Simon_R Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 My father in law has decided to start building a layout. He's planning on building a ficticious midlands location and basing it in the early 60's so he can run both steam and diesel traction. His birthday is the week after next and i want to get him a loco. As my knowledge struggles pre 80's and i know pretty much nothing about 'kettles' i am seeking the advice of the font of railway knowledge that is the rmweb. What would people recommend? I don't think there's much point getting anything flash like A4's or Coronation classes etc. I was thinking more of a mixed traffic loco? I'm assuming it will be BR black with late crest? What's a good model to go for? If he were doing the 90's i'd be getting a 60 as it's about the best of the current crop, although a bachy 47 would probably be more use. What would people say is the best current model for his era? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 You really need one of the South Staffs contingent for this quest (mind you 'The Midlands' is a bloomin' big canvas!), and my knowledge doesn't go back far enough in the right depth but my thoughts will bounce your OP anyway: Stanier 8F - wasn't that very highly regarded on its release. Black Five in late crest black. 9F - even the Hornby Railroad issue is very highly regarded and exceptional value for money. Original 2-Tone green 47 (small yellow panel) is about as universal as they come (think the sound fitted loco is the only one current mind you). Two-tone green later body style 25 (personal preference, I can tolerate the errors with this variant, but not the early style, others have trenchant views about all Bachmann 25s but your father-in-law would probably like the loco anyway - you don't say how discerning a critic he is!). How about a green Heljan Hymek, to be cheeky!!! Or you could always suggest he models a Scottish theme Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennine MC Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Added to the above, BR Std 4 4-6-0 (Bachmann or Hornby, to choice), Fairburn 2-6-4T (Bach), Stanier 2-6-4T (Hornby), Ivatt 2MT and 4MT 2-6-0s (Bach), Crab 2-6-0 (Bach), Heljan 27 (although only certain releases are LMR-suitable), possibly also the Bach 20 in some guises. Or even the indispensable 08, from either H or B, or a Bach 108 DMU. Also the Bach 'Super D' 0-8-0, which isnt mixed traffic but is lovely, and their Jube and unrebuilt Patriot, which are only slightly 'flash' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 I would nominate the Ivatt 4MT and Fairburn 4MTT (Bach) or the Stanier 4MTT (Hornby) as the best middling size LMS design mixed traffic steamers currently available in OO RTR. Bachmann's 3FT (Jinty) is also a very convincing model, and completely 'unflash', and is perhaps the best Midland item available. If your FiL is likely to have memories of a Triang Jinty, this last will be a good measure of how things have come on in the past decade. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon_R Posted March 3, 2010 Author Share Posted March 3, 2010 Went for the Bachy Fairburn in the end. BR black with late crest, dcc fitted. It looks good in the pics but we'll see what it's like when it gets her. Thanks for all the replys folks. RMweb to the rescue again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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