N Gauge Class 22.

 

Western Region modellers are going to love this one – a small loco in a small scale which will inspire a few layouts, I am sure. Despite the long held view that minority loco classes would not make it to main stream modelling, manufacturers have broken into this field and are now offering some very attractive models of unusual prototypes. For N gauge, the Class 22 breaks new ground and Dapol has done a pretty good job of it too.It is a small Bo-Bo type locomotive which will suit anything from large layout themes based on WR main line action to sleepy west country branch lines.Features include wire hand rails, etched grilles applied to the body sides and flush glazing.The  off-set roof radiator grille characteristic of the Class 22 is faithfully represented.The face of what turned out to be a smooth running and powerful little model.

Spoked wheels are fitted and the spokes are individually represented. remember when it was considered impossible to produce spoked loco wheels (steam and diesel) for N gauge which were see-through? All four axles are powered.The technical specifications are up to the usual Dapol N gauge standard. A five pole slow speed motor is fitted which drives both bogies though the now standard drive shafts. Brass flywheels ensure that the model has some momentum too. Electronics include running lights and a 6-pin DCC socket. The body simply pulls off (no connecting wires to the chassis) to reveal a die cast chassis which brings the model’s weight in at around 75g. Test running proved to be very satisfactory, with no light leakage into the cab and smooth controllable running. In all, a very smart model of an unusual prototype!

One from the archives…

I was a student when I took this picture of 3H No. 1126 in the early 1980s. It’s a timely find in my negative collection – Kernow Model Rail Centre has not long released its exclusive ‘Thumper’ model, albeit in early green as a 2H.

Overcoming analysis paralysis…

There was a block on the completion of my Montana Rail Link 4th Sub layout which occupies the lower and middle deck of my home based, never to go to shows, layout. I really, really was not keen on any sort of bridge across the entrance doors to the cabin – it was an absolute ‘Given’ in my planning that there should be no bridge. This, combined with a determined bit of bloody-mindedness over the inclusion of a trestle on the 4th Sub line resulted in a struggle with the final bit of track planning, holding up the middle deck of the layout.

In the end, I looked at the possibility of using aluminium angle to create a rigid and stable removable bridge across the doors to the cabin. The experiment worked and thus a route for the secondary 10th Sub line could be included in the plan, resolving several track planning dilemmas. Also, this move clarifies where the west end staging yard (Sandpoint) will be located.

Some care was needed to ensure good alignment at each end of the lift out bridge. This allows a single track line to run round the opposite side of the room from the main line (4th Sub route) and allows the junction with the 4th Sub at Paradise to be modelled.

With that planning change, work could commence on the building of the baseboards, inserting the spline track bed and preparing for track laying. The layout is based on shelf layout principles and the boards above are only 10 inches wide, minimising impact on the room but increasing operating potential of the layout.

The picture above shows a view of testing work on the new door bridge using temporary wiring before completing the back drop and fascia. A switch to prevent trains entering the bridge zone will be installed to prevent accidents!

The door bridge project turned out to be more successful than I had hoped. I can now make further changes – installing a Pratt through truss bridge (4 spans) on this stretch of 10th Sub line to cross the Flat Head River and a similar truss bridge on the main line close to Paradise Yard. This fills my bridge building urges and means the originally planned trestle can be dropped. At last, the over-thinking (or analysis paralysis) is over and practical work on the layout has recommenced – and all resolved by adopting a more flexible approach.

Layout photography

As you might imagine, the various layout projects I am building are photographed on a fairly regular basis. A project for the Bachmann Collectors Club Magazine sees ‘Dudley Heath’ under the spots once again…an excuse to run trains too. Two Class 150s pass each other on the main line. They are straight-from-the-box Graham Farish. I have plans to buy a couple more and introduce some of the variations (together with Centro livery) that existed in the Central Trains Class 150 fleet.

From time to time , I have opportunity to photograph something really special. ‘Rhyd’ by David John is one such example: Narrow gauge inspired by the Ffestiniog Railway and built using many of the layout design concepts floated by Iain Rice over the years. Rhyd is 2ft narrow gauge modelled to 7mm scale. A sequence of pictures were taken for a magazine; such photography being a growing area of my magazine portfolio (sounds posh!?!) This single image says it all – a real pleasure to watch and photograph.

Completing the W&SR set in N gauge.

The small pint sized N gauge layout I built as a layout project for BRM magazine is not nearly complete, but sees a great deal of use day to day for photography and just playing trains. The arrival of the new Dapol N gauge twin coach pack to go with the Wrexham & Shropshire book set sees a complete formation out on the main line of Dudley Heath for the first time, replacing a couple of vinyl overlay Mk.3 coaches I was using in the set as stand in vehicles.

The twin pack consists of one of Dapol’s new Mk.3 RFM coaches which makes up the missing Coach A of the formation and a Standard Class coach. There are some detail differences between the full size RFM vehicles refurbished for use by W&SR and the model. However, the near fit model is still much welcomed.

The catering car is located adjacent to the DVT. The second coach of the pack is a Standard Class Mk.3 trailer as the missing Coach A. Not only is the set now complete, but in the correct coach letter order too.

A four plus two formation is the perfect length of train for Dudley Heath which runs well in both propelling and hauling mode. In addition to the W&SR twin pack, Dapol is releasing a similar trailer plus RFM pack for the Virgin West Coast ‘Pretendolino’ MK.3 set and a catering trailer for the East Midlands Trains HST book set.

A reminder of the W&SR service two years following its withdrawal. Coach C – a Mk.3 Standard coach.

Coach D at the country end of the set coupled to the DVT. This is a rebuilt Mk.3 RFM vehicle.

New for 2013 – Hornby 2BIL

Hornby’s surprise announcement for 2013 and almost immediate release (a well kept secret) is the 2BIL in OO gauge in two guises: Southern Railway and BR Green. Equipped with a single drive bogie and adequate weight to power the 2 car set, these period Southern electric units will be a good match for the previously released 5BEL Brighton Belle set.

Perhaps the best side of the 2BIL is the corridor side of the unit, they being completely compartment stock. Lasting until the early 1970s, many wound up in BR green with full yellow ends and of course, plain BR blue with full yellow ends. What next for Hornby now it seems to have the bit between its teeth where Southern electric is concerned…a HAL, PUL or PAN?

View from Sgorr Ruadh

Digging around in my photo archives, I found a series of pictures making up a panorama taken from Sgorr Ruadh…

Munro ‘Beinn Liath Mhor’ is to the middle left and the Corbett ‘Fruar Tholl’ is in the middle of the view which is south east of my position. To the right is Loch Carron in the distance and Munro ‘Maol Chean-Dearg’. At the extreme right of the picture, in the distance, is Loch Shieldaig and Loch Torridon. Spectacular scenery!