Modelling Preserved Lines

QUOTE (ozwarrior @ 22 May 2007, 02:44) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Probably the great bulk of people in the train-set-on-a-board-with-some-scenery category (which are probably the bulk of the hobby anyway) are modelling preserved railways. They are just not modelling a preserved railway. This allows for generic layouts that cover the railway experience and they aren't shackled with having to explain why did or didn't do something. To each his own but for mine it's a great fun way to participate in this hobby!

What makes you think they are modelling preserved railways?
they wouldnt have to explain their choice of stock, scenery or anything else. i think you look at "this layout is a model of ......" too seriously. and dont allow for the people who just want to make a railway and dont care where it is or what they run on it. i think too many people in this hobby look for explanations for things when the only explanation is that they builder felt like it.
Anything goes layouts are not necesseraly models of a "preserved railways".

Peter

Another advantage of preserved lines as admirably pointed out in the latest edition of Model Rail is that they have extended the life of a number of classes of locomotive that were very short lived on BR lines. There are currently 19 examples of the Class 14 Teddy Bear operating on preserved lines and these had a 5 year life in BR days which lasted until the end of the 1960's only. And in preservation there is even a maroon example replicating the colours of the Westerns so plenty of opportunity for varied colour schemes and not just BR green.

As such I am totally amazed that neither Bachmann or Hornby seem willing to offer this model in ready to run form especially as it only takes 5000 sales for a model to break even. A class 14 could offer more livery variety than almost any other recently introduced loco however it does seem that the large manufacturers prefer to restrict themselves (with the odd exception) to liveries that appeared during mainline operations only. In the case of classes with a limited mainline life the manufacturers should look at the broader picture of running post BR and then there would be a number of very interesting subjects currently not on the agenda.

Happy modelling
Gary

QUOTE (alastairq @ 23 May 2007, 17:20) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>perhaps a bit of up-front info on the packaging might not go amiss?......I suspect many money-laden folk who visit actually don't know a K1 when they see it....to have the link made via the packaging might help ease the money out of the wallet?

Also, it aint always the big glorious engines that folk find lugging the train they're on......I'd still like a rtr model of a Lambton 0-6-2T!

Presumably Hornby and Bachmann often pick preserved classes as they are easy to photograph, measure etc. etc. etc. My local preserved railway sells a reasonable range of 00 and N r-t-r, but at full price, so not sure I will be buying any locos there! Hornby have produced I believe 34016 "Bodmin" and 35005 Canadian Pacific though I don't believe these were in any way sponsored by the Mid Hants. I don't think most visitors to preserved lines would buy a £70-100 loco on the spur of the moment! Serious modellers would rename/number as needed....
I do recall an excellent model of the Festiniog railway I saw at a specialist NG show a few years back, I have also seen the RHDR 10mm/foot model around, but neither really give the opportunity to mix eras, have the large loco small train potential of the 'average' preserved railway....