Brief news update for April 2009

The Cardiff model shop Lord and Butler Model Railways are to offer a limited edition version of Bachmann's intended 2EPB model in BR(S) green with a small yellow warning panel for £99.95 plus postage and packing. 5759, the unit preserved at the East Kent Railway, is the particular model chosen and initial publicity indicates "you can run one on a present day or a 1960's era layout". To be strictly accurate this depends upon whether the model comes with or without a high intensity headlight, but when the Webmaster contacted Lord and Butler for clarification he was informed that this detail had yet to be resolved. We have been told that details of this model will eventually be posted on Lord and Butler's Dirty Boy Weathering Service website, otherwise contact them by e mail or call them on +44 29 2066 7225.
The eagle-eyed who attended the London Festival of Model Railways at Alexandra Palace over the weekend of 28th/29th March will have spotted a three car pre-production bare plastic test shot of Hornby's forthcoming Class 395 model lurking under a station's overall roof on Hornby's demonstration layout.
Those who placed advance orders for Bratchell Models' Class 455/9 kit should be receiving them in the post soon, if not already. A brief inspection of the contents of this kit reveals it is similar to Bratchell Models' existing Class 456 kit in that certain "Southern specific" detail is not supplied - in particular cab end jumper cables and underfloor traction equipment. The supplied dummy coupler is also not correct for a Class 455. Otherwise this kit consists of the usual Bratchell Models high quality ABS plastic injection moulded components with simple assembly being required. This kit is a most welcome addition to the range.