Wednesday, November 20, 2013

L&YR 2-4-2T No. 1008

When I visted Barrow Hill back in September, one of the things I blogged about were the new and upcoming releases from Bachmann that were on display. Of particular interest to me was the 2-4-2T that John Aspinal designed for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. On my recent trip to the National Railway Museum I managed to photograph the only preserved member of the class, number 1008.


According to Barry C. Lane's excellent book on the L&YR, number 1008 was actually the first of the type to be built and entered service in February of 1889. It was renumbered as 10621 when the L&YR became part of LMS and then 50621 under BR ownership before eventually being withdrawn in September of 1954. As far as I can tell she is currently displayed with her as built livery, as the front buffer beam includes the locomotives number and this practice didn't continue after the middle of 1891.

I really like this locomotive and I think, had more been preserved, they would have been an ideal size for working passenger services on many of the UK's preserved railways. As it is, if we want to see this locomotive move then we will have to make do with a model, and while space constraints have left me currently modelling in N gauge, I couldn't resist this exquisite OO gauge model.


As I mentioned in a previous post the Bachmann model will be widely available in a number of liveries (which will be available some time next year I believe) but the L&YR liveried model is exclusive to Locomotion Models (the modelling arm of the National Railway Museum). Given that only 500 models were being made in this livery I pre-ordered mine at the earliest opportunity. If I never go back to modelling in OO then a mint condition boxed example should keep its resale value so I'm considering it a good investment come what may.

I don't currently have the space to even temporarily lay out an oval of OO gauge track so I can't tell you anything about the running qualities of the model, but I can tell you that as a static model it is superb. I'm not even sure that a rivet counter would find much to complain about with this model. I've taken some detail shots (yes I should have dusted first) so you can get a sense of just how good it is.


If I had to find something to complain about then, for the price of the model, etched brass number plates would have been nice, especially given that I know they are possible to produce, but the printing of the number plate detail is so crisp and well applied that from a distance you wouldn't know they weren't etched. What truly amazes me is the level of detail included on areas that are impossible to see when in use; the leaf springs behind the driving wheels being the main example (bottom right picture) as these can't be seen when the train is on the track.

All in all an exquisite model of a wonderful locomotive. If you want one in L&YR livery then hurry over to Locomotion Models because as of this moment there are only 11 left and I doubt they will be available for long.

6 comments:

  1. This is a beautiful miniature. I'm surprised how cheap they are. Cheap is not the right word but they are excellent value.

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    1. Yeah they definitely aren't cheap but they are worth every penny, and I'm amazed that, given the detail on this model, it didn't cost an awful lot more.

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  2. Such a gorgeous loco...the model is superb...imagine what a little light weathering could do for it, it would look even more exquisite. I looked at your excellent header photos and thought "that mustard coloured gear wheel is a little clumsy" until I realised that this was the real thing!! It also has a slight feel of a Pollit 9F (LNER N5)...I suppose they all came out of the same melting pot. Your comment about wishing more locos of this type were preserved...yes, the LNWR "Coal Tank" has been doing sterling service on the K&WVR recently.

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    1. I'm always in time minds when it comes to weathering. Yes I know it adds to the realism (unless you happen to be modelling the Great Hall at the NRM), but I'm not comfortable (yet) adding paint or weathering powders to expensive locos. I'm not even comfortable doing it to cheap private owner wagons. One day maybe I'll have the skill and confidence.

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  3. They've all gone now Mark. They really are a joy to look at. Perhaps when I eventually retire..... PS Me being picky and non-railway again but how can you pre-order something?

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    1. I must admit the phrase "pre-order" annoys me too, but that was how it was advertised. I actually initially registered my interest, and then the items when on pre-order. I agree pre-order seems wrong (you've either ordered or you haven't) especially given that they charged my card when I "pre-ordered".

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