The Deltics
by Phil Cooper
Hello, great to see you all again for another blog. Let’s get started with my
PHOTO OF THE FORTNIGHT
Bonnie Scotland aka The Garden of Eden
Thank you Tony Gillanders- more from Tony later
My favourite locomotive is the Class 37. I love them. I’ve got 13, most of them with sound. My friend, Neil Stanley, a regular contributor to the blog has over 100 but he is obviously insane! Anyway, just recently I’ve discovered DELTICS – Class 55 locos I think Deltics are beautiful so I’ve started buying some on eBay. One of them “The Black Watch” is equipped with sound . IT is bautiful and cost me just over £!00 on eBay but you can pick up DC powered Deltics incredibly cheaply (£30-£100). Mine are perfect and run well in both directions. There seems to be a common problem with their buffer heads so check the photos and grab a bargain
The Mighty Inverness TMD - Class 37 par excellence
My 3 Deltics -3 more on the way! Love them
YOU can drive this Deltic
DELTIC DRIVING EXPERIENCE £395
gcrailway.co.uk/special-services/drive-a-loco/deltic-driving-experience/
Or order this sound-equipped beauty from Accurascale for £250
accurascale.com
But get in fast, they’re selling out quickly -best to pre-order
Speaking of Deltics:
Heljan releases update on the new Class 55 locomotives
Fans of Deltic rejoice! The new models by Heljan will soon be shipped to Europe.
Heljan has announced that its new Deltics are almost complete and will shortlybe shipped to Europe. No fewer than 10 liveries will be available, covering standard BR blue machines, Finsbury Park's famous 'racehorses' with white cab windows, retro BR green D9000 and 55002 'KOYLI' and 'railtour specials' (see full list below).
According to Heljan, the new models have been redesigned from the ground up, reshaped with an improved body, new details added and an upgraded chassis with the latest 'plug and play' DCC specification. New interior details and switchable lighting features are also part of the upgrade.
Standard equipment now includes...
- Heavy duty twin motor/flywheel drive
- Plug and Play XL DCC interface
- Provision for 2x large speakers
- Provision for 2x ESU smoke units
- Switchable headcode, HI headlight, cab and tail lights
- Provision for DCC controlled smoke unit
- Period specific details according to loco and livery
- Choice of BR 1976-82 or post-preservation main line locomotives
- Finely detailed grilles, bogies and fuel tanks
- Glazed or plated headcode panels
- Cast or fabricated bogies
- Engine room interior detail insert
All versions are being produced in limited quantities and Heljan expects demand to be very strong for some liveries, so early ordering via a Heljan stockist is recommended. Delivery is expected in November/December 2023.
Available specifications;
O Gauge Class 55 (2023 Edition)
- #5520: BR Blue 55007 Pinza
- #5521: BR Blue unnumbered
- #5522: BR Blue 55015 Tulyar (white cabs)
- #5523: BR Blue unnumbered (white cabs)
- #5524: BR Green 55002 King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (full yellow ends)
- #5525: BR Railtour Blue 55022/D9000 Royal Scots Grey
- #5526: BR Blue 55011 The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers WEATHERED
Preserved Main Line Class 55s with HI headlight
- #5530: BR Green D9000 Royal Scots Grey (small yellow panel)
- #5531: BR Blue 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier
- #5532: BR Blue unnumbered (white cabs)
Production of Heljan’s new batch of ‘O’ gauge Class 55 ‘Deltic’ Co-Co diesels is nearing completion, with the manufacturer sharing images of the forthcoming models in early October.
- Ten different 'O' gauge models are planned for this next batch of releases which also incorporate a series of refinements over previously released models with an improved reshaped body, upgraded chassis, new detailing inside and out, together with switchable lighting. Models will be offered with either cast or fabricated bogies (according to prototype) and also feature detailed grilles and fuel tanks.
- The specification also incorporates a heavy duty twin motor, flywheel drive, XL Digital Command Control (DCC) ‘plug-and-play’ interface, space for two large speakers and also room for a pair of ESU smoke units (not supplied).
Seven named Heljan BR Class 55s and three unnumbered models will appear in this batch of releases including 55007 Pinza in BR blue (Cat No.
- 5520), 55015 Tulyar in BR blue with white cab surrounds (5522), 55002 King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in BR green with full yellow ends (5524), 55022/D9000 Royal Scots Grey in BR railtour blue (5525), 55011 The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in weathered BR blue (5526), D9000 Royal Scots Grey with high intensity headlight in preserved BR green with small yellow panels (5530) and 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier with high intensity headlight in BR blue (5531). Unnumbered examples will be available in original form in BR blue (5521) and BR blue with white cab surrounds (5523), together with a high-intensity headlight fitted BR blue example with white cab surrounds (5532).
- Priced at £729 for pristine models and £749 for the weathered example, release is expected later this year during November/December.
A BIT MORE ABOUT DELTICS
obviously not written by me but nicked from Wikipedia.com
The Napier Deltic engine is a British opposed piston valveless, supercharged uniflow scavenged, two-stroke diesel engine used in marine and locomotive applications, designed and produced by D. Napier & Son. Unusually, the cylinders were disposed in a three-bank triangle, with a crankshaft at each corner of the triangle.
The term Deltic (meaning "in the form of the Greek letter (capital) delta") is used to refer to both the Deltic E.130 opposed-piston, high-speed diesel engine and the locomotives produced by English Electric using these engines, including its demonstrator locomotive named DELTIC and the production version for British Railways, which designated these as (TOPS) Class 55.
A single, half-sized, turbocharged Deltic power unit also featured in the English Electric-built Type 2 locomotive, designated as the Class 23. Both locomotive and engine became better known as the "Baby Deltic".
TOPS
(also from Wkikipedia.com , obviously)
Total Operations Processing System (TOPS) is a computer system for managing railway locomotives and rolling stock, known for many years of use in the United Kingdom.
TOPS was originally developed between the Southern Pacific Railroad (SP), Stanford University and IBM as a replacement for paper-based systems for managing rail logistics. A jointly-owned consultancy company, TOPS On-Line Inc., was established in 1960 with the goal of implementing TOPS, as well as selling it to third parties. Development was protracted, requiring around 660 man-years of effort to produce a releasable build. During mid-1968, the first phase of the system was introduced on the SP, and quickly proved its advantages over the traditional methods practiced prior to its availability.[1]
BACHMANN CLASS 20
Bachmann has unveiled plans to release a pair of its recently retooled 'OO’ gauge Class 20 Bo-Bo diesels as Eastfield based 20048 and 20100 in BR blue with disc headcodes.
Launched during 60th anniversary celebrations at Monk Bar model shop in York, these latest additions to the Bachmann range will be available as sales area exclusive models from Bachmann retailers in the north of England and Scotland.
This latest pairing will utilise Bachmann’s latest tooling suite for the Class 20, with both locomotives finished in BR blue with the legendary Glasgow depot’s signature West Highland Terrier motifs, as carried during the 1980s.
Available singly, 20048 (Cat No. 35-355RJ/SF) and 20100 (35-356RJ/SF) will be available Digital Command Control (DCC) ready or DCC sound-fitted. Prices are set at £224.95 each DCC ready and £324.95 DCC sound-fitted. Release is expected during September.
I know these Class 20s are popular but I don’t understand the fuss. To me they’re just overgrown shunters!
I’ll get me coat!
KEY PUBLISHING'S latest limited edition modelling Class 40 40145 East Lancashire Railway in its unique preservation era BR large logo blue livery is now in stock in DCC ready format.
The 'OO' gauge DCC ready models feature directional lighting, a five-pole motor, twin flywheels, cab lighting, a Plux22 decoder socket, factory fitted twin 15mm x 11mm cube speaker allowing for a simple upgrade to digital sound and new tooling for the high-intensity light fitted to 40145 in preservation.
Above: Key Publishing's Bachmann limited edition Class 40 modelling 40145 in BR large logo blue is now in stock in DCC ready format. The production sample paid a visit to Pete Waterman's Making Tracks layout in Chester Cathedral at the head of the railtour set.
The DCC ready models are priced at £229.95 including tracked postage. Modelling Publisher Mike Wild commented: "Pre-order customers for the DCC ready Class 40s have been contacted, but if you haven't heard from our team and wish to complete your order you can call our team on 01780 480404. DCC sound fitted models are currently on their way and we will be updating pre-order customers as soon as we have a final arrival date for those Class 40s."
The real 40145 carried this BR large logo colour scheme between 2007 and 2010 and operated across the national network on railtours as well as appearing on heritage railways. The locomotive is preserved by the Class 40 Preservation Society and is maintained in main line running order with tours planned for the locomotive during 2023.
https://www.keymodelworld.com/shop
Hornby’s all-new 'OO' gauge ‘2MT’ 2-6-0
Hornby has received the first completed production samples of its newly-tooled ‘OO’ gauge BR Standard ‘2MT’ 2-6-0 for inspection ahead of the full batch which is due to arrive this summer.
Designed by Robert Riddles, 65 BR Standard ‘2MT’ 2-6-0s were built in the 1950s for use on secondary passenger and freight trains. They incorporated modern design features including self-cleaning fireboxes, rocking fire grates and hopper ashpans.
Hornby’s all-new tooling for the '2MT’ is set to be appear in five guises for general release as 78000 in BR lined green with late crests (Cat No. R3839), 78006 in BR lined green with late crests (R3982), 78010 in BR lined black with early crests (R3840), 78047 in BR lined black with late crests (R3836) and 78054 in BR lined black with late crests (R3981).
The first completed 'OO' gauge samples to arrive for scrutiny are 78006 in BR lined green with late crests and 78054 in BR lined black with late crests.
Detailing includes separately fitted metal handrails, fine pipework, sliding cab roof vents, lamp irons and sprung metal buffers, together with fluted or plain coupling rods, as appropriate. Each also features a five-pole skew-wound motor and 8-pin Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder socket.
Prices range from £217.99 to £228.99, with the first releases expected later this Summer.
uk.hornby.com
SIGNALBOX STUFF
A NEW 3D printed interior kit for our exclusive laser-cut ‘OO’ gauge kit of Norton Bridge signalbox is now available containing a full set of parts to recreate the inside of this distinctive structure.
The interior kit is 3D printed and also includes printed laser-cut signage and overlays to complete the components.
The full parts list consists of the main control panel, an office chair, computer desk, printer desk, leather chair, pigeon holes, water cooler, cupboard, filing cabinet, dart board, two part kitchen, toilet and sink unit plus a printed notice board.
The interior kit has been designed with the insight of railway signalmen and period images of the real signalbox to allow all the features to be modelled accurately. It is supplied unpainted and requires components to be removed from printing supports prior to installation in the laser-cut building kit (available separately).
The new kit is available now from the Key Model World Shop, products below priced at £12.99.
I think these are a great idea. We’ve all got at least one signal box on our layout. I’ve got three.
https://www.keymodelworld.com/shop
NOW REAL RAIL NEWS
Irish diesel loco to be converted to hydrogen fuel
IRELAND: National railway Iarnród Éireann is to work with Latvian traction technology company DiGas to undertake a proof-of-concept conversion of a diesel locomotive to use hydrogen in its existing engine.
IÉ will provide one of its EMD-built Class 071 locomotive dating from the 1970s for the project, and will make workshop facilities available for installation, testing and commissioning. It will also identify partners to supply the hydrogen fuel. DiGas will manufacture and install the Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine retrofitting kit. Static testing to check power and emissions is planned for 2024, ahead of operating trials in 2025.
IÉ believes that hydrogen fuelling could potentially provide a cost-effective way to decarbonise its existing diesel locomotive fleet. It explained that the DiGas H2 ICE conversion would require minimal changes to the locomotive, unlike other hydrogen traction projects which use fuel cells or specially produced hydrogen engines.
‘Iarnród Éireann has 18 Class 071 diesel locomotives in railway operations, 12 of which are used to support freight’, said CEO Jim Meade on September 14. ‘If the conversion tests are successful, these locomotives can be converted to greener and more efficient alternatives.’
DiGas has previously converted locomotives in Latvia, Estonia and Poland to diesel-gas dual fuel operation. ‘We see the same challenge over and over again with all railway operators — the need to decarbonise their operations but having an extremely long life-cycle of their assets which still run on diesel fuel’, said DiGas CEO Petro Dumenko. ‘This project will showcase a cost-effective and practical way for operators like Iarnród Éireann to decarbonise their existing fleet.’
The €1·5m project is being funded by IÉ and DiGas, with contributions from the European Institute of Innovation & Technology, and Recovery & Resilience funding through Latvia’s Mechanical Engineering Competence Centre.
Korail’s first ITX-Maum trainsets enter service
One of the best things about the Korean film “Last Train to Busan” was the train itself although it was a very watchable film with none of the excessive gore in other “zombie” films and TV series. Can you believe that the Disney Channel screens “The Walking Dead” Walt must be turning in his grave, or, maybe, he’s climbing out of it
Now, Korea has even better trains. Surprisingly their maximum speed is just 150km/hr.
The first nine four-car EMUs were put into revenue service on September 1, following a ceremony at Taebaek on August 25 attended by Minister of Land, Infrastructure & Transport Won Hee-ryong. The minister also participated in a test run from Taebaek to Donghae.
During the event, it was announced that the ‘semi high-speed’ trains, previously known as EMU-150 like the Series 21000 trainsets supplied by Hyundai Rotem and Woojin Industrial Systems since 2013, would be officially branded as ITX-Maum.
The new trains are being supplied as both four- and six-car sets with distributed traction equipment: each set has two driving trailers and up to three powered intermediate cars. Korail ordered an initial 150 vehicles from Dawonsys in December 2018, and placed a subsequent order for a further 208 vehicles in November 2019.
Able to operate at up to 150 km/h, the trains are intended to operate long-distance stopping services across the network, with all entering service by 2028. Each four-car unit has seats for 264 passengers, and the units can operate in multiple.
The initial nine sets are being deployed to work seven round trips each a day: two each way on the main lines from Seoul to Busan, Mokpo and Yeosu-Expo, and one pair of services between Seoul and Donghae.
Five new railway stations in South East Wales planned
Transport for Wales in public consultation on designs for five new railway stations in South East Wales and new train services launched.
Members of the public are being invited to share their views as part of a 13-week consultation, which runs from October 16 to January 14, 2024.
Transport for Wales is looking for feedback on the designs of potential stations at Cardiff East, Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern and Magor and Undy, including the types of facilities that people would like to see at each station.
Members of the public are also being asked for their views on new train services between Cardiff, Bristol and Cheltenham Spa that could provide the new stations with up to four trains per hour and increase frequencies at existing local stations on the route.
A series of drop-in events are being hosted by Transport for Wales, to allow members of the public opportunities to discuss the designs and service proposals with the project teams behind them. These will take place on:
- Somerton station at Lliswerry Baptist Church on 23 October, 13:00 – 19:30
- Llanwern station at Llanwern Village Hall on 24 October, 12:00 – 19:30
- Cardiff East (Newport Road) station at St Peters Rugby Football Club on 26 October 2023, 12:00 – 19:30
- Newport West station at Maes Glas Community Centre on 6 November, 12:00 – 19:30
- Llanwern station at Glan Llyn Primary School on 7 November, 16:45 – 18:30
- Magor and Undy station at Magor and Undy Community Hub on 9 November, 12:00 – 19:30
Geoff Ogden, Chief Transport Planning and Development Officer, said: “Our vision for Wales is one in which we all have more opportunities to live healthier and happier lives. For us, unlocking the capability of the South Wales mainline is key to changing how people travel in the region.
Several blogs ago I introduced you to “Chuck” Batley, another fantastic modeller, another “Galactico” -my word to describe the elite guys and girls at the top of their skills. Chuck is also a good guy – he sends photos of Class 68 spaceships to my grandson, Harrison who knows him now as “Uncle Chuck”. My lords, ladies and gentlemen I give you:
CHUCK (aka JOHN) BATLEY
Harrison loves this one
And these are the results
Great stuFF Chuck, thank you. I think you real modellers will agree that Chuck’s ground-work is particularly brilliant. You’ll find more of his photos on Facebook. If you need advice, just ask him. He’s a helpful guy.
Now we have a bloke who roars round the country getting inspiration for his modelling and it’s great modelling We welcome a new Galactico. Say hello to:
TONY GILLANDERS
WOW What a great way to finish the blog AND did you notice the blue skIes of Scotland!
See you next time.
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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.
