debris fell into the cutting, bringing down overhead wires on some of the tracks and blocking all lines with debris, leading to severe disruption of train services. The report recommends that Network Rail be aware of any of its walls that have a potentially high safety consequence in the event of failure, and to review its assessment procedures for such walls, the use of open-source data to identify changes in land use, and the provision of information on property boundaries to structures examiners. NIGHT OVERGROUND PARTS of the London Overground are now running 24 hours a day…

■ TRAFFIC AND TRACTION: A private charter from Killarney (depart 10.55) to Dublin Heuston on October 20 was worked by a Mk.4 train (DBG 4002) powered by GM No. 219. On and from October 23, the weekdays 07.35 Connolly to Belfast and 10.35 return service were booked to be worked by a five-car 22000 (ICR) DMU instead of the usual GM 201+De Dietrich/Mk.3 train. This change was made by the authorities in order to surmount low adhesion issues experienced on the route during the early morning by autumn leaf fall. IR stated that the two services affected would revert to the regular traction and stock when the leaf fall period had ended. On October 25, the mothballed South Wexford line between Belview yard and Rosslare Strand was traversed by inspection…

THE number of companies offering ready-to-run Mk.1 coaches in 7mm scale is set to expand yet further with the announcement of a new range by Lionheart Trains. Four types are to be offered initially in the form of the Brake Second Corridor (BSK), Composite Corridor (CK), Second Open (SO) and Second Corridor (SK), these all portraying early builds with BR1 bogies, although examples with Commonwealth bogies and separate window frames will follow later. Tooling is now underway with the first pre-production samples expected by March. All four types will be released in BR crimson/cream, BR maroon, BR(W) chocolate/cream, BR(S) green and corporate blue/grey with both numbered and un-numbered versions available in all cases. The projected price for all the models is currently £199 each. Factory-fitted DCC versions are also planned…

NEWLY unveiled by Stenson Models is a 4mm scale etch to convert the Bachmann MEA box wagon into one of the prototype SJA scrap carriers that appeared in 1990. Built on HEA underframes, three wagons were constructed, the main difference compared to the MEA being an access door in the bodysides (SM21D, £4). Also new are two 4mm packs designed to upgrade the Bachmann TTA tanker. The first provides a set of whitemetal Bruninghaus springs to replace the frequently inappropriate leaf springs (SM36D, £2.75) while there are also replacement etched brake levers (SM16D, £3.75). These parts are additionally suitable for the many Bachmann open wagons that employ the TTA chassis, namely the MKA, MTA, PNA, POA and ZKA ‘Limpet’. www.stensonmodels.co.uk…

By Martin Buck. Published by Freightmaster Publishing, 158 Overbrook, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN3 6AY. Softback 168mm x 245mm, 224 pages. Price £24.95. ISBN 978-0-9933129-2-2. NEWLY released by Freightmaster is a new edition of its popular Wagon Recognition book. This first appeared back in 2008-09 as a two-part release, the initial book dealing with TOPS codes between B and W while the second volume mopped up the departmental fleet and on track plant assigned to codes Y and Z. This new edition provides a welcome update almost a decade later, during which time long-standing ex BR designs have been increasingly eradicated to be replaced by high-capacity wagons for a number of commodities. This time around everything is contained within one book, this being achieved by omitting the track machines and similar plant…

WITH Dapol having delivered its ‘OO’ gauge rendering of the Gloucester Class 122s back in the summer, the end of November brought the appearance of the very similar Class 121s, as built by Pressed Steel. With the latter type enjoying a longer career thanks to a variety of departmental and privatisation passenger roles, the number of liveries produced is considerable. As before, Dapol’s standard releases to all retailers are limited to BR green, BR blue and BR blue/grey with Hattons stepping in to mop up many of the later and more colourful schemes. Two of these are pictured here in the form of No. 55022 in Network South East with the original upswept stripes (4D-009-HAT07) along with Aylesbury-based sandite car No. 977858 in BR coaching stock maroon with Railtrack lettering…

FUNDING FOR WEST MIDLANDS THE Government has confirmed its commitment to funding the Midland Metro tram extension from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill. This route will be a key part of the tram network across the region. Extensions are also planned in Wolverhampton city centre and across Birmingham (including both Centenary Square and Eastside). The Wednesbury to Brierley Hill extension will enhance access to public transport across the Black Country, and will provide links to the existing national rail network and proposed HS2 station at Curzon Street. The tram line will provide reductions in journey times between the strategic centres of the region, particularly to Dudley town centre and Merry Hill. TRAMS FOR SALE FIFTEEN T-69 trams formerly used by Midland Metro have been put up for sale in an online…

CLASS 50 RARITIES I CAN confirm that the location of Wingfield mentioned with No. 50008 hauling MGR coal wagons (November and December issues) is on the Midland Main Line between Derby and Chesterfield - approximately one mile north of Ambergate Junction (where the Matlock branch diverges). As already mentioned, such moves were made to get the ‘Hoovers’ to and from Doncaster works for refurbishment and major exams. I have attached another picture of a rare Class 50 move showing No. 50017 Royal Oak at Nottingham on June 23, 1984. It was working the 1E60/13.40 Poole to Sheffield, which it took over at Birmingham New Street. The ‘50’ was not bound for Doncaster on this occasion, as the following day it took the 1V84/11.25 Liverpool Lime St to Penzance south from…

IN an arguably contentious move, London Underground’s Asset Inspection Train (AIT) has been formally mothballed. This represents the second project cancellation in recent months after plans to build additional 1995 and 1996 Stock for the Northern and Jubilee Lines respectively were shelved (see last issue). The AIT used two former Northern Line 1972 Stock Mk.1 Driving Motor cars Nos. 3313 and 3213 at either end of trailer cars Nos. 4313 and 4213, with two former Victoria Line 1967 Stock driving motor cars Nos. 3079 and 3179 joining them to assist powering the unit. Project development was approved in June 2005, with formal approval given in July 2006. A Freedom of Information request submitted to TfL in April 2017 revealed that in the 11-year length of the AIT project, it had…

SEVERN VALLEY MK.3 SLEEPER GOES FOR SCRAP DURING November, Mk.3a SLEP No. 10606 was sent from the Severn Valley Railway to EMR at Kingsbury for scrapping. Another disposal not previously recorded, which took place earlier this year, is that of Mk.1 BSK No. 34699, which was sent from the Wensleydale Railway to J Watson & Son Ltd at Stafford for cutting up. ‘PEAK’ MOVES TO NEW BASE AT NENE VALLEY THE Peak Locomotive Company’s No. D182 (46045) is to have a five year spell at the Nene Valley Railway. The Class 46 has spent the 2017 season at the North Norfolk Railway, and was moved to its new base by Nos. 31452 and 50008 on November 7 in a convoy move that also returned No. 45133 to the Midland Railway-Butterley.…

THE Warley show saw Rapido Trains stage a low-key launch of its first own-brand model for the UK, which will be the long-lived gunpowder vans in ‘OO’ gauge. Full details of the model are due to be confirmed in the spring but it will cover a variety of different builds, including GWR and BR diagrams. Differences in underframe and body style will be taken into account along with smaller details, such as alternate buffers and axleboxes. Initial 3D prints of the wagon were available for inspection at the show. www.rapidotrains.com…

■ 2018 will bring a new manufacturer to the scene with the announcement that the modellers behind Irish Railway Models are to enter the UK market under the name Accurascale. The company will be formally launched in early February, which will include the unveiling of its first 4mm scale model in already-tooled pre-production form. This is planned to be the first in a series of high fidelity models covering a wide range of subjects and eras. An online survey of what models people would like to see is being run at www.surveymonkey.com/r/accurscalesurvey. www.accurascale.co.uk ■ Among the latest waterslide transfer releases from Railtec Models is a 4mm sheet covering Regional Railways-liveried locos, this featuring the lettering and linking device stripes (1962, £3.90) while the 2mm version also includes a full set…

EVEN by modern standards, the development of Kernow Model Rail Centre’s ‘OO’ gauge Bulleid prototype diesels is best described as tortuous. A lack of suitable drawings and a change of supplier halted their progress for some time but, since the acquisition of a full set of works plans in 2016, the models have progressed rapidly to the production stage. Seven years after they were first mooted, the initial two versions arrived with the Cornish retailer in late November, these portraying the 1600hp ‘twins’ of Nos. 10201 and 10202 in their original early 1950s condition. Kernow also plans to produce the third of the Bulleid prototypes, the more powerful 2000hp No. 10203, which was completed four years after its sisters and featured several external detail differences. This loco will be released…

ANNOUNCED back in January last year, the first of Bachmann’s regional exclusive Class 47s has now arrived, the ‘OO’ gauge model portraying Cotswold Rail’s No. 47714 in its attractive Anglia Railways turquoise and white livery (32-817SD). This is one of four new Brush Type 4 models that will appear in the next few months as part of an interesting sales innovation from the manufacturer. Each of the quartet is assigned to a particular Bachmann sales representative and will be available only from retailers that are within their area. With each one being a limited-edition of 512 examples, the idea is partly intended to generate custom for model shops that modellers may not normally consider ordering from. In the case of No. 47714, it will be available from retailers in Bedfordshire,…

January 6 Maidenhead Model Railway Exhibition, Cox Green Community Centre, 51 Highfield Lane, Maidenhead, Berks. www.mmdmrc.org.uk 10am-5pm. Adult £5, child £3, family £13. January 6/7 ScoutRail 2018, Exeter Hall, Oxford Road, Kidlington, Oxfordshire. www.scoutrail.org.uk 10am-4.30pm. Adult £4, concessions £3, child £2, family £10. January 13/14 Chiltern Model Railway Exhibition, Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage, Herts. www.cmra.org.uk 10am-5.30pm Sat, 10am-4.30pm Sun. Adult £9, accompanied child free. Layouts include The Bridge (T), Law Junction (N), Addison Park (3mm), Readham (OO) and Shelvington (P4). January 19-21 London Model Engineering Exhibition, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, London. www.londonmodelengineering.co.uk 10am-5pm Fri/Sat, 10am-4.30pm Sun. Adult £12, OAP £11, child £4. January 20 DEFine Modellers Day, Risley Memorial Village Hall, Derby Road, Risley, Derbyshire. www.definemodellers.wordpress.com 10am-4pm. Admission £3. For layout details see…

RECEIVED in time for Warley, the model arm of Locomotion is now offering a ‘OO’ gauge recreation of No. 47799 Prince Henry in the EWS version of its Royal claret livery (32-815NRM). This follows on from the previous limited edition release of No. 47798 Prince William, which appeared back in 2013 and soon sold out, leading to regular calls for its running partner to also be modelled in conjunction with Bachmann. Although the EWS incarnation of the livery was first applied in September 1997, the model portrays No. 47799 as running from June 2002 onwards as the Royal coat of arms and ‘By appointment to Her Majesty The Queen’ plates that were added from this date are printed on the bodysides. The Type 4 ran in this form until February…

THE Warley show afforded the opportunity for an examination of the ‘OO’ gauge Beilhack snowploughs that will be released early in 2018 by Hattons. Pictured here are two of the recently received livery samples, these depicting Nos. ADB966098 and ADB966099, which were rebuilt from Class 45 bogies and initially based in the Network SouthEast area. As preproduction models, some decoration tweaks are still required, such as correcting the proportions of the NSE lettering. As well as producing both the Class 40 and ‘Peak’ variants of the snowploughs (there being minor differences between the two types), Hattons is also taking into account modifications made over the years, such as the short-lived solar panels fitted by Railtrack. In all, 12 different models are being released together, priced £43 each. The model employs…

NOW available from retailers is the second version of the ‘Janus’ 0-6-0 industrial shunter produced for Golden Valley Hobbies by Oxford Rail. Of the four initially announced liveries, this has perhaps been the most keenly awaited, given that British Steel was one of the largest users of the Yorkshire Engine Company machines with over 20 examples based at Scunthorpe alone to handle a large proportion of the internal rail traffic. The ‘OO’ gauge model portrays No.5, which was works number 2909 of 1963, this carrying the yellow and white livery most associated with the 1990s, making it a good model to run alongside Railfreight triple grey locos. Notably, Golden Valley Hobbies has long advertised this particular livery as a limited release of 500 pieces, this justifying an extra £10 on…