[BobB]

When I returned to model railways about five years ago, I switched from N to OO because I had more room and I thought my eyes were going wrong (this later reason was cured by a visit to the optician, actually recommended by the guys that run my favorite modelling shop !).

Anyway, for me there was no choice about what to model, BR blue with TOPS numbers and diesel locomotives, in the mid 70's because that's what my memory told me was best - a reasonably well run railway network despite 'the authorities' efforts to mess things up.

Living in the south, I had to have a class 33, and then Heljan obliged and believe it or not, they produced 33019 ! This locomotive hauled us back from Exeter to Basingstoke, the first train out in the new year after unexpected snow falls. The carriages (mk 11 A's) were freezing because the driver wanted all the power to get through the snow on the track. Heating wasn't turned on until Salisbury (Maybe this was when the driver changed but I think by then the drivers went through from Exeter to Waterloo.) This was for me a career saving trip which was even more impotent because our first born was with us on his first trip away from home.

33019 is and will remain my favorite loco and I'm so glad I can run a model of it on my small layout.

How many of you have a model of a locomotive (or train if we think of the current stuff) that has an emotional hold on you ? Can we have some stories please ?

 

[RFS]

In 1958 at the age of 13 I went on an organized trip round Swindon works. I have vivid memories of 9F 92191 sitting outside in the sun, brand new and just out of the paint-shop. Inside was 92192 only partially built with its number chalked on the frames. Some of the older guys on the trip started arguing whether that was a cop or not, but it went into my book! One guy on the trip was calling all cops of diesels "halves".

So I had to have Bachmann's 92192 even though I model the southern and 9Fs were only allocated there for a short while in the 1960s. Just a shame that the couple of pictures I took on my Brownie 127 got lost in my parents' house move whilst I was away at university.

Little did I know that by the time I came of age these locos were to be scrapped !

 

[Rowdy]

I don't have a model of it yet, but hope to one day. When I was an apprentice in the workshops we would have to test the locos after putting them back together then drive them to the points for collection by the shunt to go back to the running shed. 2163 (2150 class) was the first one I drove out of the shops as a 2nd year apprentice. It is too heavy a loco to be running on the track of the area I model, but still want to get it.

 

[6c8h]

Good idea for a thread.
I got into steam in 1977/78 (Age 12/13)when steam charter trains were running from Hereford to Chester (my neck of the woods).

I started off as a GWR fan so had gone in essence to see King George V, I was well chuffed.
But when 6201 arrived KGV was knocked rapidly off it's perch as my favourite steam loco !.

I now have OO models of both - plus my favourite diesels suitably renumbered to prototype I knew - Classes 24 and 40...

 

[FUNGUS]

Being that I was born after the demise of steam and living close to the WCML for most of my yoof I only saw electrics. My favourite Loco was long gone and none preserved and the reason its my favourite loco is that I was involved in building a non-working replica when I was an apprentice toolmaker. The loco in question is an LNWR 2-2-2 bloomer built at Wolverton Works prior to loco building being moved to Crewe. The replica in question is now stood in the plaza outside Milton Keynes Central Station. Tho I understand there are efforts afoot to get it moved to Wolverton by the local historic society.
Steve

 

[upnick]

A favourite of mine is the ALCO PA -1 locos from the late forties early fifties taking over from steams demise, several road types are in my locos box U.P. Life Like U.P. Con Cor/ Kato D&H Kato and Santa Fe Kato still looking for another Kato chassis to complete the Santa set & a Pennsy set all converted to run on DCC

In Steam the 4-6-6-4 challengers

and 4-8-8-4 Big Boys

take top spot

cant wait to run a consist of #4001 & #4024

 

[FUNGUS]

I too like American but not so much the steam, to my eye they look like toys when modelled!

 

[upnick]

QUOTE (wolverton bloomer @ 4 Feb 2009, 17:30) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I too like American but not so much the steam, to my eye they look like toys when modelled!

Obviously you havnt seen the Big Boys then Wolverton

 

[FUNGUS]

Depends on what magazines you read

Yes ive seen the bigboys and they are impressive but they still remind me of toys, must be something to do with the cattle catcher things used in certain areas? also those german ones with the black boilers but red wheels also look like toys to me too!

 

[34C]

When the Bachmann/NRM DP1 was announced, my order was in like a shot. This (and its' production siblings) remains the only diesel class to have made a real impression. If we had to loose the lovely Doncaster pacifics, these were some compensation; both for their looks and the wonderful range of sound effects. One of the most interesting aspects of DP1's French Blue livery was how variable it could appear as lighting conditions changed. I particularly remember seeing it once at dusk, and it looked almost purple, and the pale grey running gear 'disappeared' so that the mighty beast appeared to be hovering above the track as it warbled by.

 

[FUNGUS]

Love the DP1 and siblings too, My wife has just ordered me DP1 and KOYLI as the box set from NRM and I cant wait
YIPPEEEEEE!

 

[PeterPug]

If I remember correctly we used to have Stanier Black Fives and 2-8-0 going over the bridge at the bottom of the road. Unlike most of the weathered models I've seen they looked black and sooty to me.

 

[7113]

Living as I do In the loco starved South East it's not actually a loco, but the trusty BR(S) 4CEP. I grew old with them as they were brand new when I was born. Hopefully the Bachmannn one will arrive soon.

Regards

 

[FUNGUS]

QUOTE (BRITHO @ 5 Feb 2009, 15:33) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Living as I do In the loco starved South East it's not actually a loco, but the trusty BR(S) 4CEP. I grew old with them as they were brand new when I was born. Hopefully the Bachmannn one will arrive soon.

Regards
Crikey Dave. I didnt realise you were THAT old!!!

 

[7113]

QUOTE (wolverton bloomer @ 5 Feb 2009, 15:35) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Crikey Dave. I didnt realise you were THAT old!!!

50 years young (and now counting down to retirement)

Regards

 

[FUNGUS]

Ahh retirement, lots to look forward to, senilty, rhumatism, incontinance!
Still you'll have lots more time to play trains!
Steve

 

[PeterPug]

QUOTE Ahh retirement, lots to look forward to, senilty, rhumatism, incontinance!
Plus lying in bed in the morning listening to the rain and the neighbours going off to work. It's hard, but we make the best of it.

 

[Trog]

QUOTE (wolverton bloomer @ 4 Feb 2009, 14:05) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Being that I was born after the demise of steam and living close to the WCML for most of my yoof I only saw electrics. My favourite Loco was long gone and none preserved and the reason its my favourite loco is that I was involved in building a non-working replica when I was an apprentice toolmaker. The loco in question is an LNWR 2-2-2 bloomer built at Wolverton Works prior to loco building being moved to Crewe. The replica in question is now stood in the plaza outside Milton Keynes Central Station. Tho I understand there are efforts afoot to get it moved to Wolverton by the local historic society.
Steve

Its been gone for months now, and the track I helped put down for it to stand on with it. It was first removed to make way for some poxy art work that involved building walls out of breeze blocks and taking them down again. The paving slabs damaged by the machine shifting the blocks, have however still to be repaired.

 

[alberta]

When i was a boy Ais Gill was my spot as i lived down the road & a loco i remember well was 44562 Alberta which was always going up & down the Settle Carlisle route. It was always clean & certainly Holbecks pet loco & it could be seen almost daily on anything from a mixed freight to a express passenger.
It was great when Bachmann release the model of it & i had to buy it straight away along with the new scot. Another loco i am looking forward to is the Clan that Hornby are building at the minute that is certainly going to be another model i buy when released.

Alberta.

 

[FUNGUS]

QUOTE (Trog @ 5 Feb 2009, 19:11) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Its been gone for months now, and the track I helped put down for it to stand on with it. It was first removed to make way for some poxy art work that involved building walls out of breeze blocks and taking them down again. The paving slabs damaged by the machine shifting the blocks, have however still to be repaired.

I was unaware of this as I havn't been up to see the family for ages and I havn't been to MK central for years. Do you know where it went?