News highlights from 2007...

Patriot arrives...

REBUILT Patriot class locomotive 45531 ‘Sir Frederick Harrison’ is the latest Hornby LMS 4-6-0 to reach retailers in the UK. The model is available in both DCC ready and DCC fitted versions.

Maunsell coaches

A NUMBER of Hornby Maunsell coaches — Corridor First and Composite in BR Southern Region green livery — have started appearing in UK shops. Further variants are expected shortly.

Dapol gives go ahead for Spine wagon

DAPOL is to produce a range of 00 spine wagons after testing the market by asking modellers and dealers their views on the likely demand for the model.

Twin-packs of Freightliner vehicles should be available in time for the Festival of British Railway Modelling at Alexandra Palace in March 2008. Other variants will follow later in 2008. Full story in the December issue of Trains On-line Magazine.

Royal Scot (1)

THE first of Hornby’s all new Rebuilt Royal Scot locomotives have arrived in the shops. They include both DCC ready and DCC fitted (indicated by an X after the model number) versions of each loco.

The currently available locos include 46102 (Black Watch, early BR green), 46140 (Kings Royal Rifle Corps, early BR green, weathered), 46146 (The Rifle Brigade, late BR green) and 6133 (The Green Howards, LMS black, no smoke deflectors).

Royal Scot (2)

BACHMANN has dropped its plans to introduce a brand new version of its long running Rebuilt Royal Scot locomotives. The firm’s parent company Kader Industrial has been producing them since 1977, initially for Mainline and since 1997 for Bachmann, but the firm felt that there was not room in the market for two brand new models.

Instead, Bachmann will concentrate on the other LMS 4-6-0 locomotives already announced. Its plans for the new Jubilee are now well advanced.

Station exhibition...

STATION, an international collection of four photography exhibitions with a broad railway theme, opened at Birmingham’s historic Curzon Street Station on 12 September. The event, which ran until 26 September, provided an opportunity for enthusiasts to visit the oldest surviving railway terminus in the world.

Among the photographs on display in the Grade 1 listed building was a collection taken from Birmingham Central Library’s vast photographic archive with railway views dating back to the early days of photography.

New gearbox from Comet

COMET has announced the release of a new gearbox, the GB5. It is etched in nickel silver, has fixing holes at 8, 8.5 and 10 mm centres and makes use of metal gears fixed by grub screw.

Heljan notches up 50

DANISH model manufacturer Heljan celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and marked the occasion by throwing open its doors to visitors on Saturday September 8.

Scenecraft figures from Bachmann

A BRAND new range of 00 gauge figures is now available from Bachmann. They have been developed as a useful addition to the modern modelling scene and a set of construction workers and police and security staff have already been released.

Milk wagons available

HORNBY has introduced a range of six-wheel milk tanks based on the former Lima model, but benefiting from a completely retooled chassis based on the GWR design and incorporating Hornby couplings in NEM pockets. Prices should be around £6.75.

Falcons coming soon...?

DANISH manufacturer Heljan has begun advertising its latest BR diesels—the Brush Class 53 prototype Falcon and BR Class 58—but neither is currently available in the UK. The firm’s web site lists the locomotives as being out of stock.

The company plans to offer the Falcon in three different livery variations, while the Class 58 will appear in six different guises, including EWS maroon and gold.

Facelift planned for Standard 4MT

BACHMANN’S ageing Standard Class 4MT 4-6-0 locomotive—one of the original Mainline models introduced 30 years ago—is to be replaced with an all new model featuring new tooling and a chassis to accommodate DCC sockets.

The 75XXX series was last produced by Bachmann in 2002, but with the tooling life-expired and demand remaining high the firm aims to introduce a brand new model in about 18 months time.

Red Knight axed!

THE release of Hornby’s N15 Class ‘Red Knight’ has been postponed (see story below) after it was discovered the loco was fitted with a unique set of smoke deflectors, which are not part of the current tooling range. It is expected that it will be produced eventually, but in the meantime its place will be taken by King Uther.

New for the autumn

HORNBY is add a further four King Arthurs and a quartet of Bulleid Light Pacifics to its range this autumn.

The N15s include ‘Pendragon’ in Post War Malachite Green with an eight-wheeled bogie tender and ‘The Red Knight’ fitted with a Lemaitre blastpipe, also coupled to an eight-wheeled tender.

The Bulleids are all of the rebuilt variety, three with the narrow tender and one with the wide version.

Chassis conversion

COMET Models has converted its LMS 4F 0-6-0 chassis to the new nickel silver format. It can be built rigid, but can easily be built ‘sprung’ if preferred. The fret includes plain and fluted rods and balance weights.

Footbridge from Ratio

A MODULAR station footbridge, which can used in a variety of configurations, including both ground and platform mounted, is expected from Ratio this autumn.