Migration to new blog!

It's been sometime since I posted something up here, I was surprised how long....

My time has mostly been spent absorbed into the local modelling scene and so I have had little chance to research any further additions to this blog. However I have decided to continue blogging on a brand new blog which is modelling focused but will cover real-world prototypes as well.
I will not be closing this blog down but updates may be very sporadic!

I invite everyone to join me over at modellingrailways.blogspot.com where I will be ruminating over everything from Kadee knuckle couplers to who has kits avaliable to build an LNWR 'Jumbo' (and a bit on the real thing). I would be delighted to answer any and all requests for articles, any questions or comments and indeed will do my best to ensure as much variety as possible is covered.

Thankyou to my patient readers and hope to surprise you all with much more regular updates.

Matt

New Build Steam: Better all the time

Its been quite a while!

By now most railfans who follow the UK preservation scene will know that two more new build steam projects have come to fruition- both of which have immense historical importance.

At Dictot, the Great Western Society has completed their rebuild of Steam Railmotor no 23. With crimson lake livery it looks fantastic- and until the Pichi Richi Railway returns their 'Coffee Pot' railmotor to service it is the only operational Steam Railmotor anywhere! The missing link in the evolution of the multiple unit has been filled, and it is also a good vehicle to operate on todays preserved railways.

Meanwhile, the ever famous quote 'Perchance it is not dead, but sleepeth' made about the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway is being proved ever more correct. Not only has the railway itself slowly begun to reappear, but for the first time since the 1930s a Manning Wardle 2-6-2 tank engine of the same type as seen on the railway is operational! 'Lyd', given a name enver used by the Original locos, has been built by the Ffestiniog Railway. So far it has carried a plain black liver as 190 and a fictional BR Livery as BR 30190! Every L&B enthusiast is no doubt waiting for the moment when Lyd is given full southern green livery.

In the meantime, the Brighton Atlantic project at the Bluebell Railway is making leaps and bounds, we're getting ever closer to seeing a GWR 'County' and 'Grange', the 'Bloomer' is still lurking somewhere in Tysley works, two new projects have been launched for a Great Eastern 'Claud Hamilton' and 567 class 4-4-0s....and two seperate groups are considering building a massive P2 2-8-2, including the A1 Steam Trust who built Tornado.

On a final note, Tornado is now in Brunswick Green. With Flying Scotsman due back in service shortly, we shall soon have the incredible moment of classes A1, A2, A3 and A4 being present in the one place....something no one thought would happen ever again!

More inaccuracy from the Anti Webb faction

Its now a common source of disgust for me to see the continued blackballing of Mr F.W. Webb and his experiments in compound traction. Despite modern railway authors and editors now reaching a general consensus the Webb Compounds were actually reasonably successful and not outright failures, there are still those perpetuating the plain out rubbish that resulted from the post-Webb whitewash of his engines.

This particular article got my goat enormously...

FROM STEAM TO KA etc etc etc

As you might notice, I wrote a rather heavy reply to the author who replied stating his position and ironically confirming what I knew- his information was from a single source, and a secondary one at that. Tuplin is of course a well known engineer who wrote on many railway subjects but his writings need to be read with caution, particuarily as he has a 'what I would have done' mentality according to KPJ from the mighty STEAMINDEX.

Whereas my own sources supporting my own argument-pro Webb- lists a considerable number of primary sources as well as secondary, the author can claim just Tuplin. His argument does not make like of the evidence, as such I can wholesaley declare who is right in this case. It is rare that I am this rude, but to be blunt I was offended by the amateurish further demolishing of Webb's reputation which is finally starting to be restored in recent years.

I urge all of you to read the article and add- in no uncertain terms- that the railway community will not accept such poor essays talking of things that the author has not bothered to read up on- let the evidence speak for itself!

London Road Models: pre-grouping kits

First post for a while, want to share one particular shop..

If you've read my blog for a while, you'd by now have worked out I have a very affectionate spot for the LNWR 'Teutonic' (despite being born 80 years after the last went..) and especially no 1304 'Jeanie Deans', the very best of the entire crop of Webb compounds.

Now that I have moved into the world of railway modeling, I have naturally attempted to get myself a 'Teutonic'! However, unsurprisingly my search has been a disaster- the LNWR has very few kits and only one ready to run engine! (the new Bachmann G2/Super D 0-8-0). One site had the Teutonic but the the larger 7mm/O Scale- too big!

Finally, I managed to locate one supplier- London Road Models. Not only does he have the Teutonic (the newest kit by the way) but to my joy he also has the 'Lady of the Lake/Problem', 'Improved Precedent', 'Greater Britain' and 'Cauliflower' among others!
Not only is the LNWR catered for, but other companies have a small selection too: Midland, Great Eastern, GNR, NE and some others.

Also, there are a nice range of coaches and rolling stock for the companies.

Now the bad news...

The gentleman who owns the business has neither on-line ordering nor even an email adress- leaving Australian customers with two options: phone or mail (one horrifically expensive, the other slow).

I selected mail, and got a reply within two weeks.

For overseas buyers, paying by credit card is the only option- mainly because it enables postage to be worked out and charged per model and added on quickly (when ordering, include your card no, security no. and expiry).

I have ordered the 'Teutonic' kit, asking to have everything needed to run the model included- it is not quite clear (at least to me) whether motor/pickups/chassis etc would be enclosed. I will divulge more about the kit once it arrives (and the receipt to see what's included and what's added on), however, LRM has gotten praise from many modellers due to the quality of the work, so at least I can expect a well-made model.

The website is here if you'd like to inspect the catalogue: LONDON ROAD MODELS

and here is the adress to write to:

London Road Models, PO Box 643, Watford, Herts. WD24 5ZJ

Bluebell Railway Appeal: 'Tenner for the Tip'

As some of you might know, the Bluebell Railway is currently extending its operations northwards towards a new terminus at East Grinstead, however progress has been firmly blocked by a massive tip full of rubbish in Imberhorne tip, to which 100,000 tons of domestic rubbish were thrown in the late 60s.

Approximately £35k has been raised thus far, through a current appeal 'Tenner for the Tip'. A donation of £10 will get you a certificate stating your donation, which wil allow the railway to remove a quarter of a ton of rubbish from the tip.

Please consider a donation, and help this famous line reach East Grinstead!


TENNER FOR THE TIP HOMEPAGE

Garratt art now avaliable!

Announcing the first of my all new locomotive art!

Avaliable as a shirt and as artwork, a 'drawing' (photoshopped photo) of a mighty 400class Garratt.



Please consider purchasing even a postcard sized variant and help me save up for more railway books to review.

Anounced: Ready to Run Bulleid "Leader" OO Gauge

A major plug here to help make sure another project gets to the finish line- mainly, because it invloves something I have discussed here: the enigmatic 'Leader' prototype designed by O.V.S Bulleid.

Loconotion, a family owned model business in the UK, has teamed with major players Dapol in order to deliver a 'very detailed and well presented model' , ready-to-run in OO gauge.

At present, they are taking orders, which will not need be paid for until production begins (which will be when sufficient orders have been achieved.

Here is the official site, please consider ordering a model and supporting this brave venture!

LOCONOTION MODELS