alexl102

Hi, Has anyone other than Bachmann produced an oo gauge RTR 57xx pannier tank such as 7714, 5775, L92? Hornby's models seem to be either the half-cab or the triang 87xx. I'd like to get one but there don't seem to be all that many models out there, which suprises me given that it's a pretty iconic class. Thanks

Has anyone ever modelled or photoshopped the un-rebuilt W1 in Garter blue?

Additionally - it's been interesting this past year to see the NVR, a regular host of Tornado & Flying Scotsman, hire in Austerity 3193 from Bressingham this year as one of their main steam locomotives.

Another one just catching up here! I love these locomotives and I do think some enthusiasts look down on Industrials in a big way. In response to the above... you're absolutely right about its significance and in the Middleton Railway's museum it does say that if they had the right opportunity to acquire an Austerity in the future then they'd like to. However, I think there are two reasons why they haven't got one at the moment. Firstly, one of the aims of the Middleton Railway is to preserve and promote Leeds' railway history. Their fleet at the moment is largely (though not exclusively) types of which only one/two exist - the two Manning Wardle L Classes, Slough Estates No. 3, Brookes No.1, MSC67 (long tank). Even those that don't have specific links to Leeds, the Sentinel & the Y7 - are each part of endangered classes. In terms of the preservation movement as a whole, the Austerity 0-6-0ST is really well-represented so I imagine it's less of a priority. Secondly, in Steam Railway magazine's current (500th) issue, someone from the Middleton Railway is interviewed for a feature on Industrials and commented that they'd love to add to their fleet but they're more or less at capacity for storage/management at the moment, so they'd probably have to dispose of some locomotives before they could add more. It makes sense as their museum shed is almost full, and that's with two engines away for cosmetic restoration - altho I think only one, Conway, is coming back in the near future.

I love the Hudswell models you've produced recently and this is equally as exciting. Will be buying as soon as I've saved up enough to buy a donor loco as well!

I'd like to buy a couple of the Jouef/Electrotren 0-6-0T locos to use the chassis' for a kit project. Just wondering if they can be bought from any retailer other than Hornby International, for a lower price? Thanks!

Until DJ Models went bust, their (supposed) planned Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST was the only Leeds Industrial loco being offered in RTR to my knowledge, other than the Hunslet Austerity. Are there any other RTR models of tank engines from the Leeds manufacturers - Hunslet, Hudswell Clarke, Manning Wardle, Kitson etc - available or in the pipeline?

There are so many Industrials that could be done. In fact, I'm a bit surprised that Hornby decided to do the 6-wheeled Peckett - there are so many more they could have done. The standard Hunslet 0-6-0ST such as Beatrice and Jessie could be done in any number of liveries including plenty of industrials, for example. I do think there would be the demand for the HC if only some actual concrete information could be provided about it.

[i'm the OP] Wow - thank you everyone for a set of responses that have really outweighed my greatest expectations. I really, really appreciate the time each person has taken to respond. I'm going to take time to read through everything properly and thoroughly, and weigh it all up before deciding how to proceed. With regards to the type of layout, I'd be thinking of modelling based on a larger preserved railway, but initially just happy to have something to go round and round and make up some different formations with. Thanks once again everyone.

I've been collecting UK models in OO gauge for nearly 15 years. In that time I've built up a fleet of around 8-9 locomotives (though many others have passed through my care), 20+ carriages & wagons and plenty of track. Might not sound a lot for 15 years of collecting, but the main reason I haven't got more is quite simply that I've never actually had a permanent layout. I've simply had to set up for a day or so every few months, enjoy whilst I can and then pack away again, because we've never had space (small shunting layouts, though wonderful to watch and admire, don't tickle the itch for me). I'm moving soon and will have to leave my OO collection in store at my parents' house, so I wondered whether it was worth trying to start a small second collection, in N gauge, in the hope that in my new house I might just have enough space to squeeze in a smaller layout. I know barely anything about N gauge, so wondered if people could help with some advice. From a brief bit of research it looks like N gauge is a bit more expensive than OO second hand because there's less out there and less choice... is that a fair summary? I'd be aiming to start with something like a basic loop of track, an 0-6-0T like an LMS 3F or Hunslet Austerity and a couple of coaches. I guess I'd also need a power supply - don't know what that would be like in 'N'. How much would I reasonably expect to pay for a small tank engine and some coaches, second hand? Experienced OO modellers often suggest that old Mainline & Airfix locos in that scale should be avoided as the split chassis design can be a problem. Is there anything similar that I should know in N gauge? Has anyone ever done N gauge starter sets? What is the N gauge equivalent of the standard OO 6'x4' layout - would it be 2'x3'? What other advice would you give? Is it worthwhile or would I be wasting my time and money? Thanks!

In fairness, I don't imagine the model was designed with a conversion to EM in mind. It's still quite a niche scale.

I think the thing that confuses me with this (though I openly admit I know nothing about the industry and production process) is how many models have been announced and completed (or at least made considerable progress) since this was announced. I discovered DJM a few years ago because I was googling for an oo model of a Hudswell and this popped up. At the time there were quite a few less models on the pre-order list. Since then, Dave's announced all sorts of new models and most of those seem to be making progress, whereas this one seems to have been standing still the whole time. Does he anticipate a very small customer base so he's prioritising other potentially more popular stuff first?

Hornby have been producing their 8Fs with an NEM socket on the leading bogie for a few years now, but initially they didn't make the bogey as a separate spare with the NEM socket - only with the permanent coupling. I'd love to fit a small snowplough (scottish-style) to my 8F but it would require me to either permanently remove the coupling from the leading bogey or replace it with an NEM example. Does anyone know if Hornby now produce the boget with the socket rather than the coupling as a separate spare? Thanks!

Hi, Just wondered if there was any reason why the BR/LNER-liveried models generally retail for less than the Industrial liveries? Is it to do with batch sizes produced? I've seen DJM J94s in BR/LNER black for as little as £65-70 but never less than £80 for an industrial. The pattern seems to be the same with Hornby models second-hand too - the industrials always seem to go for more?

Thanks everyone, I will follow this up. Really appreciate the guidance, links and info.

Hi, I want to buy Hornby (or maybe DJ Models) example of a Hunslet Austerity/J94 0-6-0ST. However, I'd specifically like to buy a model that is of a locomotive which was actually built in Leeds - by the Hunslet Engine company or Hudswell Clarke - as I'm aiming to focus my collection a little on this area over the next few years. Ideally I'd want one in an industrial livery but BR black would also be an option - does anyone know how I can find out where any given J94/Austerity was built? And does anyone know if the Cadley Hill No.1 that Hornby produce was a Leeds-built loco? From what I've been able to establish on google, I think it was but I can't find a pic in which i can read the builder's plate so can't be 100% sure. Thanks

Realistically the largest proportion of modellers are not going to switch to O gauge. It's too big to have any form of decent layout in the average-sized, garage, shed or room, and I don't know what you have to be earning to view £190 for a Jinty as reasonable but in the current economy most people aren't earning it. Especially when a BR MK1 coach will set you back £250 (compared to £21 - 49 in OO) and a tender loco £500-700. If you've got the room to run a branch line setup with a medium-sized loco and 3 coaches, that's around £1,250 before track or scenery. Surely if there's to be a big shift it'd be to N, where prices are still fairly sensible and you can fit far more in a limited space? The problem is that these amazing quality, £150+ models are way out of reach of average Joe who has a mortgage, a car and a family to keep unless it's the only thing they spend their spare cash on. Not many people for example could afford to hold a football season ticket at a league club and buy a few brand new models each year. And the bigger problem still is that even Railroad models are rising out of the affordability range of younger people. The BR MK1s at £20ish are fine, but if you want a steam engine any bigger than an LMS 3F 0-6-0 (£64), you are looking at a minimum of £85. So those of us without that money turn to the second hand market and Hornby lose out. Hornby need to be attracting more 'casual' modellers, because I don't think there are enough serious modellers in the younger generations (speaking as someone in their 20s) to keep the cashflow coming through long-term, though I hope I'm wrong. Please understand where I'm coming from here: I like Hornby. I love their products, their aim to secure quality in everything, I like the concept of the Railroad range (even if the name still makes me cringe) and I love the attempts to engage more with their customer base through stuff like the Engine Shed. I want them to succeed wholeheartedly and I want to buy from them. But if I looked at my collection and decided I want to add, say, a J94 for example, I just could not justify forking out £85 for one at the end of the day - and that is the reality for many people.

Fair play but I just don't understand why he hasn't even answered anyone's questions on this thread since a post back in August... 10 months ago. Even questions in the Ask Dave thread about this project go un-answered too. I understand why he's a busy guy and he has every right to respond as he chooses but it just seems odd, especially given the amount of interest being expressed. Not trying to smear his good name or anything. Just confused.

Second this; all seems to have gone quiet on this one. Any news gratefully apprecitated as it's the one I really want!

Hey Dave, just been looking at your product progress page. It seems that the Hudswell was announced 10 months after the J94, which obviously has not long been released. Is it fair to assume that these two models haven't progressed at the same pace and so the Hudswell is more than 10 months away from release? This is no criticism, just trying to get an idea of a timescale so I can plan to save!

How do i find? Dave, what's the latest on your Hudswell? Seems to have become a bit forgotten?

...is that in OO?

Never heard of this - what was it? Googled and couldn't find any info!

Thank you for the update Dave, good to know things are still moving. Ridiculously excited about this loco and am very close to taking my first steps into kit-bashing for something to accompany it on my layout once released. Just a quick question: I have a feeling that when I first discovered your website and the ad for this loco, I saw some pictures either on your website or one of your distributors' websites (Hattons or Rails maybe?) showing examples of what the locos may look like once completed. I'm not sure if these were photoshop jobs, renders or pre-production samples but either way I can't find any such photos now Am I imagining this? If not, are said pics still available? Cheers

Any updates on this one Dave? :-)