Brocp

Very much so, but it is now owned/operated by Wizard models. You can buy direct from the Wizard website.

Here are a few of mine.... with my unique Duke

Beautiful, though for 1947 shouldn't she have the numbers higher on the cabside?

Personally i think you should grab Tim Schackleton's books and dvds on the subject, practice and be patient. Also don't be afraid to fail, it happens. Also as Coachmann said it's about observation and trying to translate that on to a model. Always use real pictures, don't make up weathering. When using "rust" colours try and not make them stand out too much, remember these are scaled down models, colours should be toned down as well.

Is it just me or does the plastic seem and feel "softer" on the new Duchess compared with the old one? This one seems to be a lot more flexiable etc than the older tooling when working on it.

You know Pete i completely forgot 6249-6252 when i wrote my post. Though they were the same. The deflectors on the split platform locos had the small step on the deflectors as soon as they were installed (bar 6235 which didn't have them straight away but soon had the steps/footholes) the curved platform locomotives didn't have the foothole until the mid to late 50s from the photos I've seen of the 10 curved platfromed locos. Comet's etched deflectors for the curved platfromed locos don't have that foothole. I remember tim on here did a blog post about this and how he used the split framed deflectors to make a later BR curved platform Duchess http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/643/entry-9435-smoke-deflectors-fit-for-a-duchess/

Exactly this. 6230-6234 plus 6242 didn't receive the cut out until the mid to late 50s, split frame locos had them on the deflectors from installation.

Certainly it's a very good book, i think it must rank second behind the Wild Swan LMS Locomotive Profile books on the Duchesses and the Princesses. Shame to hear your copy isn't perfect Rob, mine that arrived in Australia just after publication is perfect, though i do know they had issues with the binding that caused a delay in publication.

6220 Coronation x 2 6221 Queen Elizabeth 6224 Princess Alexandra 6225 Duchess Of Gloucester 46226 Duchess of Norfolk 6227 Duchess of Devonshire 6229 Duchess of Hamilton x 2 6233 Duchess of Sutherland x 2 6234 Duchess of Abercorn 6235 City of Birmingham 6239 City of Chester 6242 City of Glasgow 6243 City of Lancaster 46244 King George VI 6245 City of London 46245 City of London 6246 City of Manchester 6251 City of Nottingham 6252 City of Leicester 6256 Sir William A Stanier F.R.S It could be more than that, I'll have to check my stock in the shed. Those are a mix of streamliners (6220, 21, 24, 25, 29, 39) Stock for my 47 Crewe North layout (6220, 27, 29, 33, 34, 35, 42, 43, 45, 46, 51, 52, 56) And some in BR colours (46244 and 45) My aim is by the end of my life (I'm only 30, so hopefully I've got a while yet!) I will have all 37 as they were at the end of 1947 (plus I'll do the 38th, Salford, even though she wasn't built until the beginning of BR) currently I'm concentrating on completing all of the Crewe North locos, as well as having Coronation as a Royal Engine, which is nearly done. 6256 is well under way to becoming LMS Black also as we speak.

God I'd have to have at least about 20, easily.

Definitely too low. Still looks lovely though.

Love this picture as it shows the beautiful flow of track Dave. Top shelf. Broc

Very interesting point Mike in that first sentence. I personally believe it isn't a quantum leap over the older model compared to what Hornby did with the Brit or the A4 compared to their previous models, showing that the older one was actually fairly good overall, at least in terms of the locomotive, maybe not so the tender. The new tender is top shelf and since they are going to be producing 6 different versions to be able to make all locomotives from the class (including 6253-6255 that Hornby haven't done yet since 2000), hopefully they'll retool the 9 ton Stanier tender as well for the Rebuilt Scot/Patriot, Black 5 and 8F.

Hi Mike, I've just received mine in the post from Rails of Sheffield (I'm in Australia) and started pulling it down to detail it and repaint it in to LMS 46 lined black. The deflectors in my opinion are the worst part of the model, they have slightly different mounting lugs than the old ones had, but in terms of thickness and detail they are exactly the same as the old ones were and thus they will be binned for the much better Comet ones. Also getting binned will be the whistle, while better and in the right position as opposed to the older tooling, still woild be improved with a brass one. Cab doors as well for the Brassmasters etch. The front bogie is a vast improvement over the older one, though the Comet etched version is probably still better. The mounting for the bogie is fantastic though. Wheels as Coachmann has pointed out will be replaced by the Gibson Bevel bogie type. Rivet detail is on another level, the older tooling looks quite welded in comparison. Thumbs up to Hornby on the completely new tooling for the tender. For me that's the best part of the model. Overall it's a brilliant model, my only question will be, will they retool the Streamlined models as well finally giving us a true super detailed Princess? Broc.

That's not completely correct. The deflectors are the ones of the old model, as are some of the lubricators etc along the footplate (not all of them are). Though that seems to be about it.

Certainly they will, but i personally don't like Hornby's colours for the straw and maroon lining. HMRS's lining is much better and their numbers are much more accurate as well for the 1946 livery

I'm doing that with mine, i know they'll most likely annouce 6256 in that livery next year but I'm slightly impatient so Bill will be in as built livery. Also i agree, the 1946 lined black is a cracking livery.... when clean.

BR Maroon, same as the latter style but with BR lining.

In the war they may have had a couple of double headed runs, but LMS policy was that class 7 locos (Princesses and Duchesses) weren't to double head together. I've got plenty of pics of Duchesses with smaller classes double heading, from Midland 3Fs to Stanier Tanks and Black Fives but never together and I've only seen one pic of a Princess double heading and that was with a Class 4 Tank very late in their BR lives.

Truer words have never been spoken.

The Southern didn't have water troughs so that's the reason 46236 ran with the austerity tender there. So for the Eastern and GW trials, this model is perfect to become 46236.

Tender lettering is certainly too low and slightly off centre, I'll be changing the identity of mine so that won't be an issue for me personally. I have to say the new tooling finally gives the Duchess that beefier front end the old tooling lacked, just needs a set of comet deflectors and gibson wheels now. Edit And a Comet Bogie. The new Hornby one is very good, but the Comet one still takes the cake.

Hopefully Rails has gotten enough to fill pre orders, I've had no notification of mine being processed as of yet.

Duchess drain cocks are side by side, not one above the other, see here http://locomotive.wikia.com/wiki/Cylinder It's one thing models, whether ready to run or kit built, get wrong often. It's a shame because the ones you've made are very convincing stanier drain cocks.

Thanks for that mate, will grab some.