Norton Wood

Further Facebook and YouTube videos have been put up, Chris you look like a very happy bunny in the video, they are looking brilliant. 

Photo's and video credited to Model Rail Magazine

I can't get a link - just page not found

 

To make it easier here is the picture from the page:

Photo's from Model Rail's Facebook page:

They look fantastic

Back to the main topic - any indication of dates of arrival of the complete models in the UK yet?

Model Rail Mag has said 3/4Q as we are now into 4th Quater and we've seen the painted samples, I think we might start receiving them next year Feb/March time. Chris has said on this thread we can expect to see more at Warley this year.

But as Chris Leigh is on here, better to hear it from him  

Hi,

I don't know if pictures/post has been put on here before comparing the Golden Age Models Dyno Car with the Rails Dyno Car, so I thought I'd put some pictures up comparing parts, for this I am comparing my LNER 1938 Mallard Record-breaking Dynamometer Car from Golden Age Models with the, 1948 Exchange trials Dynamometer Car from Rails of Sheffield.

I'll let the pictures do the talking; "A Picture paints a thousand words and all that". 

Looking at this new loco from a different perspective(something narrow gauge modellers often do!). The wheelbase is very short, overall not much different to an 0-4-0, so was wondering which axle was driven. If it is eithe of the outside ones, then thinking it might be possible to remove centre axle/whel and use it as an 0-4-0. If that was not possible then as a 0-6-0 it would still be useful.

Also with these new models , in general, I think offering the chassis as a separate item , would be popular, not just  for those wanting to use chassis for something else(how dare they!!!), but as a spare part. One reason for the growth of OO9 has been the good supply of (low cost) motor chassis . Bachmann used to offer loco chassis, but main problem was that they charged too much. The Japanese policyof not over charging for just the chassis seems to work well for them. I can't believe the companies are making a loss on them.

Interesting idea, questions on whether this would/could be done by any RTR Manufacturer has been floating around for sometime, I have to admit when Hornby Announced that they would be producing the 0-4-0 Sentinal I did hope that a MOD version would be produced but alas, Hornby has not, so a repaint was in order... As for these loco's being separated, body and chassis I have no idea what else they could be used for bar the GER/LNER Y6.  Even then why change it...it's too lovely to change. 

If I remember correctly I think the whole locomotive is powered on all 6 wheels, which I'd assume is also why the locomotive gets that terrific pulling power, especially if it's able to pull 7 of Rails of Sheffield's fantastic LNER Dynomometer cars (Annoying when I have the Golden Age Brass version, but it would certainly interesting to put them together side by side) 

.

 

I don't know if this is old, or new, but there is a link to a Rapido factory tour on the "Modelling Musings and Miscellany" posted by "PhilJ W" which shows the Tram engine (2 versions) around 10 mins 30 secs in ;

 

https://youtu.be/u0DYxnNL28Q?t=615

 

 

.

As 0:24 - There's a cavalcade of all the models together, they look very impressive.  

In addition I can fully understand and respect the price of these locomotives, of course the magazine has to make a profit as it will go on to pay for future projects which again is fantastic

Back on topic... I for one cannot wait for the J70 to come to the market. Chris and Model Rail should be congratulated for doing something very different but very special, although I realise I am somewhat biased Given Rapido's track record this will be a stunning model and well worth the wait!

 

Look forward to the release in due course

Nothing wrong with liking the GER or the area which makes up East Anglia

I visited the East Anglian Railway Museum today and saw this lovely loco...

I asked about what the plans are for 69621 and the plan is to restore their Bagnal which has been sitting in the shed having some major boiler work, once the loco has been completed the N7 will go in for an overhaul. So that hopefully will be in the next 5-6 years time.

Mons Meg using Graeme Kings resin etc

 

fullsizeoutput_9c9.jpeg

That looks fantastic good work

This is the current Progress of my P2  kit 2003 Lord President 

I don't know how many modellers are like me, thinking that the N7's were just used on passenger/empty stock workings, but browsing through John Mann's East Anglian Steam Gallery series of albums today on another matter I found one plate towards the back of part One showing 69713 on freight shunting duties at Bishop's Stortford on the 19th June 1959 - which may have just been between passenger duties but the single righthand lamp indicates freight work - and another in part Two with 69674 shunting wagons at Standon on 13th June 1958, which must have been as part of a freight working yet the single top disc fitted would indicate a passenger/mixed branch train.

 

Whatever the particular cases it would seem to suggest a bit more leeway on using these locos in their later years for anyone considering getting one of the BR versions. It's certainly made me re-consider whether to get one, the main concern being whether there is enough room under the footplate for P4 wheelsets as I don't really want a re-run of the work the Hornby J15 entailed, or the Heljan W&M railbus come to that.....

 

Izzy

Having spoken to a driver who worked out of both Norwich City station (M&GNJt) and Norwich Thorpe, he used to be a fireman on the United Dairy runs which now make the Mid Norfolk Railway. He jokes about the fact that this particular run on this N7 was so worn out that they would work the engine off the pressure, because the engine would run at lets 150psi..but it would quickly drop so he would have to build the fire again and the driver and firemen would work the train off the pressure. Quite funny really.  

Similar trains to this image of a J15 on the Milk trains

Model Rail have received a decorated sample of the J70.

The Facebook post also suggests to look out on Model Rail's YouTube page.

Photo from Model Rail's Facebook Page.

One whistle; on Belpaire engines it was on the firebox, offset to driver's side (rh on first 22 engines). On round topped fire box engines it was on the spectacle plate.

 

The vacuum ejector pipe is superfluous on the GE and LNE versions. The first dozen only ever had air brakes.

 

D

I had a look through the Yeadon's book and found that there were some N7's, fitted with Whistles on the Firemans side, this is while with Belpaire boilers. Maybe Oxford is looking to do N7s with whistles on different sides of the loco. We shall see, besides we know they have to iron out a few issues before we know 100% that the model will look like this.

So following GER Practise, I thought as much it seems very odd to have a whistle either side of the safety valves...I do hope Oxford are aware of this issue...

Further photos have appeared on Rails of Sheffield this time showing the other side of the locomotive showing the Westinghouse air pump and the cab, interestingly I didn't know the N7 had two whistles either side of the Safety Valves (GER & LNER Only) But I would like to know if this is incorrect or correct. 

As for the BR version, the whistle is not present... But as explained this is pre-production.

(Photo's credited to Rails of Sheffield)

Wow, they look even better in the dynamic view rather than just showing the 2D side view, very very impressed with this. 

I was just informed by a friend, I've been so busy today this has come somewhat as a reward for today's efforts. 

It'll certainly look right at home!

Alex

Certainly does, I have to say it's taken a while to build but I have a plan to build a bigger layout using this idea. In addition, every update on this page is great news...Now it's just waiting for the models to go into production and then getting them here to the UK...

Thanks Mike.  That will rule it out for most of the Taff Vale's 0-6-2Ts which had shorter wheelbases than the Rhymney Stephensons, engines similar to which appeared on the N & B and B & M.  The dimensions of these locos are very close to the 56xx and Cardiff Railway Kitson 0-6-2s.  But the new N7 will be a bit of a temptation as a donor to complete my old Cotswold 'R' kit!

 

Discipline, Johnster, discipline; you have to finish your collection of BR period Tondu locos before you start messing around with the Rhymney or the Taff Vale.  But 426, a B & M Stephenson never rebuilt by the GW, lasted until March 1950 at Llantrisant, and I could probably make an excuse for that...

I'm not a Great Western Fan myself but I hope it serves well...

As for myself and I look forward to getting it onto my layout:

I'm hoping to be in the land of the Maple Leaf in July/August, with a few days in Toronto. If it's convenient for you guys, I 'd be happy to bring back the livery samples if they are ready - to save mailing them. (CJL)

Oooh Yes please, Chris, that would be fantastic.

Thank you

Was looking through the Yeadons N7 Book and found another GER Livery that Oxford could do which as the caption reads, ' The first of the 1921 batch was given the same painting as the two built-in 1915, and only these three carried GER. All were painted unlined grey and had a large brass numberplate'. 

Funny enough this is 1002 the loco being modeled by Oxford Rail.

The problem with the N7 toward the end of their service life was that train weights were increasing, and the more demanding turns had the boiler working pretty near its limit, so the crew really had to be on top of fire and water management. They were generally liked as machines, a comparison I have heard with the N2 from one of the Hatfield drivers was that while this class was 'a bit of a bruiser', the N7 was quietly competent.

 

As such the significantly larger boiler reserve of the L1 should have been a clear improvement, but while when working well it delivered on this promise, it proved to be 'fragile'. Too often shy steaming (especially in their earlier years) and it would rattle itself to pieces on faster turns; probably the greatest weakness a tendency for the side tanks to be 'worked' into leaking significantly, with the resulting streams of water finding their way into bearings. This class earned the name 'Concrete Mixer' from the mechanically unhappy harsh clonking sounds that they so often exhibited when running.

Ah, I did not know, that...Very interesting thank you

Any chances for the W1 I wonder?

Well actually yes, I am working on one, and have a blog here on RM Web about my build...In addition, I am building a Streamlined P2 2003 and am writing a blog about that as well.

As per the question, I have only 1 A4 Pacific now, being the Limited Edition Great Goodbye A4 4489 Dominion of Canada... I used to have two but 1 had to be used for creating a P2 & W1

Here is 4489 Dominion of Canada next to 4494 Osprey, visiting on my layout Mile End Park 

A little off topic, but LNER related all the same,

What are peoples thoughts if interested in the Oxford Rail RTR N7?

Thanks. I did see the picture, which certainly proves that Oxford can dress up a round-topped boiler sample. I would just like confirmation from Oxford that this is their intended production model.

I should think so, I can understand the initial confusion, I should think that this is the intended samples which will come out 2 Belpaire type N7's and a Round Topped N7. Thinking about it perhaps due to the previous comments on the thread in the early posts, Oxford may have changed which type of N7 they went for in terms of the BR liveried N7. In addition, there have been a few mistakes on their website which after a few weeks had been rectified, an example of which is the number that the BR N7 was going to get from E9621 to 69612. Just a few things I have noticed over the past few months. :-) 

After I posted that I realised I was talking manure and checked my pics from late last year. You got the quote in before the edit!

 

69621 is an awesome loco - it's such a shame it's not currently running. However - It's not popular as I understand it with those that used to drive and fire N7s in BR times as it's right hand drive and short travel valves.

Funny really I know an eX-Fireman (BR) now where I now volunteer. He loved the N7's, he said they were so simple to work on, he said when you got a good driver, the fireman would drive and the driver would check on the fire regularly. As they used to get to let's say Enfiled town, he would go to the coal stage fill the bunker with coal, the driver would fill the fire to the door, at this point the next loco either an N7 or L1 would take over...I know the N7's were smaller than the L1's but it seems to me that the L1 just couldn't replace the N7, I'd like to say because it was a good loco.