apollo 079

I've run the vernier over the two models and the dimensions of the noses are pretty much identical as far as I can tell. This pic is a slightly better head on comparison. Note the 46 has the earlier style "single flash" overhead live wires warning signs compared with the "double flash" on the 45. One feature I have only just noticed is the silver painted top strip on each of the cabside drop windows, which was not present on the rep edition 45/0s. Also the characteristic grubby nose tops are quite well represented with heavy weathering extending from the base of the front window section to the start of the nose front curve. This is more noticeable on the top of the yellow nose end, of course. That's about all I can think of to say about it. It's not a bad model at all, it just could have been that little bit better. Kevin

Yes sorry I forgot to mention that. Not as tricky to correct as the nose grilles, though.

At last, the 1948 show! Just taken delivery of a pair of these models after literally decades of waiting! So was it worth the wait?, you may ask. Thet answer is well, sort of. Straight out of the box there are both good and not so good points. Firstly, this model does not make use of the tooling developed for the rep edition class 45/0s which is a bit disappointing. The bodyside grille mouldings look a bit less crisp, but the big let down for me is the nose side grilles which are of the original style with the centre bar and without the external hinges. This is a poor choice since I think this mod was carried out when the locos were dual braked, and I'm pretty sure no locos carried them in blue, let alone with sealed beam marker lights. The only reason for not using the tooling for 45022/41 (the two 45/0s modelled which had the trapezoid grille mod) must have been the moulded hatch on one side which 46s did not have. Another result of using the old tooling is the method of representing the plating of the water filler foot steps at no2 end. The re-tooled 45 body had this feature moulded, but here we are back to separate plastic inserts which are much too obtrusive. An etch would have been better. The boiler compartment louvre is modelled as unplated, which in fairness is correct for 46045 but most 46s had this grille plated over in their later years. The body features the four holes just above the bogie centre which I believe were for oiling the bogie pivot bearings. These were covered over or re-skinned by this period of the lives of both 45s and 46s. On the plus side the front marker and tail lights are working according to direction of travel but there are no switches for DC users and no cab lighting is provided (at least not on DC). The front markers are warm white (i.e. yellowish) rather than the very bright white of the rep 45/0s. The model does feature 21 pin decoder socket, which in itself is a step forward. The cab interior is the usual style with driver at number 1 end, straight out of the Mainline model Railways catalogue. The weathered livery reminds me of the stored locos I was at Swindon Works back in 1980, some of which subsequently returned to traffic. I think that most received a coat of paint before being reinstated, but some may have returned in "demic" state. The yellow ends in particular look very faded. Oh, I almost forgot, the nose end handrails are now separate features, which is a great improvement! Overall, I'm reasonably happy with the models, but there is some work to do to get them up to scratch. If there is demand; and no doubt many will tell me there isn't; I'd say there is scope for properly re-tooling this old warhorse, or maybe an option for another manufacturer to step in, but I'll not be holding my breath. Anyway, out with the scalpel! Happy modelling Kevin

I e-mailed Bachmann when I saw that the models did not appear in the 2021 products. This was the response:- "Unfortunately we will not be proceeding with these wagons at present and reference is made to this on page 8 of the latest Bachmann Times magazine. This project was indeed announced in 2013 and although our new management has explored several different avenues in order to bring this product to market, we have been unable do so at a price we believe the market will support, which is not helped by the numerous variations among this small fleet plus the lack of liveries which they carried. Sorry again for any disappointment that this has caused, however we are confident that the correct decision has been made and this decision will allow us to concentrate our investments on projects that are commercially viable." I believe that the lack of a common design was part of the problem as most were converted from earlier tank types with different designs of barrel, underframe, springs, bearings, tap arrangements, walkways etc. I remember observing some of the last workings from Fawley Cadlands to Washwood Heath (6M23) and wondering how any manufacturer could produce these wagons in rtr. Loads varied from 24 wagons down to 10 over the course of early 2009 until the workings ceased completely. From memory there seemed to be no two wagons quite the same, except for the appalling condition of the tank barrels. But ooh that smell... Kevin

Just to add, that the underframe equipment of "Irish aircon mark 2s" was different because they were vacuum braked and the interiors were very different indeed with high backed "bench" style seats and wood panelling. The models themselves (I've just taken delivery of six in the IR "tipp-ex" livery) are nice enough but no frills such as interior lights (with or without a wand) or alternative couplers/buffers. But they still look good to me 😀

These are Murphy Models coaches being sold by IRM. The tooling has been slightly improved since the first batch which came out some years ago. Though they are referred to as 2Ds the bodyshells are mark 2E/F style with diagonally opposed toilets on the TSOs. HTH Kevin

The BFKs were mostly Mark 2As and a few mark 2Cs as there were very few 2Bs built and their numbers dwindled until just one (17107) survived by 1987, and that coach went soon after. The BFKs were often formed together, with the mark 2C TSO(T) at one end but almost always three TSOs at either end. On at least one occasion I remember the BFKs formed with the brake ends facing one another, which was not the usual way. These were the Waterloo-Exeter sets from 1980 when class 50s took over from 33s. Kevin

Hi all Just to prove that some SLW rats have escaped from captivity of the display stand, here is 25321, one of my initial pair standing atop a short rake of TTA tank wagons at Ashton Longslade, my fairly new mini-layout. As per usual with SLW models the loco comes with dummy couplings and all pipework pre-attached, in this case including miniature snowploughs. The ploughs are easily removed by undoing two screws behind the buffer beam at each end, but do replace them as they also hold the buffer beams in place! Oh, the method of removing the headcode glazing using sticky tape was tried and it works perfectly for me. The photo in no way does justice to the model I have to admit. Suffice it to say I'm really excited for the release of the earlier body style as that was my personal favourite 😍 Kevin

The full range of Baby GMs is listed on Hattons'website here:- https://www.hattons.co.uk/directory/versiondetails/article?id=1406&utm_source=klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=modvehid6018-murphyclass141-181-newbatchannounced&_kx=717qpNEP9jWolmZy1W_O-WWuQHf8DMNBa06CkF87pDY%3D.JGQeXh The new aircons are listed here:- https://www.hattons.co.uk/directory/versiondetails/4961/murphy_models_oo_cie_mark_2d&utm_source=klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=modvehid4961-murphyciemark2dprojectupdate Hope this helps. Kevin

Also note, though slightly off OT, Western, by the BR blue days, had an extra bar welded on to the WR lamp irons on the secondman's side to allow a BR standard lamps to be attached.

I think it was probably a BRB 1960s directive that locos which were intended to work passenger trains should have one or other (or in the case of class 45/46s both) headboard fixing just in case it was wanted. The Sheffield allocated batch I think were intended to work trains over Woodhead after the EM2s went to the Netherlands or possibly the same trains East/South of Sheffield Victoria, but that's just a guess. The Western Region was still using headboards, for the Cornish Riviera Express anyway, into class 50 days and as late as 1978. Having said that these were of the curved style.

Nos D6819 thru D6938 were built with WR headboard clips on the upper nose ends. These were intended as mixed traffic locos and were intended to have steam heating boilers. A large number either did not receive boilers or else had them removed early in their careers. The boilers were, I'm pretty sure, fitted to class 47s which were in construction at the time. I have a list of the numbers somewhere. The last 80 class 37s; D6939 to 6999 and D6600 to 6608; were intended not to be boiled so did not have WR headboard clips. The oddity was a small batch which went to Sheffield division. These were D6959 to 6968, later 37259 to 268. These did have boilers fitted, probably removed from early split box locos (tentatively suggest D6701 to 6710) but whether from new or early in their careers I'm not sure. As a result, these 10 locos received the single top centre headboard brackets (often erroneously called lamp brackets). The rest of the last 80 did not carry these brackets but there were two bolts attached to each end to allow the brackets to be fitted if required. Interestingly (well I think so) only locos from this batch onward were converted to 37/4s whilst only locos numbered before 37259 were refurbished as 37/5, 37/7 or 37/9. Does anyone know why? One more thing to note is the oddity of 37247, later 37671. This loco received a boiler some time in the 1970s so I have read. This made the loco unique amongst the class as for some time it had a boiler but no headboard fixing of any kind on the nose end. This would be because headboards were pretty much abolished by the time the boiler was fitted. Members of the batch with the top centre headboard clips generally carried them for life, including those which became 37/4 and indeed some still do to this day. Hope this helps Kevin

Hi Phil I think it's that Penyghent had a single panel welded either in place of or over the top of the nose end doors, whilst the others just had the doors welded up. The noses also sported two ohe flashes on each nose just below the grab rails. I say had because both of these mods have been reversed in preservation. Interesting feature of D9/44009's no 1 end is that it seems to have had the whole cab replaced (back to the cooler room bulkhead) and not just the nose front. This is evidenced by the shorter class 45/46 style cab door handrails seen in photos of the loco post-crash. Kevin

Massive thank you to Steve at Railtec models. My Heljan 45106 arrived yesterday and I quickly decided that what it really needed was some proper depot plaques. Having used Railtec 3d plaques, this was an obvious choice, but 106's plaques had a red background. I enquired if this might be possible and Steve quickly replied in the affermitive. The actual word he used was "absolutely". So within the same day the item was up on the website. Item Id PL2024. So if you have a 45106 and would like these, please let him know. Also suitable for 47186 as Catcliffe Demon in RfD and possibly others. If anyone knows of any other locos which sported red back white rose plated, please let Steve or myself know. In conclusion, spectacular customer service, as always. Kevin

Olivia's 45403 does indeed have the additional lower bodyside (trapezoid shaped) grilles so it is suitable for some of those which had these grilles added. However it also has a blanking patch over the former boiler grilles and an earlier poster suggested that for these models there is no grille moulded underneath (why, I can't imagine). If this is so, it rules out 45102-7 and 45112 unless you want to model the grilles yourself. I'm thinking of this option for 45122 which was one of those with the additional lower grilles but had the boiler grilles plated over.

Just to update my earlier posting re the green 45106 model, Steve Bell at Railtec Transfers now does 3d printed Tinsley depot white rose plaques with red background, suitable for this loco and 47186 (if anyone knows any others which had this colour plaque, please let Steve or myself know). These are available to order on the website, item code PL2024. Please excuse the plug but he's knocked these up for me on the same day of request, so hope others will be interested. Kevin

Yes I picked up on that a while back and it has been corrected as you say. Also of note on this model the former boiler room panel is exposed which is correct for 45102-7 and 45112. Unless I've missed a commission, Heljan have yet to announce a blue model with this variant. The non-headlight fitted un-numbered 45/1 for Olivia's trains does feature the lower bodyside grille by the looks of things, but not the exposed ex-boiler room grille. Since apparently there is no grille modelled underneath the cover, this makes modelling others of this group a bit tricky unless you re-spray 106. Incidentally (and probably not a co-incidence), all the 45/1s with the uncovered boiler room grille also featured the additional lower bodyside grilles. Noted comments about the lack of visibility of the body framing behind the radiator grille, this seems to be less of an issue with 106, possibly because the grilles are light grey rather than blue but the definition tends to fade a bit if viewed from No2 end and depends on lighting conditions. The grey of the nose side body grilles extends over the outer frames, which it shouldn't according to photographs of the prototype (and my memories). There has been an interesting attempt to imitate metal lustre on the Tinsley rose depot plaques with the left side depicted shinier than the right. No etches are included for this detail, which is a shame as Shawplan don't seem to do a red background version of these plaques. Also it really needs etched silver double arrows, but these should be easier to source. Other than that, I agree with comments that the finished loco is not as bad as I had feared, but definitely seems a bit on the tall side and the curvature of the roofline is not quite there compared to the Bachmann 45/0. Also I believe the sealed beam marker lights are a wee bit small. Still, it's a 45/1, and I need 45/1s (and 46s with sealed beams). Hope this helps. Kevin

One positive change Heljan have made (compared with the photo of 45106 on their website) is to include the access panel below the long bodyside grille on one side. However, on 45106 they have this hatch painted light green, but every pic I can find in this period, including my own, show it as Brunswick green. I reserve judgement on the nose and cab roof until I see pics from "head-on" but I see what people are saying. I was scathing about the Heljan 25 which in my eyes had similar issues, principally the angle of rake of the upper part of the cab front. That said I know many people have bought this model and are quite happy. I really want to want this model as my layout is crying out for some accurate 45/1s, and 46s to go with the rest of my fleet. Here's hoping, anyway..... Kevin

In related news, I ordered a "winged pineapple" headboard etch from Fox Transfers yesterday afternoon; it arrived this morning. What more need I say? Kevin

Hi all. Received an e-mail; well two actually; this morning to say that Rails have dispatched my model of 55015. A phone call confirmed the tracking id (Royal Mail) and that packages are awaiting pick up around 2 this afternoon. So I will finally have a model if the loco I saw on a shopping trip to Basingstoke way back on 17th October 1981. 😀 Kevin

Close but no cigar, Phil. The destination was Ramsgate; though most of the "normals" tended to get off at "Margit" for the cockles 'n winkles I believe, leaving the die-hard bashers in peace.

Many thanks again to Steve for the requested Tinsley special names and numbers, so that's another two new 45/0s with new identities. Ordered on Sunday in two separate orders, received Tuesday morning and Steve even refunded my duplicate postal charge (which was my own fault entirely). What more can I say? Kevin

The oddball headcode 45 was 45019 which had a blanked off headcode panel with grommeted white lenses at no2 end for a while following collision damage. The only pic I can find of it is in Profile of the Peaks , introduction page. Some lovely presflos in the background too. There was a class 40 which had the same conversion, this being 40158, also at no2 end. Kevin

Primarily it's the moulded grab rails on the nose, which are common to all previous peak models and the split nose side grilles which are correct for early models but wrong for later versions. Also the bodyside hatch on one side is tampo printed on 45060 but is included in the moulding of the sealed beam version. Also the bogie pivot oil filler holes are deleted on the sealed beam model and the lower bodyside access panel (the one which was replaced by a grille on 20 class 45s and all 46s) is much better represented on the new sealed beam model, except for 45022 and 041 which correctly have the grilles instead. Had 46020 been sealed beams instead of domino headcodes, they might have used the new tooling if they could somehow delete the bodyside hatch mentioned above, as 46s didn't have them. Hope this helps. Kevin

Just thought I should mention this; I ordered a set of transfers for DRS class 20/3s (and me a seventies/eighties BR blue modeller) yesterday at about quarter to five (pm), and they turned up at 12 noon today. Fantastic service from Steve as always. All I need is the loco to use them on... Kevin