Western Region
The ‘Western’ diesel hydraulics
One of the most distinctive locomotives of the early modernisation era was the ‘Western’ diesel-hydraulic, a design which had a very short life on the main line and which was rendered obsolete almost as soon as it was built, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES reveals.
‘Western’ ambassadors for sound
The distinctive note of the ‘Western’ hydraulics is highly sought after in model form. PAUL CHETTER installs sound into Heljan and Dapols model of the Class 52 in ‘OO’ scale and compares the steps required and the results achieved.
Weathering a ‘Western’
TIM SHACKLETON turns a Heljan model of Western Enterprise into a detailed portrait of a real locomotive at a specific point in time to capture the elegance of these beautiful machines.
British Railways’ War of the diesels
One of British Railways most controversial decisions was to standardise on electric, rather than hydraulic transmission for diesel locomotives. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks at the background to this choice and and assesses whether it was correct.
Accurascale reveals 'OO' Siphon G
Paul Isles, Project Manager at Accurascale UK joins Mike Wild in the Hornby Magazine workshop to reveal the manufacturers latest 'OO' gauge project - the GWR Siphon G milk and parcels van.
Heljan’s 'O' gauge ‘Western’
2013 will go down as the year of the ‘Western’ with new offerings in ‘N’, ‘OO’ and ‘O’ gauge. Mike Wild reveals the latest version of these highly popular diesel-hydraulics from Heljan in ‘O’ gauge.
Dapol's ‘N’ gauge ‘Western’
Not that long ago British ‘N’ gauge was on its knees. At best we got crude detail and at worst we had crude detail and poor performance. All of that is now history and the standard of detail, finess and performance in today’s British ‘N’ gauge models are rivaling that of their larger ‘OO’ cousins.
Dapol 'OO' gauge ‘Western’
Few locomotives from the diesel and electric era provoke as much comment, debate and passion as the Western Region’s Swindon/Crewe built Class 52 ‘Westerns’. Dapol set out to produce ‘the’ definitive model of the class for ‘OO’ gauge - this is what we think.
The Essence of Swındon
Instant recognition was first on the list for MARK WILSON when he started designing this compact slice of the Great Western Railway’s famous works in Swindon. This is its story with exclusive video for subscribers. Photography, Richard Watson.
SWINDON WORKS
Swindon was amongst the railway towns and cities established in the 19th century. Its works came to personify efficiency and quality, a reputation lasting well into the diesel era. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES takes a look at this famous location and discovers how it came to occupy such an important pa rt in railway history.