HowardGWR

No one commented on my post #672 about GWR cream colour differences over the years (no comment was expected). I also have an old brake third (now called mainline series) which is even more yellowed than the current R4681, R4682 (etc) shewn in post #672. Of the model rail paints available, who does the paint most like the RC in post #672 as I feel that is more like 1930s photos? In other words creamier. Has anyone an opinion on a paint, not advertised as GWR cream, but they feel is closer to what they think it should be?

Comparing the 'cream' on the new Hornby D95 with an existing R458 in my box, (awaiting improvement*, now called 'Railroad') I note that colour of the new R4681 is appreciably yellowed in the latter. I feel the R458 has a better chance of being nearer to the real thing in the late 20s, early 30s. See attached photo. *the photo shews that it's the roof, primarily, that is the problem with that range. I am struggling with a brake third conversion to the correct dimensions.

What ticket barrier? You must be very young (speaks an envious grandad).

Well, your modelling licence is huge, since what you will be modelling doesn't exist and never existed anyway, I looked up what Hornby call a B set, and they call it a 'GWR Suburban B' if that helps you to look up on eBay, etc, for examples. However, now I know that you are to model a preserved example line, the non-corridors are not usually brought out (if the line has any, that is) because the guard cannot get through to clip tickets, etc. Also, I was at Didcot last Wednesday and rode in a Collett gangwayed sunshine compo, but the toilets were locked out for sanitary reasons, of course. Didcot can run non-corridors very happily, as the rides are free, once you are in the centre, so no need for ticket clipping. One final point on the Hornby gangwayed bow enders in a preservation setting. Sadly, the C54s, D95s and E127s are not noted by their presence, as most of them are hulks, dreaming of their eventual restoration, in the sidings. They were mundane when they were created and clearly are thought so now, the effort going into exotic super saloons and the like. In fairmess, for lines like the SDR, WSR and Didcot, they will want to run dining specials, so I think that is the reason for the B-E standard coaches' place in the restoration queue.

@ Torn-on-the-platformAs ChrisF said look at the photos, there are thousands for just about every branch (or so it seems!) but also take note of when the photo was taken. I am assuming you have a date or era in mind. If you are modelling a typical branch line, you really have to be looking at B sets (already available RTR) unless you are modelling a line that took portions off trains that continued westward, such as Kingswear or Kingsbridge. Of course, in the case of Kingswear, you can have the whole works with a 60xx on the front! I just looked on the net, and there are loads of sites that give useful info. Here's one. http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/newton-abbot-to-kingswear-also-brixham-branch.html Thanks to ChrisF for reminding us about oblong buffers.

Looking at my new D95, comparing with the old 'railroad' version I have been recently savaging, I am pondering why Hornby did not originally just get it right. I would have been easier to have done so, IMO. Just the side tumble and the roof* being correct would have meant that this new release would never have been needed (again IMO) as the other detail would have been easily modified, in the same way that some of that modifying will take place with these. BTW the buffer shanks are rectangular on the new model, but they should be slightly tapered. So perhaps buffer replacement is advised. Not only Comet can supply cast buffers but Dart Castings (MJT) do the full range of buffers, unsprung or sprung, and you can choose 18 " heads. Usual disclaimers. One final Q. Has anyone found out how to extricate these new models from the fancy plastic protection innards without either damaging the said innards, or the model? Thinking of the collectors. *I may do a 'blow by blow' on the railroad conversion attempt on the GWR Rolling Stock: model and prototype thread.

I understood from the press that Hornby's problems were not with railway models but with other ranges,such as Airfix kits?

All true, but my point would be that it is easier to remove lining than add it. At least they've gone for what sells, and we do want these to sell - big - so that they are as encouraged as they apparently were with the Maunsells to provide more choices in time.

Excellent choice allowing removal of (some) lining if not required and easy substitution of shirt button for shield if need be. Just one point, the enthusiast word 'chocolate' is a non-GWR term. 'Brown' - that's the GWR term. Also nobody in GWR days used 'Gods wonderful'.....etc. Only recently (well since 50 years ago as far as I can discover) has it been used by envious fans of other railways and the proper snide expression for the GWR is 'Great Way Round' which was at least an accurate soubriquet until the early 1900s.

Indeed, that would be no use to me in the low 1930s. One has the following liveries to consider; 1) imitation panelled (as in that Hornby illustration) with garter (1925) 2)no panelling, coat of arms crest i.p.o. garter arms, no waist lining (1927) 3)waist lining back again (1930) 'Third' on doors discontinued 4) replaced crest with shirt button 5) Hawksworth livery (1945 onwards?) 6) BR colours (not interested in that myself) 1948 onwards I think I will email them. If they come up trumps about it, I'll let the list know. They appear to have 5 choices within the vague 'GWR brown and Cream' description they have given so far. If anyone has a sourced photo that disputes any of the above please let us know. I see there is a GWR rolling stock thread, so perhaps mods would care to consider which this topic should appear on. It seemed right here as we are talking about Hornby's announcement and ordering.

Very unfortunately, the pre-order pages, both on Hornby and the Discounters' websites are unable to specify livery beyond 'brown and cream'. This makes it impossible to make a pre-order, which one would like to do, just to give encouragement towards an early release. Does anyone know (if for example you have placed previous 'pre-orders') if one gets a last chance to say 'I'd rather wait for the next release of my desired livery'? I appreciate that e.g. a GWR shirt button livery can be easily rubbed out and replaced with other transfers, but it seems so unnecessary to keep folk in the dark. If it were that particular example, I think I could possibly live with that inconvenience, but judging from the SR Maunsell releases, it will be not too long before the other variants appear. Any experience on this?

That tender seems to be missing some footsteps. They are available from the trade IIRC. Best of luck with the project. Do keep us informed.