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It's great that Hornby just released a GWR train set consisting of HST and a centre carriage because they've used tooling which existed for years but they missed a trick by issuing the 5-car GWR IET and LNER Azuma (forthcoming) units only as premium-priced models. The Southeastern Trains' Javelins were issued in both Railroad/train set and full-fat versions. I think an 800 or 802 could be issued in a train set version next year, the Transpennine livery would look visually stunning if sold as such.

Although I didn't proceed with scenery work on Xmas Day, today I made progress: Glued in all my offcuts of grass matting in place (finishing cleaning off loads of glue off my fingers) ; Fitted all platform fencing. I'll need to weather all that in as well as erecting lamps, shelter and signage.

Next year's the 50th anniversary of the filming of The Railway Children on the Worth Valley. Could Hornby beat Bachmann with an all-new 57xx pannier tank, one of which will be available in the film's GN&SR livery? Whether they'll model the Metropolitan Railway's carriages that accompanied the pannier in the film is another matter.

Yesterday I wanted to paint the obligatory white platform edge, but opened up the enamel tin and found the paint hard and dry. So I visited a non-railway hobby store to buy more Humbrol paint. However I've fixed down all trackside walls, including covered-up graffiti, fencing and the platform. Holes have been pre-drilled in the platform to fit fences. Next stage will be laying grass matting to fill gaps between tracks and structures; I can do this over Xmas and Boxing Days.

I'm surprised that Hornby hasn't picked up modelling SECR rebuilt D1 and E1 4-4-0s as well as a 21st century revival of their Triang L1 4-4-0

Here's the module in its own storage box. One side folds down so that the layout board can be quickly extracted and replaced without damage. A lid holds both sides up and protects the layout from dust and damage. Its storage box is 21 cm high to accommodate station lamp posts. However the platform needs another coat of tarmac-coloured paint before gluing down on the board.

Suffice to say ... the "Westfield Stadium" station referred to in the last post is now boxed up and any damage sustained whilst in open storage will be rectified. It's been boxed up to prevent further damage (mind you, more space needed!) and I'm painting the platform which was missing in the last post. I hope this platform will be fixed down over the Xmas period; my ideal aim is to get this module completed in the immediate New Year period because I'll need to procure suitable Network SouthEast signage. PS over 19,000 have viewed my efforts so far ... thanks to all who may relate to my home situation ... will celebrate when I reach 20K hits

Next year's also the 60th anniversary of BR's last new steam loco built so Hornby will release a special commemorative edition of Evening Star. It's also the 60th anniversary of the reopening of the Bluebell Railway so there might be a few specials including new versions of the blue Maunsell BCK and rebuilt ex-LSWR lav 3rd 320 ... and possibly a new loco too!

As well as LSWR's Urie S15, other loco classes also introduced 100 years ago in 2020: Caledonian Rly Pickersgill 72 Class 4-4-0 NER S3 (LNER B16) 4-6-0 GER D81 (LNER J20) 0-6-0 Great North of Scotland Rly Class F (LNER D40) 4-4-0 - no. 49 (BR 62277) Gordon Highlander is preserved The S15, Pickersgill and the B16 would all be popular choices.

I just realised 2020 is the centenary of the introduction of Urie's S15. So far, Hornby has only modelled Maunsell's later versions, will they release a model of the original 1920-21 batch?

There's still a fair number of J36s available from both Rails and Hattons. Currently Rails discounts the LNER and NBR "Maude" J36s, Hattons discounts the LNER and BR early crest "Haig" versions. I hope Hornby follows this up with a "Glen" announcement on the 6th January but suspect it won't happen, maybe in 2021 instead. Hornby might have a Caley loco lined up, probably the 0-4-4T because one is preserved at Bo'ness. It would sell well in Caley blue in its own right, and would also sell well in LMS and BR liveries as companions to Hornby's own LMS Stanier carriages.

I wonder if their 4VEP will reappear next year after retooling to iron out their previous weaknesses

Night Ferry sleeping car? 1951 U type Pullman? SR gangwayed luggage van to replace the venerable Triang version? Any or all of those would be highly desirable!

More guesses for next year: 4SUB - example available to measure up at Margate. However it's extremely unlikely the class 503 EMU also stored there will be attempted. PEP-derived trains (313/314/315/507/508) Long shot - NBR Glen 4-4-0 Mk1 RB - 21st century version of Mainline/Replica type Also Mk1 RBR to go with the Mk2 air-cons, Mk1 BG on B4 bogies tooled up without periscope, end steps and full-length end handrails to match

My guesses for next year: New tooling: Caley 0-4-4T Rebuilt Merchant Navy Another industrial - Hunslet 16 inch 0-6-0ST Electrostar East Sussex 3D DEMU (class 207) Reliveries and variants: Class 802 in TPE and GWR liveries Assigned permanently to the Railroad range: Class 101, HST (ex-Lima power cars) + Mk3s, 156

Work's progressing on scenics - all of Faller's security fencing is now fitted in position, with Wills' palisade type used for newer applications. The platform still awaits painting and detailing, hence not shown here.

I've resumed work on this station and glued down all the footpaths and other hardstanding made from mounting board (it's white which might not be too distinct under certain lighting) The footpath from the platform was routed over the disused track bed in preference to the (now demolished) footbridge and exits where the footbridge stood hence the odd angle.

I've ordered more of the same Faller fencing because it's less fiddly to assemble than Ratio's version (ref. 436) and also wanting a change from Ratio's Southern Railway concrete slab fencing, hence no progress made with "Westgrove Stadium". Once the parts arrive I can then plan the area behind the platform and truncated siding.

I'm aware Pacifics post-nationalisation worked the Corstophine branch in Edinburgh at peak times https://www.railscot.co.uk/img/25/493/ ... would a P2 have done the same thing pre-war?? It would be great licence to model one on a three-coach rake of Hornby's Gresley non-corridors.

It looks like the gloss versions have full lining and shaded numerals and lettering but the matt versions have simplified lining and plain unshaded numerals and lettering. I don't own one of these but I'd prefer the gloss version because it has the more authentic finish especially when outshopped.

Westfield was the name of my junior school, Priory was the secondary school I attended at the opposite end of town. Hardly anyone I knew from junior school attended my secondary school, never the twain shall meet! As a result I can draw upon two sets of ex-pupils' current residences and fully integrate them in my mind.

I used up more spare materials and parts to build the boundary wall, again the only recently bought-in parts used was a pack of Wills' palisade fencing. Also I decided on the siding's length, I cut it back to allow a footpath for the station's entrance/exit in place of the demolished footbridge.

I'm considering making a siding out of the former passing loop. Here are three vans awaiting tripping to Brassey Engineering Ltd. This siding will also house Engineering Department wagons and can recess a DMU if necessary out of the way from other traffic.

I decided to use up more bits and pieces from my stash for this Network SouthEast era station. So far, the only bought-in parts are the Peco platform edging. "Westgrove Stadium" is the name of a station formerly called South Grayton and Devineham which was modernised by the Southern in the 1930s and was the next stop from Greensgrove. It originally had a passing loop. Like Greensgrove (see page 8, 11 May 2019 entry), South Grayton and Devineham was never modernised with BR corporate-era signage and closed on 24 July 1977. All platform structures and footbridge were subsequently razed and the line singled. However, the platform itself remained intact. Due to the local council requesting a station for the modernised Westgrove Stadium incorporating Greenfields Jubilee Harriers' club house BR reopened it in March 1983. It was renamed to better reflect the revised role of the immediate area. I had to imagine what it looked like before rationalisation so I could see how the new station would look. Wooden fencing (Ratio) has been trial fitted and the platform ramp with a footpath used as access instead of the former footbridge

I'll wait and see until the R1230M GWR HST train set arrives on the shelves (this autumn?) https://www.Hornby.com/uk-en/gwr-high-speed-train-set.html The technical specification says "DCC ready", 5 pole skew wound; the ex-Lima HST R2707 Virgin power car pack had the same spec.