County of Yorkshire

I daren't say it on the Hornby threads, so i'll say it here - probably the most underwhelming set of Hornby new releases for the GWR modeller in many, many years. They could've at least thrown us some sort of bone, like Collett coaches in post-war livery, or any of their locos in post-war livery (such as the Grange, 28xx, 42/52/72xx). I am also crying out for a Castle (preferably with scalloped inside cylinder cover) in G-crest-W livery with a Collett tender. Agree with the dismay at the generic pre-grouping coaches; it's not a good look to compete with Hattons when the model railway market is so comparatively small. They could've done some "generic" clerestory coaches instead? Ho hum - I've just treated myself to a Bachmann pannier in wartime black instead! CoY

I agree with the comment about LNER coaching stock, and that the current Gresley's are the poor relation when Hornby's coach ranges are looked at in the round. They are inaccurate (no tumblehome) and also lack the variety of diagrams needed to make up realistic rakes (no BTK or CK in the current range, and open third would also be good to see). A new range of Gresley teaks would, I think, be popular. I also think Hornby can get better at sweating their assets, by releasing new liveries and with different detail combinations. Don't we always hear a cry for more A3s in BR Early Emblem condition, SR Light Pacifics with different loco & tender combinations, or Castles in BR Late Crest with single chimney? There's the whole dynamic of wartime liveries too - I don't think Hornby have ever release a GWR loco in wartime black or in unlined green, for example. Coaches can also be issued in various new ways: for example big four coaches in departmental/engineers/ENPARTS/Weedkilling/Test Train/Control train liveries. Hattons are issuing their Genesis coaches in this way, so they must think that they will sell. Personally speaking, if all I got this year were the Collett bow-enders (either the corridor or non-corridors) released in post war Great-crest-Western livery that would do me. Or dare I say it... in wartime austerity brown?! CoY

There's two trends that I really don't get in this thread so far. First, is the sizeable minority asking for a retooled GWR 14xx. It's not going to happen; the Hattons/DJM might have a ropey mechanism, but the body is sublime. I can see that eventually finding its way back to market via the EFE range with maybe, just maybe, a revised mechanism. Hornby won't gamble it's product development budget on designing a new one from scratch against an existing model that isn't as bad as people make out. Second, is the amount of pushback on the thought of retooled Merchant Navies, Black 5s and 8Fs. As others have said, the MN is 20 years old and was the first of the Super Detailed range, and we've had the LMS Duchess and Princess retooled in the time since. I think it's an open goal for Hornby to rework and re-release. With Black 5s and 8fs, I see them as the Class 37 and 66 of the steam world, both of which have seen bunfights between manufacturers of late, in an effort to retool to ever finer standards. Both are staple locos that could be seen from Bristol to Inverness from the mid 1930s right up until 1968 - and beyond as mainstays of the preservation scene. If Hornby don't revise them, I would wager a modest sum that someone like Accurascale or Rapido might pick them off before too long, and we all know that Mr Kohler doesn't like tanks on his lawn. CoY

These Railtec transfers are very good too, John. Cheers, CoY

- GWR Saint - Re-tooled Black 5 OR 8f - Southern Q - LNER Coronation coaching set - GWR Collet Bow-Ended Dining Car - One new tool big 4 wagon - probably something that is already in the Parkside range, as per. - Something "Era 1" like Lion, or something industrial, like a sentinel VBT loco - My dark horse punt: the GWR "Great Bear", or an S160... CoY

Thank you Ian. CoY

Hello knowledgeable Southern modellers! I have just built and painted one of the excellent Chivers kits for this wagon, and am about to apply transfers. Whilst the kit instructions give the wagon number range and tonnage, I do not have any resources from which to know about the tare weight of these wagons. Would someone kindly be able to advise on this please? As a bonus question, would these wagons have been in the common user pool in the immediate post-war period please? I am not going to number my wagon as a "Loco Coal" one, but rather as a general mineral wagon. It would be useful if I had some justification for one appearing somewhere in the West County in 1946-7. Thank you in anticipation. CoY

I’m surprised these haven’t attracted more comment since this morning’s Engine Shed blog, as they look incredible. I fundamentally cannot justify any as a post-war GWR modeller, but I will certainly admire them when I see them in the flesh at my next exhibition (whenever that is!). I must also say that these augur well should Hornby turn their premium coach attentions west... GWR Centenaries or Ocean Saloons anyone? CoY

Very nice. Which MJT product did you use for the trussing please? I've been on the hunt for toplight queenpost trussing for a while now. Cheers. CoY

The Great Western (SVR) Association have done a fabulous job restoring their Collett bow-ended composite 6045. Their restoration blog is choc-full of images including a lot of interior shots here. They've restored her into 1927 - 1934 livery and I would assume internal finish, so it exactly matches what you are trying to achieve. I cant speak to their adherence to historic accuracy but I would bet a decent amount that they know their onions and have done their research. Cheers CoY

I’ve had my eye on that for a while but alas the number of views that webpage has had this morning means it’s now back up to the princely sum of £39.99. Always worth keeping occasional tabs on Amazon’s Hornby range though for the occasional “blink-and-you-miss-it” price drop. CoY

It was mentioned that the (comprehensive) instructions booklet advises that separate smokebox doors are available to order. Is any further info given please on how to order? I want to pick up 7301 in GWR green but I don't want that silly BR smokebox door! Cheers. CoY

To be honest I think Bachmann would make a slightly finer Manor than Dapol, but at a higher - say 30% - price. The biggest omission from the GWR modeller's table at present is 1930s Collett coaching stock; Bachmann Sunshine coaches are long overdue a re-tool, and with the advent of the LMS Portholes, LNER Thompsons, and the under-development Southern Bulleids, i do hope we've not too long to wait for modern GWR coaching stock from Bachmann.

I hope you are right, in a Manor of speaking? CoY

Well if they've invented a re-sizing machine for their railcar, then they can also put their N gauge Collett BG in it as well as their O gauge autocoach! Both would sell well in OO, in my view. CoY

Has any thought been given to producing extra fishbelly bogies to sell as spares? There has never been, to the best of my knowledge, a fishbelly bogie done in RTR, and so I think they would be popular as individual items? I would certainly pick up half a dozen. Cheers, CoY

Is anyone please able to comment as to whether the 41xx and the 61xx models have any detail differences? For example safety valve bonnets, whistle shields, bunker fenders; that sort of thing? Thank you in anticipation. CoY

Ordered on Monday evening, and delivered by Wednesday lunchtime; excellent service! CoY

To atone for my role in the regal thread deviation, I've just put an order in for a few of the GWR P23s and one each of the LMS wagon diagrams. Looking forward to their arrival! Cheers. CoY

I've looked it up it an you're right Johnster. Apologies from this History graduate! King John did however die of Dysentery, which is not too dissimilar a fate to dying of Lampreys, as I understand it. What a last week he must've had - losing the crown jewels then passing away from a severe case of dickey tummy! CoY

Ok, so I've consulted my Hugh Longworth book of GWR/LNER coaches, and the following Hawksworths were built and released into revenue earning service before New Year's Eve 1947. As such, I think you can say with 99% certainty that they were outshopped in chocolate and cream livery with the Great - crest - Western signage. Dia C82 (TK) Nos. 781 to 832 Nos. 855 to 858 Dia D131 (BTK) Nos. 833 to 854 Dia E163 (CK) Nos. 7251 to 7253 All other Hawksworth stock was built after nationalisation, so to have any of the other diagrams (the FK, BCK and BG) in chocolate and cream is a fantasy - other than the two BCKs that were kept for special duties and that made it into preservation, as stated by an RMwebber above. Therefore, you can run the Honby TK, BTK and CK in the Great - crest - Western Chocolate and cream and be 'accurate'. Hope this helps. Cheers. CoY

Don't you mean King John? Right after he lost the crown jewels in The Wash... CoY

This is a very pleasing development, and I think I will snap up a few. Does anyone know if this kit can be made into the P17 also? I have one built Ian Kirk P17 and one still yet to make, but it would be nice to bulk those out a bit. GWR modellers are quite well served with ballast vehicles at the moment, what with the Cambrian starfish P15/P18, Cambrian P22 hopper, and the Chivers P23. Now all we need is for the Slaters Toplights to return to the market, and we'll be on Cloud Nine. CoY

Nice project this Rob; might have to partake. Do you have any wagon numbers to hand for this van? I don't think it will appear in the Atkins, Beard & Tourret GWR wagon bible because they were not of course Swindon built. Bachmann of course do a nice model of this but I suspect if released today would be around 20 sheets minimum - yours is a good way of bulking up post-war GWR wagon fleets! Would any of the other Dapol GWR van bodies fit an 10 foot wheelbase, and more importantly, are they accurate representations? www.Dapol.co.uk/shop/oo-gauge/wagons-OO-Gauge/unpainted-wagon-bodies/b004-oo-gauge-unpainted-gwr-ventilated-van-body-vb4-848 www.Dapol.co.uk/shop/oo-gauge/wagons-OO-Gauge/unpainted-wagon-bodies/b011-oo-gauge-unpainted-fruit-van-body-290 www.Dapol.co.uk/shop/oo-gauge/wagons-OO-Gauge/unpainted-wagon-bodies/b016-oo-gauge-unpainted-gunpowder-van-body-849 Cheers, CoY

My 4154 has arrived... A much richer lustrous shade then GWR Hornby models of old. Front steps are wonky though; talk about splayed! Cheers, CoY