My world is full of temptations. Left to my own devices, I could spent a lot more on toy trains. I might be struggling to find enthusiasm for new projects, past the initial buying stage anyway, but there is also the little matter of some stunning RTR out there.
I'd always managed to resist the Hattons P Class tank. With a couple of kit-built examples in my fleet, I felt that a RTR version would just make them look poor.
I did briefly have one, for the layout I took to Canada. A nice looking model, but it went with the layout.
Anyway, all was well until Hattons announced another run of the locos. At a very reasonable price. They subsequently went bust, and the range moved seamlessly to Accurascale.
On a whim, I ordered what I considered the pretiest in the range, "Bluebell" from the railway of the same name. Somewhere I have a photo of the prototype, and it's a stunner. I have a soft sport for blue locos like this - along with "Hutchinson" in blue on the IOM.
The model, when it eventually arrived, is stunning. I can't paint a loco this well, and neither can pretty much anyone I can think of.
You might point out that while I bought the best looking version, it's also the most useless. I'm never going to own a suitable layout for it to run on. There's minimal chance it will recieve any weathering either. This is the very definition of a "lollypop loco". However, to quote none other than William Morris, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”. This model fails on the first count, but very much scores on the second.
How does it compare to my kit built versions? Not too badly. Based on whitemtal kits (Note: I can only find one, so you'll have to look at the blog posts for the other.). OK, I've only attempted simple liveries, but these models aren't embarrasing me. A nice little ego boost!
This marks the end of my pre-ordering. If a Premium Bond comes up big, or you lot click furiously on the adverts on this blog, that could change, but I'm not inclinded to add another box to the pile. Talking of boxes, why did the P Class arrive in something the size of a Portakabin? I'm definitely not hanging on to that!
4 comments:
A very pretty loco indeed but one I have so far been able to resist, having more of a penchant for 4 coupled industrial saddle tanks - hence my collection of 2 Hornby W4s, 2 Dapol Hawthorn Leslies and a Hattons (now Accurascale) Andrew Barclay with a couple more on pre-order and, like you, nowhere to run them as my main interest is 4mm Narrow Gauge.
The Andrew Barclay from Accurascale also came in a huge box - I reckon they could knock at least a fiver off the price if they used a more appropriately sized box without the clear plastic sleeve, the Dapol ones are half the size, very sturdy and perfectly adequate!
Phil,
This is, indeed, a very lovely model and it looks beautifully finished in your photograph. And blue does suit certain locomotives such as the streamlined A4s or those of the Caledonian Railway. If, however, you had a liking for Hutchinson in blue, you’re probably best keeping that information to yourself. Having made such an utterance, I shouldn’t be at all surprised if you’re not visited some time soon by the ghost of Buttell recently passed. I strongly suspect the idea of such a haunting would greatly amuse him. I can hear the laugh now….
Chris Williamson
Chris - Buttell was well aware of my love of Hutchinson in blue. He used to encourage me to wind people up online about it. Always mischeif!
…Mischief at any opportunity is my understanding. He’s greatly missed. Chris
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