Kernow MRC

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.”

Nadelik Lowen ha Blydhen Nowdh Da! Thanks to all our customers for their support over the last 12 months. We are very grateful for the messages and cards, and in particular the chocolates! As our regulars will know, we do not send Christmas Cards but instead make a donation to one of our charities. This year it is the Bass Point National Coastwatch Institution, where our MD is a Senior Watchkeeper. To give our team a break, there will be no newsletter or social media posts until Friday 7th January. Our stores and website are, of course, open as normal! https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/155/Christmas-Opening-Hours

The Kernow Model Rail Centre have announced that a third production batch of their popular, previously sold out, KMRC Exclusive YCV Turbot Bogie Ballast Wagons are available now with all new numbers in weathered ‘Dutch’ livery. British Rail found itself with a large fleet of young but under-used Bogie Bolster E wagons in the 1970s, 1200 of the type having been built in 1961 and 1962 but proving too short to be useful for steel traffic. As the engineers’ fleet at the time was varied and elderly, it was decided to rebuild some of these Bogie Bolsters as ballast wagons. A low-sided body was constructed, the sides being fabricated with three drop-side doors. The fixed ends had an angled plate fitted on top to prevent loads from spilling on to the draw-gear. Livery was civil engineers grey, with the top third of the sides in yellow. The type was coded YCV and titled Turbot, continuing the tradition of naming engineers’ wagons after fish. Turbots could be seen either singly or in rakes in most parts of the country throughout the 1980s. By the 1990s, the vehicle's age and the availability of more modern replacements triggered the start of withdrawals This third KMRC exclusive production run compromises of four versions, in weathered Dutch livery, as follows and are available now: SB006O YCV Turbot Bogie Ballast Wagon Number DB978022 SB006P YCV Turbot Bogie Ballast Wagon Number DB978052 SB006Q YCV Turbot Bogie Ballast Wagon Number DB978067 SB006R YCV Turbot Bogie Ballast Wagon Number DB978102 Graham Muspratt, Development Manager, advised: “Our previous two production batches of the YCV Turbot Bogie Ballast Wagons have been sold out for a while, with the ‘Dutch’ liveried weathered versions being extremely popular, so this new batch with new running numbers we hope will be as equally popular.” More information can be found on our dedicated webpage here https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/161/KMRC-Wagon---YCV-Turbot

Nadelik Lowen!, Christmas is coming... A model railway is the Christmas ideal gift. It is the start in a hobby that can grow with you and you will never be short of ideas for presents in the future! It is easy to get confused when starting out. What gauge should you select? Should you choose digital or analogue? Steam or Diesel? Which manufacturer? This Christmas Skrifa post provides help with those questions and give a few gift ideas. https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/107/KMRC-Skrifa---Christmas-Page

Our stunning Exclusive Heljan 0 Gauge Class 60 Diesel Locomotive number 60 040 "The Territorial Army Centenary" in DB Schenker maroon livery is in stock now. Order yours here https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/69467/6014-Heljan-Class-60-Diesel-Locomotive-60-040-Territorial-Army

Our stunning Exclusive Heljan 0 Gauge Class 60 Diesel Locomotive number 60 040 "The Territorial Army Centenary" in DB Schenker maroon livery is in stock now. Order yours here https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/69467/6014-Heljan-Class-60-Diesel-Locomotive-60-040-Territorial-Army

Our latest Skrifa post continues the series exploring 3rd and 4th Rail Electrification Systems and how to model them; by our very own Guildford team member and Network Rail Signalling Designer Simon Paley. In this final part 3 in the series he discusses the conductor rail accessories and other relevant lineside details. Click here to read

KMRC announce Exclusive Accurascale 00 gauge Class 92 in Stobart Rail livery as 92017 ‘Bart the Engine’ See here for details https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/n/120/Kernow-Model-Rail-Centre--announce-Exclusive-Accurascale-00-gauge-Class-92-in-Stobart-Rail-livery-as-92017-‘Bart-the-Engine’

The Kernow Model Rail Centre announce an Exclusive 00 Gauge Class 92 “Bart the Engine” number 92017 in the distinctive Stobart Rail livery available to pre-order. On the 27th October 2009 Class 92 locomotive 92017, formally named “Shakespeare” was outshopped in to Stobart Rail blue and white livery and named “Bart the Engine”. It is operated by Direct Rail Services and based at Crewe International Electric T&RSMND. The Kernow Model Rail Centre Exclusive highly detailed model in 00 Gauge is being produced for KMRC by Accurascale. The model runs on a heavy die-cast metal chassis with all-wheel drive and electrical pick up; and features dual motorised pantographs, a wealth of detail including sprung buffers, separately applied etched metal and plastic detail parts, including grab handles, steps, wipers and nameplates. Lighting includes directional lighting in both DC and DCC modes, lighting clusters with appropriate day and night-time modes, red and white marker lights and separately switched cab lighting and illuminated details driver’s console with auto off on movement. Provision for sound and DCC is via a 21Pin MTX Socket. The Exclusive model is priced at £189.99 for DCC ready https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/70691/K2692-Accurascale-Class-92-Electric-Locomotive-92-017-Stobart and £289.99 for DCC Sound Fitted versions https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/70692/K2692SF-Accurascale-Class-92-Electric-Locomotive-92-017 The models will be available in Quarter 3 2022. Graham Muspratt, Development Manager, said: “Having already produced ‘Bart the Engine” as a KMRC Exclusive N gauge model earlier this year, it was a logical step to work with Accurascale to bring this distinctive livery to 00 gauge via their all new high specification model.”

Kernow Model Rail Centre has another ‘Brush’ in 0 Gauge with its Exclusive Class 60 number 60040 in DB Schenker maroon as ‘The Territorial Army Centenary’. Locomotive 60040 was built by Brush Traction for British Rail in February 1992, and one of the 100 members of the class. The entire Class 60 fleet became the property of English Welsh & Scottish (EWS) following the privatisation of British Rail during the mid-1990s. In November 2010, EWS's successor, DB Schenker, announced that a portion of the fleet would be overhauled, referring to such units as Super 60s and extending their service life through to around 2025. 60040 operates from Toton TMD in Nottinghamshire, she was originally named ‘Brecon Beacons’ between February 1992 and July 1996. After gaining the DB Schenker maroon livery she was named ‘The Territorial Army Centenary” along with a Union flag motif in June 2008 and was unveiled at the National Railway Museum, it is this condition that the KMRC Exclusive model represents. The model has been produced by Heljan exclusively for KRMC and correctly represents 60040 in her DB Schenker maroon livery and branding. Also supplied with the model are a set of etched ‘The Territorial Army Centenary’ nameplates. The Exclusive model is available to pre-order at £649.00 and should be available before the end of this year, click here to pre-order. Chris Trerise, Managing Director, said: “We are pleased to announce our second 0 Gauge Exclusive model, following on from our previously announced ‘Brush’ type 4 Class 47 D1670 Mammoth’, Class 60 number 60040 keeps with the ‘Brush’ theme, and celebrates the centenary of the Territorial Army whilst looking striking in its iconic DB Schenker livery.”

The statement from Dapol below unfortunately also affects our Class 50 GBRf Packs and we have already emailed customers whom have pre-ordered directly about this.

Heljan A/S have released an Autumn update, read all the latest news in our Skrifa post here https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/205/KMRC-Skrifa---Heljan-News-Update---Autumn-2021

Our latest Skrifa post introduces the the Woodland Scenics Utility Range to enable you to easily model electricity and telegraph poles and wires. https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/208/KMRC-Skrifa---Woodland-Scenics-Utility-System

Our latest Skrifa post continues the series exploring 3rd and 4th Rail Electrification Systems and how to model them; by our very own Guildford team member and Network Rail Signalling Designer Simon Paley (aka @St. Simon ) Check out Part 2 - a step by step guide how to install 3rd and 4th rail on your layouts. https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/203/KMRC-Skrifa---3rd-and-4th-Rail-Systems---Part-2---Modelling-Guide

To coincide with the PECO Model Railways Individulay parts being back in stock our latest Skrifa post is the first part of a series exploring 3rd and 4th Rail Electrification Systems and how to model them; by our very own Guildford team member and Network Rail Signalling Designer Simon Paley (aka @St. Simon ) . Check out Part 1 - The Background & Design here https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/202/KMRC-Skrifa---3rd-and-4th-Rail-Systems---Part-1---The-Background-and-Design

Check out our latest Skrifa post completing the series of posts about SR Engine Headsignals, this time those used on the Isle of Wight, and therefore suitable for use with our Adams O2 0-4-4 tanks, now also released under the EFE Rail brand. https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/199/KMRC-Skrifa---IoW-Engine-Headsignals

Check out our latest Skrifa post completing the series of posts about SR Engine Headsignals, this time those used on the Isle of Wight, and therefore suitable for use with our Adams O2 0-4-4 tanks, now also released under the EFE Rail brand. https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/199/KMRC-Skrifa---IoW-Engine-Headsignals

For those who would like to see a brief video of the valve gear in action see below

Following receipt of the 1st Engineering Prototypes We have updated the dedicated project page for the GWR Steam Railmotor here https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/144/GWR-Steam-Railmotor We are still in the process of fully evaluating and testing these prototypes, as is the often the case with such a development process we are aware of a few areas that require some attention from the translation of the CADs to tooling (although beware of comparisons between images taken from different angles, perspectives, focal lengths and decoration). Further updates will be made available in due course as the process continues.

LSWR Road Van Update - we are still sending pre-orders out, we have around 400 orders to go. Most of these orders have been placed since April 2021. If we can maintain our current rate of progress we should get through these by early next week. If your order was placed before April 2021 don't panic, there are many still in transit with Royal Mail so please wait until the end of July before contacting us about this!

Following the arrival of our lovey Exclusive ex LSWR/SR Road Van models and our recent Skrifa posts regarding SR locomotive headsignals and other company steam / diesel headcodes, this Skrifa post takes a look at the requirement for tail / side lamps on brake vans etc. to denote the rear of the train. https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/206/KMRC-Skrifa-–-SR-Steam-Tail-Lamps-and-Brake-Van-Lamps The full index can be found here https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/182/KMRC-Skrifa---Blog-index