Kernow MRC

Our latest Skrifa post is a quick guide to the DCC Decoders and Sounds Decoders that we have available including some of their applications and features. To read more click here https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/216/KRMC-Skrifa---DCC-Decoder-Guide

OP updated regarding visiting manufacturers.

We cordially invite you to join us in celebrating the 20th year of the business with a special Camborne store event on Friday 16th September, with some displays and all event special offers continuing through to Sunday 18th September. Several manufacturers will be attending in person including Bachmann, Dapol, Hornby and PECO whilst providing samples for display will be Heljan and Rapido Trains UK. The event will also include: several brand new KMRC Exclusive Editions product announcements in a variety of scales, a range of special offers available only to those that attend on the day and sneak previews of a few not yet announced forthcoming KMRC Exclusive releases. Visitors to the Friday event, in addition to the visiting manufacturers will be able to meet members of the Camborne branch team and the opportunity to speak with Chris Trerise, Managing Director and Graham Muspratt, Development Manager. Chris Trerise, Managing Director, said: “It is great to be celebrate our 20th anniversary in style with this Camborne event. We have come a long way since we opened the first Camborne shop in September 2002: having steadily grown the business; providing an efficient mail order service, producing a range of KMRC Exclusive edition models, and continued to expand further with the opening of our Guildford branch in 2019 followed by our dedicated mail order warehouse in 2021.” The Camborne store is located at: 98A Trelowarren Street, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 8AN and is open between 9.30am and 5pm. We look forward to seeing you there.

Product Focus - Ratio 00 Ratio Grand Junction building component kits In this Skrifa post we focus on the new Grand Junction LNWR Building component kits available from Ratio. https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/215/KRMC-Skrifa---Product-Focus---Ratio-Grand-Junction-LNWR-kits

The Kernow Model Rail Centre at the DEMU Showcase announce two Exclusive Bachmann 00 gauge Class 47s. 47 003 in BR Blue with Stratford grey roof livery and 47 363 "Billingham Enterprise" in BR Railfreight Red Stripe livery. The KMRC Exclusive class 47s are available in three formats, with standard DCC Ready versions, £239.95 with a Plux22 DCC decoder (The recommended decoder is Bachmann item No. 36-570). SOUND FITTED models, £339.95, are pre-fitted with a ESU Loksound V5 DCC Decoder, whilst the SOUND FITTED DELUXE format, £369.95, feature the new motorised fan system. In addition, the SOUND FITTED DELUXE specification includes windscreen glazing that has been treated with a specialist technique to replicate the tinting seen on the prototype. Full details here

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Our previously announced KMRC Exclusive Edition 45 110 'Medusa' now in production with Heljan. Our KMRC Exclusive Edition Heljan Class 45/1 45 110 Medusa, how she looked in the final years of the Class 45/1s in weathered BR blue with high intensity headlight and ‘unofficial’ Tinsley decoration, will also be available in October. The new Class 45s also enjoy the following features... • DCC Ready with 21-pin decoder interface • Extensive bogie and underframe detail, including optional inner end sandboxes • Fine etched boiler step and grille covers • ETH equipment on bufferbeams • Super-fine pipework and under-body detail • Fine etched metal wipers • Highly detailed and decorated cab interiors • Separately controlled cab lighting with magnetic 'wand' device suitable for DC and DCC use • Separately controlled LED tail lights • Directional LED headcode panel, marker light and HI headlights • Plenty of internal space for DCC sound and a speaker • Six-axle drive with 'floating' internal bogie units for smooth riding and heavy haulage power • Central 5-pole motor with flywheels • Sprung Buffers • NEM couplers KMRC Exclusive Edition 45500 Heljan Class 45/1 Diesel Locomotive Number 45 110 Medusa to pre-order click here>>>

The Kernow Model Rail Centre at the DEMU Showcase announce two Exclusive Bachmann 00 gauge Class 47s. 47 003 in BR Blue with Stratford grey roof livery and 47 363 "Billingham Enterprise" in BR Railfreight Red Stripe livery. Brush Type four, later Class 47 locomotive 47 003 was built at the Brush Falcon works and introduced as number D1523 on 12th June 1963. She was initially allocated to Finsbury Park depot. Under the TOPS numbering system, she was renumbered as 47 003 in January 1974. Spending her seven years working out of either Tinsley or Finsbury Park depots, she was first allocated to Stratford depot in February 1970 and would be a regular at the depot in the 1970s where she gained a grey/silver roof that was originally, and most notably, applied by Stratford MPD; but later also by Eastfield MPD on its 47/7's She briefly carried the unofficial name ‘Wild Swan’ from 29th November 1989 whilst allocated at Tinsley. Entering the ‘Railfreight’ Class 47 reserve fleet in December 1990 and following a period of storage, 47 003 was officially withdrawn in July 1991 and disposed of a year later. 47 363 was built at the Brush Falcon works and introduced as number D1882 on 2nd July 1965. She was initially allocated to Immingham depot. She was renumbered as 47 363 in the TOPS numbering system in February 1974. Whilst allocated to Thornaby depot 47 363 was named Billingham Enterprise, on December 6th 1985, at Darlington Station by Paul Marsden, Deputy Chairman of ICI Agriculture. From October 1990 47 363 was allocated to Tinsley Yard. She carried the name whilst in Railfreight grey with large logo and later from early 1987 with the distinctive red lower stripe, as per this Kernow Exclusive model, until the plates were removed in October 1991. After a brief spell renumbered as 47 385 between July 1994 and October 1995 she was finally withdrawn in November 2007 and cut up at C.F.Booth Rotherham in March 2010. The Kernow Model Rail Centre Exclusive highly detailed class 47 models in 00 Gauge are being produced for KMRC by Bachmann. The models are the all-new Bachmann class 47 tooling with diecast chassis block housing a five pole, twin shaft motor with two flywheels providing drive to all axles. Rotating radiator fans are driven by an independent motor and gearbox, operated via a DCC function. The body includes many separately applied metal detail parts, such as: grab handles, windscreen wipers, etched fan grilles and sprung metal buffers. Each model supplied with a full set of decorated, model-specific bufferbeam pipework and accessory parts. The KMRC Exclusive model features the following specific detail variations: Class 47 003 in Pristine BR Blue livery with Stratford Silver Roof, glazed Headcode Panels with dominos, one Part buffer beam Brackets denoting a Brush-built Machine, single Arm windscreen wipers, round buffers, full Cab roof vents, two louvre radiator grilles, ribbed exhaust panels, spanner boiler roof detail, 1,200 gallon fuel tanks, plated bogie-mounted cab steps, Stones speedo drive and a water tank filler. Class 47 363 in Pristine BR Railfreight Grey livery with ‘solebar’ red stripe, Sealed Beam Headcode Panel, One part buffer beam Brackets denoting a Brush-built Machine, single Arm windscreen wipers, round buffers, full Cab roof vents, two louvre radiator grilles., smooth exhaust panels, boiler roof detail – blank plate, without water tanks, plated bogie-mounted cab steps, Slow Speed speedo drive. The KMRC Exclusive class 47s are available in three formats, with standard DCC Ready versions, £239.95 with a Plux22 DCC decoder (The recommended decoder is Bachmann item No. 36-570). SOUND FITTED models, £339.95, are pre-fitted with a ESU Loksound V5 DCC Decoder, whilst the SOUND FITTED DELUXE format, £369.95, feature the new motorised fan system. In addition, the SOUND FITTED DELUXE specification includes windscreen glazing that has been treated with a specialist technique to replicate the tinting seen on the prototype. The versions available now are as below: · 35-411Z Bachmann Class 47/0 47 003 in BR Blue with ‘Stratford’ grey/silver roof. DCC Ready. · 35-411ZSF Bachmann Class 47/0 47 003 in BR Blue with ‘Stratford’ grey/silver roof. DCC SOUND FITTED. · 35-411ZSFX Bachmann Class 47/0 47 003 in BR Blue with ‘Stratford’ grey/silver roof. DCC SOUND FITTED DELUX. · 35-426Z Bachmann Class 47/3 Diesel Loco number 47 363 "Billingham Enterprise" in BR Railfreight Red Stripe livery. DCC Ready. · 35-426ZSF Bachmann Class 47/3 Diesel Loco number 47 363 "Billingham Enterprise" in BR Railfreight Red Stripe livery. DCC SOUND FITTED · 35-426ZSFX Bachmann Class 47/3 Diesel Loco number 47 363 "Billingham Enterprise" in BR Railfreight Red Stripe livery. DCC SOUND FITTED DELUX Graham Muspratt, Development Manager said: “The Diesel and Electric Modellers United (DEMU) Showcase exhibition was an ideal event to announce these two new KMRC Exclusive Edition models that are in stock and available now.” Graham continued: “The grey/silver roof was a classic ‘Stratford MPD’ embellishment and 47 003 could be seen widely across the network from Penzance, East Anglia to Glasgow, whilst 47 363 "Billingham Enterprise" was a very distinctive member of the class in the BR Railfreight large logo grey livery with its ‘solebar’ red stripe.”

We are looking forward to attending the DEMU Showcase this weekend. We will be announcing two new exclusive models and will have a number of show only special offers.

The Kernow Model Rail Centre has announced the release of an Exclusive commission from Bachmann Scenecraft in 00 of the ex Liskeard & Looe Railway (later GWR) Saxby & Farmer Type 12b signal box at Coombe Junction. Coombe Junction Signal Box was a Saxby & Farmer Type 12b box and was one of two supplied to the Liskeard & Looe Railway and opened in 1901. The independent Liskeard & Looe had their own platform at Liskeard station, situated at 90 degrees to the main line. The line fell away sharply turning through 180 degrees reaching Coombe Junction, where trains had to reverse to continue their journey to Looe. The box originally contained a 26 lever Saxby & Farmer Duplex frame, which was later replaced with a Great Western Railway frame of the same size in 1956. This signal box continued in use until modernisation finally caught up with it and the box was closed on 8th May 1981, the rationalised layout being controlled by two ground frames. The highly detailed Scenecraft model of the Coombe Junction signal box in 4mm scale is cast in resin, fully painted and has a removable roof to allow an interior to be fitted if required. Chris Trerise, Managing Director said: “The Coombe Junction signal box joins our growing range of Exclusive Scenecraft signal boxes and other buildings with a local connection to either of our branches” The exclusive to Kernow Model Rail Centre 44-187Z Bachmann Scenecraft Signal Box - Coombe Junction costs £74.95  and is available now.

The Kernow Model Rail Centre announce an Exclusive 0 Gauge 1902 RCH seven plank open wagon in the livery of Guildford brick and tile manufacturer “T. Mitchell”. Thomas Mitchell was originally the proprietor of a brick and gravel merchant, that by the early 1900s had become Thomas Mitchell and Sons, brick and tile manufacturers, with a large brick works at Guildford Park. By 1902 they had their own black with white lettered 10ton Private Owner wagon for the transportation of coal to the works. The Kernow Model Rail Centre Exclusive highly detailed model in 0 Gauge is being produced for KMRC by Dapol Ltd. The model is based on their RCH 1887 specification seven Plank open wagon and features a 9ft die-cast chassis with a compensation beam and fitted with open spoke wheels, the body is injection moulded with separately applied parts, sprung metal buffers and sprung coupling hooks with three link couplings. The Exclusive model K7072 Dapol 7 Plank Open Wagon number 1902 - T Mitchell Brick and Tile Manufacturer Guildford, is priced at £56.95 and is available now online and from both Kernow Model Rail Centre branches. Matthew Higgs, Guildford Branch Manager said: “I’m pleased that we are able to announce our Guildford T.Mitchell wagon. With the growth of 0 gauge recently this wagon was an obvious choice for an exclusive model with it being local to our shop in Guildford and should complement some of our future projects rather nicely.”

Product Focus - Ratio N Gauge Signalling In this Skrifa post we focus on signalling options for N gauge modellers available from Ratio. https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/211/KMCR-Skrifa---Product-Focus---Ratio-N-Gauge-Signalling

We apologise that an error in the description in some initial communications was made and confirm that the pack comprises of one powered and one unpowered (however both with directional lighting and or decoders or sound fitted where appropriate). We will accept return of the whole pack for a refund should any customers so wish.

We announce an Exclusive N Gauge Metropolitan-Vickers Type 2 Co-Bo Class 28 as D5702 in BR Green with small yellow warning panel with small radius corners. Rapido Trains UK have also added a 'What if' RTC livery version to their class 28 range. The ‘Co-Bos’ also known as ‘Metrovicks’ or ‘Crossleys’ were a class of 20 locomotives built in 1958/9 by Metropolitan Vickers. They incorporated several unusual features; the Crossley diesel engine was a two-stroke, and it had an unusual Co-B0 wheel arrangement of five driving axles (three at the No. 1 end and two at the No. 2 end). Wrap around windows were also fitted to the driver’s cabs. Originally, all 20 were allocated to the BR’s London Midland Region. However, the Crossley engines were problematic with regular failures and unacceptable levels of exhaust fumes. They also suffered from excess vibration that combined with poor design resulted in the drivers’ windows working loose. By 1961, the locomotives were returned to Metropolitan Vickers for remedial work, that included the change to flat cab windows. The class, although allocated Class 28, never carried a TOPS number, were withdrawn from service between 1967 and 1968, only one, D5705, has survived and is preserved at the East Lancashire Railway in Bury. The KMRC Exclusive No. D5702 was immortalised by the Rev W Awdry in his 1966 Thomas the Tank Engine series book No.21 “Main line Engines” as “BoCo” and made further appearances in later books by Christopher Awdry such as book 28 “James and Diesel Engines” and book 31 “Gordon the High-Speed Engine”. The Kernow Model Rail Centre Exclusive highly detailed model in N Gauge is being produced for KMRC by Rapido Trains UK. The model based on their post 1961 flat screen condition with a wealth of separately fitted parts and details such as handrails and headcode discs in either open or closed position and also features directional lighting. DCC decoder fitting is via a Next18 dcc socket or a DCC Sound Fitted version is also available. The livery is BR Green with small yellow warning panel with small radius corners. The Exclusive model is priced at £119.95 for DCC ready and £215.95 for DCC sound fitted versions and both are available to pre-order with delivery expected Q4 2022. 905009 Rapido Class 28 D5702 BR Green With Small Yellow Panel 905509 Rapido Class 28 D5702 BR Green With Small Yellow Panel DCC Sound fitted Graham Muspratt, Development Manager said: “Adding to our growing range of N gauge KMRC Exclusives this time in partnership with Rapido Trains UK we are filling the gap in the range with D5702, and with its Rev W Awdry connection, we hope will be a popular choice.”

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The Kernow Model Rail Centre announce an Exclusive N Gauge Class 08 as 08 645 distinctive ‘Kernow flag livery and named ‘St. Piran’. Class 08 D3812 was built at Horwich Works and introduced on 13 February 1959 and allocated to Newport Pill locomotive depot. Air brakes were fitted to D3812 in October 1971 and in March 1974 she was renumbered as 08 645. She remained allocated to depots in Wales until the closure of Landore in December 2018 when she was transferred to GWR's Long Rock Maintenance Depot. At a public open day held to raise money for the Penlee Lifeboat Station and the RNLI, on 13th April 2019, 08 645 was unveiled in the black and with white cross of the Kernow flag and named 'St. Piran', after the patron saint of Kernow/Cornwall. The Kernow Model Rail Centre Exclusive highly detailed model in N Gauge is being produced for KMRC by Graham Farish. The model is the latest upgraded chassis design with powerful coreless motor and easy decoder fitting via a Next18 dcc socket and factory fitted speaker or a DCC Sound Fitted version is also available. The highly detailed body shell incorporating many separate components include handrails, electric lamps and lamp irons, finished in the distinctive ‘Kernow flag of ‘St. Piran’ livery. The Exclusive model is priced at £144.95 for DCC ready and £244.95 for DCC sound fitted versions and both are available to order now. 371-015Z Graham Farish Class 08 Diesel Shunter 08 645 St Piran 371-015ZSF Graham Farish Class 08 Diesel Shunter 08 645 St Piran DCC Sound fitted Chris Trerise, Managing Director, said: “With the announcement by Graham Farish of their updated Class 08 it was a natural and logical choice for 08 645 in her Kernow livery to be an Exclusive for the Kernow Model Rail Centre, in both DCC ready and DCC sound fitted options.”

*This Friday* A reminder that the first of several events to celebrate the 20th year of the business, with our first also marking the 3rd anniversary of the opening of our Guildford Branch with a special in store event is this Friday 29th April. See OP for full details.

Many of the KMRC team are experienced railway modellers in a wide range of gauges, eras and control systems. This is the first of a series of future Skrifa posts to highlight some of the layouts built by our team members, in this case Mike's Kinlochlaggen N Gauge layout. Read more here

The Kernow Model Rail Centre are holding the first of several events to celebrate the 20th year of the business; the first is also marking the 3rd anniversary of the opening of their Guildford Branch with a special in store event on Friday 29th April. The Guildford branch opened on 1st May 2019 and was chosen as a location as being familiar to KMRC, following the then regular exhibition attendances in the area, and noting there was a lack of any dedicated model shops to be found in the locality. The event at the Guildford store on Friday 29th April will include: a brand new Exclusive product announcement, a range of special offers available only to those that attend on the day and sneak previews of a number of not yet announced forthcoming releases. Visitors will be able to meet the members of the Guildford branch team and also the opportunity to speak with Chris Trerise, Managing Director and Graham Muspratt, Development Manager. Our team member Simon Paley will also be on hand to sign copies of his book: Colour Light Signalling for Model Railways. Chris Trerise, Managing Director, said: “As the Kernow Model Rail Centre enters its 20th year of business we felt it would be good to start our celebrations with this event at the Guildford branch that also marks the anniversary of the first expansion of the business that has since expanded even further with the opening of our dedicated mail order warehouse in 2021.” Chris also added: “We will be having further events and special offers throughout the year to mark our 20th year milestone, so keep an eye on our website and social media channels to find out more.” The Guildford store is located at: 75b Stoke Road, Guildford, GU1 4HT and is open between 9.30am and 5pm.

Apologies, our last post has been updated to include the missing paragraph regarding the next steps and schedule.

Project update – 29th March 2022 Since our last project update work has been continuing behind the scenes to fully test and evaluate the 1st Engineering Prototypes (EPs) and compile the livery artwork from research and continued, grateful assistance, from the Great Western Society Steam Railmotor project team. Following the testing and evaluation of the EPs we have been working with the factory to undertake some tooling adjustments to make some minor aesthetic, running, and manufacturing changes along with improvements to the lighting. Running is very quiet and powerful and far out performs what the full-size prototype could achieve. For those operating on DCC the specification has also been upgraded to include a Plux22 socket as standard. The complex livery artwork, as shewn below, has been completed and approved. Externally, the artwork includes all the intricate panel lining, motifs, supporting logos, solebar lettering and power bogie number plates where appropriate and relevant for each livery. Internally, the seat colours will be relevant to those used depending on the time period; drivers controls in each cab along with the boiler, the copper / lagged pipework, and pressure gauge will be faithfully coloured / printed. The individual model artwork can be seen on each versions product page, click here for links to each version. The artwork also includes the additional destination boards that will be included with each specific version, approximately based on their allocation appropriate to the livery period. With the livery artwork now approved we anticipate receiving by the end of May (subject to any further Covid related restrictions within China) decorated samples of each livery to evaluate, and along with checking the minor tooling amendments, hopefully approve. Only once we are able to fully approve the decorated samples and tooling revisions will we be in a position to confirm the production schedule.

An announcement about an announcement... as we know you like them... Check out the KMRC social media and website tomorrow (Saturday) morning as we are announcing a new Exclusive N Gauge model at the London Festival of Modelling. The model will be available to purchase at the show, online and in our shops from tomorrow!

We have been nominated for our IZA Cargowaggons in the 00 Wagon category, the 00 gauge manufacturer and the overall manufacturer of the year awards. To make your vote count click here https://tinyurl.com/2p8kk2uk The poll is open until 14th March For more details on the IZA Cargowaggon click here https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/162/KMRC-Wagon---IZA-Cargowaggon

We have been nominated for our LSWR Road Vans in the 00 Wagon category, the 00 gauge manufacturer and the overall manufacturer of the year awards. To make your vote count click here https://tinyurl.com/2p8kk2uk The poll is open until 14th March For more details on the models see below LSWR Road Van https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg-148-LSWR-Road-Van

KMRC announce an Exclusive, Class 90 “Frachtverbindungen" number 90129 in the distinctive DB Red livery complete with its eye catching white and yellow cab fronts, and will be available for delivery this month. In 1991 Twenty-five of the original fifty locomotives were dedicated for freight traffic; they were reclassified Class 90/1 and renumbered 90126-150 by the addition of 100 to the original number, with a 26th (90125) converted in 1993. The modifications included lowering the maximum speed to 75 mph (121 km/h), isolating the electric train supply by removing the ETH jumper cables and, later, by removing the drop-head buckeye and associated rubbing plate. The Freight Connection 92 Exhibition, September 1992, hosted in Birmingham was to build interest in the rail haulage option between the UK and mainland Europe in preparation for the opening of the channel Tunnel. As part of the exhibition, three Class 90s were repainted into DB, SNCB and SNCF liveries to draw attention to the seamless European rail network the Channel Tunnel would connect BR services with. These three Class 90s were repainted at Crewe Depot and were named in the language of a European partner nation and painted in that country's state railway colours. Four Class 90s were named to commemorate the Freight Connection 92 event: 90 022 was named "Freightconnection" and painted in the British Railfreight Distribution livery. 90 128 was named "Vrachtverbinding" and painted in the Belgian SNCB livery. 90 129 was named "Frachtverbindungen" and painted in DB Deutsche Bahn AG German Railways livery. 90 130 was named "Fretconnection" and painted in the French SNCF Sybic livery. The Kernow Model Rail Centre Exclusive highly detailed model in 00 Gauge of 90 129 is being produced for KMRC by Bachmann and is supplied with etched nameplates and a numbered certificate of authenticity. The model has die-cast chassis block with a five pole, twin shaft motor with two flywheels providing drive to axles on both bogies. Features also include a metal posable or DCC-operated metal pantograph, an easy-access DCC decoder socket, sprung buffers correctly with original round with flat sides at end A and modern Heavy type at end B, original style slatted grill, TDM cables mounted at buffer sides, large battery charger, battery boxes and switch with hinged access panels that are ribbed, full-depth cab interiors and switchable day or night lighting modes. A close coupling mechanism is fitted at each end, each of which is fitted with coupling pockets to NEM362 standards. DCC ready versions are equipped with a 21pin socket and the recommended decoder is the Bachmann specific class 90 decoder number 36-569A that is configured to operate the servo motor operated pantograph. SOUND FITTED versions feature an ESU Loksound V5DCC Sound Decoder with Sound files produced specifically for the Bachmann Branchline Class 90 using recordings from real locomotives. SOUND FITTED models operate on DCC and Analogue control as supplied. The Exclusive model available now is priced at £229.95 for DCC ready and £329.95 for DCC Sound Fitted versions. 32-612Z Bachmann KMRC Exclusive Class 90/1 Electric 90 129 Frachtverbindungen DCC ready £229.95 32-612ZASF Bachmann KMRC Exclusive Class 90/1 Electric 90 129 Frachtverbindungen32-612Z DCC Sound Fitted £329.95 Graham Muspratt, Development Manager, said: “The Class 90 number 90 129 in its striking DB red livery with its distinctive white and yellow cab fronts for the impressive Bachmann model was an easy choice for us to add to growing stable of Exclusive Limited Editions and we are sure it will prove very popular in both DCC ready, and Sound fitted versions.”