Hi, Merry Christmas! I have a really broad question. Just bought the GF Eastern Freight Set with a J39 with late BR crest. I was looking to get a second loco that would run mixed with freight or coaches, that would be correct to the Midlands Region at the time (specifically East Midlands, Leicester region?) Looking to get some extra track and a few MK1s in maroon I think is correct? So a second mixed traffic would be great (another J39 would be a bit dull)

Any help greatly appreciated

Hi and welcome to the forum & Merry Christmas to you to.

In answer to your question, this may help:

http://www.davidheyscollection.com/page27.htm

The 2-6-4 tank loco is a good general purpose loco to have.

Roger

Hi, and welcome to the forum

I've had a look through some old Locoshed books and specifically targeted the Leicester area.
As far as steamers go all I could find were Black 5's, 8F's, WD's and 9F's.
The first 3 are produced by Farish although the WD is the only 'recent' release. The 9F is produced by Dapol and some would say these are reluctant to use anything under, say, 10½" radius curves.
I'm sure 'guest' locos would have been found visiting such as the Farish Fairburn (beautiful model), the Farish Jinty (likewise) and the Farish Ivatt 2MT (exquisite)
If you'd like me to check any diesels out, just let me know.

Happy Christmas!

Isn't there a new Black 5 out? Or due out?

Quote from: Wingman mothergoose on December 25, 2014, 10:20:26 AM
Isn't there a new Black 5 out? Or due out?

I believe the versions 'on order' are just variations on the current tooling and not actually new models.

Thanks very much! The specific area I'm looking at is Melton Mowbray (I live here) and just seen that railway modellers has an article on Melton recently, so I'll see what they used. Radius curves is another problem, as I have a very cramped space (a desk) to work with so I can just about a first and second rad loops on the desk, but nothing wider

I think I'm correct in saying the track that comes with the train packs is code 80 so when you get extra track it may help to purchase Peco set track which is also code 80.
Please try to avoid set track points, though. They don't look particularly good and small locos might stall on the plastic frog part of the point.
If you need anything explaining or have questions don't be afraid to ask as this forum can save you a lot of heartache (and money!)

Melton Mowbray was served by both the Midland and Eastern regions of BR, so its really well placed to have your pick of pretty much anything from those two regions. The J39 puts you on the Eastern lines so if you want a locomotive to go with it you can't go far wrong with a B1 (Farish or Dapol, but the Farish model is the better) or B17 (Dapol). Like the Black 5, they were the jack of all trades for the region. As stone traffic accounted for quite a large amount of traffic, the WD 2-8-0 is certainly not out of place around Melton with plenty of photographs of them in service there. For the Midland lines, the 4F, Black 5, Fairburn tank, BR Std 4 tank, Ivatt 2MT or Stanier 8F wouldn't be out of place either. One big omission is the Ivatt 4MT 'Mucky Duck'. Melton was part of the MG&N with other routes from the junction at Saxby, the 4MT were the signature motive power for this fondly remembered network in its last days, but the 4F, B1, B17, 2MT and Std 4 tank were also a big part of operations, as were the Brush Type 2 (class 31) and class 101 DMUs.

Wow, that's great information! Thanks very much! Now to spend those Christmas pennies!

Update on this, ordered 372-426 Graham Farish WD Austerity Class Late Crest, and a couple of mk1 maroon off ebay. J39 can play with them, Austerity can play with some of my freight

My trainspotting era was the 1960's mainly spent on the platforms at Leicester London Road Station (now just Leicester) so I can answer a lot of your questions.

Rather than bombard you with information, have you discovered this website? http://meltonmowbrayrailways.info

One decision you will face is which Melton Station do you plan to model as the stock would be significantly different for each.

FYI information my current Layout is set in the 60's on the Midland Line just south of Leicester.

David

Yes I've found that site thanks! Not really sure which to model yet, most likely the station which still exists (Town? rather than Northen)

Not looked at this recently, but as an aside would the J39 ever find itself on the Midland line? Since this is station that still exists today and there seems to be more available if I want to model the station correctly, (and the fact I can visit the station). So if I ever get around to building a proper model, rather than a loop and some sidings on my desk at uni, I can fall back on building Melton station. Therefore I'd like to keep the right locos together

Also how terribly out of place would a Jinty be at Melton?
I'm not entirely clear on which trains should be on which line!

Not familiar with Melton Mowbray but in B.R. days through running would have been more common so the J39 would quite likely have strayed onto the Midland metals. While you are looking at possible locos, don't forget Union Mills who do some 4.4.0 ; 0.6.0 &0.8.0 tender engines for both Midland and Eastern regions.

I'm not familiar with the two stations at Melton Mowbray, but if I've interpreted it correctly, at least one J39 worked from Leicester (Midland) to Peterborough  (and hence presumably on the Midland line) on a mainly coal train; 64736 in July 1958. There is a photo of the working in the RCTS 'bible', part 6A fig.47. The same book states that the ex Midland Spital Bridge shed (Peterborough) received a number of J39s, and their working included the ex Midland line to Leicester. So a J39 seems very valid to me..........
Locos quoted as allocated to Spital Bridge include, amongst others, 64719/23/89,64883,64901/2/51/4/65.
HTH
Martyn