Ollie K

Nice quiet news week for Accurascale then..! Very much looking forward to seeing this. Thanks for all the updates.

The 'inside-out' combination lever / union link on the RHS of that particular example of TOF looks none too clever - hopefully just an isolated case.

I believe the revised headlight and grille treatment was added to at least some 91s pre the ‘911XX’ refurbs as a response to multiple incidences of front end damage caused by bird strikes. There are images knocking around online of scarred Intercity 91s looking a bit battered before receiving the ‘armoured’ nose plates.

With this mild revamp and the new 1928 corridor tender as tooled for the W1 there's future potential for Flying Scotsman in first non-stop run guise (and all the other non-stop A1s/A3s) plus - hopefully - 2750 Papyrus in 108mph record condition. I'd earmarked my A3 Firdaussi for renumbering and a tender swap to create that; will be interesting to see if Hornby does a version off the shelf in time.

When Hornby produced the 'Coronation' A4s the steel-plated numbers and lettering were simply printed onto the loco and tender. Likewise the stainless steel strip that ran along the bottom of the valances and the tender chassis (which didn't line up with the loco as a result). IMHO, Hornby would stick with printed characters on streamlined stock as a safer option, leaving more accomplished modellers to add their own etched letters. Fingers firmly crossed for some LNER 'flyers'...

Besides toning down the valve gear and removing the OHL flash warnings, what else would need to be done to Green Arrow as modelled here to depict it accurately in 1930s LNER working condition?

What I know about LMS tenders wouldn't fill the back of a postage stamp written in felt-tip pen, but in last year's Hornby Signal Box 2020 announcements video there was this image of a new-tool Coronation 6223 Princess Alice in wartime black, albeit with the streamlined tender rear. Probably just a rendering rather than a sample, but it never appeared in the 2020 catalogue, nor on shop shelves this year, so might be a quiet 2021 release... Interesting how much chatter there's been about LNER Silver Jubilee / Coronation / West Riding streamlined coach seats. That would be at the top of my wish list in block capitals, but I wonder if Hornby's need to make everything 2nd rad curves compatible hinders articulated, close-coupled coaches. It was done for the Eurostar decades ago I suppose. What a boxed set it'd be, complete with beavertail observation car. After the Coronation Scot full train tooling, fingers crossed.

Is it possible Hornby have designed the W1 with a removable section of the front streamlined shroud, so the smokebox door can be exposed? The CAD images show it in a different colour to the rest of the frontage - a different material, or separate component? The 'kit' images also show that smokebox cover plate isn't part of the main front moulding. And the assembled sample shows the plate to be a different colour to the surrounding surface. As the prototype was known to run in service with this cosmetic shroud removed (for easier servicing, one presumes) it'd be interesting if Hornby has considered that as an option. The spares department would be delighted I'm sure...

That sounds like just the effect I'm after. Since I've two door handle assemblies to fix, I'll perhaps try one of each.

Thanks, I'll see how I get on with an aluminium hue for this as I'm after that polished finish, and if all else fails, they'll be painted black!

A real novice question here I'm sure, but what colour of (brush-applied) paint would the forum recommend for OO brass smokebox door dart/handles, please? I've ordered a couple of Markits darts to fit to my damaged Hornby A3 and P2, and I'd like the result to match the silvery-grey 'polished' steel smokebox door straps, as per ex-works LNER tradition. Is Humbrol 27003 Polished Steel Metalcote a good bet, and would experienced folks recommend priming such a small component first? Thanks, Ollie

Well done Hattons, seeing the CAD as opposed to radio silence and the 'it'll be ready when it's ready' approach is refreshing. Duly pre-ordered a set of the LNERs and couldn't resist a couple of the GNR four-wheelers either.

I hope a thread resurrection from a year ago ago isn’t frowned upon. Back when this glorious model was in development I wasn’t in the financial position to even contemplate one, though living vicariously through RMweb was the next best thing. I missed the production run but kept an eye out on eBay ‘just in case’, and saved a little for a rainy day. The other week I was quick enough off the mark to snap up a non DCC-fitted, non-sound Single. It’s by far the most expensive item of model railway /anything/ I’ve ever bought, but represented a 20% saving on the original RRP. Still, it was a gamble to fork out for such a delicate model effectively unseen, given the seller’s pictures weren’t the best and the description was short. Happily, it’s arrived safe, sound, and almost perfect. One of the front safety chains was – predictably – detached, but found stuck to the polystyrene block in the packaging. I’d been forewarned by a Single owner at my local model railway club that these were a bugbear. Are the more substantial replacement chains still available? Most importantly, it’s a beautiful runner. No idea if it’s been run in previously, but so far so good on my modest layout. I enjoyed the tone of the instruction manual too – it feels like an accessory in its own right. Worth waiting for. The only blemish is the minuscule knob on the front left of the smokebox door has been snapped off and lost – of all the detail parts to break, that’s surely one of the trickier to damage… I think I’ll just live with it, rather than risk grafting on a spare at such an obvious focal point. It’s barely noticeable at anything other than hand-held, close-up viewing. Hope everyone is still enjoying their Singles. Threads like this preserve the anticipation, excitement and eventual satisfaction nicely. Cheers, Ollie

A couple of weeks before lockdown, I visited the NRM and as ever, had a good poke around Mallard. I'd assumed that given the frequency with which parts were changed and shared at every overhaul since 1938, little of the original loco survives, but up close was pleasantly surprised to see much of the motion clearly stamped '4468'.

The panning shots are fantastic Tony. For me, they best capture the poetry in motion that is an express steam locomotive: the whirling valve gear, blurred wheels and streaked background juxtaposed against the regal superstructure of the loco itself. And on photos of the real thing, the smoke too. The sense of speed frozen in time is wonderful; ideal for Little Bytham and its place in railway history. In my line of work getting road cars photographed, I can confirm that panning shots are always the most labour-intensive. And just as the snapper gets it sharp, central in frame and with the sun behind him, we'll inevitably get 'bowled' by someone coming the opposite way...

The continuity's all over the place, but here's said footage. Amazing what it's possible to dredge up on YouTube:

Well, if anyone needs a satisfying evening lockdown activity, I can heartily recommend starting the Grantham thread from scratch and reading through to the present day. That’s taken me about two weeks, and I’ve now a folder of useful ‘Grantham tips’ screenshots to refer back to on what’s surely one of the all-time great exhibition layouts. I’ve only managed to catch GTSY in ‘the flesh’ once, at the very end of the 2019 Spalding show – one of those typical best-laid-plans weekends which kept chipping away at my time, only leaving me with the tail end of Sunday spare. Managed to get a good half-hour’s viewing time in at Peascliffe tunnel and the turntable area, marvelling at the attention to detail. What a joy to see express trains at speed, while life potters on at a slower pace on shed. That same afternoon I made the acquaintance of Tony Wright and scored an invitation to visit Little Bytham. Not a bad last-minute visit, in the end! Hopefully there’ll be chances to enjoy it again soon. Thanks to everyone who’s contributed to such a rich thread, and the supremely evocative LNER heyday depiction. A tremendous inspiration. Now, who can direct me to page 1 of ‘Wright Writes’..?

Lots of W1 updates in this month's Hornby Engine Shed blog, but the A2 samples have understandably slipped back a month. https://www.Hornby.com/uk-en/news/the-engine-shed/east-coast-line-bumper-edition

A few take-aways from that very enjoyable update: So, the pre-rebuild W1 will indeed be single chimney. Phew! At last, a 1928-style non-streamlined corridor tender from Hornby. If only this was available to buy separately in LNER apple green - would be great for modelling the A1s and A3s between 1928 and 1935, like Papyrus on its 108.5mph record run. Interesting that they've got with a front coupling pocket after all. I agree that the livery looks too dark, but last month's TES update showed the artwork for the Coronation Scot coaches looking almost navy blue, so perhaps it's a known quirk of the art... Did the post-rebuild W1 really have a streamlined fairing to the top of the tender rear, around the water filler? I can't find a picture that clearly shows it. I was sure I'd read that by 1937 this was being cut away from the existing streamlined tenders as it made filling the water tank tricky, and may have even been a factor in an accident that inured a fireman. Happy to be corrected on that. Seem to remember because of the lack of tender tank fairing (plus extended front buffers and no recessed front coupling) the Hornby A4 Silver Link is only correct for a few months of the loco's life, when it had received said alterations but still carried its original livery, before a repaint into Garter Blue and fitment of cast nameplate. Good to have a bit more to get our teeth into. Great images of the 1:1 W1 in build all those years ago, too.

Keep your eyes peeled on 24th April. The latest WCML-focused edition of Hornby's Engine Shed blog says next's month's instalment will be a bumper LNER edition with updates on the W1, as well as the various Thompson Pacifics. Fingers crossed for good news!

Thanks all, most helpful. I've ordered a set of the MMPC83 transfers to be going on with, good to know about the HMRS ones for future projects though.

Hi all, Mick, I appreciate this was a heck of a long time ago, but do you recall where you found accurate transfers for the LNER horsebox? Or did you paint on the white lettering by hand? I've used the past few evenings of self-isolation to knock together my own. It's the first piece of rolling stock I've ever built, about time too. Pretty rough around the edges and the roof needs a second coat of paint then fixing down (once I've weighted the interior with some liquid gravity) but for a first attempt I'm oddly proud. Had plenty of help and tips from RMweb as per. Cheers, Ollie

Interesting reading re. the P2s and their wartime exploits, pre-rebuilding. Were they ever repainted into NE wartime black, or did they carry LNER green throughout the war / until rebuilding as A2/2s?

Echoes my thoughts exactly. Was disappointed but unsurprised to see the latest update from Cavalex, and still think they've done a fine job handling it. Considered ordering a Hornby 91 even though it's well out of by layout's period (and of course there's no equivalent rolling stock), but realised I was just as excited about the prospect of supporting the new start-up outfit as I was for the doubtless fine product that would have resulted. So, I'll remain a kettle-only chap. FWIW, my completely uninformed two penceworth re. the rolling stock is that, as per the Mk3s, Hornby will announce a newly tooled Mk4 DVT with lighting next year to bookend the loco, but let the elderly coaches tread water a while longer. Hope Cavalex goes from strength to strength in 2020 and beyond.

A very enjoyable afternoon at the Stevenage exhibition today, one of the highlights being meeting Cav and Alex, having a good poke around the impressive printed 91 body shell and discussing this duplication business that might have been brought up already. Whether or not you take a side in this model train SCANDAL, think the gents deserve huge credit for their professionalism (and sense of humour) as this continues to play out. And up until now, the updates on the project and general hands-on approach from Cavalex has been mighty refreshing, IMHO. I haven't even heard of Cavalex this time last year, whereas Hornby is the company responsible for getting me interested in model railways 20+ years ago, but I'm excited to honour my pre-order of Cavalex's GNER example, plus a few Mk4s and the DVTs in due course. It'll be an outstanding model. Pity it'll have to wait a while until it's got something better to run on than a 8x4 tail-chaser to do it justice!