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.

New issue: REM63 July 2009

REM63: Bachmann’s Class 150 – first review!
Inside RAIL EXPRESS magazine No. 158.
In the July issue:

• News: Hornby announces a summer surprise model in the form of the Mk. 3b Driving Van Trailer, due for release in September. We show off the first picture of our forthcoming Fastline Freight Class 66/3 from Bachmann, along with the new Hattons/Heljan Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’, while Flangeway’s Tinsley snowplough pairing is also illustrated. There are also new kits and parts from Shawplan, PH Designs, Chivers and S-Kits.
• Reviews: It’s been under development for years but we’ve finally got our hands on a production version of Bachmann’s new 4mm scale model of a DMU icon, the Class 150. As one of the most anticipated releases of recent years we ask if it is a super ‘Sprinter’ or just pedestrian!
• Pictorial: Having attended the DEMU Showcase Event in early June, REM presents a selection of the layouts on show, along with a run down of the latest models on display in ‘N’, ‘OO’ and ‘O’ gauges. There are painted samples of the new Hornby Class 395 ‘Javelin’ as well as the buffer-fitted HST power car, Graham Farish’s Class 150 ‘Sprinter’ and Dapol’s Class 67 locomotive.

• Modelling: Planned for a ready-to-run release later in the year, Replica Railways has produced its forthcoming BR(S) Class 419 Motor Luggage Van in kit form first. Chris Ibbotson builds one up as Royal Mail-livered No. 9004.
• Serial: Although the Perth show has been and gone, the Barrowmore boys describe the final preparations for the Scottish show. Witness the incredible scenic transistion of the project from the baseboards of past issues to an almost fully sceniced layout – at the Holyhead end at least.
• Specials: You can still purchase our forthcoming Bachmann limited edition locomotive, which represents Fastline Freight Class 66/3 No. 66301 and is based on the well-regarded ‘OO’ gauge model. There are also details of out ViTrains Class 47 double-pack of Colas Rail-liveried machines, Nos. 47727 Rebecca & 47749 Demelza.
• Comment: Building a layout to the correct 18.83mm gauge using ‘P4′ standards has never been easier but many misconceptions about this sector of the hobby persist. Terry Bendall indulges in a spot of mythbusting prompted by a comment in a previous issue of RAIL EXPRESS Modeller.

Action stations as our 37/5s hit the UK

It’s been quite the delay, but the RAIL EXPRESS/Bachmann special editions are here and they are worth the wait!

WITH FULLY FINISHED production samples – in new style packaging – jetted in especially for us to display at the recent DEMU Showcase, REM is delighted to report that our five limited edition Class 37/5 models are now on the UK dockside.