Silver Sidelines

Previously I have described some of the 2-8-0 freight engine models that are currently available ready to run. Recently there have been questions on RMweb regarding the smaller Bachmann 0-6-0 2251 models and it seemed logical to post a summary here. The early Mainline Model (37-059) The current Bachmann models are direct descendents from the earlier models marketed under the Mainline branding. In fact the body shell mouldings are nearly identical. In a previous life I had a Mainline BR lined green model, bought from TAG in Doncaster in 1982 for £14.95. This was followed by a lined black model (pictured above) purchased on one of my day trips to Swindon, from Trent’s in 1984 for £14.99. Both engines have long since departed via that well known auction site. The lined black model was a superb runner, probably the best Mainline locomotive that I owned. The lined green model was not so good – emitting a regular rasping noise reminiscent of the real thing. A minor criticism might be ...

In this Post on heavy goods engines I make reference to one of my earliest purchases and to one of my most recent purchases. Hornby Dublo 8F from the 1960s I have used the image above before in a Post ‘in praise’ of Hattons.  A visit was made to the shop in Smithdown Road in Liverpool and it was purchased in person in the early 1960s.  It was an up to date model of the time and came with a Late Crest which was exactly right for the period. When I went off to college my layout was dismantled and the 8F was put away for safe keeping.  It would be around 1980 before it was properly unpacked and had a new layout to run on.  Compared to the latest Mainline products the Dublo 8F looked clumsy.  However it was a superb runner - probably on account of the original and in my opinion only true Ringfield Motor. Proper Ringfield Motor - Replacement Mainline tender During the 1980s I was a regular visitor to Swindon.  Prior to ...

Growing up in the north east of England I did not get to see many heavy ex GWR good engines. In fact with one possible exception, number 3826, I did not record seeing any 28xx, 38xx or 47xx in the flesh so to speak. In the period 1959/1961 number 3826 was a Pontypool Road (86G) engine. Would it have travelled as far north as Chester, where I visited, or did I see it whilst on holiday in Pembrokeshire? The latest Hornby 28xx Whatever the answer when I started building the current layout in 2007 I decided that I would like to run one of Hornby’s 28xx models to accompany my old Dublo 8F. My Early Hornby 28xx By 2007 the original Hornby model was perhaps somewhat dated and I had a number of issues with the engine. Visually I was not happy with the angled cylinders and the grey plastic crosshead. I had a cunning plan. I had the remains of a Mainline 43xx. Surprisingly the cylinders seemed approximately the same size. So – why not fit the Mainline cyinders, ...