Dick Turpin

I think the fact that it was a beast built to do a specific job requiring plenty of adhesion makes it look so powerful, in that getting as much power onto the track north of Edinburgh with huge loads in adverse conditions a pressing issue at the time. Either way this looks a super model. I really feel for those who have absolutely no need for one, weak resistance levels and a little too much money.

It wouldn't surprise me if Bachmann aren't already working on a NRM special release for the Great Northern version. Whatever happens it's great news all round I think.

If this is true then it is indeed very good news. As you say just what is needed to ring the changes among Eastern related stock. Proper wallet opening fodder all round.

Post-war ones maybe...

Thanks BV - that was the best laugh I've had all week! Please accept my sympathies in trying to get anything sorted out for RTR production.

In my opinion the original design with Great Northern cab and tender would lift the model into another category as far originality and asthetics are concerned, making it one that stands out from rather than blends in with other models on offer. Not only that, but the BR (E) people would also still want one for exactly the same reason, as well as us pre war LNER modellers getting something sorely desired. Also, like 34C says above, that GN tender would open so many other opportunities like C1 & 2 Atlantics, J6, K2 etc. Here's hoping.

A bit like when the outbreak of hostilities ended the plan to preserve NBR Atlantic 9875 Midlothian for example. It so nearly made it too, being put back into traffic after withdrawal in preparation. Such a shame.

Cheers for that. I remember reading that one about 30 years ago, though it's not a title I still have. I recall references to the 4-6-0 from a few other authors too.

I read somewhere that Gresley had plans for a larger 4-6-0 as a contingency against the new V2 not measuring up. I bet it was never more than a basic outline but would love to know more.

I would have thought that a limited edition tied in with the A1 Steam Trust's project (when it goes ahead) could be any in livery at all, with the BR ones quite likely.

Maybe to a small extent, but the eye is immediately drawn to the eight coupling wheels and amazement usually results. Once the original P2 has been done (to a very high standard and sold in numbers beyond expectation) a second phase of production featuring the Bugatti nose will repeat the already high sales of phase one. This will have course demonstrated the viability of pre-nationalisation prototypes by then so Hornby will have already have revealed it's plan to follow on with the production of large Great Northern atlantics.

They may well look very nice I agree, but as you go on to say most of the pictures you have seen of the 1920s - early 1930s show a mix of types including clerestories (and definitely no Hawksworths). Ideally for this period, as on other lines, we need that classic mix and don't match look of many dissimilar types. I am not a Great Western modeller but would welcome a few key 1920s/1930s coach types for easy modelling options, as mentioned earlier. Proper Great Western modellers might want to spend time building the most appropriate coaches but I really don't have time.

...in the eye of the beholder my son...

This star is going to prove quite tempting; there's nothing to stir the blood quite the sight of a star on a mid to late 1920s express. They were such iconic locos from the early 20th century I might just have to get one. Problem is the one I'd want is Lode Star which is a limited edition and priced accordingly. It maybe best to say 'to hell with it' and get one ordered. It's not like the money isn't going to a good cause though but I do prefer to get a bargain. Another problem would be the lack of appropriate coaching stock for it. I really can't believe that toplights or similar (I'm no expert here) haven't been introduced yet considering that they represent the sort of gap in the market that must be visible from space! I could do with a decent train of Great Western vehicles in any case to represent the Barry to Newcastle on my LNER layout.

No, let's all hope it won't. We don't want this to end up being dubbed "Cock-up o' the North"! Just the one livery I'm afraid. Still, when the finished full sized replica materialises, the A1 trust can experiment a bit, experimental blue might have suited it.

Well Hornby has decided to do what so many have long said would be unlikely and produce a P2 – 2001 Cock o’ the North no less. Not only that but in two detail and price ranges though I realize some areas of this have proven controversial. However, it would be a rare LNER enthusiast that said he wasn’t excited by the news, and I personally feel very positive about the news and what it means for the future of modelling the LNER in its glory days. It has been said elsewhere that it might be good to have a dedicated P2 thread to concentrate the various discussions on the subject, particularly once we begin to see some developmental evidence and discussion warms up. I also find it very interesting to hear from those who do not model the LNER but are considering buying one for whatever reason, the numbers of whom will increase I predict as the model nears release date and beyond. We should be experiencing some fevered P2 excitement this time next year and I hope it will be all extremely positive, but until then it’s time to dig out the Yeadon’s and other material, pour a nice glass of single malt and contemplate the future. Merry Christmas to all readers and contributors to this thread.

Tintagel Castle now in stock at Hattons: http://www.ehattons.com/StockDetail.aspx?SID=25741

Well what do you know... Thanks guys. I do feel a bit of prat now though!

Hi John, I don??™t know if we are referring to the same loco, but I was referring to the one-off diesel prototype D0270 Taurus, and the only info I can find is an article about it by Monty Wells in the April 1984 edition of Railway Modeller, page 152. To summarise, Monty relates both his own research and the anecdote from a curator at York Railway museum, about how a fragment from its engine/generator drive coupling as it shattered, took a piece of Christmas cake out of a watching signalman??™s hand just as he was about to bite into it, with the result that he bit his fingers instead! It turned out that the curator was in fact that signalman. The article relates that Brush had obtained a prototype 3200 hp Maybach ME1200 series engine, and placed it in a redundant bodyshell obtained from English Electric from their own cancelled Super Deltic project. The number D0270 was issued and the project authorised by BR on the 18th December 1962. Monty then goes on to say that the engine was later named Taurus, ???which helped to hide the dents in the engine room panelling that the drive coupling had made.??? He goes on to relate how the engine later disintegrated while travelling light engine from Loughborough to Derby in the dead of night, and was towed back to Loughborough where the engine was found to beyond repair, the project being eventually abandoned. I would be grateful if anyone else has any info on this as it does seem to be ???the one that got away???. Cheers. James Raven

D0270 Taurus? I don't think that one was ever seen in daylight.