UPDATE
Heljan reveals
THE Class 31/1 and 31/4 will be added to Heljan’s expanding modern image ‘O’ gauge collection together with new liveries for its Mk 1 carriages and the versatile Mk 1 Covered Carriage Truck (CCT) four-wheel parcels van. All were announced at the Gauge O Guild exhibition in Telford at the beginning of September.
The refurbished Class 31s are set for release in early 2020 and are currently undergoing design amendments before entering the decoration stage. They will have twin motors, directional lights and working roof fans as per the original condition locomotives produced in 2013 (HM70).
The Class 31/1 will be available as 31296 Amlwch Freighter/Tren Nwyddau Amlwch in Railfreight ‘large logo’ grey and yellow with light weathering (Cat No. 3120) as well as unnumbered versions in Railfreight red stripe grey and yellow (3121), Railfreight triple grey without branding (3122) and BR ‘Dutch’ grey and yellow (3123). The Class 31/4 will feature a high-intensity headlight and will be available unnumbered in BR blue (3140), InterCity Mainline (3141), Regional Railways (3142) and Network Rail yellow (3144) as well as in EWS maroon and gold as 31466 (3143). Prices are to be confirmed.
The popular BR Mk 1 carriages are also being modernised to suit operation with Heljan’s growing range of diesels. New Commonwealth and B4 bogies have been tooled to allow the coaches to be released in Network SouthEast, InterCity, Regional Railways and BR blue and grey liveries. The bogies will also be available separately.
The new carriages will be produced branded but without running numbers and are expected to be available in late-2019 or early 2020. Prices are due to be announced this autumn.
Completing Heljan’s Telford announcements is its plan to develop a 7mm scale ready-to-run BR Mk 1 CCT. It will be released in all significant liveries from steam era BR maroon through BR maroon and departmental colours schemes. Development is at an early stage and Heljan has said that full details will be announced as they are confirmed.
•Visit the Heljan Facebook page for the latest updates.
KR MODELS LAUNCHES KUA NUCLEAR WAGON PROJECT
The KUA eight-axle nuclear flask wagon has been selected as KR Models' next ‘OO’ gauge ready-to-run model and it is to feature DCC operated opening cargo doors – a first for the British market.
The KUA nuclear flask wagons were introduced to transport nuclear fuel used by submarines in the Royal Navy from Devonport Dockyard. They feature two-part cargo doors and four separate bogies. Bombardier built the wagons in Wakefield.
Heljan shows narrow gauge Baldwin 2-4-2T CADs
The first CAD drawing images of Heljan’s new ‘OO9’ gauge model of Lynton & Barnstaple Railway (L&BR) Baldwin 2-4-2T Lyn have been revealed. The drawings allow changes to the locomotive during its operation including different headlamps, safety valves, smokebox doors and tank filler hatches.
Heljan has also confirmed the livery choices for the model. Baldwin 2-4-2T models will cover undecorated works black (Cat No. 9980), Lyn in pre-1906 L&BR dark olive green (9981), Lyn in post-1906 L&BR dark olive green (9982), E762 Lyn in SR (ex-L&BR) dark olive green (9983), E762 Lyn in pre-1932 SR green (9984) and E762 Lyn in post-1932 SR green (9985).
Prices and release date are to be confirmed.
•Visit the Heljan Facebook page for more images.
Limited Edition TMC ‘Whistler’
Class 40 233 Empress of England in pre-TOPS BR blue has been selected as The Model Centre’s (TMC) next 'OO' Bachmann limited edition (Cat No. 32-482Z).
Built in 1959 it was named Empress of England in 1961, lost its D prefix in the late 1960s and was an early recipient of BR blue. In 1974, 233 became 40033 under the TOPS renumbering scheme.
Prices are set at £189.95 for Digital Command Control (DCC) ready and £279.95 for factory-fitted DCC sound models. TMC will also be offering its weathering and parts fitting services as added options.
A pre-production decorated sample has been received for evaluation, with delivery expected during the second quarter of 2020.
•Visit www.themodelcentre.com for more information.
Dapol shows Class 21/29 in colour
The latest decorated samples of its Class 21 and 29 North British built Bo-Bo diesels for ‘OO’ gauge have been shown by Dapol. They are scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2019 with prices starting at £151.95 DCC ready rising to £293.93 for DCC sound fitted versions.
The Dapol model caters for both the original disc-headcode Class 21s as well as the revised Class 29s with centre headcode panels and new engines.
Eight locomotives are being produced modelling original BR green, BR green with small yellow warning panels, BR two-tone green with small yellow warning panels, BR two-tone green with full yellow ends and BR blue colour schemes.
•Visit www.dapol.co.uk for more information.
SEE NEWHAVEN AT WIGAN MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION
The Wigan Model Railway Exhibition takes place on October 5/6 2019 featuring more than 30 layouts including Newhaven Harbour – as featured in HM147. In addition, 40 trade stands, 10 demonstrations and seven society stands will take part in the two day event which is held at Robin Park Leisure Centre, Wigan WN5 0UL.
Doors open at 10am each day with tickets priced at £10 for adults. Accompanied children under 16 enter for free. The venue has refreshements, disabled access to all areas, free parking and a vintage bus service running from Wigan North Western station on the West Coast Main Line.
•Visit www.wiganfrm.org.uk for more information.
IN BRIEF
•Mickleover Model Railway Group (MMRG) has taken delivery of its latest exclusive Bachmann ‘OO’ gauge limited edition, 37026 Loch Awe in BR blue (Cat No. 32-779X). It portrays 37026 in early 1980s condition with correct Class 37/0 body tooling, open boiler port, split headcode boxes, gangway doors and includes the distinctive small West Highland Terrier emblem carried by locomotives allocated to Glasgow’s Eastfield depot at the time. Priced at £169.99 plus postage and packing for pristine Digital Command Control (DCC) ready examples, 512 models have been produced. DCC soundfitted and weathered models are also available on request at an added cost.
•Visit www.mmrgexclusives.co.uk for more information.
•The Great Model Railway Challenge is coming back to our screens this autumn on Channel 5. Dates were subject to change as Hornby Magazine closed for press, but it is confirmed to feature eight episodes with the first due to be released in September.
•Visit www.channel5.com for the latest updates.
•Romford Model Railway Society has advised that its annual model railway exhibition, due to take place on Saturday November 2 2019 at Marshalls Park Academy in the town, has been cancelled due to personnel and operating difficulties. New members to the society are always welcome.
•Contact Alan Kay on 07946 615381 for more information.
The KR Models ‘OO’ gauge wagon will feature sprung buffers, a die-cast chassis, NEM coupling pockets and optional Kadee couplings. Prices are set at £150 for wagons with DCC operated cargo doors and £80 for non-DCC versions.
•The wagon is available to reserve at www.krmodels.co.uk with a delivery timescale to be confirmed.
