N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: Dorsetmike on August 06, 2026, 11:01:02 PM

Title: Southern railway
Post by: Dorsetmike on August 06, 2026, 11:01:02 PM
How many of the members model Southern Railway and in which years 1920s, 1930s or 1940s
I concentrated on the 1930s, Maunsell green days! In the ex LSWR area.
At 92, I have almost given up ant serious modelling, eyesight and dexterity deteriorate which takes a lot of the enjoyment.
I had all the 4-6-0s except the T14, The H15, N15 and S15 classes can all be modeled by a bit of mix and match parts from the Langley S15 and BHE N15 white metal kits, the Langley "watercart" tender can also be used behind a Union Mills T9.
I managed to hack a Peco Jubilee into a Nelson; for the earlier tender use the BHE N15 tender kit which can be motorised with a 6 wheel chassis plus a 4th axle added at the front.
Other Drummond 4-4-0 s are possible, I made a K10 from brass tube and sheet.
A lot can be done by a bit of careful hacking, a Scot or Jubilee can be hacked to look like a Nelson, you just need to find photos and/or scale drawings and an 8 wheel tender, in the early days Nelsons had the same tender as the Arthurs.
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Title: Re: Southern railway
Post by: Bealman on August 07, 2026, 12:23:15 AM
I'm a transition rule one man, but I do have some southern stuff  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Southern railway
Post by: Train Waiting on August 07, 2026, 09:15:04 AM
Hello Mike

Thank you very much for your post and the questions you asked.

I love the Southern - in many ways it was the best-presented of all the 'Big Four' and certainly the one which was kindest to its investors.

Every now and then I have a Southern-only running session on my layout, Poppingham. I have a few of the excellent Union Mills 'T9' 4-4-0s and both types of Southern 0-6-0. The rolling stock used is ProperlyPoole Graham Farish.

Apart from one 'T9' in Mr Bulleid's Malachite Green - vivid and such fun - the period modelled is between the locomotive renumbering and Sir Herbert Walker's retirement. Definitely 1930s - more specifically around the Silver Jubilee year or the year of Three Kings - within your lifetime if not mine. Here's a photograph:-

   
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/161/6222-070826091038.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=161333)


I think the colour scheme of the Lone Star station buildings looks suitably Southern.

With the very best of good wishes.

John
Title: Re: Southern railway
Post by: GScaleBruce on August 07, 2026, 10:48:25 AM
Modelling the Southern Railway is a rabbit hole I'm trying to avoid. My primary (UK) interest is in BR blue, because that's what I grew up with and worked with when I worked for BR.

However, my mother grew up between the wars in Southern England. Her parents in turn always said that the little girl in the famous poster was modelled on her, as she liked trains and railways so much. The family always travelled by train, and apparently my grandfather had a season ticket covering the Southern Railway as he travelled for work.

So far I've resisted falling down that particular rabbit hole (just) as I've gone down quite enough diversions as it is, but if ever I do model British outline steam, it would be the Southern in 1930s. I've managed to accumulate a few books on the subject, worryingly!