With reference Chris Philips' request for information regarding GWR 1701/854 tank engines.

I'm afraid I can't help directly as I don't have a copy but I am pretty certain that Locomotives Illustrated number 134 would give him the information he requires. Perhaps another reader has a copy?

Peter Gomm

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In response to the request for details of GWR 1854 (1701) tank engines, according to the RCTS book on six-coupled tank engines, the following were the last to be converted from saddle to pannier tank.

1859 in 1928

1892 in 1929

1760 in 1929

1751 in 1932

I hope this of help.

Tom Fawkes

If Phil Parker wants some prototypes which could be modelled without having to rely on ready-to-run, might I suggest looking at Wales in the pre-1955 period? The Chester - Holyhead line had quite a few of the remaining LNWR loco types, including Sirocco, the last 'Precursor' in the immediate post-war period. The lines in south Wales still had a respectable number of former Rhymney and Taff Vale 0-6-2 tanks up to the late '50s and the NCB had a very large network in the area too. Putting the clock back to 1935, there were quite a few former Cambrian locos around, plus lots more LNWR and south Wales types, and the motive power the Great Western drafted was pretty ancient and interesting too.

The North Staffordshire and Furness areas of the LMS retained a significant number of pre-grouping types into the 1930s, as did the former Lancashire & Yorkshire system into the 1950s - the latter also being the last resort of the LMS 'Austin Seven' 0-8-0s. Similarly, the Great Eastern system and the railways of Lincolnshire had a fair allocation of pre-grouping types into the '50s. The same applies to the North Eastern system at the same period. Hopefully plenty to keep the keen loco builder busy.....

Neil Burgess

I gave an incorrect link in my previous email on the above subject. The correct address for the link to the photograph showing the changeover of traction between electric and steam at Rickmansworth should be: www.transportarchive.org.uk/aimages/L2634.jpg .

A model of the Metropolitan Railway main line before the LPTB took over should also include LNER passenger and freight trains that had running powers over the line from Aylesbury to London. A complete model of the Metropolitan Railway main line would need to include the Stanmore, Uxbridge and Watford branches. A model of this magnitude would need a large hall to accommodate it!

Brian Scales

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What immediately strikes me about Paul Jansz's list of locomotive types for the East Coast main line, which aren't available ready-to-run, is that the great majority, mainly excluding Thompson Pacifics and K1s, are long-lived pre-grouping types. As Paul observes, they are the lesser fry which often offer some clue about the pre-1923 ownership of a route and so suggest the 'typical', in ways larger types don't.

This coincides rather neatly with another strand of recent correspondence; namely the disquiet about the cost of ready-to-run models. Perhaps the way forward might be to worry a bit less about the Garratts, P2s and Duke of Gloucester and press for the J15s, A5s and the others Paul mentions. Their production might not just help IMECML; quite a few would be appropriate for a wide range of other locations too.

Neil Burgess - [who wouldn't say no to a decent LMS compound]

Thanks to all for your help with this issue and to Pat for contacting Bachmann.

I weighted the pony truck with a heavy screw using the convenient holes in it - and the problem was solved.

Richard Davies

I received my Hattons/Heljan Class 28 three days ago and was delighted with its looks. However, it was something of a surprise to find that, although smooth and quiet, it ran backwards instead of forwards and vice versa! The poor thing was clearly directionally challenged!

I contacted Hattons by e-mail and was very promptly provided with instructions for rectifying the problem. Although it's a pity that some of the Class 28s got through quality control with a simple and very obvious wiring fault, I believe we should be grateful to Hattons for immediately acknowledging the problem and providing a DIY solution.

Provided you take it nice and slowly, the corrective action is very easy .

Bob Kimber

.....however, if anyone really wants a modelling challenge, why not cross the water and look at Ireland? If some tenuous link with the rest of Britain is needed, the LMS Northern Counties Committee lines might fit the bill. There was a wondrous assortment of 0-6-0s, 2-4-0s and 4-4-0s, including von Borries two-cylinder compounds, with W Class moguls as the big engines, along with WT Class 2-6-4 tanks after the war.

More widely, the Great Northern [I] and the Belfast & County Down both had similarly varied selections of motive power and the Great Southern [latterly CIE] had a rare assortment of ancient engines, including Attock Midland Great Western 2-4-0s with his 'flyaway' cab which lasted until the late 1950s. All this alongside Metro-Vick and General Motors diesels, railcars - diesel and battery electric - and a hugely varied selection of coaching stock, some very long in the tooth indeed. The 'Strict and Particular Tendency' might need to consider building their own track too ...

Neil Burgess

The 'Update' pages include pictures of Hornby's pending B1, shown in early BR black livery. Other forthcoming models illustrated include Dapol 00 MRA sets, Kernow's Beatties, Heljan's DP2 and Bachmann's MLV.

The Beattie tank features in the 'review' section (with a 'reality' article) along with Hornby's A4 Empire of India and A3 Coronach, Scalescenes' shipping containers, Marc Models' SR cinema and sleeper coaches, latest Bachmann Class 08, Heljan 0 gauge 'Deltic', new Hornby 'Tippler' and standard brake van, Hornby weathered Thompson L1, and sound fitted Princess Helena Victoria, Bachmann TPO van and BZA steel coil carrier, Kernow Class 37/9 twin pack and Lionheart 0 gauge RCH wagons.

As for layouts visited in this issue, the opening picture of the article on Michael Russell's 00 'Byworth' is quite brilliant (it's worth buying the magazine for this picture alone!). The rest of the pictures won't disappoint either. Other layouts covered include David Wellington's 0 gauge 'Hollowbeck Shed' and Bob Petch's 00 'Shillinghurst'

Practical articles cover weathering, adding internal illumination to a building, building a 10T slag ladle wagon, adding working lamps to your locos, building a small engine shed (with card kit provide in the magazine) and converting a 3mm scale Class 33 to a Class 26.

Layout and article themes this month include Switzerland (HO/m), USA (N), France (Nm), USA (HO), Germany (HOe), Thailand (scale drawings), Poland (HOe), France (OO9). As usual there are numerous model reviews.

This is just a quick reminder for anyone interested in experiencing the full sized stuff as well as models, it's that time of year again when the SVR pulls out all the stops for their famed Autumn Gala.

Running from Friday through to Sunday, there will be trains all night on Friday and Saturday, including a walk-on breakfast service on some of them and a beer tent. Visiting engines include the 9F from the Mid Hants Railway, a GWR 'King', 'Caledonian Goods' 4160 from the West Somerset Railway and Tornado. Also there will be all of the SVR locos in action hauling trains from both ends of the line, plus local trains and demonstration goods trains.

By Brian Macdermott

Wednesday 28 September

BBC2, 18.30-19.00. Reel History of Britain. Melvyn Bragg takes a look back at the Beeching cuts with archive film and interviews.

I had the same problem. However, I use code 100 track. I was able to resolve the issue by replacing the pony truck wheels supplied by Bachmann with a pair of Jackson wheels, which have larger flanges. This may not work for Richard Davies with his code 70 track. I did wonder whether the problem was caused by the absence of springing that would increase the downward pressure on the pony truck.

Anthony Hinxman - Portland, OR, USA

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I had the same problem with the pony truck splitting points and jumping frogs on all my N Class locos. I noticed the N Class 'crabs' after exiting a curve, whether running loaded or light. This causes the pony truck to 'flange' the left or right rail depending on the last curve.

I found this was caused by the cam action coupling between the loco and tender. I replaced the offending coupling with a standard drawbar and all eight locos run perfectly.

Mark Damien - Sydney. Australia

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Richard Davies writes about the above, he does not state whether his loco is a new purchase or from the original release. I purchased one some years back when they were originally released and mine displayed the same problem, apparently this was a widespread fault which was able to be corrected but I cannot remember how? My new release N Class does not have any of the old problems. I would suggest Richard contact Bachmann who should be aware of the problem and advise on rectification.

Andrew Carter

I also cast around for a method of producing windows of odd sizes. I settled on using Autocad to produce the drawing then printed onto printable Acetate overhead projector film (other CAD programmes are available, some free!)

Some printer inks are not 'permanent' and, especially on Acetate, will smudge easily - as I found with my HP printer, using OEM inks. Trying to 'fix' the ink, using Johnson's Klear, washed the Acetate clean!

Obsolescence is around the corner! Overhead projectors are becoming 'old hat' and the printable film is getting harder to find. Get your stocks in now!

Don Blackhall (a relatively latecomer to this site adding his congratulations on the Birthday)

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As Neil Burgess undoubtedly knows, a reasonable facsimile of the loco population of the Southern end of the ECML in BR steam can be made from ready-to-run locos with models of classes: A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B12, B17, J52, J94, K3, L1, N2, O4, V2, WD 2-8-0 and 9F available. So, no trouble with the ‘Flamboyant’ ‘Velocity’ of the ‘Grand Parade’ that places this route ‘Miles Beevor’ all others. Reasonably frequent visitors from the LMR were the Black 5 and 8F; the Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 and other BR standards, such as the 5MT and 7MT, allocated at various times to help flesh out the picture. Someone sharp eyed will be asking why no reference is made to the J39 - it simply did not appear on the Southern end of the ECML.

But none of that swamping by ready-to-run, as despaired of by Phil Parker. Firstly, the major missing element is variety in the smaller fry, doing the local work. On my patch, common classes were J6, J15, J17, J19, J50, J69, K1, K2, N1 and N7 - none of is available in the ready-to-run ranges. Those alone would take the manufacturers a good while to work through.

Then there are the A1/1, A2/2, A2/3, A5, B2, B16/1, B16/2, B16/3, C1, C12, F2, J1, J3, J4, J11, J20, J67, J68, K5, N5, O1, O2, O3 and W1. Not a ready-to-run model in sight there. And that is just the indigenous locos of the region, that could reasonably be expected to turn up; further loco visitors and the pre-group stock characteristic of the area also have to be tackled. I rather hope the manufacturers are reading: swamp me, swamp me...

Paul Jansz

I have a request for your readers - I hope they can help me.

I need to discover if any GWR 1854 class (or 1701 class - depending on which book one reads!) locos carried saddle tanks into the late 1920s/early 1930s period and, if so, which ones.

If they had all been converted to pannier tanks by then, does anyone know which loco was the last to be so rebuilt?

Thank you in (hopeful) anticipation.

Chris Phillips

Having just received my Hattons/Heljan Class 28 Co-Bo Metro-Vick in BR Green, I have to say that I am very impressed and it certainly looks much better in the 'flesh' than the previous pre-production pictures that I had seen. Out of the box it ran smoothly and quietly and, as I say, so far I am very impressed.

This is not the first book to be released on this important subject. It is, however, a subject that needs to be understood and so there cannot be too many attempts made to explain DCC. The current change from DC to DCC by many railway modellers is in itself a revolution that is taking place in the hobby and the book is described as the ultimate guide. With many modellers owning large numbers of locomotives built for the DC system, the writer sets out to show how these may be converted. Chapters cover the background, track power, locomotive decoders, lights, sound and other tricks, accessory decoders, wiring for DCC, computer control and the Internet and deals with problem solving. The appendices list manufacturers and suppliers, CVs and what they do and binary/hexadecimal/decimal conversion. There is also a sample of a locomotive record card and a glossary.

The show is this coming weekend (24th & 25th September) at Birkdale High School, Windy Harbour Road, Southport, PR8 3DT. The opening times are 10am to 5pm both days and the admission charges are: adults £5, children and seniors £4 and families (2 adults + 2 children) £14.

The venue is signposted from major roads into Southport and there is a massive free car park for over 500 vehicles off the A565.

The club have settled into their larger more accessible venue with tremendous public transport links. They are giving much enhanced emphasis to demonstrations this year, with ten in all, to encourage local modelling. There are two layouts making their debut plus two Wartime layouts which have had minimal local exposure. The club's new N gauge layout 'Monsal Dale' will be making its first full and complete public appearance. There will be over 20 layouts and a full range of traders and societies Weather permitting there will be exterior live steam rides and refreshments will be available all day.

Trophy Winners for this season were:

Unique LNER U1 2-8-8-2T Beyer-Peacock No.69999 was introduced in 1925 and spent virtually all its life on banking duties, mostly on the incline at Worsborough (between Wentworth Junction and West Silkstone Junction).

However, in 1949, and again in 1955, she had spells on the Lickey incline (LMR). On one memorable occasion during the first spell, she stuck while banking a goods train hauled by an LMS Beyer-Garratt and was then assisted by the MR 0-10-0 No.58100 Big Bertha – three locos and 38 driving wheels on one train!

By Brian Macdermott

Thursday 22 September (and next two subsequent Thursdays)

ITV1, 21.00-22.00. Billy Connolly’s Route 66. You will find odd snippets of US railway footage.

Thank you for mentioning 'Hennock' in your review. Readers may like to know that 'Hennock' and several more 3mm Scale layouts, plus demonstrations, appeared at 'Westfest 2011' in Bournemouth on the 17th September.

Steve Fackrell

Any ideas on how to correct this?

I note your warnings about judging the pricing policies of the manufacturers. However, I still find some of the pricing disparities confusing. Comparison has previously been made about the pricing of the Hornby 4F 0–6–0 and the Bachmann 3F 0–6–0. The former being produced from old tooling previously part of Airfix (albeit modified to transfer the motor into the loco) – quoted list price just under £100, whereas the list price for the 3F, which is being produced from totally new tooling, is quoted as just under £80.

Hornby, like other model manufacturers, rushed production out of the UK to take advantage of the cheap Chinese costs and are now paying the price of the Chinese desire to earn decent wages and they are also subject to the associated transport costs of getting their products back here.

I'll go along with Brian Macdermott's wishes (MREmag 16 September) for more suitable coaches to run behind all the excellent locomotives now available, but feel that under the SR section, the phrase 'loose coaches' ought to be amplified: These are various coaches not made up into typical Southern 'Set' formations.

Primarily, these include corridor coaches of the side-corridor or open type (SK or SO); some composites (CK); a fewer number of first class (FK or FO); and even fewer second brakes (BSK) or open second brakes (BSO).

While most of the above have been included in the manufacturers' listings, the principal missing version still remains the Bulleid brake composite (BCK). These coaches were an important feature of all post-war Waterloo to West of England Expresses and, while Hornby model the Maunsell version, regrettably, Bachmann still ignore the later Bulleid example. Similarly, whilst Bachmann do the Bulleid second open (SO), Hornby don't do a Maunsell version.

May we hope these glaring omissions will one day be rectified?

Stephen Derek

For those MREmag readers who may not take Hornby Magazine, the latest issue reports that, with the release of the new B1 locomotive in November (well provisionally due in UK), it will be issued in new plastic packaging/sleeve inserted to the Hornby box. It looks very similar to you know whose!

John Cherry

I'd consider Paul Jansz very lucky if he's managed to find a bit of the UK railway system to model that hasn't been swamped by RTR models. I know it will sound odd to many but for those who get pleasure out of building locomotives, it's getting harder and harder to find prototypes that haven't appeared in 00.

Phil Parker

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Paul Jansz is mistaken; who could not be moved at the plight of 'Indigent Modellers of the East Coast Main Line'? Sixty locomotive types is a pretty tall order in anyone's book and it underlines just how varied was the motive power to be seen in some places.

Wishing to offer a crumb of comfort, how many types might be needed to suggest a typical couple of hours beside the line one day in the period modelled? Even if all sorts of engines could be seen, how often might this be? On my Bristol - Birmingham example, 'Crabs', 'Patriots', 'Scots', 'Britannias', 'Super D's', 'WD' 2-8-0's, B1s, even 'Garratts' and the odd K3 could be seen once in a while, but the LMS types I listed were the backbone of operation and a line with just those would look right.

Anyone organising a whip-round for the IMECML?

Neil Burgess

I would just like to congratulate you Pat on the anniversary and thank you for the explanation behind the birth of MRE, and also thank you for the work you have done in giving me, and I’m sure many others, much pleasure and interest over those 12 years.

Tony Elliott

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As someone who was with MREmag from day one and can boast that I have never missed an issue, I would like to pass on my congratulations to what is still one of the most highly regarded sites for model railway enthusiasts. MREmag has changed over the years out of necessity, however, it still remains relevant in today's market.

Congratulations Pat and here's to the next twelve years!

Andrew Carter

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Thanks Pat for all the work you put into this magazine and long will it flourish.

Ian Taylor

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Congratulations on achieving 12 years of useful discussion on all railway modelling, and occasional prototype, topics.

It wasn't until I came onto the computer scene, some six years later, that I discovered this informative forum which still helps to further one's knowledge on this varied subject. It is helped largely, I must admit, by the general courtesy of contributors, and the way that can lead to other contacts; also the fact that the major manufacturers often take notice of matters raised.

I well recall Model Railway Enthusiast and have various copies between November 1993 and October 1999; followed by the short-lived Model Railway Collector between December 1999 and July 2000, all still retained because of their interesting content.

Thanks Pat, and good wishes for the future!

Stephen Derek

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John Cherry

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I’m sure I won’t be alone in saying many congratulations to Pat and MREmag on the 12^th anniversary. Long may it continue!

Brian Macdermott

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Congratulations on your 12th anniversary with MREmag. I enjoy the concise news and comments in the magazine.

Robbie McGavin

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Congratulations Pat on the anniversary of what is a must-read, three times a week. We all miss it when there is a break.

Graham Crawford

The following models have been released by Hornby and should be available from your usual retailer:

R3022 olive green SR 'Terrier' 0-6-0T No.2662

R2989XS Sound fitted maroon LMS 6232 Duchess of Montrose and without smoke deflectors.

R3044 Class 31 yellow Network Rail No.31233

*R2946 Class 423 4-VEP in BR Blue No.7756

*R2947 Class 423 4-VEP in NSE blue, red, grey and white No.3588

R4493 Hawksworth BR crimson and cream all-1st coach No.W8114

R4505 Hawksworth GWR chocolate and cream all-1st No.8001

*R6506 3 x grey weathered 'Tippler' wagons Nos. B383561, B383562, B383563

*R6510 20T red and grey Railfreight standard brake van No.B654779

R6543 TEA 100T red and blue Merco tank wagon No.PR85309

*R9659 Skaledale industrial building

*R9648 Skaledale derelict farm stable block

*R9649 Skaledale derelict farm outhouse

*R9646 Skaledale derelict farmhouse

*R7113 2012 Olympic stadium

Author: Peter Johnson

Publisher: Ian Allan Publishing, Marketing Department, Riverdene Business Park, Hersham, Surrey KT12 4RG. Tel: 01932 266619 - www.ianallanpublishing.com

ISBN: 978 0 86093 636 7

Pages: 160

Illustrations: 54 coloured and 149 monochrome photos

Date: July 2011

Cover: hardback with dust cover

Size: 292x216mm portrait

Price: £19.99

The first Graham Farish N scale model of the' new build' A1 locomotive No.60163 Tornado to leave the production line was presented to Gillian Lord, Merchandise Director for the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.

The Event took place at the annual International N Gauge Show being held over the weekend at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, near Leamington Spa.

Following the hand-over ceremony, the first models were released to dealers attending the event.

The new A1 Class models feature a powerful 4-axle tender drive mechanism with phosphor bronze pick-up bushes, fully detailed locomotive body, including the cab interior. The tender mechanism is fitted with a 6-pin NEM DCC decoder socket. The locomotive has driving wheel pick-up through phosphor bronze pick-up bushes. Tender bodies for both Tornado and original members of the class have been produced - with the tender frames having either axle or roller bearing box details and disc or spoke tender wheels.

The new ‘Tornado’ has a RRP of £148.30, while other A1 models now released in the Graham Farish range (372-801 No.60156 Great Central and 372-802 No.60147 North Eastern) are £136.10.

It is good to announce that another batch of Graham Farish N gauge models have completed production and should soon be on their way to the UK. These are:

Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 September 2010: 10.00 - 17.00 hrs both days

The venue is Baildon Recreation Centre, Green Lane, Shipley, West Yorkshire BD17 5JH and the event is part of the 2011 Saltaire Festival. The exhibition is billed as The North's Quality Model Railway Show.

** see articles in BRM October 2011 and ++ in Railway Modeller September and October 2011

'The Island of Snowdor' (4mm 00). This layout features Thomas and friends and children can operate this layout upon a voluntary donation to Martin House Hospice.

Also, the 2mm Association stand will be present and there will be modelling demonstrations, full trade support and a club sales stand.

The exhibition is on three floors and there is limited access and facilities for the disabled, but assistance will be given to those needing help to visit the upper floors.

Admission: adults and seniors £5, children 5 and over £2.40, family ticket £11. Refreshments will be available and there is free car parking on site.

The nearest railway station is Shipley which is approximately 10-15 minutes walk to the exhibition. Buses from Bradford city centre are 626 on Saturday and 625 on Sunday.

Further to my Monday contribution on this subject where I ran out of the permitted 200 words, but was saying "you don't have to buy everything", if you model to a theme, that helps towards being selective in your purchases.

For example, I model the Somerset & Dorset in the '60s, so I don't buy anything modern image, diesels, pre-nationalisation and I won't be buying a 'Blue Pullman', 'Brighton Belle' or a Beyer-Garrett. I shill be buying the new loco drive Hornby 4F, 2P and Bachmann 3F when they appear (soon hopefully). S&D modellers have been very well served by our 'big 2' in recent times and, once these 3 appear, every loco type that ran with any regularity on the S&D since the war, with the exception of the Johnson 1P 0-4-4 tank, will have been available as a good quality model.

This rather suggests I won't be buying any more locos after this year, but there's still plenty of variations within the existing loco types possible, and after all, no real railway ever ran with just one of every type, I just don't need to buying everything.

Peter Welfare

Well said Nicholas Rothon and I would endorse all that you say. The rebuilt and unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific models from Hornby are some of their best and so far untouched by the "plug and socket" connection - long may that continue. Such models are now getting hard to find in the market place, which is a shame as I know of modellers still looking for them at a sensible price - i.e. not inflated Ebay prices. Hornby still have scope to offer popular locos of this range. In fact having produced the body for Bude with the longer smoke deflectors, a model of 34006 in BR Green with late crest and cut down tender would be an absolute winner. It was one of the last and made that famous visit to the S&D. Just one example and many others could be quoted such 34100 Appledore on the last 'Golden Arrow' and preserved locos such Bodmin, Eddystone, Manston, Wanage, Hartland etc.

John Cherry

In answer to David Fairgrieve (Wednesday) about wireless routers and Dynamis, the thread on RMweb suggests the problem happens when the PC is running, so is in communication with the router though not necessarily doing anything online at the time. So, switching the PC off solved the problem, because the router has nothing to communicate with. But the problem was traced to the router because turning it off and not the PC solved the problem. Some said that just resetting the router with a 'power off/wait/power on' sequence fixes the problem too.

Peter Welfare

I am sure that most people (including myself) welcome the wealth of new types of locomotive presently being modelled. Indeed, we seem close to running out of diesel prototypes.

This 'glut' is brought about principally by commissions from larger retailers, and all credit to them for this.

My delight is tempered by two things. The first is the cost of the commissioned items. £130 or so appears now to be the going rate for a type '2' such as the Metrovick Co-Bo. Like other contributors I have a mental barrier at £100, and will only be prepared to go over this for something especially important to me, either relevant to my layout, or with particular memories (not always good ones!).

My second point is more subtle. Obviously, the retailers underwrite these commissions, but do they cause non-commissioned items to be delayed?

My local dealer (whose information is normally very accurate) confidently expected the 'Baby Deltic' Class 23s before last Christmas. The date has slipped and slipped, to the point when I am beginning to think that they will never come.

I saw all but one in service and the type was high on my 'wants list'. It seems that, even when they do (eventually) appear, the first ones are likely to be the 'full yellow end' versions, or worse, with the double arrow logo.

Dudley Jones

John Cherry

Middleton Press continues to spread its photographic tentacles further northwards and now we have reached the north-west corner of Wales and the Isle of Anglesey, the furthest west that the LNWR network stretched. The book traces the route from Bangor, on the Welsh mainland, to Holyhead, from where boats carried the passengers and mail to Ireland. It was therefore a very important part of Britain's rail network. The line leaves Bangor west along the coast and crosses the Menai Strait, on the Britannia Bridge, to Llanfair and then to Gaerwen before proceeding north-west to Holy Island.

by Graham Parsons

73116, in filthy condition, has a short appearance at Waterloo in John Schlesinger’s Terminus 1961 film.

Sundeala is a trade name. www.sundeala.co.uk

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Sundeala was a material favoured many years ago, when if you wanted scale track, you purchased rail by the yard and several hundred pressed fibre bases made by a certain Devon firm. You glued down your bases with a brown glue which probably the week before came in last in the 3.30 at Kempton Park. Then you pinned the rails into place through the bases. Sundeala was perfect to easily accepted those spikes, being a soft fibre board itself. But, being that soft fibre board, it attracted moisture from the air and unless it was well supported, it sagged. When I say, well supported, I mean every foot or so. In short, in my humble opinion, it never was the ideal material for baseboards and I speak from bitter experience.

Now, because we have track in moulded metre lengths (still from that worthy Devon firm), cork sheets and PVA glue, the need for Sundeala to be used as a surface for any layout has passed, replaced by good grade marine plywood.

Save your Euros Alan and buy home grown plywood, would be my advice.

John Wass

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Alan Tewson asks for a German source of Sundeala board (note spelling), or its equivalent. I cannot help but I am doubtful that the product is exported.

At one time, Sundeala was almost the only board of its type (a semi-hardboard) readily available in the UK and quite popular for baseboards etc. for that reason, although it has always been expensive. MDF (medium density fibreboard) is made in various qualities and has much the same properties, although usually a little harder, and is of course readily available throughout the UK and in most overseas countries. A full sheet (2440 x 1220mm) of 9mm bought from a timber merchant or DIY outlet will probably cost about the same as Sundeala Hobby Board of one-quarter the size. Most merchants will cut the full sheet for easier transport if required.

Nick Stanbury

I have on a number of occasions found my Dynamis handset losing contact with the base station, but I put that down to a bad habit of mine of pointing the handset at the locomotive and not at the base station, sometimes trying to do this round the side or the back of the base station! I will learn! However, we do have a wireless router. If there is a problem with wireless routers, this is more serious and I'd like Bachmann to comment. After endless hours of hassle and phone calls to India to set this up and make it work, we are inclined to leave it on all the time and never to touch it. The Dynamis doesn't carry any warning that I know of about this. Does the problem occur when the Internet is in use and therefore connecting to the wireless router, or all the time, irrespective of whether there is a computer in use at the time in the house?

David Fairgrieve

Further to Geoff Cartwright's thoughts on weathering roofs, something I have found helpful is the technique of applying quite a thick coat of 'dirt colour' and then carefully removing a fair amount of it while still wet using a cotton bud dampened with thinner or white spirit. This can help simulate the streaking which inevitably occurs due to washing with rain and helps concentrate the denser colour around relief features like strengthening ribs, rain strips, ventilators and so on. It's also important to avoid too uniform a degree of weathering on the vehicles in a train, even if, like an HST, the formation is fixed over lengthy periods.

I also can't help observing that if the HST really was First Great Western, it would be broad gauge!

Neil Burgess

Pat made an interesting point recently when he noted that a model of a rebuilt Bulleid Pacific was no longer in the catalogue. A few years ago this was the most wanted model and its appearance was acclaimed. Some models, in different forms, have remained in production for many years - the doyen being the A4 which appeared as the Hornby Dublo model at the dawn of the 00 era and has been available for most of the time ever since. There are some prototypes which will probably never appear again in model form. But there are others which would probably continue to be popular. Each year we collect details of possible new models to suggest to the manufacturers. Perhaps next year we could also add a section for popular models from the recent past that would justify a further production run.

Nicholas Rothon

For someone like the reviewer, with only a limited knowledge of real diesel and electric locomotives and multiple units, this is an incredibly useful book. Between its covers it contains a vast amount of basic, need-to-know, information which is fast and easy to access. If you already know all this information, the book is worth buying for its 600 good quality coloured photographs which bring you right up to date with liveries, internal layouts of passenger areas and cab interior detail.

The author takes you through the locomotive classes in numerical order, providing livery illustrations, fact files, at-a-glance statistics and identity pictures, naming all the features both outside and in the cab. Brilliant! At the back there is a listing of maintenance depots with their codes. The book is by Britain's greatest writer of reference books on modern traction - Colin J. Marsden. Need I say more?

Does anybody know the German equivalent to Sundelar? I have, after a number of years, run out of pieces bought from the UK: As I am not going to the UK this year, really even if I was, I don't fancy filling the caravan with boards, I thought to buy here in Munich.

No luck with original, but there must be a German version of the board. Help appreciated from anybody with information.

Alan Tewson - Munich

In response to Chris Wright, the colour of the roof on the HST trailers when freshly painted is the same blue as the bodyside which quickly weathers to a charcoal grey with the soot deposits!

Hornby's interpretation of FGW blue is far too light anyway and will benefit from a little weathering. You can airbrush Railmatch 403 Roof Dirt over the roof remembering to fade it out at cantrail level where the carriage washing brushes have their effect, though I prefer to use Revell 9 Anthracite which looks more like soot and is a really useful colour to have anyway.

Geoff Cartwright

Dynamis:

For - IR walk about, intuitive controls, good display information, expandable to pro box

Against - Expensive, IR signal can be lost, especially by roaming child!

Elite:

For - Control two locos at once, more like a traditional controller, updates are downloadable and free. Cheaper system and access to Railmaster, easier to programme.

Against - Less intuitive than Dynamis, needs a separate controller for walk about.

Of course, one could comment endlessly but I have tried to keep it simple.
My recommendation? The Elite, because now that there is computer control, it is much less fiddly and the system is cheaper and, in my opinion, better. I think it is more durable in smaller hands too.

Andrew Carter

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It's quite difficult to make a recommendation on this without upsetting one of our two major manufacturers, especially as I personally haven't used either. I use one of the more specialised systems.

I suspect 'kids' would like the Dynamis as it's wireless and reminds me of a games controller, however, a word of caution. There's a 'thread' on RMweb with a number of Dynamis users reporting problems where, after a while, the handset starts loosing contact with the base station. A number of things (e.g. fluorescent lights) were being blamed, but one user, in particular, did exhaustive testing with his electricity company and they eventually discovered that his Wireless Router was causing the interference and' once it was turned off or sometimes rebooted' the problem went away. Other users with the problem then tried the same and found their problem was their router too. Both Belkin and BT routers are mentioned, but it may be general.

Now, I'm sure there are thousands of Dynamis users out there that are problem free and happy, but it may be worth having a read of this.

Peter Welfare ... (Please don't shoot the messenger)

I made a second visit last Friday and was very impressed with the new 'Just the Ticket Cafe'. It was very nicely presented, clean and had a good selection of hot food and light bites at competitive prices. In addition, the new Cathedrals Models exhibition is very impressive and any model-maker should try and see this unique collection of Cathedral Models. The centre was still well worth the visit although I must mention one small item of note.

John Cherry

I am one who never fails to be amazed (and appreciative) of today's value for money. Also, the variety of prototypes chosen as a basis for fresh models, both r-t-r and r-t-p. Long may it continue.

Like others, though, I wonder at the balance of price versus detail. Diecasts, from the good folk at Oxfords, are a case in point. It is a mystery to me how they can produce something to retail at £3.00. However, close examination reveals some of the short cuts. It is a case of building up to a specification, or down to a price.

Do others think that the balance could be struck slightly higher? Would net returns be harmed by a modest price increase and a corresponding improvement in casting fidelity?

Peter Bedding

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I am not sure why Steve Mann asserts that a reduced retail price must be at the instigation of the retailer rather than the manufacturer. His sweeping statement is quite simply wrong, whether in relation to models or most other consumer items.

Manufacturers will frequently wish to offload products that are overstocked (for whatever reason), obsolete (or about to become so) or substandard in some respect – which might just mean lacking the latest technological gizmo or cosmetic embellishment. They will sometimes dispose of these on a grey market (maybe with origin concealed) at very low prices, but such ‘dumping’ is damaging to their continuing business as well as likely to alienate their regular distributors. More commonly (and less controversially), they will offer such items at a special price to their more important retailers, often on the basis of a large-volume mixed purchase which might include some fairly unpopular items. The retailer will then be in a position to sell at a significant discount – or indeed to get extra profit if his competition is limited.

Such activity has not been unknown in the model trade. Some 25 years ago, Palitoy disposed of a great deal of Mainline and ex-Airfix stock in this way at low prices, but of course there were winners and losers. Dapol (as it became) was founded on such a deal but most of the smaller retailers did not get a look-in and many found much of their existing stock devalued overnight and potentially saleable only at a loss.

I do not know whether such ‘disposals’ occur nowadays and, if so, which retailers benefit. But those who sell high volumes are almost certainly able to secure additional discounts and other favourable terms (such as extended credit) which give them a competitive edge when determining their selling prices.

Nick Stanbury

John Cherry

From the Middleton Press 'Branch Lines' series we have a study of two of branch lines mentioned in the previous book, which are branches off the main line between Shenfield and Ipswich. These are the lines between Manningtree and Harwich and the former one from Bentley to Hadleigh.

The first of these leaves the main line at Manningtree heading in an easterly direction along the south side of the Stour Estuary. At the end there are stations at Parkestone Quay, Dovercourt and Harwich International. Because of the container terminal at Harwich, the branch is well used and today is called the 'Mayflower Line'.

The line to Hadleigh always was a branch line and dates from 1846. It left Bentley, on the main Colchester-Ipswich line, in a north-westerly direction, passing through Capel and Raydon Wood, before reaching Hadleigh. Today the station at Bently and the branch line have gone.

For Mr Stone, there are two good pictures in the well known title Stanier Locomotives by Brian Haresnape, which show clearly the many chromed or bright steel fittings, as turned out in 1935 and as running in 1939. The choice of which pieces got ‘the treatment’ does seem a little random, the smoke box door lamp iron, but not those on the footplate for example.

Paul Jansz

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I have a Hornby HST in First Great Western livery. The roofs are the same colour as the body sides - deep blue. Looking at the real things, their roofs are painted grey. Could anyone tell me if the livery specification called for blue roofs, but later changed, and what colour grey (Railmatch or Phoenix) should be used?

Chris Wright

Price comparisons between ‘then’ and ‘now’ are fraught with difficulties.

However I have made a few random comparisons between December 1982 and now, but based them on the price of a ‘constant’, the Railway Modeller.

In 1982 this was 60p - today £3.60, i.e. 6 times as much.

A Schools in 1982 £20 - today £90, i.e. 4.5 times

A 2-6-4T £18 - today £7, i.e. 4 times

A Class 47 £15 - today £36, i.e. 2.4 times. Other version £60, 3.5 times

A BR coach £4 - today £18, i.e. 4.5 times

Britannia £16 - today £96, i.e. 6 times

9F £22 - today £60 (Railroad), i.e. 2.7 times

In 1982 the choice of versions was far smaller and detail far less. Prices, as now, varied enormously so I have taken rounded ‘typical’ prices and today, DC versions, and ignored the lowest possible.

I suspect that we have gone through a period of unlikely to be repeated value for money and the comparisons of 5 or 6 years ago would be lower. Prices are going up but those of our magazines are climbing at a far faster rate. If we choose as our unit of currency, a regular magazine, we still aren’t doing too badly.

Bob Fleming

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Let your bank manager know on a regular basis that you are not too happy about the mess resulting from the financial shenanigans of the ‘masters of the universe’ is the best I can suggest. If your thespian skills are up to it, dark mutterings on the theme of 'revolution, come the, walls, first up against' might perhaps inspire enough of the type of necessary dread to prevent such excursions with our money in future.

Seriously, it is not the model manufacturers fault in any way. I certainly don’t have more money to spend on this hobby, so when prices go up, fewer items are purchased. Happily, for the money expended, the models are better than ever. I cannot obtain the component parts alone for the same money to build for myself any of the Cravens 'Bogcart', (Class 105 DMU) 'Tiny', (Robinson O4) BTH type 1 Bo-Bo, (Class 15) 'Cement Mixer', (Thompson L1), LNER standard vans and opens; to mention a few of the models introduced over the past year or so.

All of these models are to a standard that would have been the stuff of pipe dreams in ready to run 00 just a decade ago, and most of the subjects are ones that I never thought to see ready to run. I had hoped for the Robinson O4 alone, as a nationally important type.

Less is more, cup very much still full !

Paul Jansz

I have read with interest the recent comments about the increasing price of models and the perceived threat to the hobby. But, as some have pointed out, it is not really the bare ‘price’ that is the key issue here. One’s ability to afford a particular purchase must be the main criterion, having regard to competing demands for diminishing disposable income in an inflationary environment. One’s invariably subjective perception of the quality of a model and its value for money are also relevant, i.e. do I really want all the bells and whistles that now seem to come as standard and, inevitably, must be paid for?

I have considerable sympathy with the view that the hobby is indeed becoming unaffordable to the point that a collection or layout can no longer be expanded and may indeed have to be abandoned. Clearly, as with any pastime (including drinking, smoking, leisure motoring, holidays, etc.) there will be many who will continue with their interest (or vice!) almost regardless of any financial difficulty it creates. But it would be unfortunate if the hobby had to rely on them, together with those whose wealth imposes no purchasing restrictions.

I was amused by Tony Elliott justifying the purchase of a Beyer-Garratt ‘by considering it as two locos for the price of one’ – the reverse is surely the case?

Nick Stanbury

The reduction in retail price of any item, be it a model railway component or a burner for a domestic gas stove, represents a failure to meet expected targets set by the retailer - not those of the manufacturer.

It is the retailer, in Robert Inns’s case Hattons, who has decided that they now need the shelf space more than the profit from the item they had originally calculated as premium.

I don’t understand why this upsets so many people. Everyone involved must make a profit or there is no item made. Would you voluntarily work for food alone these days?

If the prices asked are too rich for your blood, don’t pay them. Better yet, form a consortium, bid out a design and bring in your own model to market for the price you want to see. If your maths work, it’ll sell like hot cakes and you’ll be lauded.

Steve Mann

I need a decent DCC controller that my 5 and 9 year olds can use. The Elite looks simpler but the Dynamis looks like it might be better for kids as they can keep it with them. Can someone give me some objective advice?

Thanks in advance

Mike Wonham

A message from the Quizmaster regarding question 2 in the latest quiz.

This year's Lone Star day, will take place at the Whitewebbs Museum of Transport Whitewebbs Rd Enfield on Sunday 25^th September 2011 10am-4pm. There will be displays of many of the different kind of toys manufactured by Lone Star - the Toy Division of Diecasting Machine Tools Ltd (DCMT)) based locally for many years at Palmers Green and at Welham Green.

There will be something for all tastes as the leading Lone Star enthusiasts will be showing their prized collections of toy cars, OOO gauge railways. guns, dolls house furniture, toy machinery, airplanes, construction kits, comic books, annuals and many other Lone Star and DCMT/Crescent products.

Many ex-Lone Star employees often attend, and so it is an unique opportunity to put your questions to the actual creators of this huge range of toys.

The museum will also be open with an opportunity to see their unrivaled collection of historic vehicles, and to visit their on-site shops, (two located in the former Enfield Chase station now re-erected on site), there is a working 00 gauge model railway, and refreshments will be served throughout the day. Admission is £4 (adults) and children (to age 12) have free entry.

By Brian Macdermott

Deltic D9001 St Paddy was photographed passing Wakefield MPD on 7 September 1961 when working the 2.05pm Leeds-Doncaster stopping train. Her train comprised just three Gresley coaches.

(Source: The Power of the Deltics)

I think that it is a simple matter of fact for many modellers that £100 is a line in the sand for purchases of locos regardless of the quality of the model. Similarly £30 for a coach is really pushing the boundaries. This is regardless of the current financial pressures of zero pay rises, low interest rates and rising key consumables such as food and power.

Hattons, as referred to by recent emails, has 'Schools', Sir Meligrance and the Classes 2800 and 3800 at £69, which is amazing considering some of these models are just under a year old. This has to be an indication that sales have not matched the manufacturers expectation. I find that local model shops are reluctant to stock anything other than Hornby RailRoad, wagons and basic accessories (paint, lineside kits). I too am now relying on mail order and exhibitions for large purchases.

Robert Inns

The first images of the new model MLVs have appeared. In early days, two powered vans were added to the boat trains but, later on, pictures seem to show only one van. If extra luggage space was required, one of the converted BGs, known as TLVs, was added.

A 12-car 4-CEP formation would include traction motors giving 3000hp and two MLVs would increase this to 4000hp. This is considerably higher than the 3200hp of the 4-REP units. Due to their high power, the REPs were not allowed to work with any other powered unit except a single MLV or a two-car unit. In the light of experience, was a limitation placed on the use of more than one powered MLV with a 12 car formation?

Nicholas Rothon

I am about to convert a Bachmann Jubilee to 5552. I have seen pictures of 5552, when it was , was dressed up to be her. It had red buffer beams and plain steel valve gear. I understand that these, and other items, may have been silver in 1935? Can anyone confirm please? A reference to an old photo would be of benefit.

Geoffrey D Stone

2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the last steam hauled season of 'The Elizabethan'. The train make up was originally all Thompsons, as was its forerunners 'The Capitals' and the 'Flying Scotsman'. Later Mk1s entered the consist.

Thompson vehicles have been made available for some time by Bachmann but these are very dated models, with inaccurate roof and under frame details and different tumble homes accurate for the pressure ventilated prototypes.

It an iconic train - ideal to run with A4s. With minimal tool changes, non pressure ventilated stock could be made up. Thompsons got everywhere in the '50s and '60s, some even in blue and grey, I wondered if this blatant appeal to manufacturers was of any merit.

David West

Away from the recession gloom, are you seeking inspiration for your modelling? Here is a possible source.

I have a moderate sympathy with those who have complained about the price of models, but would respectfully refer complainants to a posting I made in March of last year when I drew attention to the cost of the then new Roco 231E French pacific. This came to £360 for the basic version or £470 with DCC and sound, all at contemporary [and more-or-less present] exchange rates. On the whole, I can't think we're doing badly.

All this puts me in mind of a former student of mine who worked for London Underground before he took to theology. He told me that he'd attended UIC [International Railway Union] conferences in his professional capacity and delegates from Europe were apparently constantly astounded that British Rail managed to operate and develop a national network on the miserly budget they had to work with. I can't help thinking we modellers are in a similar boat - we get a very great deal for our money, certainly if French modellers are anything to go by.

Neil Burgess - [Who hasn't won the lottery; nor is he related to Bachmann or Hornby!]

Here are the questions and the best of luck.

On Wednesday, Andrew Crawford pointed out: "...the latest lists (of model releases) have been quite long, yet the number of models appearing, at least in the shops, with a large Internet presence, have been somewhat smaller. What has happened to the rest?"

I fear that I have been wearing rose coloured glasses when looking at the process of getting models from China to the shops. I have discovered that it is far more complicated than I had imagined. I have calculated the expected 'on sale' date by simply adding one month to the date the review samples arrive. This is far too simple.

It assumes that the containers of goodies leave by sea at the same time as the samples are airmailed to the UK, whereas all one can say is that the container is loaded at the same time the samples are sent. What happens after that is anyone's guess. How long does the container stand on the dockside waiting for a ship? Does the ship come straight to the UK or does to stop to offload containers somewhere else on the way? When it arrives, are there delays in getting custom clearance and once unloaded, does a model, with a livery reproduced under licence, require additional clearance?

I understand that sometimes late leaving containers can arrive before ones that left earlier! A container can even find itself marooned when a port is temporarily closed down.

I think it is safer to avoid predicted arrival dates in future and stick with the knowledge that the models have been made and are ready for transportation.

There are three other factors affecting what Andrew identified. The first is that models go out to retailers in a steady stream and not in large chunks. This way retailers are better able to sort, store, price and deal with advanced orders as stock comes in. Also, warehouse staff are fully employed all the time instead of intermittently.

The second is that some models sell extremely quickly and so there is no case for advertising them as being available.

Finally, retailers do not necessarily order the whole range of models. With limited shelf space, they have to make a calculated guess at what their customers will want. It always pays to place an early order with your retailer so that he can order in good time and ensure you get the model you want. Waiting until the models are reviewed may be too late if they prove to be popular. The exclusion of models from a retailers' advertisements may be because they are not stocking them.

The Middleton Railway, in conjunction with Dapol, will be producing a limited edition run of 7-plank wagons in 4mm scale, featuring the railway's original Middleton Colliery livery of red with white and black shaded letters. This model is being produced to celebrate 200 years since the introduction of steam locomotives at the Middleton Railway, making it the first railway in the world to commercially and successfully use steam locomotives.

Due to the withdrawal of a 28' layout, the Luton Model Railway Club would welcome enquiries from anyone who can help them fill the gap. They will be as flexible as possible (to the point of redrawing the floor plan, if necessary), so this invitation is open to a single layout or a combination of smaller layouts.

The exhibition is a one day event to be held on Saturday April 21st 2012, with setting up possible on the Friday evening.

The Annual Blyth & Tyne MRS event is taking place in North Shields this weekend.   It is also being held in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the North Eastern Railway Association. The venue is The Parks Sports Centre, Howdon Road, North Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE29 6TL

As to Bachmann deliveries, whilst a large number of items may be listed as on the way, I believe I am correct in that these are regulated in their released to retailers to spread the load and of course sales. If the whole range of new items for a particular month were despatched at once this would swamp the retailers.

I have personally seen the high pile of boxes that my retailer receives with deliveries from the various companies; just imagine a delivery from Bachmann, Hornby, Dapol, Fleischmann, plus also all the component companies all at the same time. It takes some time to unpack, check, record and eventually put out for sale.

My regular retailer normally, but no always, gets advance advice from Bachmann as to what is coming so he can prepare and regulate his sales over the month concerned. I have also noticed that the receipt of new items can vary between retailers over period of time with not all of them receiving the same items at the same time.

John Cherry

To a certain extent, I agree with the sentiments expressed by Pete Blencoe, about the price of models, but I feel it is always a shame if someone is driven out of the hobby by such matters. Surely the prices being quoted by Pete are for the top of the range models fully equipped for DCC operation. A search through the model magazines reveals many examples of cheaper models from some mail order dealers especially their bargain offers.

Part of the fun I get from the hobby is searching out bargains at train fairs, but even some of those dealers are getting greedy now, especially with second hand models.

Tony Elliott

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Bill Towers - Brisbane

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Pete Blencowe writes (with reference to a Hornby Class 60): "I cannot believe that anybody would pay that sort of money and certainly not for a model diesel whose real value is more like £40."

Pete may feel that that is his perceived value, but the real value has to be significantly higher than the quoted £40, as Hornby (and other) diesels were on sale for prices approaching and even exceeding £30-£40 in the 1980s. 30 years of increasing material costs and inflation along with the push for better quality locos has seen prices increase, but when you look at this in the context of disposable income and increases on other products, it can make our hobby seem good value. As an example, bread cost an average of 33p a loaf in the 1980s (source BBC), whereas you would be hard pushed to find a loaf of decent bread for under £1 now, with some loaves approaching £2.

Prices are also related to what people are prepared to pay. As a model railway dealer on eBay, I can assure you that even a second hand Hornby Class 60 will go for significantly more than the £40 price tag you would like to see on it.

I suspect Pete Blencowe has just lit the blue touch paper and the rocket will have gone up by Fridays edition! Nevertheless, he has a point. For some years now I've felt that model railway manufacturers have been pushing the boundaries on price upwards. Examples are Hornby's M7 and Stanier coaches, both in my view overpriced. In part we model railway enthusiasts are to blame with comments like "I'd pay double for that" or "if you had to make a kit it would cost a lot more". There is merit in these statements and our manufacturers have listened and positioned their prices accordingly.

In 1961, the average annual salary was GBP 1,006 per annum. A Dublo 'West Country' cost GBP 5.75. Annual salary equals 174 'West Countries' per annum.

In 2011, the average annual salary is GBP 27,975 per annum. A Hornby 'Schools' costs GBP 143.25. Annual salary equals 195 'Schools' per annum.

Pete Blencowe makes some very poignant points but I am afraid we are now seeing prices rise significantly as a result of putting 'all our eggs in one basket' and having models produced in China. Gone are the early days of cheap models as the Chinese economy grows to be a world leader and their employees demand higher wages in relation to the West.

I flinched when purchasing my first £100 locomotive but it has become the norm now. However, there are still some good prices out there if you are prepared to search the Internet or support a good retailer. It is up to modellers to see that they get good value for their money and vote with their wallet.

John Cherry

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Pete Blencowe will not be alone in 'leaving the room',. I am also unable to continue my passion for purchasing some of the latest stock, particularly the locomotives. I have a new Hornby GWR horsebox and it is very good but I paid £11.61 for it on eBay and would never have paid the recommended price of £19.49. Even Hattons want £16 for it. I agree that the Hornby Schools is totally over the top at £143.25 and would be interested to see how many they actually sell at that price. My Bachmann LMS (Ex MR) 3F is on a pre-order for £54.50 and that is more like the price I can afford for an 0-6-0 tender engine. After that ‘I’m out’ as they say.

I can only assume Mr Blencowe is unaware of the world financial state and the prices of both raw materials and manufacturing costs.

Manufacturers are not stupid, nor are they exceptionally greedy. UK prices are only now getting anywhere near the level European prices have been for years. Even the prices of US models, traditionally lower due to a much bigger market, have risen in the last few years.

There are bargains to be had on new stock and second hand models can be bought that just require a little work. Where's the problem?

I can sympathise with your correspondent Pete Blencowe. I have just seen on the Hornby website, R2963 Regional Railways Class 31 DCC ready, RRP £133.25, or £150.75 for DCC fitted. I would want sound for that money. And if you do go for sound - would you spend £204.99 for a Class 08 EWS shunter? It makes me ill thinking about it. I sincerely hope Bachmann don't take notice and adjust the prices of their diesels accordingly. There are many of us who have had to suffer a salary freeze for the second year in a row, and yet for the last couple of years Hornby have increased their prices enormously. Of course some model shops offer large discounts, but they also offer the same discounts on Bachmann as they do on Hornby.

David Fairgrieve

I think we are all aware of the difficult position many businesses are in at present and the balance that has to be struck between ensuring that the true cost of producing a model is recouped and not driving away essential customers by overpricing. No one is more aware of this than the manufacturers themselves. Don't treat them as fools - they are not. If you are unaware of how serious things are, drive around your town and count the number of closed down businesses - it's a real eye-opener.

We must also be careful about making inaccurate statements, about manufacturers, based on supposition. I have had to remove some statements that cannot be substantiated and could be damaging to a company. I do bother to check out the accuracy of some worrying statements made. I only wish those making the statements would do so themselves.

Whilst correct in stating that Marklin models are 'only available in 'ac', the models are usually later released under the 'Trix' label as 2-rail [with Selectrix/dcc compatible decoders installed]. Newer models may even share the same Sinus 3-phase motors. 'Brand' identification is being used to clearly differentiate to the purchaser whether it is a 2-rail or 3-rail pickup model.

Other manufacturers continue to release models in both formats (not necessarily at the same time, due to batch production); recognising the continuing importance of 3-rail across the Continent.

Alternative insulating-wheelsets are theoretically offered at point-of-sale for converting Marklin rolling stock to 2-rail, but in my experience these may be too coarse to be of use and are better chosen separately.

Phil Spiegelhalter

Bob Milne

Silverfox DCC MRC Model Railway Exhibition is on 20 August 2011 at Bury Lawn School, Soskin Drive, Stantonbury Fields, Milton Keynes MK14 6DP between 10am and 4.30pm. The hosts are Silverfox DCC Model Railway Club, Milton Keynes

Entry prices will be: adults £4.00, concessions £2.50, children £2.50 and families (2+2) £10.00

This is a new event for a new club and features include around 20 working layouts in popular scales and gauges, trade support, refreshments, free parking and disabled access.

For more information, look on the website: www.Silverfoxdcc.org or phone the organiser on 01908318793

The magazine comes with a well illustrated free 16 page supplement (which carries no advertising) celebrating 50 years of the 'Deltics'. The text is by former editor David Brown and half is devoted to the real locomotives and the other half to models of the class that have been produced over the years.

The main magazine opens with news, including the trade open days at Barwell, together with pictures of the Bachmann 00 LMS 3F and Class 85 and the Farish N gauge A1 Tornado and BR 5MT 4-6-0. There are also advanced views of the Hornby 4-VEP and the three RailRoad 4-4-0s ('Hunt', 'County' and 'Compound'). There is space given to TMC's exciting programme of new Bachmann commissions and pictures of recent Skytrex 7mm scale buildings.

Model reviews this month include Hornby's A4 Sparrow Hawk in BR Express Blue, the Graham Farish SPA/ZAA plate wagon and the Dapol//Model Rail Sentinel. locomotive.

Layouts visited are Mike Leggott's 00 'Gore Dale and the Richmond Branch' and Ian White's 00 Victorian LB&SCR 'East Grinstead Town'.

Railway of the Month for September is Jon Chamberlain's 00 massive 'Carnforth LNWR', with pre and post-Grouping stock. If you want to see an exciting layout, have a look at this one. Other layouts visited are Michael Watts' N gauge 'Springfield Spa GWR' (ideal for a small space), John Wass' 00 scale BR(SR) 'Meopham East Junction', Mark Casson's 4mm scale 'Grime Street' street tram layout based on Leeds, 00 scale LMS 'Idridgehay' built by David Jacques and David Jones and Nigel Finch's 00 DCC 'Lower Roughton' (poor on stock mixtures but great on quality landscaping). Plan of the Month is 'Dover Priory' for SR 00 enthusiasts.

Following the death of P.D.Hancock, there has been much discussion in the model railway chat rooms on the Internet of his contribution to railway modelling through his humorous articles in Railway Modeller 'way back when'. The September issue of the magazine carries a tribute to the man and his promotion of narrow gauge modelling.

Practical articles include building a 4mm scale dynamometer car, building a 7mm scale BR designed brake van from a Connoisseur/PMK kit, constructing a 7mm model of the station offices at Salthaven, adding variety to your trackwork and building a bus stop. There are also scale drawings of the NER/LNER Class A6 4-6-2T.

The second in a series that looks at modelling pre-Grouping railways, studies the London Brighton & South Coast Railway.

The continuing improvement in DCC locomotives is coming at a very high cost. Hornby’s Kidwelly Castle with sound is listed at £286.89. We had smoke units and a firebox glow many years back and they have all but disappeared. The visual impact of models has been improved since then out of all recognition so why has the smoke unit and firebox been neglected for sound effects?

There have been some great exhibition models on the circuit with very effective smoke affects which we can all see. At the same time some of the sound effects get lost in the buzz of the venue’s hall and become too repetitive to listen to for long in any case. I would rather see smoke and a firebox glow than have the continuous sound of steam trains in my railway room. I can always play atmospheric sounds via the CD player!

For the diesel fan it is not so simple. No coupling rods flashing round and no firebox fire either; but there is plenty of ‘smoke’ and fumes that could be shown alongside the sound of the diesel engine. For steam engines, let's have smoke and the warm glow back.

John Phillipson

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John Davidson comments about firebox glow and says it should be easy with
modern electronics. In DCC it is. TCS DCC chips have a firebox flicker setting specifically for this effect and no doubt other manufacturers also have this function.

The 28XX model had a permanent glow dependent on track voltage, they also had
'smoke'.

Keith Nicholls

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There is a problem with firebox glow, unmentioned in the correspondence.

When I was being taught the rudiments of firing some years ago, it was impressed upon me that when not actually firing the engine, the firedoors should be closed. This allows primary air to be drawn up through the ashpan and firebed, so ensuring maximum heat and efficient combustion, rather than having a flow of secondary air through the firedoor, which does not. LNER engines even had a flap which covered much of the area of the opening so that when the doors were open it was necessary to fire 'over the flap'.

When driving through tunnels the firedoors may be cracked open to give a little light, but not much. At night a constantly open firedoor would have the additional disadvantage of making it difficult to see signals. Thus to be prototypical the firebox glow should be distinctly intermittent, combined with an opening firedoor!

Neil Burgess

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I noted with interest the paragraph about firebox glow. For the record, I have a Hornby ex-LMS 2-8-0 which has this feature. The model is Hornby # R324, and the loco is numbered 48278. I purchased it new around 1999/2000

In answer to Robin Johnson’s request last Wednesday, the main difference between the operational and preserved liveries for DP1 is the shade of grey on the roof, bogies and underframes. There may also be some slight difference in the shade of the blue on the body but I can’t be certain of that. All the Bachmann 00 models from Bachmann/NRM to date have been in the preserved livery. I’m pleased that it is now being produced in its operational livery because I saw it many times in operation and that’s how I want to run it on my layout. Mine has just arrived this morning and it looks superb.

Graham Farish have produced the loco in both liveries and both are still shown on their website. The individual loco from Farish (372-920) has the loco in its preserved livery. The Merseyside Express train set (370-275) shows the loco in its operational livery. If you look at both pictures on their website, the difference in the shade of grey is quite apparent.

Dick Flower

If there is an ‘iconic train’ gap, then it must be one of the streamlined sets built for the LNER’s A4 operated services. Every 00 manufacturer offering steam has or had an A4 in the range; but never have we seen the matching coaches in mass production. They survived into BR operation, but were never subsequently run as complete sets, sometimes ascribed to the petty jealousy of the BR board for an achievement they could not emulate. An affordable set in plastic would be rather fine and, with the Blue Pullman and similar now considered practical, it does seem a reasonable request.

However, for those who do not know, the Bachmann Mk1 range can be treated as assembled kits, with the roof and sides separate clip-on components to the underframe. The purchase price for the assembled and finished coach complete with all running gear is likely to be less than the injection moulded build it yourself kit, yet the potentiality for user alteration is identical.

Paul Jansz

I totally agree with Charles Boylan about the Kitmaster Mk1 coach kits. I am a Kitmaster fan generally and the Mk1 coaches were (and still are) excellent models. The good news is that they are still quite readily available at swapmeets and the well known auction website. Unbuilt Mk1s tend to sell for around £20 or less which I think is quite reasonable at today's prices for RTR. Built kits can usually be bought for just a few pounds. The Peco interior kits are also still easy to find.

David Rhodes

For those who are interested, there is a photo of the Pullman coach on the 13.15 Hereford service in Modern Railways, December 1971, page 251.

Your earlier correspondent's piece reminded me that I had seen the photo of the coach years and years ago and I found it quickly in the magazine. I am so glad (and reassured) that the old memory is still working so well!.

David Atkins

I realise that book reviews are necessarily condensed, so it may not be wise to read too much into them; but I was intrigued by the statement that the LNER made innovative use of water troughs to take on water while the train was in motion. Given that the first troughs were installed on the LNWR at Mochdre in 1860, it's a bit difficult to see what the innovation was - but then perhaps I should read the book! Might the reference be to corridor tenders, which really were an LNER innovation?

Also, despite common assumptions, the LNER and LMS collaborated with each other - and with the other two main groups - as much as they competed; not least in the matter of pooling goods revenues and mounting opposition to road transport. Competition was an expensive luxury for the railways in the inter-war years.

Neil Burgess

The new Hornby ex-GWR horsebox is now in the shops and I know that they were used on the S&D working northwards from Binegar yard to Bath for onward movement to Scotland. These ones were used for transporting calves and were actually branded 'CALF BOX'. The publication The Somerset & Dorset Files No. 5, by Martin Smith, has, on page 28, a picture of W701W at Binegar on 3.7.61 .

The caption also refers to return traffic from Scotland going to Wincanton and, having one eye on a modelling opportunity, does anyone know if either type (horse or calf box) worked further down the S&D onto the southern end of the line.

Peter Welfare

The following Hornby models should now be in the shops:

By Brian Macdermott

According to Railway Magazine, June 1963, former Diagram J11 Collett bow ended 60’ sleeping car of 1930, No.W9069, was turned into a dwelling by fitting it into an old barge on the River Thames.

Further to Alistair and Chris' comments, anyone modelling present day or preserved railways would welcome an First Open (FO) to match the BSO with many being used on rail tours. There aren't many corridor coaches in use around today.

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Chris Wright wrote on Friday about the lack of a BSO, there are several versions of the Mk1 missing but the versions most useful would be the FO (popular with the charter trains) and the SO which I believe is just a seating change from the SK.

Ian Taylor

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Two other obvious omissions in the current 4mm range are the Diagram 73 Open First (FO) and Diagram 24 Buffet-Restaurant (RB). While both have been produced before, by Replica and Mainline respectively, and are well-detailed models that are still relatively easy to find on the second-hand market, they would benefit from an upgrading to current standards. Or, if not, a reintroduction of the old models would be welcome.

Many of both types were converted to air braking, to run in Mk2 sets during the '70s and '80s. An appreciable number have survived in special traffic sets today, giving the opportunity for a wide range of liveries and eras. I have never understood why Bachmann chose to model the Diagram 36 RFO, only ten of which, plus three of the similar Diagram 71 FO, were ever constructed - nostalgia for the old Kitmaster kit, perhaps?

Still, if there is money to be made from the less common types of Mk1, perhaps the early "single saloon" RSO/TSO or a Diagram 72 FO with a door in the centre seating bay, might be considered? Or perhaps the 1957 prototypes - the Craven vehicles in particular would make very distinctive and characterful models.

Bernard Hulland

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I have a need for a KB, preferably S1552-3 in SR green. The passengers in the green RFO, S9 have patiently waited for their food for some time. A matching restaurant car and a kitchen buffet would make an ideal addition to a West of England set.

I recently came across a picture of a Metro-Cammell second class kitchen Pullman (No.342), in umber and cream, in a set of blue-grey Mk1 coaches, providing catering facilities on a Paddington-Hereford service in September 1971. If I were to try this on my model railway, nobody would believe it. Are there reports of other such workings away from the Eastern Region?

Nicholas Rothon

I also have some books which are exceptions to the above (German ones), both model railway and other subjects. I will endeavour to obtain an explanation as to why this is so. I would guess that they form about 1% of the total.

All credit is due to Alan Tewson (Friday) for ‘coming clean’ about getting the spine title direction wrong. Bearing in mind that I asked if you could ‘confidently’ state the direction (as opposed to guessing one of three) I’d bet that the majority got it wrong.

There was an ulterior motive for me posing you a seemingly non-modelling question. The books are in front of us daily, but most of us don’t ‘observe’ the fact that the spine titles are predominantly top to bottom. It’s very easy to take our books or our layouts for granted.

Give yourself a few minutes to select a book that you haven’t looked at for years – or look at your layout from a different viewpoint – and I’m sure you will come up with some new knowledge or a new modelling idea.

To finish up on the spine titles, UK books tend to go top to bottom because this was specified in a British Standard (BSI) many years ago. The few nonconformists are mainly books prior to the standard and those which follow a prior series. Oh yes….and many Bradford Bartons! Just turn them upside down, and your bookshelves will be uniform in presentation.

US books in my collection go to top to bottom. European ones seem to be a mixture.

Brian Macdermott

We now have a situation where virtually all the prototype diesel/electric forerunners (please will someone get down to Didcot and measure up 18000) have been covered. So what next?

Well, Hattons commissioning of a Beyer Garratt from Heljan has taken us forward another step. How many times as it been said, "It will never been built, too little appeal, big risk etc." Well, judging by the amount of people who appear to have pre-ordered one the website, it will be a huge success - even at £199.

With a 12" to the foot Class 47XX being built, it is now within the realms of possibility that it and many other locos will come to fruition through commissions. I would suggest that, despite price rises, good quality iconic models will sell and we could well be at the dawn of another golden age in our hobby.

Andrew Carter

Bob Fleming is quite correct about gravity shunting at Euston off the backing out roads, into the station. I worked in the District Office at Euston during the 1960s and observed this happening on a number of occasions. I have no records and only have memory to go on now, but I seem to recall that this was usually done with the suburban sets, class 1 stock usually coming in loco hauled from Willesden.

I deliberately avoided lumbering the manufacturer, partly because it is my favourite model company, and partly because of MREmag's "manufacturers are our friends" policy. With regard to the latter, I think friendship should go both ways. For more info though, go to http://www.railwayreview.co.uk/Hornby-LNER-J83.php.

I have to say that I am very pleased with the Hornby products I have bought for myself. They run perfectly and the detail is magnificent. However, I will avoid products from any company that does not provide pickup from most wheels, e.g. drivers and tender.

My main reason for the original posting was that I believe we, as consumers, have an important role to play in ensuring quality is maintained and that products are at least merchantable. This is good for us and good for the companies concerned. Obviously, the first port of call is the supplier or the retailer, but how many bother - and how many returns are simply sent off to some other unsuspecting customer?

About Harry. He maybe a child, teenager, adult or even older than me. He maybe a figment of my imagination, but he is dangerously impatient! TBC

Tim Davies - near Melbourne, Oz.

A very low number of entries this month and consequently only three fully correct entries were received. The lucky name to be drawn out of the hat was Fred Ambler from Coventry and I think this was the first ever entry I’ve received from Fred so many congratulations. .

Fred therefore wins the combined June/July prize of £100 worth of goods from Rails of Sheffield, who we thank again for their continued support. Rails will be in touch with Fred very shortly by email about how to claim his prize. I hope to submit the August quiz to Pat sometime next week.

Here are the questions and answers. The Quizmaster’s decision is final.

This is on the weekend of August 13^th and 14^th and is at The Midland Railway, Butterley Station, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3QZ. The event opens between 10am and 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Admission prices will be: adults £10, over 60s £9, children £5 and families £25 (2 adults and 3 children). The price includes train rides but excludes the narrow gauge and miniature railway.

There will be over 20 layouts from N gauge to G gauge. They Include: 'Widnes Vineyards' (00), 'St Minions' (EM), 'Glenuig' (EM), 'Hogglington' (N), 'Moorton Bottom Yard' (00G), 'Bay Street' (00), 'Idregehay' (00), 'Fairdale' (HO), 'Barental' (HOm), 'Woodside Lane Stabling Point' (00), plus more.

There will also be a wide range of trade support including Signalbox, JLRT, Penketh Models, Shawplan, Squires, M & B Models, Gee Dee and many more.

Regarding snippet 341, I got it wrong before I looked! The British modelling and railway books as a rule go top to bottom, however, my German books appear to go the other way, now that is a puzzle.

Gravity shunting is still alive and well in the British Isles.

On the Bachmann 44-126 single road service shed, on the outside of the building, there are a number of pipes. Could anyone tell me if these are fuel pipes and, if so, where is the fuel pump? Is it located in the cabinet near the doors? If this is the case it looks like I will not need a diesel fuelling point (44-040) for my loco stabling sidings. However, the diesel storage tanks offered by Bachmann (44-016) would seem too large for a small yard with only one pump. Is anything more appropriate available?

Chris Wright