I'm Back

by Phil Cooper

Yes, your second favourite blog is back after an enforced break because of cataracts in my eyes. I’ve(courageously) survived surgery to remove the things. After hearing from my brother about injections in to my eyeball and a laser burning off my lens I feared the worst. Add my own  phobia of hating my eyes being touched to my brother’s terrifying description of the treatment I wasn’t looking forward to the surgery.

BUT it was easy, painless and not-at-all weird. I thoroughly recommend it to everybody. But the best thing was the next day and I could see , without glasses. It was unbelievable! So now I can actually see what I’m writing so can get back to sending out my blog again, However you’ll probably still have to excuse typos and schpeelign mishtakes!

First up I’ve got a new modeller to introduce to you. Before I saw his photos I had no interest in low relief scenery but having seen his photos , I LIKE it and see it can be very useful to people like me with limited space. So, ladies and gentlemen and John Batley , say HELLO to Donald Glover.

DONALD GLOVER

Thank you Donald,. That’s given me something to think about .

Key Model World Shop Class 60 60029 Ben Nevis in DCR grey produced by Cavalex Models for ‘OO’ gauge.

FOR THE FIRST time DC Rail grey is being offered on a ready-to-run model of a Class 60 with an exclusive limited edition commissioned by Key Publishing from Cavalex Models.

The new limited edition will offer 60029 Ben Nevis in DC Rail grey for ‘OO’ gauge with a choice of DCC ready and DCC sound fitted locomotives. Release is expected in the fourth quarter of 2024.

60029 is one of four Class 60s operated by DC Rail on aggregate trains formed of JNA-T bogie box wagons with the other three being 60028, 60046 William Wilberforce and 60055 Thomas Barnardo. The locomotives work across the railway network with aggregate flows taking them to Peak Forest in Derbyshire, Merehead in Somerset, Middleton Towers in Norfolk and the Isle of Grain in Kent amongst other locations.

Kato 9--car variation of its popular Class 800 in LNER Livery in “N”

Class 800/1 is a 9-car train that has features that traditional 5-car trains do not have, such as an inner frame bogie, a simple roof top, and an intermediate car with all first-class passenger cars. This set will be available in DC, DCC Fitted and DCC Sound Fitted, priced at £399.95, £429.95 and £499.95, respectively.

Available from most stockists for pre-order, this announcement complements the already available Class 800/2, which are 5-car trains equipped with a front coupling mechanism. This coupling is used to reproduce the 5+5 10-car formation seen in the actual vehicles.

The Class 800, which was introduced as a replacement for the old HST (diesel high-speed train) under the Intercity Rapid Transit Plan (IEP) being promoted in the UK, is a train that has been electrified in sections based on the company's "A-train" series concept. It collects current from the pantograph as before, and in non-electrified sections, the engine and generator unit supply power to the motor, making it possible to operate directly between electrified and non-electrified sections. Manufactured at the Kasado Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture and Hitachi Rail's UK factory, it is currently being used on the LNER, the UK's main line, nicknamed "AZUMA".

Class 800/1 is a 9-car train that has features that traditional 5-car trains do not have, such as an inner frame bogie, a simple roof top, and an intermediate car with all first-class passenger cars. This set will be available in DC, DCC Fitted and DCC Sound Fitted, priced at £399.95, £429.95 and £499.95, respectively.

Available from most stockists for pre-order, this announcement complements the already available Class 800/2, which are 5-car trains equipped with a front coupling mechanism. This coupling is used to reproduce the 5+5 10-car formation seen in the actual vehicles.

Heljan London and North Eastern Railway’s unique Beyer-Garratt ‘U1’ 2-8-0 + 0-8-2T for ‘OO’.

The prototype, numbered 2395, made its debut at the LNER’s centenary celebrations of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1925. It was notably used on banking duties for three decades at locations including Worsborough near Barnsley and the Lickey Incline near Birmingham. Renumbered 69999 in BR days, it was the largest and most powerful steam locomotive to ever work in Britain.

Heljan’s all-new ‘OO’ gauge model of the ‘U1’ has been researched with help from the National Railway Museum, Manchester Museum of Science and Industry’s Beyer Peacock Archive and the Gresley Society.

The specification is set to include a twin motor and flywheel drive, 21-pin Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder socket, working LED lamps, factory-fitted speakers, removable cab roof, separately fitted pipe and cable runs, sprung buffers, NEM coupler pockets and will be smoke unit compatible. It will be available in DCC ready and DCC sound-fitted forms.

Modifications made to the full size engine will be incorporated within the tooling suite to model detail variations to the smokebox, water tank breather pipes, coal bunker, handrails, cab and additional vacuum tanks, while coal or oil-fired options will also be produced.

Six different versions of the ‘U1’ are planned, to cover the entire career of the locomotive, including a special exclusive edition for Locomotion Models and Rails of Sheffield. This special edition will depict 2395 in Works grey, as it appeared at the LNER’s Stockton and Darlington Railway centenary cavalcade in 1925, in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the line’s opening which is to be commemorated in 2025.

Standard 'OO' gauge releases include 2395 in as-built LNER lined black (Cat No. 3000/30003), 9999 in LNER (1946-48) unlined black (3002/30023), 69999 in British Railways black (3003/30033), 69999 (coal fired) in BR black with early crests (3004/30043) and 69999 (oil fired with headlight) in BR black with early crests (3005/30053).

Currently in tooling, working samples of the all-new ‘OO’ gauge ‘U1’ are expected in early 2024.

SAD NEWS FOR EVERY MODEL RAIL ENTHUSIAST

On Monday, the sad news was announced that Hattons Model Railways was to close after 77 years in business. Since the news broke, manufacturers and retailers have all been making tributes to the long-established firm.

The closure marks the end of an era for one of the industry's oldest and most well-known retailers. Despite the company's best efforts to adapt to changing market conditions, the decision was taken to wind down in an orderly fashion, leaving no outstanding debts.

In the coming days and weeks, Hattons will conduct a clearance event to sell off all remaining stock. This presents a final opportunity for customers to acquire exceptional products at discounted prices.

The Model Centre was one of the first to post a tribute to Hattons on its website, stating;

"Since TMC first began in the Trafford Centre in 1998 it had a long-standing relationship with Hattons. Mostly as Chris Yates, in his previous life as a Hornby Rep in the 80s & 90s, regularly met Keith Hatton and his Dad Norman. This happened every year as they ventured south to place their Hornby main season order, MSO, as it was known then for the forthcoming year… From everyone at TMC, here’s to wishing all Hattons family and staff the very best at this difficult time and sincerely hope everything works out for you and all Hattons employees in the future, we have no doubt it will.”

Accurascale also put out a statement on its Facebook channel, reassuring customers who have purchased Accurascale branded models from Hattons to get in touch;

“With the extremely sad news that our friends at Hattons Model Railways are set to close their doors after almost 80 years in business, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all their management and staff, who have been a delight to deal with in our time working together, the very best of luck with their future endeavours…We would also like to take this opportunity to reassure any Hattons customers who have purchased Accurascale branded models from Hattons that they can contact us directly for any warranty support required. Just contact us regarding the matter via support@accurascale.com email with proof of purchase from Hattons and we will be delighted to help.”

Dapol released a statement on its social channels, urging customers to place a new order for any pre-orders with Hattons of Dapol products;

“As you are probably aware by now Hattons Model Railways have announced that they are to close. If you have a pre-order for any Dapol products with Hattons we strongly suggest you place a fresh pre-order for your desired models with an alternate Dapol stockist…We wish all of our friends and colleagues at Hattons Model Railways all the best during what will be a difficult and upsetting time for them.”

Meanwhile in the real world

 New, faster train service between Sheffield and London

Transport company FirstGroup plans to operate two daily return trips from Sheffield to London King's Cross via Retford, Worksop and Woodhouse.

It is part of its Hull Trains business, and would create competition for East Midlands Railway (EMR).

FirstGroup said its services would be faster than the EMR route between London St Pancras and Sheffield.

That train takes about two hours from South Yorkshire to the capital.

The proposal would also give Worksop, in Nottinghamshire, its first regular direct train service to London for decades.

No subsidies

FirstGroup said almost three-quarters of trips between Sheffield and London are currently made by car, with a further 9% by coach.

The new route would encourage more people to travel by train, it claimed.

The company has submitted the first phase of an application to run the service to regulator the Office of Rail and Road and a consultation will be launched shortly.

The service would run on an "open access" basis, meaning the company would not receive taxpayer-funded subsidies and take on all revenue risk.

Most train operators in Britain are paid a management fee, with the UK and devolved governments holding responsibility for costs and revenue.

Hull Trains currently operates up to seven daily services between London King's Cross and Hull/Beverley.

FirstGroup's other open access service, Lumo, launched in October 2021 and runs between London King's Cross and Edinburgh.

Graham Sutherland, the company's chief executive, said: "We want to leverage our extensive experience of running open access services and repeat the success of Hull Trains and Lumo through this new route that connects London and Sheffield.

"The new service will help to drive modal shift from road to rail by offering customers a more sustainable travel alternative between the two cities," he added.

There could soon be a speedy new train along Spain’s Costa del Sol

The proposed train route would zip travellers between the major resorts of Malaga and Marbella

A whistle-stop tour of Spain’s lovely collection of beaches sounds like a pretty decent way to spend your holiday, but that’s easier said than done. As it stands, those wanting to travel between the Costa Del Sol’s two major resorts are most likely to opt for a rideshare, which is hardly fun in the heat, or good for the environment.

But excitingly, that could all be about to change. Plans have been proposed for an extension of a route along the Costa Del Sol which would finally connect Malaga and Marbella.

It’s no surprise that the Costa Del Sol, which literally translates to the ‘coast of sun’, is most famously known for its beaches. However, the region is also home to some wonderful Mediterranean towns, theme parks, and hiking destinations.

The proposition, which has been put forward by engineers, railway experts and commuters, would make exploring Spain’s sun-drenched southern coast a hell of a lot easier, and journey times could be as little as 45 minutes.

A comprehensive plan by railway experts shows a route running through the Guadalhorce Valley, with options for both an inland passage and one passing through coastal destinations.

But the train won’t just be a plus for tourists. Like lots of places in Europe aiming to make their destinations more livable places for locals, this new service will benefit them too.

‘It [the rail line] helps to structure the province in terms of population,’ says train driver Pablo Martin, according to Sur in English, ‘It solves housing problems as it is cheaper inland and it encourages social integration for people who live in remote areas.’

This proposal still needs approval, but much like these new tourist trains in Italy, or this brand-new luxury train service between Paris and Portofino, it could soon be another notch in Europe’s ever-growing train belt.

SIZE DOES MATTER

The Hornby R610 track piece is designated a quarter-straight, 38mm long. They are very useful. But I’ve just discovered a problem of my own making as until now I have sometimes put 4 R610s together thinking they would be the same length as the standard R600 track piece which is 168 mm long . But get your calculator out and you’ll see 4x38 equals 152mm   So if your track is wonky (technical term) check those R610 pieces! If you’ve got 4 placed separately or together on one side of your oval and a full R600 on the parallel length you’ve got a big gap-16mm. The ladies are correct SIZE DOES MATTER!

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The views and opinions expressed within the content are solely the author's and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of Trackside Signs or its affiliates.