A Gallery of Mainline Locomotives - Nigel Tregoning
More Covid-19 projects, this time from the Mainline stable. First appearing in the mid 1970s, these models were seen as revolutionary at the time, with a level of detail only associated with kit biult locos of the time. They were owned by Palitoy of Leicestershire and were the basis for today's Bachmann models. Around the same time, Airfix also entered the model railway market with their range of equally detailed models, over time some were produced by Mainline, GMR and now Hornby.
Mainline ex-GWR Manor (Introduced in the 1980 catalogue)
The GWR Manor was a beautiful model at the time of its introduction in 1980. Palitoy entered into the model railway world in 1976 with models that featured separately fitted detail parts and a paint schemes which put Hornby's products of the time firmly on the back foot. The 78xx Manor made its first appearance in 1980, although this particular model dates from 1983. 7827 'Lydham Manor' appeared in BR lined green (the prototype was built in December 1950) and the level of
detail was quite superb. There were a few flaws however, these included silver tyred wheels and orange boiler lining instead of orange/black/orange as per the BR locos. The high gloss finish gave the model an ex-works look, not that this is to everyone's taste. 7827 spent its entire life in the Chester/Cambrian area, being withdrawn in 1965 from Shrewsbury shed. Today the loco is based at the Dart Valley Railway (Paignton) and can be seen in BR lined black.
I wanted my model to represent one of the manors based in Cornwall during the late 1950s/early 1960s and so 7816 'Frilsahm Manor' which was based at St Blazey (83E) was chosen for this model, Firstly the plastic nameplates and moulded cab side numbers were removed and a coat of Revell matt varnish was applied, this certainly improved the overall appearance. Weathering was achieved by using various Lifecolor paints to represent the soot so commonly found on the top of steam locos, while the wheels were painted satin black and then weathered using 'track dirt', frame dirt' and 'brake dust' colours. The overall effect is a loco which has seen regular use, but continued to enjoy regular maintenance. The plates are from Modelmaster Jackson Evans and were fixed using Evo-Stick, very sparingly! This loco will now join a stud of Cornish steam engines for use on Smithick Vale.
The GWR Manor was a beautiful model at the time of its introduction in 1980. Palitoy entered into the model railway world in 1976 with models that featured separately fitted detail parts and a paint schemes which put Hornby's products of the time firmly on the back foot. The 78xx Manor made its first appearance in 1980, although this particular model dates from 1983. 7827 'Lydham Manor' appeared in BR lined green (the prototype was built in December 1950) and the level of
detail was quite superb. There were a few flaws however, these included silver tyred wheels and orange boiler lining instead of orange/black/orange as per the BR locos. The high gloss finish gave the model an ex-works look, not that this is to everyone's taste. 7827 spent its entire life in the Chester/Cambrian area, being withdrawn in 1965 from Shrewsbury shed. Today the loco is based at the Dart Valley Railway (Paignton) and can be seen in BR lined black.
I wanted my model to represent one of the manors based in Cornwall during the late 1950s/early 1960s and so 7816 'Frilsahm Manor' which was based at St Blazey (83E) was chosen for this model, Firstly the plastic nameplates and moulded cab side numbers were removed and a coat of Revell matt varnish was applied, this certainly improved the overall appearance. Weathering was achieved by using various Lifecolor paints to represent the soot so commonly found on the top of steam locos, while the wheels were painted satin black and then weathered using 'track dirt', frame dirt' and 'brake dust' colours. The overall effect is a loco which has seen regular use, but continued to enjoy regular maintenance. The plates are from Modelmaster Jackson Evans and were fixed using Evo-Stick, very sparingly! This loco will now join a stud of Cornish steam engines for use on Smithick Vale.
Mainline ex-GWR 43xx (Introduced in the 1981 catalogue)
Mainline's model of 5328 was a another fine model from the Palitoy stable. Obviously these models don't match the detail and precision of the etched brass kits available, but at their price, they're great value. One flaw in the design of these models is the split chassis employed in their construction, and the use of stub axles on the driving wheels. This model had suffered the usual fault of wheels turning freely on the stub axle, rendering it a failure. The chassis was stripped down, degreased and the plastic axles examined for fractures. Fortunately they were intact, so the wheels were quartered and affixed to the plastic centres and gears with Loctite and the whole thing reassembled. After a very light oiling, the model was tested on Smithick Vale.
While the model ran well and enjoys a good level of detail for its age, it still lacked realism and so weathering began. Lifecolor paints were used to give the effect of a well worn locomotive so typical of the 1950s & 1960s. The top of the loco was dry brushed with 'weathered black' and 'roof colour' to represent the build up of soot, while the chassis and wheels were first painted with satin black and then weathered using 'frame dirt', 'track dirt' and 'brake dust' colours, also by Lifecolor. A small amount of Lifecolor 'frame dirt' and Railmatch 'light rust' was added to the cylinders and boiler/firebox and steam pipes to give a work worn loco. The final touch was to add a small trail of Railmatch matt white to represent a water leak from the safety valves. Overall I'm pleased with the weathered look of a loco in its final years of service.
Mainline's model of 5328 was a another fine model from the Palitoy stable. Obviously these models don't match the detail and precision of the etched brass kits available, but at their price, they're great value. One flaw in the design of these models is the split chassis employed in their construction, and the use of stub axles on the driving wheels. This model had suffered the usual fault of wheels turning freely on the stub axle, rendering it a failure. The chassis was stripped down, degreased and the plastic axles examined for fractures. Fortunately they were intact, so the wheels were quartered and affixed to the plastic centres and gears with Loctite and the whole thing reassembled. After a very light oiling, the model was tested on Smithick Vale.
While the model ran well and enjoys a good level of detail for its age, it still lacked realism and so weathering began. Lifecolor paints were used to give the effect of a well worn locomotive so typical of the 1950s & 1960s. The top of the loco was dry brushed with 'weathered black' and 'roof colour' to represent the build up of soot, while the chassis and wheels were first painted with satin black and then weathered using 'frame dirt', 'track dirt' and 'brake dust' colours, also by Lifecolor. A small amount of Lifecolor 'frame dirt' and Railmatch 'light rust' was added to the cylinders and boiler/firebox and steam pipes to give a work worn loco. The final touch was to add a small trail of Railmatch matt white to represent a water leak from the safety valves. Overall I'm pleased with the weathered look of a loco in its final years of service.