Silver Sidelines

I am returning to one of my favourite subjects, Heljan Westerns.   My sixties layout is shall we say ‘stuck in time’.   Rather than purchase the latest model shop offerings I have been backfilling some gaps in my ‘stock book’ from eBay.   Whether it is a sign of the times or just an ‘age thing’ but I have picked up a number of excellent ‘unused’ models, and in one case unopened from around ten years back. Heljan is a particularly interesting manufacturer in that their models seem to be designed to clip together with minimal use of glue.   The upside is that models can be taken apart and repaired relatively easily.   The downside is that the models are sensitive to impact and do not travel well. Western Queen – fresh from the Post.   Spot the Reporting Number in the packaging Heljan 5218 aka D1040 Western Queen – missing one reporting number Judging by the number of advertisements for models with missing Train Reporting Nu...

One of my all time favourite models is Mainline locomotive Mars.   I kept my original purchase from 1983 and a couple of years ago I upgraded the model with a Bachmann mechanism.   I think it is still an attractive engine with its Fowler Tender.   The Mainline model of Mars was relatively expensive, I am guessing to cover the cost of the ‘new’ improved Fowler Tender which I think was all new tooling – that despite Mainline getting access to the older Airfix 4F / 2P designs. 45698 Mars – Mainline model with Bachmann mechanism I have been taking an interest in the reported sightings of Jubilees on the Port Road as discussed on Dan’s RMweb thread about his model of Stranraer Harbour. https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/140736-building-the-station-stranraer-%E2%80%98themed%E2%80%99-loft-layout-1959-64/ During the 1960s Mars was frequently recorded at Carlisle – with a Stanier Tender! ...