1E BoY

Advert from the November 1953 Model Railway News confirming the launch of the 3 rail Formo range.

The first Graham Farish OO models appeared in 1949 and Farish were the first British company to produce two rail locomotives and track. Rovex (later Tri-ang Railways) were not far behind. The Graham Farish company began operations in 1919 producing radio components for Marconi and others. The company later produced a wide range of electrical products including electric fires with diecast feet. During the war the company produced items for the war department and snap lid closures for glass jars which enabled fruit to be preserved at a time when food was in short supply. Post war the company produced many items including garden lighting, pumps for garden fish ponds and full size boats. The company was originally based in Masons Hill, Bromley but after their premises were compulsory purchased, the moved to a former Army premises in Holton Heath on the outskirts of Poole, Dorset. With its expertise in die-casting (machines used for war work) and electronics, it is not surprising that the Graham Farish company diversified into post-war model railways. The main supplier Meccano with its Hornby Dublo range was struggling to meet the demands of both retailers and their customers. The first locomotive was the GP5 (General Purpose 5) which was in fact a model of the LMS Black 5 (2 rail). A range of die-cast wagons was also produced. Early coaching stock was produced in acetate plastic and items such as the Pullman cars were subject over time to distortion (as were early acetate produced Rovex / Tri-ang and Trackmaster items). There were three distinctive periods of Graham Farish OO production. 1949 until 1953, the 1960s when just two locomotives were produced (GWR 94xx and GWR 51xx) and the 1970s when the range changed to plastic rolling stock and chassis, with an upgraded 94xx. These survived until 1981, Amongst the last few wagons produced were commissions including vans for the Beatties chain of model shops. With the emergence of Mainline and Airfix/GMR in the late 1970s long with the products of Hornby and Wrenn etc., Graham Farish considered the OO market place to be overcrowded and dropped its OO range to concentrate on N scale. Farish also produced the first flexible track using fibre sleepers. When the first models appeared, the vast majority of models were produced by both Meccano (Hornby Dublo) and Trix (Trix Twin) which ran of three rail track. The Formo set was produced in 1953 for three rail operation. The locomotive was a SR Q Class locomotive although I have only ever seen one briefly. If I recall correctly it had Q1 type wheels. Graham Farish began producing N scale models in 1970 and following the withdrawal of Minitrix and Wrenn/Lima products for a period only PECO and Graham Farish supplied the British ready to run market. Graham Farish (also branded GRAFAR for a period) were the only manufacturer of RTR N scale locomotives for a period until Dapol and more recent suppliers such as Revolution entered the market. The company was sold to Bachmann Europe Plc in 2000 and continues as the company's N gauge brand.

A reminder that the HRCA's 55th Anniversary Exhibition is open to non members on Sunday 7th April (1000 - 1600). Please note that the £5 admission fee for non-members is payable only in cash on the door. The HRCA looks forward to meeting both members and non-members at Newark Showground.

HRCA to celebrate 55th anniversary by opening its doors to non-members in Newark The Hornby Railway Collectors Association (HRCA) was formed in 1969 and in 2024, celebrates its 55th Anniversary. They will be hosting a special exhibition which will be open to non-members on Sunday 7th April 2024. HRCA events are normally members only but an exception has been made for this event. The world-famous former Meccano factory in Binns Road, Liverpool, produced Hornby O Gauge, Hornby Dublo, Dinky Toys and associated ranges including Meccano itself. Whilst the name Hornby is still very much part of the current model railway scene, today’s models are far removed from those that were built in the Liverpool factory up until 1964 when production ceased. Meccano products were well engineered ensuring their long-time survival. Hornby Trains and the later Hornby Dublo products were sold in most corners of the world and were sold not only by specialist model shops but in toy shops, newsagents, bike shops and even chemists! The 55th anniversary exhibition is being held at the Lady Eastwood Hall at Newark Showground, Lincoln Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 2NY and will include some 22 operating layouts plus 12 displays and extensive trade support for those who wish to expand their own collections or start their own model railway journey. The HRCA has around 2,400 members who receive ten copies of the HRCA Journal each year and have access to a wide range of supporting services. For operators of this much-loved range, the HRCA which was formed in 1969 has ensured that the trains have kept running and have been gaining in popularity with regular appearances at model railway club exhibitions throughout the world. HRCA members can join local groups which meet in halls to provide running facilities for members to operate their trains at regular intervals Sunday admission charges will be £5 (cash only with accompanied children free). The exhibition will be open from 1000 until 1600. Further information about the HRCA can be found on their website www.hrca.net

There are also a considerable number of track panels dumped in vegetation on the south side between Bedford St. Johns and Kempston Hardwick. A lot of lineside clearance is going to be needed before anyone makes any kind of start on the Bletchley to Bedford section. Viewed from the 1546 x Bedford on 21st March.

Confirmed list of Traders attending Milton Keynes MRS Exhibition In alphabetical order AGR Model Railway Store Bachmann Collectors Club Buggleskelly Station C&L Finescale Checkrail Cheltenham Model Centre DCC Concepts Elaine’s Trains Ian’s Trains Keith’s Model Railways P&D Marsh Saddletank Books Starlight Models Transport Treasury Publishing Layouts etc. to follow in due course.

On Wednesday (13th March) I took a round robin trip from Bletchley to London and back out to Bedford. I caught the 1547 from Bedford to Bletchley Class 150 (150139) so as to travel the line, which I had not done for a couple of years. I took particular notice of the level crossing situation and noticed that at most there were traffic queues, the nearer we got to Bletchley the longer the queue (notably at Woburn Sands and Bow Brickhill). As I was waiting for the 1105 to Harrow & Wealdstone, this car train was waiting to leave the branch which was awaiting the road on to the main line. I can only imagine the traffic queues at the level crossings when this passed through. It was observed entering the sidings at Wembley an hour later. Another thing that I noticed on the north side of the line was the vast amount of discarded track panels. Most of them had trees growing out of them. Whoever gets the job of upgrading the Bletchley to Bedford route is going to have to do some track recovery before they do anything else!

Email from Rails explains that they have acquired the Hatton's name For further information see Hatton's thread in the Products & Trade area.

I have been advised that for non-members visiting the Sunday exhibition on 7th April at Newark Showground, the £5 admission fee needs to be paid in cash. The HRCA does not yet have access to a card machine to accept non cash payments.

Copy of exhibition poster added

Milton Keynes Model Railway Society is holding its annual exhibition on Saturday 8th June at The Ridgeway Centre, Wolverton Mill between 1000 and 1630. Visitors will be able to see 20+ operating layouts ranging from both within the club and from outside clubs and individuals. These will be seen alongside a variety of trade stands, demonstrations, preservation societies and local railway groups displays. The Bachmann Collectors Club will also be attending and will display some of the models under development. Club members have been working on new exhibits for the show including the club’s O gauge layout Frimingham, which will be making its exhibition debut. The layout represents a heritage railway with a mainline connection and has taken some five years to construct. Club Chairman Tim Byrne said “we have once again brought together a selection of layouts which feature all the popular scales. Together with good trade support we look forward to welcoming visitors to an event showcasing our great hobby”. Admission to the exhibition costs £6 for adults, children aged 5 to 16 £2, whilst children under 5 are free. Refreshments will be available with free parking in the area. The Ridgeway Centre is located on Featherstone Road, Wolverton Mill, Milton Keynes MK12 5TH. There is free parking and refreshments will be available. Further details of the club can be found at www.mkmrs.org.uk

Ramsay's Model Railway Catalogues compiled by Pat Hammond are a good starting point. They have a comprehensive listing of the OO Graham Farish ready to run models up until the end of production in 1981.

Virgin Trains ownership = Virgin Group 51% - Stagecoach 49%

I have just realised that in one form or another, I have been an exhibitor at every Warley since 1998, when I was one of the Milton Keynes MRS operating team on Mandlebury, the clubs then N scale exhibition layout. I remember Graham Farish were there (before the take over by Bachmann) and Peter Graham-Farish dishing out cards for us to put our future wish list on. Our operating team included two Virgin train drivers who made it very clear what should be put on them. I had little idea then that I would be in the hall a year later helping launch Virgin Trains liveried models from the Farish stand alongside our MD, Chris Green. Chris opened the show that year (1999) and the following year we were exhibiting in our own right with a rather large model train (see my previous post). From receipt of request to reproduce the livery on Farish models landing on the MDs desk to launch of products (sold in the hall by Farish dealers on the day) took less that six months! I got to know Peter and his team very well over the next few months taking drawings and samples back and forth to their Holton Heath factory. It later resulted in a Class 47 (47747) carrying the Graham Farish name. Having been involved in various club shows (and one large one at Cannon Street in 1986) I know how much work goes into each one. To have hosted 30 shows at the venue, without a commercial operation to oversee it, is a massive achievement and one which demands nothing but total admiration to all the volunteers over the years that pitched in to make it happen. My thanks to Paul, Alf and the rest of the Warley team for providing what was a great showcase for our hobby. I wish Warley MRC all the best in the future.