Form an orderly Q... six

Shortly before we headed to GCR Model Event at the weekend Hornby delivered their latest offering. The Raven Q6.

The first two samples to arrive are R3424 in LNER livery and R3425 in BR Early Crest

 



First impressions are good and the loco certainly captures the real thing beautifully. For those who hate fitting the detail pack the only requirement is to fit the loco brake rigging. There are no provisions for vacuum fitting and from quick research the class didn't receive the equipment, I can't even find evidence of the Consett based ones having it? This might leave a slight challenge for those looking to recreate 63395 owned by NELPG, but one I'd imagine that would be relatively easy to overcome.

 Chipping the BR version proved very easy as there is plenty of room in the tender to accommodate any chip you desire, even the LNER livery version is relatively easy, but as can be seen in the picture it is significantly lower so a Gaugemaster direct plug in chip is too large for the job. As with most Hornby locos it uses the standard 8 pin chip. Hornby's RRP is £140, we are offering ours for £125.


From Bachmann's stable we have a new wagon and some reissue 4Fs to enjoy.

Bachmann 14T tankers in three different liveries
 

The much anticipated 14T tanker arrived on Friday (frustratingly after we had headed for Loughborough!) As with all Bachmann wagons they are all wonderfully reproduced with wonderfully applied liveries and crisp decals of which all the writing is legible and, providing eyesight prevails, can be read right down to the smallest detail. The RRP is £20.95, our price is £17.80. Whilst not being the cheapest vehicles on the market, for your money you are guaranteed a very smart model.

Also arriving from Bachmann are reissues of their wonderful Midland 4F. First up is the first weathered variant of the class. As mentioned in previous blogs Bachmann produce a much better weathered model than Hornby although I can't help but feel the rusty orange is far too vibrant in places. RRP is £124.95, our price is £106.50.

While 44044 depicts the last days of the 4F's working life Bachmann's other livery shows how the class looked when they first rolled out of Derby works, 1917 in 3848's case. The Midland crest is beautifully reproduced on the cab side and the loco displays the letters M R on the buffer beam. RRP is £114.95, our price £97.80.

So there we have it 4Fs from cradle to grave all in one delivery!


A nice selection of new releases this week, the 4F has been produced extensively over the years in a number of guises but I believe this to be the first time the model has been offered in 'as built' condition (by any manufacturer)

Whereas the Q6 delivers a ready to run loco for what is probably the most ready to run starved of regions in the UK, the North East has been long overlooked by many manufacturers and hopefully the addition of Raven's 0-8-0 will open the floodgates for this region to develop in the same way as the Southern did at around the turn of the century. Here's hoping anyway!

Please feel free to get in touch about these models or any others. Keep enjoying your modelling guys. Tony :)  

The Kids Are Alright....

One thing I often here is that there are no young modellers out there these days. Usually the sentiment of the older modellers out there. Whilst it's true that the older generation makes up the majority of the market, it's simply not true that there aren't any young modellers out there. That's not the only myth we'll be dispelling while we are at it too!

a layout we have featured before Quorn by Joey Evans (25)

 

Just to be clear, I'm defining 'young modellers' as anyone under 30. To start we have a layout we have looked at before. Joey Evans started this layout in summer 2014, having had an interest in railways and model railways since childhood. His interest developed from his Grandfather's layout and trips to preserved railways, notably the Ffestiniog Railway in North Wales. Which is the first myth I want to address, the youth of today by no means just want to model modern image.

As has been touched on before, preserved modelling is a growing trend and a lot of young modellers are choosing to model what they see at Loughborough, Bewdley, Toddington, Keighley and many more (who knows with OO9 a growing scale maybe Ffestiniog too) rather than what runs on the national network. Or in some cases (like mine, I know I'm 32 before anyone points out the age limit) by the stories and memories of parents and grandparents. Steam modelling is definitely not reserved to the older generations!

Jordan Morris'(21) excellent modern image layout.

 

 It's not all steam for the younger modellers though, 21 year old Jordan Morris has a superb layout and collection largely based on modern image container and engineers workings. Like Joey Evans he can put his influences down to his family and first started modelling in childhood, this layout being started around 4 years ago. Unlike Joey, Jordan was influenced by what he saw on the national network. As can be seen from the picture Jordan has a Bachmann Fastline 66, which is quite a rare and by no means cheap model (and it's not the only one that fits that category!) which dispels another myth and that's "they don't want to spend the money" or "the Railroad range is for them" from what I've found the majority of younger modellers (13 upwards) want the best models and are prepared to pay for them, even if it takes a while to save up for them!

There are some truths to be had in the idea that there aren't as many young people interested in railways and model railways these days than there used to be and that the cost of building a model railway these days means it is often a case of only the committed out there will see it through, it's not a hobby for the half hearted anymore.

There are a lot of young modellers out there working hard to build their own miniature world and the fact I have only featured a couple here doesn't mean they aren't out there. Likewise just because they don't scream and shout about it also doesn't mean they aren't out there either. The hobby can be viewed as a social stigma these days so it's not really the kind of thing you go out shouting about!

The world is an ever changing place and technology is ever evolving too. Like any other technology model railways have evolved as well, digital control, sound locos, layouts linked into computers, tablets and smart phones. Is that the future? Will that save 'our' hobby? Who knows at the end of the day, although I can't help but feel our hobby doesn't need saving!

I hope this blog has provided some food for thought. Those of you who I know who are young and enjoy your modelling, please don't feel offended I haven't used your work in this one. Those of you who are older and still feel like a kid then that's great!

Thanks for reading, hope to see some of you soon (GCR show next weekend!) and keep enjoying your modelling, however old you are! Tony :)

Whether to weather or not?

Weathered models are now a regular occurrence in the ranges of Hornby and Bachmann, several good companies exist who offer weathering as a custom service and many modellers do their own weathering. However, the decision to weather models or not regularly divides opinion amongst modellers....

one of Bachmann's latest weathered offerings is their 'Super D'

Let's start by looking at the weathering offered by the ready to run market. Bachmann's weathering is the best the market has to offer in my opinion, whilst not giving the individuality you'd get from commissioning a model from a weathering company or doing it yourself you are left with a very presentable model.

Hornby's latest weathered option, the Crosti 9F

Hornby's weathering has always been a little basic for my liking. This Crosti 9F has got quite a gentle shade of weathering on the wheels, cylinders and frames. Other examples have had a very 'vibrant' (for want of a better word) weathering which comes out an odd looking orange colour and doesn't look very appetising. My main gripe with Hornby's weathering is the top of the boiler remains pristine which is one of the first things to get dirty on a steam loco.

As I understand it the reason for such differences is that Bachmann have a sample of each weathering done by a weathering company and then send it out to be copied while Hornby just apply a basic dusting to the loco.

That brings us on nicely to the idea of sending locos away to be weathered. There are several companies out there these days that offer a comprehensive weathering service as well as renaming and renumbering services. (those of you who know me will know I used to work for one, less said about that the better though!) This is by no means the cheapest way of getting your models weathered but, providing you choose the right company, provides a much more realistic effect than even the Bachmann models do. We are currently looking into offering a limited weathering and renumbering service here at Tony's Trains At Barby Model Rail, further details to follow (as and when).

Which leaves the final weathering option, do it yourself! Opinion is often divided on how the best affects can be achieved, airbrushing always seemed the best way to me. However, a high quality Airbrush set (inc. compressor) could easily set you back more than £400 (that's a lot of weathering jobs by one of the weathering companies). One thing I learned during my time doing weathering was it's a skilled art and the biggest challenges are having the nerve to start and knowing when to stop! If you feel confident to carry out the weathering then have a go, if not then send them away to be done!

Which neatly brings us round to the question raised by this article. Whether to weather? If you have one weathered loco does that mean all your locos need to be weathered? Then what about the rolling stock? Can you have weathered locos hauling pristine stock around or vice-versa can pristine locos haul weathered stock?

Well, as is always said, it's your layout and you can do as you please. However, in my opinion it needs to be a case of one in, all in! Running lightly weathered locos on pristine coaching stock isn't a big issue though and I must admit I have done and still do that regularly. The cost soon mounts up if you send all your carriages and wagons away for weathering!

I know a lot of people like to run their locos around absolutely pristine in a rose tinted utopia of what the railways should be like where the sun always shines and your favourite team is always in the Cup Final, while others like to run with a gritty realism of weathered locos and the railways almost on their knees approach. The way I used to (and still do) get round it is by running all the weathered stock during one session and then all the pristine stock during another.

Would be interested to hear other people's take on this subject. Thanks for reading and keep enjoying your modelling. Tony :)

ps, sorry we've been a bit quiet lately been hectic here!

Upcoming Events - June.

There's only one event we are doing that we haven't already told you about but it's a pretty big one!

Friday 17th - Sunday 19th June, The Model Event, Great Central Railway, LE12 8AG (this is the postcode for Quorn station where the main parking facility is, the station also features in a previous blog of ours!)

Admission: £18 (includes all day freedom of the line travel)
Parking: £5

This is the third Model Event held at the Great Central Railway and it has already established itself as a firm favourite amongst the UK's top model shows.


8F 48624 blasts out of Loughborough on a freight. What better inspiration could one need for modelling and it's right there at the event! Photo courtesy Joey Evans

 

The majority of layouts and traders (ourselves included) are housed in the large marquee at Quorn station. Over 60 layouts are set to be on display and more than 40 traders. There will also be layouts and displays at Loughborough and Rothley, mainly dedicated to the larger 'outdoor' scales.

 

 

Apart from the size and variety on offer another thing that makes the GCR show so attractive is the price, £18 for an adult ticket is only £2 more than it would cost on a normal running day at the railway, which makes it excellent value for money in my opinion.

 

This event is well worth a visit even if you are travelling from some distance, I hope you will join us there!

 

Full details at http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/modelevent/

 

Also, a reminder we are at Statfold Barn Railway this Saturday (4th June) for their open day. More than a dozen locos are expected in steam and if you've got your re-booked invites then we hope to see you there too :)

 

 

 

As well as being at these events the shop remains open as usual Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-5PM (4 on Saturdays)

 

Hope to see you all soon, either at one of these events or the shop. Keep enjoying your modelling. Tony :)

 

 



The Midland Pullman and The Elephant In The Room.... PRICE!

The recent arrival of the Bachmann Midland Pullman Train Pack, often referred to as the Blue Pullman has seen the most common complaint of recent times.... "How much???"

The offending product! Bachmann's superb Midland Pullman train pack



The six car set is superbly reproduced and comes in the stylish Bachmann packaging we have seen with the previous sets, such as The Ambulance Train, Railway Children and Shakespeare Express. Along with additional features like the pack of Scenecraft figures depicting stewards and train crew, book telling the history of the train, reproduction menu and special edition print of the artwork on the box.

All nice touches, although three of the four are hardly necessary to run the train. However, there only seems to be one talking point with this set and that's the price. With an RRP of £599.95 and a discounted price of £509.95 it certainly isn't cheap but is it really all that expensive?

One comment that cropped up was "I think I'll stick with my Tri-ang one" which is absolutely fine if you wanted to do that and it makes you happy, but let's assume we want to have the best we can get. How much would that cost? Well a quick bit of research shows that you could easily run up a bill of £300 investing in a reasonable Tri-ang version, extra coaches and all the details and modifications you need to bring the model up to a standard that would be acceptable on a modern layout.

To some that might not matter (and if it doesn't then great, as I've said many times before it's your railway!) and if you've got the spare time then it makes a nice modelling project,  but to me I'd rather spend the extra money and have the far superior product without the extra work.

For those of you who do want the model then it represents a second chance to acquire one if you missed out first time round. Yes, the price has increased since that first release and Bachmann's price increases are well documented. However, I have seen second hand ones sell for over £400 before so at least this presents the chance to obtain a new one for slightly more. On the subject of second hand prices, before the first run of this model came out I can remember people asking £200-£300 for the Tri-ang set due to the fact "nobody else makes one"

When you open the box it doesn't disappoint the set is beautifully presented as with all Bachmann train packs

 

Another interesting comment to come out of the production is "it's not practical" well yes if you have a layout depicting a sleepy country branchline station or a steam shed then this set certainly will not fit in! However, it's no different to running a medium sized steam, diesel or electric loco on five coaches so if you run a train like that then you can run one of these!

In conclusion, I'm not saying this product is cheap but I believe it is a wonderful model wonderfully well presented and if you want that kind of quality then this is what it costs. Personally I'd pay it, but can fully understand those who don't want to or can't justify having one. This is just my opinion and you are more than welcome to disagree :)

On another note, we are at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway's excellent Cotswold Festival Of Steam this weekend, it's a great event with eight locos in steam (three of which are visiting) well worth a look and if you do visit drop in and say hello :) we will be selling the Midland Pullman there too! ;)

Full details: http://www.gwsr.com/planning-your-visit/2016-events-calendar/cotswold-festival-of-steam-2016.aspx

Hope you've enjoyed this one and don't find any of my views controversial, this blog is intended to be thought provoking as well as promoting the shop. Keep enjoying your modelling, however much it costs! Tony :)

Preserved layouts, the best of both worlds?

A trend seems to be developing amongst railway modellers in the last few years and that is the desire to model preserved locations, either real or fictional. This blog is going to look at that trend and also some of the pros and cons of such an idea.

Britannia races through Quorn on a demonstration TPO on Joey Evans' excellent OO recreation of the GCR station
(photo courtesy Joey Evans)

 



As can be seen in the above picture is quite possible to recreate a station on a preserved railway, one advantage of Quorn (or Rothley) on the GCR is that Bachmann produces the buildings to complete the scene (although now quite difficult to find) which certainly offers a head start on a project.

Quorn has many advantages for the preserved railway modeller. If you are limited for space (as Joey is) the actual station fits into a reasonably small space and the break can come relatively near to the reception siding (in the foreground), if you aren't limited for space then you can incorporate features like the turntable, goods shed and dock. The other major advantage is that (at present) it's also the only through station on a preserved line that has fully functioning double track operation. Although with clever cut off points Bewdley on the Severn Valley could give the same operational qualities. I will look further at other locations in later blogs but for now I'm just going to focus on Quorn as an example of what can be achieved.

The real Quorn station (featuring yours truly!) during a freight charter with 8F 48624. Photo by Joey Evans

The above image shows Quorn station on the GCR as it is today, quite literally as the photo was taken last week! Which provides another good reason for modelling a preserved station that all the research you need is available at pretty much anytime. No trawling through countless photos online or in books looking for that one detail you can't find, it's all right there to see and record 'live' as it where. The negative is the rivet counters out there will pick you up on any and every mistake you make!

When it comes to stocking a preserved layout in my opinion things can become a little difficult. It's a commonly held belief that 'anything goes' on a preserved layout and that to a degree is very true. Liveries can be mixed together to have, for example, a London Transport livery pannier hauling a rake of mark 1s or blue diesels running alongside pre-grouping livery steam locos.

The genre really does provide a chance to run every conceivable era from one (pioneering) right through to era nine (post privatisation) as Joe Connell's photo below shows even the very latest in diesel technology has made it on to preserved metals at diesel galas.

DRS 68025 emerges from Bewdley tunnel at the recent SVR diesel gala, photo by Joe Connell

But wait! There is a drawback to this idea (in my opinion) and that is if you want realism you shouldn't really go dragging long since departed classes out of history and back into the current world. Dragging the likes of Hornby's D16s and Bachmann 3Fs back into existence  isn't really cricket in my opinion. But those who want to, it's your railway at the end of the day! The same possibly applies to bringing back long lost members of 'famous' for example bringing back another A3 or Duchess wouldn't really work but another pannier tank or Black 5 would go relatively unnoticed.

So far we have only really touched on the idea of building models of real locations and there are many of them to choose from, we have already looked at Oakworth in a previous blog, we've touched on Quorn in this one and I plan to look at several others in future blogs. However, there are two other options to consider, one is to design your own station and create your own little preserved world or you can find a station that is long since closed and bring it back to life in model form. The big advantage to this is nobody can really tell you it's wrong and you can tailor the track plan to suit your location too. Generic buildings can be used as well in this scenario rather than being tied down to precise replicas.

Populating these layouts with locos and rolling stock is an interesting challenge, a layout I'm currently working on (nowhere near complete) is a fictional preserved station and I have chosen as resident locos, a B1, black 5, 8F, pannier tank and Hunslet Austerity (J94) and a class 37 along with a reasonable selection of passenger and freight stock to represent the home fleet and then other preserved locos can visit for galas.

There are several other ideas that make a preserved location appealing:

• modelling a mainline connected location, like Keighley or Kidderminster Town in real life, allows for modern and preserved to mix together.
• A shed scene can be made like Didcot or Carnforth which can provide a home for an eclectic mix of locos from different eras or regions in a small space.
• Small stations can be realistically modelled in small spaces and play host to big locos realistically. For example stations like Oakworth has seen big locos like City of Wells, 8Fs, Jubilees and many more in it's time which would look very out of place on a normal branchline but fit a lot better in a preserved location.

That's all for this blog, I hope it has made interesting reading and doesn't come across to preachy in places. As I said earlier it's your railway and you do what you want! This is just food for thought. Thanks to Joey Evans and Joe Connell for allowing use of their images.

Hope you enjoyed reading this one, keep enjoying your modelling and hopefully see you all soon. Tony :)

A Zest for O gauge.

First of all an apology for this being the third blog in a row about new releases! I'm hoping to write something 'different' next week!

Anyway, here is our latest arrival and it's a bit special. Heljan's latest O gauge offering is the iconic Warship Diesel Hydraulic locos. It's really hard not to get carried away with O gauge models purely on the size and scale but this is a very impressive bit of kit.

There is little one can fault with the model. As usual the livery, crests and numbers are well applied. Performance is hard to judge as we only have a single yard of O gauge in the shop, which is barely a wheels turn in this scale!

 

 

There is little to criticise of the locos, however, the British Railways emblem on the green version isn't the best version I've ever seen. Elsewhere for the price tag I'd have thought a pair of etched brass nameplates could have been included. Another personal issue I have is unboxing the loco which is quite a nerve racking moment as the box warns if done incorrectly this can damage the loco.

We have 2 liveries in stock, D827 in green with small yellow panels and D869 Zest in maroon with small yellow panels. Priced at £550 each.

 

Overall O gauge seems to be the up and coming scale at the present time with Heljan and Dapol's range ever expanding and this addition to the range will be very welcome especially with those modelling the Western Region.

 

That's all for this time, like I say something different next time. In the meantime keep enjoying your modelling guys and stay in touch. Tony :)