The Bad - Hornby's GBRf Class 50s

As well as the two Bachmann LMS 'Twins', I had planned to add the new twin Hornby, GBRf liveried, Class 50 to our fleet of English Electric Type 4s and, indeed, had managed to acquire them from Jadlam Models, in nearby Glastonbury.

Having seen the two full-sized locos in this livery, I was quite excited when Hornby announced that they would introduce models of the pair this year.

However, upon arrival, 50007/50014 first and 50049 two days later, I was extremely disappointed to see that, in both instances, buffers had come away and were loose in the boxes!

50007 / 50014 had two broken buffers plus another small piece of detailing that had also come away although, from where, I did not bother to find out!

500149, meanwhile, had three (yes, three) buffers that had come away from the buffer beam!

Furthermore, 50007 / 50014 had a piece of tape stuck to the cabside of the Nº 1 end and the flap of the inner tray was also split:

Notwithstanding the damage to both locos I was also very disappointed (to put it mildly) in the colour of the GBRf livery which, to me, is much too light and the edges, between the blue and the yellow are not crisp.

The yellow on the front of each cab is okay but, on the sides, this should be more orange, and the blue should be much darker - as can be seen on 50049's bigger sister below:

The picture on the sleeve of the box does have the correct colours, which makes it even more of a shock when you slide this back and are confronted by the paler colours of the actual model.

This picture, as used on the box sleeve, is much nearer the mark than the actual model.

So, what happened? 

Were Hornby in such a rush to get these models to market this year that Quality Control simply flew out the window?

Did GBRf not give permission for Hornby to use the correct pantone colours?

As for the damage, the potential is always there whilst these delicate models are in transit but the locos were well packed by Jadlam and to have two buffers damaged (plus some other detailing and the plastic tray) on the first loco to arrive and then three buffers damaged on the second one seems, to me, to be symptomatic of a lack of quality control which is merely compounded by the inaccurate livery and its sloppy application.

Besides, I have purchased quite a few models online this year, by both Hornby and Bachmann and from various sellers, including Jadlam, and these are the only ones to have arrived damaged.

I have contacted Hornby, together with these photos, and told them of my disappointment at the damage and the inaccurate colours and I now await a reply from their Quality department.

I have also returned both locos to Jadlam who have been excellent throughout, sending me a pre-paid label to print and stick to the parcel and offering me either replacements or a refund.

Sadly I have decided to ask for a refund since I honestly do not want to add these two locos to our fleet. The livery is all wrong and who knows what else might drop off, over time.

This is a great shame since the four older (much older) Class 50s that I have look and sound great and are extremely reliable and robust, making the comparison between them and these two new ones even more stark.

The Good - Bachmann's LMS Twins

I recently added these two beautiful Bachmann LMS diesel locomotives to our fleet of locos and, I think you will agree, they look magnificent.

For obvious reasons they became known as the LMS Twins and were introduced between 1947 and 1948.

They were fitted with an English Electric 16SVT diesel engine at 1600 hp., giving them a maximum speed of around 93 mph.

They were initially given this striking black and silver livery although were later repainted into BR green livery.

I believe they were to be designated as Class 34 under BR TOPs but were withdrawn and cut-up before this could be allocated, with 10000 being withdrawn in December 1963 and 10001 in March 1966 after each loco had clocked up over 1,000,000 miles.

This all taking place long before preservation societies were around, both locos were sadly cut-up but not after supplying valuable information to both builders and maintenance staff for future diesel construction and, in particular, those locomotives powered by the 16SVT range of engine.

Only one of our locos (10000) has been fitted with sound with 10001 soon to follow and the Catalogue Numbers are as follows: 31-998 (10001) and 31-999 (10000).

In the photos below we see the pair at Sueston, about to couple up to a northbound express and, in the following photos, they are seen passing Petersfield and, finally, standing outside Gunnmere. Junction.

 

1-2-1 ... 2

By way of brightening things up a bit, following my previous posting, here we have another fairly new addition to the railway.

This is a Dapol Class 121, Nº 121027, in Silver Link livery, Catalogue Nº 4D-009-005.

We do already have a Hornby (ex-Lima) Class 121, in BR blue and grey livery, Nº 121026, Catalogue Nº R2770.

However, she is fairly lightweight and pretty basic so I thought it would be nice to introduce a more colourful (some might say gawdy) version of the bubble car, which are predominantly used on the branch line to Niggly Bottom but which can also occasionally be seen on local services on the main line.

In the picture, above, the Hornby 121 is also seen at Niggly Bottom. 

She, unlike her newly acquired sister, has been weathered and I think the Dapol 121 would definitely benefit from being similarly treated, if only to tone her down a bit.

Both have sound decoders fitted, with the Dapol having one by DC Kits while the Hornby model has one by Howes.

The Dapol loco does come with a space provided for a Dapol-recommended speaker, which is sited beneath the seating panel. However, we found this position, and the speaker, to be wholly inadequate.

So, we changed the speaker for a slightly larger one and moved it to sit, out of sight, on the seating panel and this certainly improved it..

Black to Normal

After last week's visit of some of the friends of Thomas, we return to more typical motive power on the railway in the shape of three Hornby BR black-liveried steam locomotives.

The first locomotive is this rather splendid A3 Class 4-6-2 'Flying Scotsman' in its Wartime guise, below:

In the first photo we see her crossing Niggly Bottom viaduct with an express for the north while, in the second photo, she is seen on the branch line, waiting to depart Anchwood for Gunnmere Junction.

This particular loco was produced by Hornby between 2011 and 2013 for the National Railway Museum. Only 500 models were produced and the Catalogue Nº is R3100.

As you can see she also has two running numbers (103 & 502) depending upon which side of the loco you are looking at.

She does come with German Smoke Deflectors but we decided not to fit these.

The next loco is the first of two Hornby 1:1 Collection models that I recently acquired.. This one being a BR Class 9F, 2-10-0, Nº 92212.

Once again I have included a couple of photos in order to show both sides of this powerful-looking locomotive.

In the first picture she is passing through Carswater at the head of the Pines Express.

In the second photo we see her hauling a rake of coal wagons through Manxton.

This is actually a fairly new locomotive, of which Hornby have produced just 500, with the Catalogue Nº R3941

So to the final member of our trio, which is also the second of the Hornby 1:1 Collection. This one is a BR Class 5MT 4-6-0, Nº 45379.

In the first photo this rather handsome loco is waiting to depart Davemoor with a train for the south.

Meanwhile, in the second photo, she is passing the cattle dock siding at High Bridge, on her way up the branch towards Anchwood.

As with the 9F, this is also a Limited Edition with, in her case, just 1,000 models being produced, with the Catalogue Nº R3805.

Three Friends of Thomas

In keeping with many railways around the UK, especially those Heritage lines, we felt that we should invite Thomas and a few of his friends to visit our railway.

Well, sadly, Thomas was unavailable as he is having to self-isolate at the moment but he did send along three of his friends - Percy, Stepney and Dart.

In the photo, above, we see Percy, the 0-4-0ST Saddle Tank locomotive, Nº 6, in the Service Depot. Clearly the long journey from Sodor took its toll and he needed some attention upon arrival..

Here now is Stepney, the tiny 0-6-0 Terrier locomotive. He is seen at one of our stations with a colourful wagon in tow. During his brief visit he became great friends with our own 0-6-0 Terrier 'Brighton Works'.

This is Dart, the third loco to visit us, and she is an 0-4-0DS diesel shunter, which can normally be seen at the Vicarstown Dieselworks. Here, though, she is seen at Gunnmere with three attractive circus vans and, apparently, she was very pleased to have been able to spend some time away from the other smelly diesels..

Finally, all three locos pose for the camera prior to returning to Sodor and they said they would love to come back again one day - and, this time, bring Thomas with them.

Recent Additions

Time now to take a look at recent additions to the fleet of locomotives as well as some more unusual coaches.

Firstly we have this Bachmann Class 42 Warship, D832 'Onslaught', in BR green livery, Catalogue No. 32-051.

She joins our other Class 42, D812 'Royal Naval Reserve', in BR blue livery and our Class 43, 865 'Zealous' in maroon livery.

Next is another green liveried diesel hydraulic, in the shape of this Heljan Class 52 'Western', D1037 'Western Empress', Catalogue No. 5201.

She, too, joins two stablemates - namely Heljan D1067 'Western Druid' and Dapol 1058 'Western Nobleman', both of which are in BR blue livery.

This final locomotive is this rather handsome Lima Class 50, 50017 'Royal Oak' in VSOE Pullman Maroon livery, Catalogue No. L205175.

It is unlikely that she will join our fleet of operational locos since she cannot easily be converted to DCC sound, however, I must admit, she does look rather striking, especially when paired to a rake of maroon and gold liveried Coronation Scot coaches.

So, who knows.

Now this, dear friends, is a Bachmann Class 419/MLV Motor Luggage Van 'Royal Mail, Catalogue No. 31-265K.

This unusual item was only available through the Bachmann Collector's Club and is No. 328 of only 504 produced in 2014.

She can and will be converted to DCC sound and should prove to be quite an interesting addition to the railway.

Another unusual addition is this Bachmann 57' ex-LMS  Composite Coach LNER Camping Coach, Running No. M020465M, Catalogue No. 34-251W.

This was produced exclusively for Frizinghall Model Railways and, again, only 504 were produced although no certificates were issued with them. 

These date, I believe, from around 2014 / 2015.

Finally, two more Departmental coaches to add to the three we already have..

These were produced by Bachmann, probably around 2015, for Invicta Model Rail Ltd, Catalogue No. 39-001W and, again, only 504 were produced.

They were issued as a Mk 1 RTC Coach Twin Pack containing Laboratory 10 and 11 coaches with the Running Nos. RDB 975428 & RDB 975046 respectively.

Midsomer Norton Autumn Mixed Traffic Gala

Last weekend we attended the Midsomer Norton Autumn Mixed Traffic Gala and, although it was a wet day, it was great to have a couple of rides up the line and to see what progress has been made there.

In the photo, above, Class 03, D2128, waits to depart with the 10:00 am service.

From onboard the train, we see Joyce standing at Platform 2 with a short demonstration freight train.

Heading up the 1 in 50 towards the end of the line that, for the moment, is the start of the in-filled cutting, leading to Chilcompton tunnel.

Two views from the train, looking across the wet and windswept Mendips!

 

Here we are at the current limit of the line, which is about a mile from Midsomer Norton station.

On the return journey, we pass the Home signal and, then, a rake of goods wagons on the Up line ...

... followed by this fine view across Midsomer Norton.

Back at the station is the fully restored signal box, a model of which was recently produced by Bachmann, Catalogue No: 44-0100. I believe a few of these are still available through the station shop.

This strange contraption is a KGT3000 Road Rail Vehicle (RRV). It was purchased in 2004 from the Thomas Rail Equipment Company in Cinderford. It has since been extensively used by the Permanent Way team in laying the track extension as well as in general track maintenance activities.

Records show that this six wheel milk tanker, in United Dairies livery, Running No: M44000, actually operated over the S&D. It arrived at Midsomer Norton in 2006 and is undergoing major restoration before it can be used on passenger services or demonstration freight trains.

Finally we have the B40W Wickham Trolley Inspection Car, on which we had a not too uncomfortable ride. A model of this is also available from the shop.

Departmental Rolling Stock

In addition to the Royal Train and Northern Belle, we also have a rake of Departmental rolling stock that has recently been acquired.

Here we see each item being hauled by another recent addition to the loco fleet, namely another Hornby Class 50 50040 'Leviathan', Catalogue Nº R3653, which has been fitted with a DigiTrains sound decoder and megabass speaker - and she sounds awesome.

The real 50040 was named 'Leviathan' in September 1978 but was renamed 'Centurion' in July 1987 following the withdrawal of the original 'Centurion' (50011) in February of that year.

As it happens we also have 50011 'Centurion' in our fleet, also in large logo livery, and it is nice to have the two locos running together again, at least in model form, for the first time since 1987.

The first coach behind the loco is this Laboratory 23 BG Full Brake that, like the Northern Belle BG, is only available through the Bachmann Collector's Club and is a limited edition of only 504 pieces.

The Running Nº is RDB 975547 and the Catalogue Nº is 39-176K.

Next we have a Hornby Laboratory 10, which is an ex-Mk1 BSO. 

The running number of this coach is RDB 975428 and the Catalogue Nº is R40009.

The penultimate vehicle in this Departmental rake is another Hornby ex-Mk1 BSO, in the guise of a Landore Breakdown Unit.

Her running number is ADB 975082 and the Catalogue Nº is R40010.

And, so, bringing up the rear in this colourful consist is this Hornby BR R&D Division, ex-LMS CCT Research Laboratory.

The Running Nº is RDB 975667 and the Catalogue Nº is R60005.

These last three items are all in the current Hornby catalogue.

Now all we need is a similarly liveried locomotive to haul this train!