It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas 

by Phil Cooper 

Here’s something for the steam lovers and even a diesel lover like me likes this.

Understandably the Flying Scotsman is many people’s first choice of a steam engine, even me!

Hornby is to celebrate Flying Scotsman’s centenary with new models. Following its announcement of being the lead sponsor for Flying Scotsman’s 100th anniversary celebrations last month, it has revealed a new set of models to mark the momentous occasion.

Released under the Hornby Dublo brand name in retro packaging, two limited-edition models of No. 4472 Flying Scotsman are to be released, one in its as-built A1 guise, as it would have appeared in 1924 at the British Empire Exhibition and finished with a gloss paint...

Support a Good Cause and get something nice for your layout

Etched Great Western Railway-style name and numberplates manufactured for 'OO'.

Railwaymania has manufactured etched Great Western Railway-style name and numberplates to commemorate the ascendance of King Charles III to the throne. Created by railway podcast producer, Corwin Bainbridge, the items are designed to glue directly over the Hornby name/numberplates and as such are quite thin, requiring careful handling. All profits from the sale of the plate sets will go to the Jessie May Children's Hospice at Home.

Two number options are available

• 6027 follows on from the GWR’s tradition of renaming the next highest number King Class locomotive (6029 King Stephen became King Edward VIII, 6028 King Henry II became King George VI), in this case King Richard I would be renamed King Charles III.
• 6030 is an additional locomotive, adding one onto the existing 6000-6029 series.

Two nameplates are supplied, with two cabside numberplates. For those modelling British Railways era, a smokebox numberplate is also included. The £9.50 price includes UK postage.

Models will feature a die-cast body, five-pole motor, 'enhanced livery application and body detailing, a detailed cab, kinematic tender connection and an eight-pin DCC socket.

For further details, visit the Railwaymania website - www.railwaymania.co.uk/

Time For Some Photos

But first we have an eager debutant, Les Bryant with his Frederick Street layout, to impress you. Get them out Les!

Great stuff Les, thank you

I’m sure most readers know enough to find ways of altering or repairing their locos - not me – so here’s an organisation who can help you.

PETER’S SPARES

Peter’s Spares carry all the major manufacturer’s rolling stock and all the manufacturers of accessories. They literally have everything you might needTheir stock database can be accessed on their website although Peter Corbitt tells me that they have new Hornby and older Hornby  /Triang still available plus used parts. They have now got a lot of Dapol so although listed as “no stock” it hasn’t been entered yet so give them a call. If you’re like me and you need lots of advice they’ll help you.

Peter’s Spares are based in Middlesbrough. Here’s the contact details: 01642 909794

Shop Monday – Saturday 10am-5pm

Phones Tuesday – Friday 2pm-5pm

Online - www.petersspares.com

Now, let’s see what Sean Selley-West is up to.

Sean tells me that he is painting the base colour for the road and the white areas white which will eventually have snow scatter on top. (I tried a winter theme last year-it didn’t go well with NannyBarb complaining about the mess!) I’ve asked Sean to update us with his project so you’ll all be able to see how this modelling genius makes his magic.

Do remember that Sean is a brilliant modeller who always has time to advise others. His profile on Facebook is:

www.facebook.com/selleywest.sean

Next, some more from Neil Stanley who is rapidly changing my mind on “weathering”. The aim of “weathering” is realism. When it’s as good as Neil’s work you can barely tell if an image is real-life or model. Neil is truly an artist of weathering. Let’s have a look at Neil’s “Banks Road”-a masterpiece. You can almost smell the combination of oil and Swarfega.

Normally our contributor’s photos appear in miniature (something I hope to change ASAP) but Neil’s art demands decent sized photos. So take your time to enjoy these terrific photos!

THE TUBE

About 4 years ago I had an idea of running “Tube” trains alongside my main layout but now I don’t have the available space! But if you have a similar idea, London Transport Museum (LTM) can help you. It has commissioned another batch of its exclusive ‘OO’ gauge four-car London Underground S Stock units from Bachmann. First produced in 2015, this latest version of the exclusive four-car sets will appear in 2014 S Stock London Underground livery finished as Driving Motor A 21002, Driving Motor D 21001 and trailers 24001 and 25001

.

Each four-car set will be Digital Command Control (DCC) ready and display route 425 Baker Street on destination panels, while interior detailing will also include the S Stock printed moquette design on the seating, for the first time.

Priced at £595 per four-car set, delivery of the new S Stock models is expected during late autumn 2022.

Visit London Transport Museum Shop for more information.

www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk/

I haven’t forgotten you “N” scale people and neither has Revolution Trains

Decorated samples of Revolution Trains' all-new ’N’ gauge Class 59 diesel locomotives have arrived for inspection.

Revolution Trains is offering these powerful locomotives in a variety of types and guises including Class 59/0s with original and modified bogies, Class 59/1s with revised lights, underframes, bogies and radio roof pods and the later Class 59/2s with variations to cab fronts and interiors and fire suppression equipment.

Liveries will span the locomotives’ careers from original Foster Yeoman and ARC schemes to the most recent DB and Freightliner G&W colours. Following a few minor adjustments, production is expected to begin soon.

Prices are set at £124.95 DCC ready and £219.95 for DCC sound-fitted standard models. Rails of Sheffield’s exclusive editions of 59003 are priced at £159.95, while Rainbow Railways’ Class 59/2 National Power twin-pack is priced at £300.

Visit Revolution Trains for more information

More “N” from Revolution

Four all-new ‘N’ gauge projects were revealed by Revolution Trains at the recent International ‘N’ Gauge Show in September.

The manufacturer’s new announcements include two multiple units and two wagon projects with a Swindon cross-country Class 120 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) and Class 377/387 Electrostar family of Electric Multiple Units (EMU) spearheading its intentions, together with BR HJO/HJV iron ore hopper wagons and PTA bogie box wagons completing the picture.

Revolution’s new Class 120 DMU will be offered in two- and three-car form and will use the chassis from its imminent Class 128 Diesel Parcels Unit. Liveries and identities have yet to be confirmed.

Tooling for the new ‘Electrostar' EMUs will enable examples with early ribbon glazing and later gasket-frame glazing to be produced and they are expected to appear in First Capital Connect, Great Northern, Great Western Railway, Southern and South Eastern liveries, with others such as Gatwick Express and Heathrow Express also possible, subject to demand. The The specification will include a low-profile motor, Next18 DCC decoder socket, directional lighting and interior illumination.

The BR 24.5ton iron ore hoppers were built in the mid to late-1950s and lasted into the 1990s on iron ore traffic. These models will bear the hallmarks of previous wagon projects from the manufacturer with separately-fitted moulded and etched metal detailing, NEM couplers and researched colour schemes.

Finally, the PTA/JTA bogie tippler wagons will reflect the prototypes introduced for iron ore traffic to Scotland, the North East and South Wales in the 1970s and later reassigned to aggregates work for ARC and Foster Yeoman, making them suitable for use with the manufacturer's in-development Class 59 diesel for the scale. Some were later converted to JSA bogie covered steel coil carriers, and later open versions too.

Prices, running numbers and release details for these new ‘N’ gauge projects have yet to be confirmed.

Visit Revolution Trains for more information - www.revolutiontrains.com

Thinking of a day out?

Following an extended break due to the pandemic, final preparations are under way for the return of Spalding Model Railway Exhibition, sponsored by Hornby Magazine, on the weekend of November 5 and 6 at the Springfields Events Centre, Camel Gate, Spalding.

Hornby Magazine will be exhibiting West Coast Cement, which models a fictitious stretch of the West Coast Main Line in ‘OO’ gauge, although for this particular show the layout will feature a twist to its operating sphere – reflecting East Coast Main Line practice, with appropriate traction and rolling stock from the 2000s onwards.

Joining West Coast Cement is a superb line-up of layouts including some which have appeared in Hornby Magazine including Graham Heald and Chris Manners’ ‘OO’ gauge Bewdley (HM137), Neil Mason’s ‘N’ gauge Spirit of Swindon (see pages 54-61, this issue), Boston Model Railway Society’s Tytton Hall Yard (HM141), Worthing Model Railway Club’s ‘OO’ Loftus Road (HM143) and Andy Stephney’s ‘N’ gauge Hatch End (HM132).

Further layout highlights include Graham Clarke’s ‘O’ gauge Netherwood, Peter Goss’ ‘OO’ gauge Copper Wort, Ben Adlington’s ‘OO’ Holland Beck, Graham Morfoot’s ‘OO’ gauge Billingborough branch, John Spence’s ‘N’ gauge Eyemouth, Martin Reynolds’ Western Region ‘OO’ gauge layout Witham and many more.

European and Continental interests are also catered for with Nick Dibben’s ‘N’ gauge 7th Street Terminal set in the USA in the 1950s, David and Susan George’s ‘O’ gauge Arcadia Pennsylvania Terminal, Dave Paylor’s Czech-set ‘HO’ Kozel Cement and more.

The Hornby Magazine stand will also be in attendance with special show-only offers on subscriptions, together with a bumper selection of magazines, bookazines and books

More than 20 traders are booked to appear at this year’s show including Digitrains, DC Kits/D&E Videos, Kytes Lights, P&D Marsh, Petite Properties, Rails of Sheffield, Trains4U, Squires Tools and more. Bachmann will also be attending this year’s event with a display of their forthcoming new releases and a selection of the latest engineering prototype samples, while a series of demonstrations and a repair clinic will also be present.

Doors open at 10am each day (9.30am for advance ticket holders and disabled visitors) with on-the-day admission tickets priced at £10 for adults, while accompanied children will be admitted free.

SPALDING EXHIBITION LAYOUTS 2022

7th Street Terminal, Nick Dibben, ’N’

Arcadia Pennsylvania, Terminal David and Susan George, ’O’

Ballyconnell Road, 3mm Society Irish Group, 3mm

Barnwood, Andrew Fardell, ’N’

Bewdley, Graham Heald and Chris Manners, ’OO’

Billingborough branch, Graham Morfoot, ’OO’

Blackgang, Mark Pretious, Gauge 3

Burnroyd Works, Chris Burnage, ’OO’

Copper Wort, Peter Goss, ’OO’

Croft Spa, Les Richardson, ’N’

Emneth, Richard Stowe, ’N’

Eyemouth, John Spence, ’N’

Harkness, Tony Bucknell, ’EM’

Hatch End, Andy Stephney, ’N’

Holland Beck, Ben Adlington, ’OO’

Ishinaka, Raven Miniatures, ’N’

Kirkmellington, Graham and Tony Bucknell, ’EM’

Knot Littlefield, John Cox, ’N’

Kozel Cement, Dave Paylor, ’HO’

Loftus Road, Worthing MRC, ’OO’

Netherwood, Graham Clark, ’O’

Spirit of Swindon, Neil Mason/Little Layout Company, ’N’

St Ruth, 2mm Association Midland Area Group, 2mm finescale

Tremawn, John Cotton, ’OO’

Tytton Hall Yard, Boston Model Railway Society, ’OO’

West Coast Cement, Hornby Magazine, ’OO’

Witham , Martin Reynolds, ’OO’

THE DETAILS

Event: Spalding Model Railway Exhibition

When: November 5/6 2022

Where: Springfields Events Centre, Camel Gate, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE12 6ET

Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm

Website: www.spaldingmodelrailwayclub.org.uk

Prices: Adults £10, accompanied children free

TT120

A brand-new collection of locomotives, rolling stock, track, buildings and accessories has been revealed by Hornby to drive the introduction of ‘TT:120’ scale modelling.

On October 10, Hornby revealed its brand-new range of ‘TT:120’ scale model railway products covering locomotives, carriages, wagons, track, buildings and accessories introducing the first all-new product range from Hornby for 50 years.

Hornby TT:120 models can be easily handled by both young and old, plus there is the additional advantage that a reasonably sized and interesting layout can be created on a baseboard which can be easily stored away either under a bed or some other convenient small space.

As a guide, it looks like TT120 fits roughly halfway between “OO”  and “N”

Just 55 days until Christmas and I’ll have a look around for some bargains and Christmas stocking-fillers for you

(Ed Comments No Phil, I think you meant these)

Yes, of course I did.

The Model Centre have a number of bargains such as this nice Bachmann steam loco, King Leodegrance.

RRP £194.95

TMC £165.71  

Have a look at their website - www.themodelcentre.com/

Another source of bargain locomotives is Bure Valley Models. Their website is - www.burevalleymodels.com. Their bargains are snapped up quickly so it’s best you go to their website NOW and look for their “Star Buys”. Here’s an example:

RRP £154.99

BVP £80

Hattons always have a number of bargains available and continuing the steam theme here’s a bargain

Hornby R3854X Class 8P Princess Royal 4-6-2 6212 'Duchess of Kent' in LMS crimson lake - DCC fitted

RRP £254.49

Hattons £199

They’re still trying to get rid of this monstrosity! I almost feel sorry for it.

Hornby R3569 Class 71 E5005 in BR blue

RRP £206.99  WHAT OVER £200 FOR THAT!

Hattons  £99

Come on, give it a home, love it, keep it warm.

Anyway how about some things to fit into your TMD

Bachmann Branchline 44-508 Motive Power Depot TMD shed accessories

RRP: £15.45

Hattons £8.50

Something else from Hattons is the BR “Executive” coach. The livery used to be known as “Swallow” and I didn’t really care for it but since I’ve discovered the Class 91 locos I’ve found that these go perfectly with them.

RRP £49.49

Hattons £23

How about a “Hawksworth” coach

RRP £60.49

Hattons £33 

And from DCC Concepts we have a great deal on the NCE Powercab DCC controller and all it’s “bits”. Their Powercab Value Pack contains everything you need to get going with DCC and it comes with their fantastic customer support. These guys are experts and are always willing to help. £249.95 gets you all this:

NCE PowerCab Handset - the world's best DCC handset with full 28-function access and programming support

Layout Fascia Panel (PCP) - attach this socket to your layout fascia for an elegant connection to your handset

NCE Power Supply - This 1.8A power supply is good for controlling 3 or 4 OO/HO locomotives on a small-medium sized layout

Zen Blue+ or Black Decoder - You'll need a decoder to start controlling your 1st locomotive - start with the best! Zen decoders are simple to install and have awesome motor control & lighting functions!

Controller Caddy - Fixes tidily to your layout fascia to give you somewhere to store your handset when it's not in use

Alpha Curly Cable - The flat cable supplied with the PowerCab is functional, but it can get in the way! Our 6-core curly cable creates a much more convenient connection to your layout
In other words, EVERYTHING you need

I’ve seen NCE Powercabs available on eBay but do you want to risk your hard-earned pocket money on it.  

If you would like to read more blog posts from Phil check back every two weeks or sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date on site news or when the blog posts go live.

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.