Friday, 18 September 2015

O GAUGE MODEL -- BR (ex - LNER) CLASS C13 4-4-2 [No. 67417]


O Gauge Kit Class C13 [No 67417]
Built from a Gladiator kit, Dad created this O Gauge model, it's been finished in it's final BR Livery and represents the final loco in the C13 (ex 9K) class to be built and the last to be withdrawn. 

The Great Central Railway 9K and 9L classes were two related classes of 4-4-2T Atlantic steam locomotives, they were both intended for suburban passenger services. After the 1923 Grouping, they served the LNER as classes C13 and C14. 

Background

The 9K / C13 class was built for the London suburban services, running from the GCR's Marylebone terminus. Their designer was John G. Robinson. The design was based on the earlier Pollitt Class 9G 2-4-2T locomotives, but with a lengthened boiler and a leading bogie to carry it

Within a few years, the timing of these suburban trains was facing competition from electric services. Competing with these required faster acceleration and the more powerful 4-6-2T Class 9N was introduced.

From 1922 they were dispersed away from London through the GCR network, to South Yorkshire between Manchester, Sheffield and Mexborough. 



Most notably, many of them went to Wrexham were they were based successfully until the 1950s. The South Yorkshire engines gradually moved to Gorton locomotive shed, from where they were used on Manchester suburban services, and destinations as far as Hayfield and Macclesfield, later joined by the 9Ls, until they were both replaced by DMUs after post-1955 dieselisation.





All passed into British Railways service and survived until at least 1952. but were withdrawn between 1955 and 1959. The last No 67417 was scrapped in 1960. None were preserved.



THIS model is based on the Class C13, and has been allocated the number 67417 which represented the last surviving locomotive of it's class into BR days. The original loco being scrapped in 1960 some five years after most of it's class were broken up. 




The model is seen here on the Hillingdon Railway Modellers test track and has been extensively tested along with it's companion the N5 Class which will be the subject of my next review of my late fathers modelling skills. 



Sunday, 13 September 2015

BORDERS RAILWAY REOPENS AND STEAM SPECIALS RUN TILL OCTOBER

History was made this month with the "re-opening" of the Borders Railway from Edinburgh Waverley to Tweedbank at a forecast cost of £294 million. 


HM The Queen was on hand to perform the official ceremony on the day that she passed Queen Victoria to become our longest serving monarch. Arrived in style behind a steam hauled service with LNER Class A4 (60009) 'Union of South Africa' doing the work.

As part of the celebrations of the opening of this line a special Steam Service will operate on Wednesday, Thursday and Sundays until 18th October, take the opportunity to relive the golden age of travel with ScotRail steam trains journeys.

Edinburgh Waverley – Tweedbank – Edinburgh Waverley
10th September – 18th October

The steam service departs 
Edinburgh Waverley 

   Wed/Thurs -- 10:52

   Sun -- 10:44

Arrives Tweedbank

  Wed/Thurs -- 
12:14 
  Sun -- 12:15


Fares;

First class adult: £75    First class child: £75
Standard class adult: £40    Standard class child (under 16): £20

Standard class family (2 adults, 2 children): £100

The Steam service will run till Sunday 18th October

No 60009 Union of South Africa will haul these journeys. This steam locomotive is one of six remaining LNER Class A4's, and was built in Doncaster in 1937. She underwent a major overhaul in 2010 at Crewe and return to service in 2012, has a certificate for main line working and is a regular on the many steam tours run throughout the year. 




Further info on the route and maps of stations throughout the line can be found on this interactive site;

Friday, 4 September 2015

GRANTHAM RAILWAY SOCIETY 2015 SHOW [12th -- 13th SEPTEMBER 2015]


Come and see 'Grantham' at Grantham - Début exhibition appearance in its completed form of the layout "Grantham - the Streamliner Years" which show cases the LNER scene during its most exciting era. 

Plus 16 layouts in N, OO9, OO gauges including others with a 'Lincolnshire flavour'. Bus service from town centre available Saturday only

LOCATION:

Walton Girls' High School & Sixth Form, Kitty Briggs Lane, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 7JR

OPENING TIMES: 

SAT 10am to 5.00pm, 
SUN 9.30am to 4.30pm

ADMISSION: 

Adults £4.00,    Concessions £3.00 
Children £2.00   Family £10.00






List of Traders Attending : 

Book Law Publications
Brickyard Models
Finishing Touches
Elaine's Trains
Joe Lock Model Railways
Keith's Model Railways
Layouts 4u
Model Railway Shop Grantham
P & H Models
Railfuture
Return to Grantham Group
Sherwood Models
Talyllyn RPS 

List of Layouts Attending :

Ashbrook Dale (00)
Avyn-A-Llyin (009) Fictitious Location on Welsh Coast.
Billingborough (00) 1960s
Boghampton (00) Mid 1960s Fictitious Terminus Between Portsmough and Ramsgate.
Cottleston (00) Modern Image Fictitious Location Nottinghamshire/derbyshire Border Area.
Corringford East (N)
Evington St. John (00) East Anglia Late 1960s.
Farkham (00) 1980/90s Midlands Town.
Grantham the Streamliner Years (00) Grantham 1935-39.
Hansell Road (N) Fictitious Location South East England.
Newton East (00) 1955-65 Fictitious Location.
Sutton (00) Late 1950s – Impression of an Eastern Terminus of A Proposed Extension of the Ld&ecrly from Warrington to Sutton on Sea.
Westbrook (N) 1980/90s Fictitious Midlands Industrial Town on A Busy Cross Country Route.
Tinners Wharf (N) West Country Branch Line 1970s.
Zweiburg (N) German – Modern Image on River Mosel South of Koblenz.
Whitefield (N) USA Industrial Area.

List of Other Displays :
Film Show of Great Central Railway, Loughborough


Nearest Railway Stations :
Grantham [0.9 miles]


Location and Map