News, nostalgia, preservation and modelling

REM March 2012 Contents

VII    Contents/Comment: The China Syndrome
The recent closure of a large factory specialising in scale models is typical of the seismic shifts currently under way in China. The editor looks at the impact it might have on our hobby.

VIII     Newsdesk
Heljan presses the button marked ‘go’ on models of the Class 31 and ‘Western’ diesel-hydraulics in ‘O’ gauge. Plus, Bachmann shows off progress on OTA wagons and ‘N’ Class 20.

X     Review: Hornby ‘Brighton Belle’
The first of two 4mm scale multiple unit Pullman trains to be produced in 2012 is here in the form of Hornby’s Southern Region 5-BEL sets. Read our review of the new model here.

XIII     Review: Dapol/Kernow Polybulk
Known for its support for models based on the china clay industry in its native Cornwall, Kernow Models has released its Imerys Polybulk wagon courtesy of manufacturer Dapol.

XIV     Review: Bachmann Class 350/2
Having covered the original Siemens overhead electric ‘Desiro’ two issues ago, we now take a look at Bachmann’s model of London Midland’s second batch of units, the Class 350/2s.

XVII     Review: Rails Class 26 & Grafar BG
Rails of Sheffield’s limited edition twin pack of D5300 & D5301 is reviewed along with the sixth example of all-new Mk.1 tooling in the Graham Farish range, the versatile BG.

XVIII     Review: Latest Hornby
A wide selection of new items from Hornby are inspected, including the BR corporate blue/grey Gresley buffet, Network Rail NMT power cars, and Railroad Class 31 and ‘Warship’.

XX     Full Frame: NR Class 57/3s
With six former Virgin Trains ‘Thunderbird’ locomotives now part of the Network Rail fleet for ‘snowbusting’ trains in the South East, Andi Walshaw illustrates his repainted models.

XXIII     Exhibition diary
Our monthly run down of notable shows coming up with a significant diesel and electric era layout presence. The big show is the Model Rail Scotland event in Glasgow in February.

XXIV    Serial: Elcot Road #14
In the latest instalment of our monthly serial describing the construction of a BR(S) layout in 18.83mm/‘P4’, our builders begin the scenic work with a selection of buffer stops.