New issue: REM69 January 2010

REM69: All the modern modelling news… First!
Inside RAIL EXPRESS magazine No. 164.
In the January 2010 issue:

• Comment: We may be in the midst of a recession, but we couldn’t believe it when we totted up the list of new diesel & electric era products that have been revealed in ‘N’ and ‘OO’. We present a run down of the announcements for 2010 and onwards from the big boys in the hobby. You’ll be amazed!
• News: The latest product information from the major manufacturers. Bachmann to produce the General Electric Class 70, Heljan to make the BRCW Lion prototype and four early BR Railbuses, while Dapol announces more china clay wagons in a link up with Kernow.
• News in pictures: Extended coverage of the news from the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC in November. Illustrated are Bachmann’s Class 105 Cravens DMU, STVA car carrier and MOA, Heljan’s Class 86 and ‘O’ gauge Class 20 & Mk. 1s, Dapol’s ‘Megafret’ and ‘Silver Bullet’ china clay slurry tanker, and much more…

• Layouts: The D&E era layout line-up at the Warley show was the best it has been for ages. RAIL EXPRESS Modeller presents its highlights from the show.
• Reviews: There are reviews of the new Bachmann four-car 750V dc 4-CEP electric multiple unit and retooled ‘intermediate’ Class 47, as well as Graham Farish’s dinky Class 24.
• Serial: The Mostyn team’s big push sees 42 new diesel multiple unit, coaching and freight stock items added to the roster in time for the Wigan show!

On sale via subscription and specialist distribution (Dec 22nd) or from your local newsagent (Dec 23rd).

New issue: REM68 December 2009

REM68: Taking D&E modelling to the next level!
Inside RAIL EXPRESS magazine No. 163.
In the December issue:

• News: Heljan announces another unsuccessful diesel class from the 1960s, the English Electric/Napier ‘Baby Deltic’ (Class 23) and shows off painted body samples of its forthcoming BTH Type 1 (Class 15)., there is a preview of our next limited edition – 37670 St Blazey T&RS Depot in DBS red – Dapol’s ‘Silver Bullet’ and Bachmann’s tasty looking JPA and MBA wagons
• Reviews: Dapol’s ‘N’ gauge Class 153 diesel multiple unit is our main review this issue, while we also take a look at the same company’s new ‘OO’ gauge Thrall Europa/EWS MBA and MCA ‘Megaboxes’. There is also a look at the latest set of ViTrains releases, which includes a limited edition pair of West Coast Railways locos, as well as a Virgin Class 47/8 and DRS ‘compass’ Class 37/5.

• Modelling: It has been an epic struggle, but the two BREL Type 5s started way back in REM64 are now completed… almost! No. 56075 West Yorkshire Enterprise and Loadhaul reliability modification test bed loco No. 56102 have consumed hours of spare time and inspired a range of new detail parts in Shawplan’s Extreme Etchings range. Gareth Bayer tells the third and final part of the story.
• Serial: Keeping with the wagon theme of previous instalments, the Mostyn group look at British Railways diagram books, and provide the fruits of their research online for everyone to see! Go visit www.barrowmoremrg.org.uk and see for yourself!

On sale at the Warley show (Nov 21st/22nd), via subscription (Nov 24th) or from your local newsagent (Nov 26th).

New issue: REM67 November 2009

REM67: The very best in modern modelling!
Inside RAIL EXPRESS magazine No. 162.
In the November issue:

• News: Dapol announces Class 92 dual-voltage electric and Class 121 ‘bubble car’ in ‘N’, Bachmann shows off first pre-production samples of Class 105 ‘Cravens’ DMU and painted ‘N’ ‘Megaboxes’ and ‘OO’ ‘Presflos’, Flangeway plans ‘Turbot’ ballast/spoil wagon to follow ‘Mermaid’, Replica rub-down transfers return, C-Rail and DC Kits reveal new Freightliner FLA ‘twin’ and Just Like The Real Thing restarts work on ‘O’ ‘Blue Pullman’ DEMU set.
• Reviews: Heljan’s Hawker Siddeley prototype HS4000 Kestrel is reviewed. Falcon was underwhelming, so how does the 4,000hp machine stack up? There are also reviews of the latest Bachmann products, including 66152 in DB Schenker red and 37428 in Railfreight Petroleum, Graham Farish’s new ‘N’ gauge Conflat A and containers, a new book by Pete Waterman on his Leamington Spa layout, and Flangeway’s Tinsley snowplough pair.

• Modelling: The second part of our detailing feature on the late-Doncaster constructed Class 56s sees the pairing of 56075 West Yorkshire Enterprise and 56102 take shape thanks to some excellent stainless steel etches from Shawplan… the job isn’t helped by some notable inaccuracies in the Hornby tooling, which have meant that compromise is the order of the day.
• Exhibitions: It’s almost time again for the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC. This year’s event also marks the final show for the popular crowd puller layout Runswick Leamside. We also provide full listings of all the other shows over the next month with diesel and electric era interest.
• Serial: The 101st Mostyn column sees a return to the stock building progress on the layout. It’s time to retire the old Hornby Freightliner flats, because they are about to be replace by a set of 15 wagons built from the stunning Colin Craig etched kit.

On sale at your local newsagent or via subscription (Nov 3rd).

New issue: REM66 October 2009

REM66: Commemorating three special subjects!
Inside RAIL EXPRESS magazine No. 161.
In the September issue:

• News: Bachmann releases pictures of the final painted samples of its ‘OO’ gauge Class 411 4-CEP EMU, and its looking very good indeed! ViTrains announces its next batches of Class 37s and 47s, which stick to the contemporary-era. There is a report of the latest news from the N Gauge Show with the first pictures of Dapol’s Class 58 and Class 86 locos and Graham Farish’s ‘Megabox’ wagons.
• Reviews: C-Rail’s outstanding 40ft ‘High Cube’ container plugs a huge gap in the range of available intermodal equipment. Hornby’s Class 60 No. 60040 The Territorial Army Centenary in DB Schenker/Army maroon is out, as is the ex-Lima ‘Deltic’, now available as part of the Railroad range. Bachmann’s gangwayed Class 150/2 DMU hits the shops, as does the Farish ‘N’ Class 37/0 with cut-away bufferbeams. Plus we build up the new Cambrian ‘Whale’ ballast hopper and the S-Kits’ ‘Sea Urchin’ engineer’s open.

• Modelling/D&E Files: Tinsley TMD ‘pet’ No. 47145 Merddin Emrys was a popular member of the Railfreight Distribution Class 47 fleet by virtue of its ever changing oddball blue livery. Sadly the loco was recently scrapped, but it lives on here in this detailing project based on the ViTrains Class 47 loco.
• Feature: Has it really been 20 years since Paul Wade’s Tonbridge West Yard layout arrived on the exhibition scene? A contemporary layout when new, its Network South East period brings back happy memories for modellers of a certain age… however, it has just one show left before retirement. Paul looks back on two decades of lugging TWY around.
• Serial: 100 episodes of the Mostyn column have graced the pages of RAIL EXPRESS. The Barrowmore boys take stock of their achievements so far before looking towards finishing the scenery on the layout extension and the next seven years of stock building.

On sale at your local newsagent (Oct 7th) or via subscription (Oct 3rd).

Red DBS 37/5 is next RE limited edition

With a delivery date confirmed and prices now set, RE is accepting orders for our next exclusive limited edition ‘OO’ gauge Class 37 model. Read on for details of how to order including an e-mail response option and downloadable form. Don’t delay, this is sure to be a sought-after collectable!

AFTER MONTHS OF ‘behind the scenes’ negotiations, REM is pleased to reveal that our next exclusive limited edition ‘OO’ gauge model, scheduled for release in March next year, will be a Bachmann Class 37 in the freshly-applied colours of DB Schenker. Having formally obtained an official licence agreement from the Berlin headquarters of the German-owned freight operator to reproduce its logo and colour scheme, we have already started work on the new model with Bachmann. The subject is recently reinstated No. 37670 St Blazey T&RS Depot.

Colas Class 47 sample arrives

Painted samples of RAIL EXPRESS’ forthcoming Vitrains Class 47/7 twin-pack turn up in our office.

SHE LOOKS A stunner doesn’t she? Italian manufacturer ViTrains has provided a pre-production approval sample of the 4mm scale Class 47/7 No. 47749 Demelza in Colas Rail orange/yellow that it is manufacturing for us as part of our special edition twin pack. We are happy to report that it has done a splendid job in reproducing the distinctive eye-catching livery and rendering accurate body detail variations.

New issue: REM65 September 2009

REM65: First for D&E era modelling news!
Inside RAIL EXPRESS magazine No. 160.
In the September issue:

• Comment: It has been a tough year for retailers and modellers, but could R-T-R firms help the situation by being a little less conservative with their range of new liveries?
• News: RAIL EXPRESS unveils its next exciting limited edition loco, a sixth Bachmann Class 37/5, this time wearing the bright red and grey livery of DB Schenker as No. 37670 St Blazey T&RS Depot. Plus first pictures of our painted sample of the colourful Colas Rail Class 47/7s.
• ’OO’ Reviews: It’s been a long time coming but finally we have our hands on the ‘splitbox’ version of the Bachmann Class 45 ‘Peak’. There is also a look at the new Class B TEA tanker. The fourth and final Class 43 HST power car pack in Hornby’s 2008 range finally makes it into shops in the form of a pair of buffer-fitted Grand Central examples.
• ‘N’ Reviews: Arriving hot on the heels of the ‘OO’ version, Farish’s Class 150 ‘Sprinter’ is here. How does it compare? Dapol also releases the rest of its Class 67 liveries.

• Modelling: Part one of a detailing feature on the second group of Doncaster-built Class 56s sees the author hacking holes in the body and testing out numerous new etches in order to model Loadhaul ‘test bed’ No. 56102 and triple-grey unbranded sister No. 56075 West Yorkshire Enterprise!
• D&E Files: The first 25 BREL-constructed Class 56s shared much in common with the Romanian examples. This article describes the next 60 machines to a revised design.
• Serial: With the extension work put to one side, the boys from BMRG have restarted the rolling stock production lines. The first two models off the bench, a pair of scruffy Covhops from the Bill Bedford kit, are described by Dave Millward.
•Exhibitions: The exhibition season is back with a vengeance, so tune in for our listings of shows which feature diesel and electric interest.

New issue: REM64 August 2009

REM64: The only mag for the modern modeller!
Inside RAIL EXPRESS magazine No. 159.
In the August issue:

• News: We have started work with Bachmann to develop the popular ’special edition’ Class 37/5 into a Class 37/7 ‘heavyweight’. Bachmann also provides us with an update on forthcoming items and shows pre-production samples of the new ‘Presflo’ wagon whilst announcing new Class 37 & Class 47 variations in the Graham Farish ‘N’ gauge range. Heljan progress with Kestrel and the next 7mm scale locomotive takes shape.
• Reviews: Well-respected ‘N’ gauge modeller Grahame Hedges takes a closer look at the new Dapol Class 67 release and finds it even outshines its larger 4mm scale brother in terms of prototype fidelity and detail. Could this be the best ‘N’ gauge locomotive to date?
• Research: It wasn’t just the MoD that moved explosives around. Freight expert David Ratcliffe provides an overview of commercial explosives traffic which employed a motley collection of gunpowder vans up until the early 1980s when air-braked vans took over. Includes a list of typical train formations represented in graphical form.

• Modelling: Dave Furmage explains how he modelled the different types of gunpowder van used on his ‘P4′ Scottish layout, Longcarse West.
• Serial: The Mostyn Crew returns from the Perth exhibition in buoyant mood after the first public outing of the layout in extended form. Read about the problems that were encountered and how they were resolved.
• Specials: Our Bachmann Class 37 twin-packs are still available in limited numbers. Don’t leave it too long and miss out on these collectors’ items!

Help choose our next Special Edition

Pick the Class 37s that you’d like to see us produce next and you can win your next RAIL EXPRESS locomotive!

FOLLOWING THE TREMENDOUS success of our Class 37/5 ‘twin packs’ we are moving forward on a number of projects including further Class 37s featuring our refurbished flush front noses. This is your chance to influence the choice of future models and liveries.

Be one of the first to own Hornby’s new Mk. 3 DVT

Jump the queue for Hornby’s Mk. 3b Driving Van Trailer.

RAIL EXPRESS magazine is delighted to be able to offer readers a special purchase opportunity on Hornby’s recently announced 4mm scale ‘OO’ gauge model of the Mk. 3b Driving Van Trailer. As a special ‘thank you’ to collectors that supported our campaign to get this vehicle produced we have reached agreement with Hornby to provide you with the chance of securing some of the first models off the production line.