Plus a few “oldies” in the Airfix section…
Monthly Archives: March 2013
BACHMANN ‘MODIFIED HALL’ PRESS STATEMENT
Bachmann Europe Plc has today announced that distribution of the ‘Modified Hall’ Class locomotives has been suspended as an unfortunate omission has occurred during production. They were the first to feature the new chassis with a DCC socket.
Unfortunately the fire iron tool storage tunnel which is fitted between the rear splasher and the nameplate on the middle splasher is missing from the left hand side of the locomotive facing forward.
David Haarhaus, European Sales & Marketing Manager said “this error was noticed after we had submitted review samples to the model railway press. We have therefore not released further examples of them to the market, with the few models issued to a small number of our retail customers being recalled. All models will be examined and checked thoroughly to enable the necessary part to be fitted to our satisfaction. Our engineers are currently evaluating the best way of achieving this in a timely manner. I can only apologise to those who have been awaiting the release of this model but hope you will appreciate that we are not prepared to compromise our standards or your enjoyment of Branchline products”.
The models involved 31-780 No.6998 Swithland Hall in BR lined green and 31-781 No. 7903 ‘Foremarke Hall’ will now be released later this year.
Article from Model Rail via JC
Roco and Fleischmann announce some extra new releases
Click HERE for Roco’s latest announcements in pdf format.
Click HERE for Fleischmann’s.
And click HERE for some extra Swiss releases from both Roco and Fleischmann.
Should any of these items be of interest, please CONTACT US
Accucraft announce Gauge 1 61xx Prairie
1:32 SCALE GWR 61XX
Following the runaway success of the little LSWR B4, we are thrilled to announce our second Gauge 1, 1:32 Scale, live steam loco!
The Great Western Railway’s 61XX 2-6-2T design can trace its origins to Churchward’s ground-breaking family of designs produced at the start of the 20th century which included the large ‘prairie’ tank engine number 99. Ideally suited for suburban and branch line work, thirty-nine more locomotives based on this design were in traffic by 1906 and batches continued to be produced until the class numbered 290. The first forty (including No. 3100, the renumbered prototype) were absorbed into the 51XX series in the 1927 re-numbering scheme, the additional members of which enjoyed small design improvements under Charles Collett’s supervision. Having used all the 51XX numbers, further locos were numbered in the 41XX series. The 61XX variant was introduced in 1931 and was little different from the others apart from boasting a boiler pressure increased to 225psi. A number of 51XX and 41XX examples have been preserved but only 6106 was saved from the last batch and this can be found at Didcot, home of the Great Western Society.
The model is 1:32 scale for 45mm gauge track, gas-fired and has all the features the Gauge 1 fraternity have come to expect from an Accucraft locomotive. The chassis is constructed from stainless steel, the wheels are uninsulated. The boiler is copper, the cab and bodywork are constructed from etched brass. Like other fine scale models from Accucraft, it will provide many years of enjoyment. The target RRP is £1650.00. The model will run round radius 3 curves and is happy on code 332 or code 250 track, however, we do not recommend running through LGB code 332 pointwork. We are aware that there were a large number of livery variations among members of the class and will therefore be offering fully finished and basic options to allow almost any version to be produced, the latter will be supplied with a selection of number plates to allow the owner to choose their own running number.
Specification:
• Scale: 1:32
• Gauge: 45mm
• Length over buffers: 390mm (15½ inches)
• Width: 90mm (3½ inches)
• Height: 119mm (4¾ inches)
• Min Radius: 1.3m (4′6″)
• Boiler: Centre Flue
• Working Pressure: 60psi
• Valve Gear: Piston valves, two cylinders
• Fuel: Butane Gas
• Boiler Fittings: Safety valve, pressure gauge, water gauge.
• Cab Controls: Steam regulator, gas regulator, reverse lever, lubricator
• Construction: Copper boiler, Brass boiler jacket, Brass cab, Etched brass bodywork, Steel drivers
Liveries available subject to production batch:
S32-13A – Unlined GWR green, No. 6106
S32-13B – Unlined GWR green, unlettered, unnumbered
S32-13C – Unlined BR black with early emblem, No. TBA
S32-13D – Unlined BR black, unlettered, unnumbered
Further images can be seen on the website, please contact us if you require high resolution versions.
Come to Faversham. Virtually…
Now Available – Train Simulator 2013 London to Faversham High Speed
Product Release – Valve
21 Feb 2013
Train Simulator 2013 brings to Steam a new standalone route for train enthusiasts to enjoy. London-Faversham High Speed brings together the exhilaration of high speed trains with the more serene ‘classic’ third rail lines of Kent all in one route, complete with the streamlined Southeastern Class 395. A standalone product which does not require Train Simulator 2013 to be already owned.
Departing London St Pancras, the route for Train Simulator passes under the City with Class 395s reaching speeds of 140mph before stopping at Stratford International on the edge of the London 2012 Olympic Park. Speeding through the Essex countryside and under the River Thames, high speed services stop at Ebbsfleet International Station, where power switches from overhead electrification to third rail pick-up. From here, Class 395s cross onto the ‘classic’ Kent lines, pausing at stations including Gravesend, Rochester and Sittingbourne, before terminating at Faversham.
London-Faversham High Speed is an accurate depiction of a fantastic modern image UK route with stunning scenery through the Kent countryside. It features accurate depictions of London St Pancras Station, Ebbsfleet International Station, Rochester Castle and Cathedral, and the QEII Bridge at Dartford, and many hours of enjoyable and challenging driving.
Dapol Phil Johnson competition announcement
We have now SOLD out of the DAPOL Phil Johnson open wagon.
The winning certificate number in the draw for £150 of THE HOBBY SHOP vouchers is no. 96.
If you are in possession of this certificate please CONTACT US to claim your prize.
Ixion announce next O gauge project
We have today received the following press release…
“Ixion Model Railways announces the production of a finescale injection-moulded O Gauge model of the John Fowler & Co 0-4-0 diesel-mechanical locomotive in 7mm scale (1:43.5, for 32mm standard gauge). This locomotive, Ixion’s fifth product, once again reflects the Ixion Directors’ own diverse interests and market research. The design work for this engine is almost complete.
The model represents the solitary example that was built by Fowler for the Great Western Railway in 1933. It was given the running number “1” and was powered by a six-cylinder 70HP diesel engine with an ancillary petrol-powered starting motor. The locomotive was sold to George Cohen, Sons & Co Ltd of Leeds in 1940 and was later passed on to the Ministry of Supply.
The locomotive was built to a generic design that was in production from the late 1920s until the 1950s. Widely used by industry, the wheelbase was common, but a wide variety of engines and transmissions were used to suit buyer’s specific requirements resulting in many detail differences. The London Midland & Scottish Railway employed a similar locomotive numbered “2” which was in use from 1935 until 1962.
Several examples of the class have survived into preservation in the UK.
The following CAD images show the large components of the model. Much exterior and interior detail remains to be added.
Made in the same Chinese factory which produced our acclaimed Hudswell Clarke and On30 Coffee Pot models, this superior model will feature:
• An injection-moulded, painted, ready-to-run body and chassis
• Finescale wheels
• 5 pole flywheel-equipped motor, driving the forward two axles
• Four-wheel electrical pickup
• 40:1 precision gearbox
• DCC and sound ready
• Semi-sprung chassis
• Cab detail
• Sprung buffers
• Hook draw-gear with three-link couplings
• Choice of two liveries: GWR lined green No 1; unlined, un-numbered green
• Included is an etched brass fret containing cab-side maker’s plates, nameplates, and engine number plates
• Also included is a set of injection-moulded 7mm scale lamps and loco tools (which will also be made available for separate sale).
Final price is to be confirmed due to the possible effects of currency movements, but we expect the recommended retail price to be in the same range as the Hudswell Clarke. ”
The Hobby Shop will be stocking this loco in it’s variant forms and any pre-orders will be welcomed.
Below is a photo of “Churchill” preserved at The Derwent Valley Light Railway – www.dvlr.org.uk
thehobbyshop 