Model Rail March 2022

It has been another interesting month in the world of model railways, with more new models announced from various manufacturers, plus the tallying up of all the votes in Model Rail’s Model of the Year Awards for 2021. While you can read the full breakdown of results on pages 6-7, I’d like to pass on my congratulations to the various winners and my thanks for all who took the time to vote. After a second place in 2020, Accurascale managed to reach the Number One spot in both ‘OO’ gauge and overall manufacturer categories, while sister company Irish Railway Models scooped second prize in the ‘OO’ diesel outline category, which is a splendid achievement. KR Models’ GT3’s win is a shot in the arm for producers of niche prototypes, while the LNWR ‘Precedent’…

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Over the past two months you’ve been casting your votes for your favourite models of 2021... and here are the results! (Percentages rounded to one decimal place) OVERALL MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR 2021 Winner Accurascale - 29.2% 2. Bachmann - 16.7% 3. Hornby - 13.8% Others: 40.3% ‘OO’ GAUGE LOCOMOTION MODELS Steam Locomotive of the Year Winner Bachmann/Locomotion/Rails of Sheffield LNWR ‘Precedent’ - MR294 December 2021 - 19.5% 2nd: Hornby original ‘Merchant Navy’ - MR287 June 2021 - 14.6% 2nd: Dapol/Locomotion Models/Rails of Sheffield SECR Wainwright D Class – MR289 August 2021 – 14.6% 3rd: Bachmann Branchline GWR ‘94XX’ – MR282 January 2021 – 13.2% Others: 38.1% Diesel/Electric/Multiple Units Winner KR Models English Electric gas turbine GT3 – MR284 March 2021 – 21.6% 2nd: Irish Railway Models Metro-Vick A Class – MR294 December 2021 – 14.0% 3rd: Bachmann Branchline Class 20/3 – MR284 March 2021 – 13.1% Others: 51.3% Rolling Stock…

In common with other manufacturers, Bachmann Europe has had to deal with all manner of global manufacturing and distribution challenges. However, the team from Barwell still managed to announce 12 newly tooled models throughout 2021 and those products which have yet to reach the shelves are not too far off. Indeed, Bachmann’s website now has revised delivery dates for each of the models revealed in last winter’s announcements. Another issue arising from the current global situation is rising costs. Bachmann’s Richard Proudman revealed that the costs of some raw materials had risen by more than 50%, while shipping costs had risen by an incredible 500% during 2021 alone. While Bachmann – and its parent company Kader – have managed to absorb these costs thus far, inevitably that can’t continue indefinitely. The…

David Reed set out to record the end of steam traction on BR’s Southern Region and, although many of the earlier photographs are unlikely to win awards for technique, the subjects are fascinating. Final BR(S) operations make up the opening chapter, but the bulk of the images feature poignant views of scrapyards (including Barry) and the formative years of the preservation movement. Indeed, there are some fascinating images of long-lost locations, such as Ashburton and the Longmoor Military Railway, during the latter’s abortive bid to become a preservation centre. Book: Steam Railways – Final Operations in the Southern Region and the Early Preservation Years, by David Reed (Amberley) Price: £15.99 Availability: www.amberley-books.com Showcasing the beauty of Scotland’s diverse landscapes, Neil Gibson presents a treasure trove of gorgeous images, taken over the past 20 years.…