ViTrains releases two new ‘Tractors’

Two new Class 37s from the Italian manufacturer.

OUT NOW IN the shops from ViTrains in ‘OO’ gauge are Class 37/0 No. 37229 Jonty Jarvis in DRS blue (Cat Ref. V2028) and Class 37/4 No. 37402 Bont Y Bermo in its uniquely coloured triple grey livery (Cat Ref. V2029).

Turbo gets Dynamic Lines

First Great Western’s latest livery is applied to the Bachmann Class 166.

WHEN BARWELL-BASED firm Bachmann first produced the Class 166 Networker Turbo DMUs it probably had little idea that such a geographically restricted unit type would produce more than just a couple of livery variations.

Skaledale for May

The latest buildings and accessories from Hornby.

THE LATEST ITEMS from Hornby in its resin construction Skaledale range include the rather useful looking corrugated ‘Nissen’ Hut pictured above (Cat Ref. R8788, RRP £6.75), and ‘The Old Toll House’ cottage illustrated below (Cat Ref. R8754, RRP £15.99).

Mendip Rail for PGA

New D&E era wagons from Hornby.

RECENT WEEKS HAVE brought several new versions of exisiting vehicles in Hornby’s range of freight vehicles, specifically the PGA and HAA hopper wagons.

Weathered VGA released

A new run of the useful VGA van in ‘N’.

MODELLERS IN THE smaller scale can look forward to a new release of the excellent 46-Ton VGA Sliding Wall Van from Graham Farish over the next few weeks.

New issue: REM49 May 2008

REM49: The only mag for the modern modeller!
FREE with RAIL EXPRESS magazine No. 144.
In the May issue:

• News: RE is commissioning Hornby to produce a limited edition of the blue Teenage Cancer Charity Class 60, whilst the Dapol FEAs are delayed. Heljan lays claim to Kestrel and BTH Type 1 as their 2009 ‘OO’ gauge releases plus an ‘O’ gauge Class 20 is on the way. Bachmann display Grafar Class 108 and ‘Warship’, whilst in ‘OO’, the air-brake Bogie Bolster D wagon is nearing completion.
• Exhibitions: The show season springs into life. We have a round-up of key shows featuring modern content including the not to be missed Railex and Trainwest.
• Layout: An extended look at Mike Anson’s superb 1970s Western Region diesel depot modelled to ‘P4′ standards. He explains how the layout came about along with the problems of finding suitable locomotives.

• Quick fix: Peter Mantle undertakes some improvements to the ‘chunky’ Bachmann Branchline OCA air-brake open wagon resulting in an impressive, more refined, result.
• Serial: The Mostyn Crew continue in a stock building vein with the addition of a couple of GWR-style ‘Toad’ brake vans to the engineering train roster. Learn about the detail differences and how to improve the Ratio kit.
• Offers: It’s your last chance to order our Bachmann Class 37 twin-packs. Don’t leave it too long and miss out on these collectors’ items!

New Hornby for March

The latest arrivals from the Margate-based firm.

THERE HAVE BEEN some notable new read-to-run models and accessories from Hornby hitting the shops in the last week or so. First up is the Class 73 electro-diesel in revised Network SouthEast livery.

New issue: REM48 April 2008

REM48: Easter surprise.
FREE with RAIL EXPRESS magazine No. 143.
In the April issue:

• News: Dapol plans ready-to-run models of the North British D600 and D6300 diesel hydraulics, the former in conjunction with Kernow Model Rail Centre. Southern Pride Models produces Mk. 2f DBSO and high-speed track recording coach kits and Lima Mk. 3 upgrade parts. Bachmann increases prices following rising costs in China. Precision Labels releases West Coast Railways transfers.
• Reviews: Hornby’s new ‘Shark’ ballast plough brake van is here, but how does it fare compared to the previous ‘Seacow’ model and the competition?
• Research: Mendip stone trains - The second part of our feature on Mendip stone trains looks at the traction requirements through the years, along with present day train formations. There is also a guide to stone terminals, with a plan of Merehead quarry.
• Modelling: Alex Carpenter tackles the engine test bed Class 47/9 No. 47901 in Railfreight Construction livery, based on the Heljan ‘O’ gauge model.

• Exhibitions: Spring is around the corner, bringing with it a whole spate of exhibitions to visit. Let us give you the low down on them all including the REM-sponsored Nottingham show.
• Serial: The Mostyn boys show off their latest project, a review of the new Masterclass Models 4mm scale kit for the Mk. 1 CCT. With only the ageing Hornby (ex-Lima) model available in ‘OO’, how does this new etched kit stack up?
• Others: SS3 has some fun with National Express East Coast!

Hornby’s Shark attacks!

Another fishy vehicle is added to Hornby’s ‘OO’ gauge range.

FOLLOWING ON FROM the release of the ‘Seacow’ and ‘Sealion’ wagons a couple of years back, Hornby has continued its fascination with engineer’s vehicles by producing the natural bedfellow to the ballast hopper, the ‘Shark’ ballast plough brake van.

Celebrate HS1 with Hornby’s Eurostar

Hornby releases a six-car Class 373 to co-incide with the new St Pancras International.

THE OPENING OF the first high speed rail link section between London and the Channel Tunnel (High Speed 1) is celebrated with the introduction of this six vehicle Hornby trainpack based on the stylish Class 373 ‘Eurostar’ EMUs.