Shedmaster83G

I am sure British Railways missed a trick when they failed to name a Class 42/3 'Troutbridge' but maybe its ability to ram Ryde Pier would explain the blunder! Maybe Chris opening his new branch in Guildford will result in limited editions from around that area being added to his projects.

I have always thought Hornby needed Simon back with his wealth of experience from his time with H&M and through the years at Hornby. He was always accessible. If you 'phoned Hornby to speak to him you were put straight through and I guess the trade will welcome his return. When I heard the news the initial association of Dapol and Lionheart came to mind with its courtship leading to a union and maybe we will see the same with Oxford and Hornby. The forthcoming locomotive hauled Mk3s from Oxford would sit comfortably with Hornby's modern traction especially the new Class 87 due to be introduced shortly. Whilst Hornby have been slowly upgrading their wagon fleet some items are showing their age and new underframes at the very least would improve their appearance. The ex Airfix/Mainline Dean Goods is somewhat aged and Oxford have their model. Hornby have had little involvement with special commissions until now and they are prepared to offer runs of 250 models whereas Bachmann require a higher figure. Kernow has commissioned the Night Riviera sleeping cars in the latest livery, Rails of Sheffield have Black 5 45000 and others are following. 250 models on the shelf are easier to sell and the chances of surplus stock reduce accordingly. Maybe we will see smaller retailers entering the market?

I was looking forward to the arrival of the Modified Hall and had placed a pre-order with my faithful supplier but the error with the front-end was too noticeable. Given the increasing cost of models I expect what I am purchasing to be a faithful reproduction of the prototype and not to require major surgery. My order was cancelled.

When Lima and Hornby first issued their Kings back in the dim and distant past the Lima locomotive was judged to be superior and Hornby hastily revamped their model. Both models featured tender drive. Hornby subsequently produced a 'Super Detail' King with loco drive but the tender, also seen behind their Castle, visibly failed to match the much improved model and, to my mind, looked too small. If the new tender introduced for the current Castle (and Star) had been married to the King I believe the appearance of the model would have been enhanced. If Hornby decided to put a King in their Railroad Range then I suggest that would be the way to go. I was lucky enough to see King George V at Swindon departing on the final leg of her (his?) trial journey in 1971 that paved the way for steam operation to return on British Railways. It was an unexpected piece of luck as the Merrymaker on which I was travelling drew up alongside the King's train that departed whilst we waited for the road. What was most impressive was the near silent start by the King as it set-off. I still have my late Father's book, The King of Railway Locomotives, published by the G.W.R. in 1928 and the boxed jigsaw also issued by the Company that gave me great pleasure during my childhood. Clearly Hornby are well on the way with their project but the progress made by DJ Models on Kernow's O2 indicates they can also move forward quickly. It will be interesting to watch the outcome but I would struggle to justify by one from either manufacturer as they didn't work west of Saltash until the preservation era.

The first Collett 4000 gallon tenders had the two fillers because the water cranes could not reach a central filler, their swing-arm being too low. Subsequently the water cranes were modified by fitting an additional cranked section, thereby increasing the height of the swing-arm arm,allowing the use of a single central filler. Hornby Dublo produced their tender as a double filler on their 'Bristol Castle' and subsequent models. The 4000 gallon tenders were first used behind Castles and one was used when 5000 ran trials on the LMS in 1926.

I must admit I have had a soft spot for the Baldwin having seen the books covering their activity on the Ashover, Welsh Highland and Glyn Valley lines. Many years ago, before Bachmann, Lilliput indicated they were looking at the Welshpool & Llanfair tank locomotives but nothing more was heard. They would be an ideal subject, especially with the three coaches originally built, scrapped at the end of passengers services and now recreated in all their glory. As the Welshpool acquired Austrian stock after entering preservation Bachmann already has some models readily available, albeit in HO, thereby possibly justifying following this theme. Yes, I'll be acquiring a Baldwin even if it is only a load on a Lowmac!

Seeing the comments regarding the 0-8-0 Sentinel, 'General Lord Robertson', reminds me that it was transferred when the Longmoor Military Railway closed to the MOD Depot at Shoeburyness. The locomotive travelled light engine under its own power over the Southern Region and onto the London Tilbury & Southend Line. It remained at Shoeburyness for a number of years before moving into preservation. The connection from BR to the Military was via a link line that crossed Shoeburyess High Street and ran past a holiday caravan site near East Beach before entering the Depot. A number of rail tours have been allowed to run into the Depot under strict conditions, including one topped and tailed with 76079 and 45407. For a number of years redundant rolling stock was stored there. Whilst most came in by rail some were moved by road transport. For anyone wanting to provide a more unusual source of traffic on a layout a MOD Depot storing redundant stock might be an ideal subject.