Preserved Steam Operations

[wensley]

I have had a model railway for a couple of years and am particularly interested in the modern day North East Scene. I have been wondering about creating a charter train for a few months but require some assistance ! Firstly I was wondering if anyone knew of a R-T-R steam locomotive that would be suitable for mainline charter use. I have already purchased 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' and a companion would be nice. Reccomendations for suitable coaching stock would also be incredibly helpful. As I have an interest in heritage diesel traction I also wondered if anyone could reccomend a locomotive to use as a standby or ETH locomotive.

Thanks for any advice,
Jonathon

 

[EE Type 3]

Bachmann have got a nice 4MT out, have a look at that.

Also a good Standby loco could be a Hornby 50, a Heljan 47 (if you like your duffs chubby :razz, or, a 67 from Hornby (not heritage but you can't have a railtour scene without them )

HTH
Dave

 

[kdruthless]

I understand that class 50s or 52s are popular standby Diesel locos for charter trains.

There are loads of steam locos you could use, LNER pacifics are favoured, but LMS Duchesses and Princesses are aslo liked. GWR Kings and Halls are good too. The southern has the widest variety, as almost any Southern model produced RTR is suitable for a charter train, from 'MErchant Navys' to 'West Countries/BoB' or even (at a stretch) a 'Q1'.

In terms of coaching stock, no MK1s are allowed to carry passengers anymore on the mainline. You can include them in a charter train, but they could only be used for Kitchen or Luggage facilities.

A possible exception are the MK1 Pullmans. I know West Coast Railways has at least one, not sure what they use it for though. Anyway, hope i've been of a little help here.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

I understand that class 50s or 52s are popular standby Diesel locos for charter trains....

....In terms of coaching stock, no MK1s are allowed to carry passengers anymore on the mainline. You can include them in a charter train, but they could only be used for Kitchen or Luggage facilities.

A possible exception are the MK1 Pullmans. I know West Coast Railways has at least one, not sure what they use it for though. Anyway, hope i've been of a little help here.

Heljan did D1015 (52), in 'OO', in that ocre colour which would suit the charter market I think. I have a few steam locos for charter use, whether they are still in use or not I don't know, but in any case they are the usual two suspects (FS and Mallard), then there is 'Coronation' (streamlined), 'Princess Elizabeth' and 'City of Carlisle', but to be honest most of my charters are diesel hauled. Some pictures:

A couple of real Charters this year (60009 'Union of South Africa' and 6201 'Princess Elizabeth'):

I've seen Mk1s in charters this year, but can't recall if there were passenger carrying ones though, feel sure there were some though. I think the pullmans are used as 'club' cars, I knew I should have paid more attention when 57601 appeared at the local station with a WCR rake and a shabby 'Regional Railways' MK2 brake coach!

 

[theblackwatch]

In terms of coaching stock, no MK1s are allowed to carry passengers anymore on the mainline. You can include them in a charter train, but they could only be used for Kitchen or Luggage facilities.

A possible exception are the MK1 Pullmans. I know West Coast Railways has at least one, not sure what they use it for though. Anyway, hope i've been of a little help here.

Sorry, but I'm afraid that's a load of rubbish! I've travelled on Mk. 1s all over the country this year, including a tour last Saturday where 11 of the 12 vehicles were Mk. 1 coaches. All the operators of Mk. 1 stock gained exemption certificates from 2003 to allow their vehicles to operate until 2013, the only stipulation being that if a Mk. 1 is the rear vehicle in a train formation it must not be occupied by fare-paying passengers (but this rule does not apply in Scotland!).

 

[EE Type 3]

I understand that class 50s or 52s are popular standby Diesel locos for charter trains.

50s, occasionally, 52s, err, no. There is only one mainline certified class 52 on the mainline, which is used as the tour loco rather than standby. These days it depends which OC is running the tour, EWS you'll have a 67 whether you like it or not, WCRC you'll get a 47 or 57601, occasionally 37s and 33s make an outing. Thats about it really.

 

[wensley]

Cheers for all that information. Does anyone know where I can get West Coast Railways transfers for coaching stock? I would also be grateful if anyone knew whether the Bachmann maroon Mk1s would be suitable having had such transfers added?!

 

[theblackwatch]

Cheers for all that information. Does anyone know where I can get West Coast Railways transfers for coaching stock? I would also be grateful if anyone knew whether the Bachmann maroon Mk1s would be suitable having had such transfers added?!

The biggest supplier of transfers for rolling stock is Fox Transfers, but looking on their website, surprisingly they don't appear to have done any WCRC logos yet. An alternative you could do a Riviera type rake (mainly chocolate/cream Mark 1s). For this, you would need the following vehicle types:

BCK - Bachmann 39-229A
RMB - Bachmann 39-263
SO - Bachmann 39-054A
FO - Replica 12134

It is quite surprising that Bachmann have never done a Mk. 1 FO, I don't think the Replica ones are that common to find now (luckily I got one a few years back when trying to build up a charter rake!).

For added authenticity, you might like to include a blood/custard or maroon coach in the formation!

Hope this helps.

 

[wensley]

Have finally had chance to do some digging! I have discovered that precision labels produce WCRC transfers but they are rather pricey at £9.99 for 8!!:roll:I have found out which models Bachmann produce:

39-226 : BR Mk1 BCK - Sir Nigel's Support Coach
39-076E : BR Mk1 BSK - 45231 Support Coach
39-261 : BR Mk1 RMB
39-051F : BR Mk1 SO
39-176 ; BR Mk1 BG (Generator Van??)

I was wondering if my suggestions above would be realistic and if anyone had seen a rake of such vehicles. The SO is intended to be a TSO due to the lack of another suitable model. Any other suggestion for addition to the rake shown below would be greatly appreciated.

STEAM LOCOMOTIVE - BR MK1 BCK - BR MK1 SO - BR MK1 RMB - BR MK1 SO - BR MK1 BSK - BR MK1 BG - EWS CLASS 67 OR CLASS 47 IN SUITABLE LIVERY

 

[34067James]

If you like spenting a lot of money on one model then how about the brand new A1 Tornado from TMC http://www.traffordmodelcentre.co.u...e=A1_60163_Tornado.htm&cart_id=1227120101.551 . Also would ex -Virgin MK 2 stock be good to use. I seen videos on youtube with ex virgin MK 2 stock one with A1 Tornado test run to Newcastle but most of the time t+t with 67's.

James

 

[wensley]

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP

(I too stood for an hour to see Tornado flash past Northallerton in 5 seconds!)

All your help has been really useful especially where coaching stock is concerned. I love spending money but £250 is a step too far! On these grounds I think I will stick to 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' & 4472 'Flying Scotsman'.

On the coaching stock front I have abandoned purchasing a Mk1 BG as a generator coach. The ammount of alterations required being prohibitive at the moment .

I plan to form the train with the locomotive + support coach and then add a Mk1 SO, a Mk1 RMB, a Mk1 SO and a brake coach whose code I cant remember ...

Although I have not bough the coaches, all of which will be maroon, or the transfers (WCRC) to detail them I have tried 60007 with 5 coaches and 67027 working at the rear. The trial was succesful and if it goes as well with my Bachmann 57 I see a Model Rail Ltd. Ed. on order soon !!

One final request (and a rather odd one at that!). I would be grateful if anyone had a side shot of 60007 steam support coach. I would be useful if it included the 'A4 Locomotives Ltd.' lettering so I could produce a suitable transfer to complete the train.

The next thing for me to do is but some hight intensity head/tail lamps, some tacky-wax, 5 coaches, some passengers, locomotive crew and transfers :roll: :roll:!!!!!

THANKS ONCE AGAIN FOR ALL THE ASSISTANCE AND HELP WITH THE SUPPORT COACH ISSUE WOULD BE GRATEFULLY RECIEVED.

I will post some photographs of the trial runs over the weekend as a 'thanks'
Jonathon

 

[34067James]

Hi,

Yeah it is a bit too much :roll: I was wondering does anyone know what support coach Tangmere has I know its a MK II in BR green livery but I dont know what sort of MK II it is.Here is a shot off it & tangmere http://photosbyjosh.fotopic.net/p43549148.html I have the Excalibur express which is 34067 Tangmere + Two Mk 2's & 1 Mk 2 Brake Red Dragon & Green Dragon & Pendragon . So I would like to add tangmere support coach to it aswel

Regards
James

 

[wensley]

try http://www.railtourinfo.co.uk/coach.html. This provides a complete list of railtour coaching stock. Support coaches are shown at the bottom of the page.

The last I heard Tangmere had an Mk2 BFK but I'm not certain. If this is till the case a BR Intercity model is available and is only £15 from http://www.ehattons.com/StockDetail.aspx?SID=10215 this link. Although a re-paint into Southern Green wouldn't be too hard it may be worth e-mailing the chap who runs this website http://cairnsroadworks.wordpress.com/ for a quote. I think a simple re-paint and quick detail job was around £25.00.

Hope This Helps,
Jonathon

 

[wensley]

Here Are Those Photos...

 

[34067James]

Thank you for that informtaion Jonathon , I do that sorry to hijack your thread.

Thats a nice looking layout there & Skip Are there two GUV's on that train?



James

 

[theblackwatch]

Although I have not bough the coaches, all of which will be maroon, or the transfers (WCRC) to detail them I have tried 60007 with 5 coaches and 67027 working at the rear. The trial was succesful and if it goes as well with my Bachmann 57 I see a Model Rail Ltd. Ed. on order soon !!

Not wanting to spoil your fun, but authentically, being an EWS machine a Class 67 would not appear on trains with WCRC coaches.

 

[wensley]

Thank you for that informtaion Jonathon , I do that sorry to hijack your thread.

Thats a nice looking layout there & Skip Are there two GUV's on that train?



James

Yes there are 2 GUVs in this train which was formed to check whether the power of the 67 and steam locomotive were compatible for top 'n' tail operation. The reason a 67 was used for a start was because the 57 is in for repair and because the WCRC coaches aren't out and about yet.

The formation was 2 LNER teaks + 2 Mk1 GUVs + Mk2 BSO!!!

 

[34067James]

Not wanting to spoil your fun, but authentically, being an EWS machine a Class 67 would not appear on trains with WCRC coaches.

027 is on loan to WCRC

Yes there are 2 GUVs in this train which was formed to check whether the power of the 67 and steam locomotive were compatible for top 'n' tail operation. The reason a 67 was used for a start was because the 57 is in for repair and because the WCRC coaches aren't out and about yet.

The formation was 2 LNER teaks + 2 Mk1 GUVs + Mk2 BSO!!!

Oh right I see now I use a 67 on my railtour train when I do it its seems to run better and wont make any noise like the bachmann 37 though my bachmann 66 is good too use aswel. The 57 is it WCRC 601?

One other thing is the GUV's you got are they bachmann?

James

 

[wensley]

The GUVs are by Hornby (NKA)

The 57 I currently own is 57307. Although this can't be used for charter trains if it works in top 'n' tail mode with the steam loco then I will probably order the forthcoming Model Rail limited edition 57601 in WCRC livery.

Am worn out as have replied to about 5 threads this morning and am about to upload some photos on the thread about my layout! Phew... hock:

 

[laseandre]

It would appear that there are two GUVs on it.

 

[34067James]

The GUVs are by Hornby (NKA)

The 57 I currently own is 57307. Although this can't be used for charter trains if it works in top 'n' tail mode with the steam loco then I will probably order the forthcoming Model Rail limited edition 57601 in WCRC livery.

Am worn out as have replied to about 5 threads this morning and am about to upload some photos on the thread about my layout! Phew... hock:

Oh right I have the Bachmann GUV in the Rail express Systerm livery Oh you have 'Lady Penelope' a nice loco Yeah I don't think Virgin trains use there 57's on rail tours. you don't have a link at all for the WCRC 57601 ?

Regards
James

 

[wensley]

That WCRC isn't in production yet. The Model Rail website is useless but their next issue goes on sale on December the 4th . The last issue hinted that they may be available to buy in the issue released on the 4th of December (see page attatched).

Hope This Helps
Jonathon

 

[34067James]

Thank you for the link is there a way off buying that on the internet or do you have to get the magzine and phone up It does look a nice model.

James

 

[wensley]

The Model Rail website was updated about the middle of 2007! I would reccomend buying the magazine soon after it's released and giving them a call. Unlike other magazines I think they wait till they are ready for despatch before making them available to consumers. I will certainly be down there right away although there is no guaruntee it will be this issue it should be no later than the 1st quarter next year.

Hope This Helps
Jonathon

 

[34067James]

Thank you for that info Jonathon I will be getting the Magazine and if it is next year that will be handy due to Christmas coming up.

James

 

[wensley]

No probs