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Welcome to the November issue of British Railway Modelling. We’ve plenty for readers this month - our free modelling box given away with this issue will find plenty of use when building models or storing parts from kits, wheels, etc. We have the second edition of our Modern Railway Modelling supplement which is also included free with our sister magazine Traction this month. MRM features Nigel Burkin building the new Bratchell Models Class 320 EMU, a kit which has certainly caused a stir in the D&E modelling world. It will be interesting to see the reaction to this new kit and to see if it stimulates more interest in 4mm layouts based in the Strathclyde area. We also have pictures of the new Class 50 and ‘Coalfish’ wagon seen at the recent launch of Hornby’s ‘Live Steam’ range. The new ‘Hoover’ looks like it will be yet another winner for the Hornby brand. This high specification diesel locomotive with its heavy diecast chassis, central five-pole motor and all-axle drive should be enough to cause a major resurgence in the ‘modern image’ scene that has, for so long, lacked ‘heavyweight’ traction. Let’s hope that the new motor and mechanism quickly find their way into some of the older locomotives in the range with equally well updated bodies to match
The ‘Live Steam’ range has also caused a lot of excitement and debate in the hobby, toi who would have thought that a mass-produced miniature working steam engine would have been mmiulac lined in the early part of the 21 st century? Hornby lias already announced their intention Io prodine an A3. Flying Scotsman is sure Io lie one id tin- models produced, and other locomotive types ate being talked of. Are all these new piodmls a healthy barometer ot sustained inleie-.t In model i.illways as a hobby? I certainly think so. and llieie due .n't appear to be any sign ol a ‘bubble* that Is about to burst. Long may it continue so