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.

The project is particularly welcome since this magazine campaigned long and hard to win the Type 3 a repaint after its return to traffic in faded and rusty condition. This machine is now a credit to DBS especially when rostered on high profile charter work. It has been widely travelled and can be easily justified on any contemporary layout or as part of a locomotive collection.

Because no new tooling is needed, the model will be produced in advance of a series of Class 37/7 releases already pencilled-in throughout 2010. It will incorporate the improvements introduced with our previous Class 37 releases such as larger bogie brake cylinders. As a new release, wire handrails, opening doors, LED directional lighting and etched roof fan grille come as standard. We will also be supplying top quality etched stainless steel nameplates.

Demand is expected to be high and to reflect this, the model will be branded as a numbered and certificated limited edition of 1,000 pieces. As part of this, we will be offering a factory-fitted DCC sound option if there is sufficient demand. Please order before the end of October in order to make sure this goes ahead. Existing limited edition customers who have ordered the Fastline Class 66 will retain their certificate number. All previous customers will be in receipt of an e-mail or postal communication during the next week.

Prices have been competitively set at £76.95 for the standard version, with the sound-fitted option pitched at £166.95. Postage and packing is £2.95 for any order. As always, payment will only be taken once the product is ready for despatch.

Don’t miss out – order now by using the following steps:

• If you are an existing customer (Class 37 twin packs or Fastline Class 66/3) you can order using the automated e-mail reply BELOW.

Click here to e-mail your order.

• Alternatively, you can download the PDF priority order form HERE, print it out and return this to us by post or by fax (full details are provided on the form).

Send your order, with payment (cheque, postal order, or by providing credit card details) to:

RAIL EXPRESS (DBS 37670 Model Offer),
20 Park Street
Kings Cliffe
Near Peterborough PE8 6XN

• You can telephone in your order by simply calling 01780 470086 (office hours 09.00-17.30) and having your payment details handy. We accept most major credit and debit cards.

• If you experience any problems, you can always contact us by telephone on 01780 470086 during office hours, where we would be happy to assist and answer any queries.

Interest in this collectable has been phenomenal, so it is highly recommended you reserve your model as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!

Some graphics courtesy of Simon Glancey wwrgallery.co.uk.

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.

You will also note the correctly plated central bodyside steps, a new feature on this model. With the company taking a seasonal break during early August, we expect delivery in the next couple of months. The packs will, of course, also contain a presentation card and finely etched stainless steel name, works and shedplates. Orders have now closed on this ‘made to order’ item and a waiting list is in operation.

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!

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.

A selection of possibilities is given below. Please tick only those that your would genuinely purchase, bearing in mind these locos will only be produced if we obtain sufficient demand to meet Bachmann’s minimum order criteria.

We will contact you if we secure enough interest in models that are of interest. All responses will be entered into a prize draw to receive their next limited edition free of charge!*
* (single loco non-sound fitted value)

Click here to e-mail your vote.

Or fill out the form below and send it to us at:
RAIL EXPRESS (Class 37 Model Survey),
20 Park Street
Kings Cliffe
Near Peterborough PE8 6XN

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.

Readers may recall our original proposal to commission a 4mm scale model from Dapol. For a number of reasons, this plan stalled and in an effort to make sure the DVT actually saw the light of day; we approached Hornby and offered the Margate firm our research package.

The completely new model is an obvious addition to Hornby’s range, allowing modellers to at last recreate authentic Mk. 3 push-pull passenger rakes that were an everyday sight on the WCML and still see use today on the London–Norwich route. Indeed the two initial colour schemes will be Virgin Trains and ‘One’ Railway.

The model is highly specified with working lights and opening cab doors. The recommended retail price is £49.99. A third livery, in the form of EWS silver, is available as part of a special EWS train pack (RRP £179.99). However, as part of this deal, we are making these products available at very competitive shop prices – see the order form for more details.

To reserve your models please click the link for the downloadable order form, print it out and return it to us ASAP by mail (or fax to 01780 470060). Please note that we cannot accept any orders after August 1st so please act promptly. Delivery is expected in early October. We will only take payment once the models are ready for despatch. Orders sent in via this form will be treated with priority.

For further information or to order by phone contact us on 01780 470086 during office hours. Communication by mail or fax is preferred as we are extremely busy at present.

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.

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.

Of course, it will still take a few weeks to get customs clearance and arrange despatch to our premises. After that, sending them out is a major logistical exercise for our small team, but we hope to have this completed by mid-July. Please bear with us during this time and we request that you only make telephone enquiries if they are essential or relate to payment issues.

We can report that Bachmann has done a superb job. Limited numbers of both the Direct Rail Services and BR Thornaby steel packs from our ‘reserve supply’ are still available to purchase but with new customers becoming aware they are imminent, they are not expected to last long. Call us now on 01780 470086 if you don’t want to miss out. Options for further flush-fronted Class 37/5s and 37/7s are being considered for 2010 release – let us know what you want!