November Compendium of Modelling News
Many apologies but pressure of life has resulted in me not being able to spend any time on web work and thus a back-log of modelling news. This posting attempts to bring you up to date.
SEG website modelling section:
Our 4mm scale data section has been updated with the past eight months’ worth of newly available models.
N gauge, 2mm scale:
Graham Farish
The one truly new Southern Electric model released this year has been the long in gestation Graham Farish Class 319s (372-875 319004 revised NSE and 372-876 319382 Thameslink blue and yellow) and these have been available for a few months now. As I model in 4mm scale I have not seen any of these other than in their boxes on traders’ stalls at exhibitions so am unable to write a review. However, Bachmann Industries Europe have put up their hand and have admitted to two manufacturing errors. Both the NSE and Thameslink versions do not have the correct number of pick-up bogies and the Thameslink version has an incorrect lavatory window. Bachmann will be supplying replacement pick-up bogies and Thameslink livery TSO vehicle bodies in due course and they will be communicating how to obtain these when they are available. However, expect to have to provide evidence of purchase.
Revolution Trains
Whilst on 2mm scale, Revolution Trains are to produce various Classes 375, 377 and 387 Electrostar models in, as applies to this group’s remit, Southeastern, Southern, First Capital Connect and possibly Gatwick Express liveries. This to follow on from their yet to be released Class 313 models, as previously mentioned in LR. Revolution Trains are a small niche company producing high quality models, but they only produce in small batches if there is sufficient demand and they reach a minimum number of advance orders – paid up front – placed directly with them. They only supply a few select retailers, so if you want one of these models you will need to place and pay for an advance order on their website https://www.revolutiontrains.com . However, at the time of writing they had yet to open their order book for Electrostars and it does not appear to be mentioned on their website. I would not necessarily read anything into this other than it is evidence they are a very small company, as some of their already announced models still have not had their order books opened after a year or so. Delivery is expected 12-18 months after opening their order book.
OO gauge, 4m scale:
Bachmann
Bachmann have recently delivered two MLVs fitted with DCC sound: 31-265ASF MLV S68002 BR(S) green and 31-267ASF MLV S68008 BR blue & grey. Note these are not new livery-number combinations but DCC sound fitted versions of models already in their catalogue.
Dapol
Dapol have recently released another batch of Electro-Diesels, all of which are new livery-number versions from Dapol:
- 4D-006-015 E6012 in BR electric blue with small yellow panels
- 4D-006-016 E6031 in BR blue with small yellow panels
- 4D-006-017 73002 in BR blue
- 4D-006-018 73120 in BR blue
- 4D-006-019 73126 in BR large logo blue
- 4D-006-020 73136 in Intercity Executive livery
- 4D-006-021 73109 ‘Battle of Britain’ in GBRf livery
Also now available now are DCC fitted (/D) and DCC sound fitted (/S) versions of existing Dapol EDL models 4D-006-010/D BR Green E6004, 4D-006-012/D South West Trains and 4D-006-013/S Southern/Gatwick Express 73202.
Heljan
Unsurprisingly, and they are not alone in this, Heljan have announced price increases for all their forthcoming models. For their Class 33s the increase is 11%.
Kernow Model Rail Centre
Kernow Model Rail Centre have formally announced their exclusive 4mm scale Class 159, 159016, in South Western Railway colours, using Bachmann’s latest tooling for Class 158s. Delivery is expected towards the end of this year or early next year and Kernow are now open for pre-orders. 31-520Z DC £459.95, 31-520ZSF DCC sound £559.95. In case you are wondering if you have read those prices correctly, yes these prices are 18% and 22% of the current fuel price cap as calculated for the mythical average house’s use of energy. As a price point comparison, Irish Railway Models’ recently announced newly developed and tooled Iarnrod Eireann three car ICRs (Inter City Railcars) are priced at £299 and £400 including UK p&p respectively, and these are also low volume exclusives.
No news is no news!
There is no recent news of Hornby’s re-tooled 4Vep model (which was originally due to the third quarter of this year) nor of KR Models 4DD.
Colin Duff, Modelling Officer 24th November 2022
