Well, I suppose the answer to this is "My layout, my rules" But if you are exhibiting a layout, I think at least an attempt at authenticity is required. Sometimes I wonder if a layout is a model of a railway or just a model railway or worse still a toy trainset! How many enthusiasts and/or modellers actually know how a real railway is worked? May i suggest three publications that may help. (1) BR Rule Book (1950) (2) Working time table for the relevant period and area being modelled and (3) Appendix to (Said) Working Timetable. The latter in particular is a goldmine of information as to operation.

I'd also recommend Bob Essery's books on model railway operation and any of the marvellous (and surprisingly readable) "District Controllers View" series from Xpress Publishing.

Just when I was going to make a remark about how it could be quite expensive to run prototypical trains, especially if you had to build kits to make up some of the rolling stock and buy great big rakes of wagons, I saw a picture of a preserved Duchess loco and her support coach off on a jaunt.

I have seen lots of pictures of Tornado and her support coach too, so you can buy a big express steam loco and will only need one coach 

Quote from: silly moo on October 29, 2016, 07:56:07 AM
Just when I was going to make a remark about how it could be quite expensive to run prototypical trains, especially if you had to build kits to make up some of the rolling stock and buy great big rakes of wagons, I saw a picture of a preserved Duchess loco and her support coach off on a jaunt.

I have seen lots of pictures of Tornado and her support coach too, so you can buy a big express steam loco and will only need one coach 

That depends entriely on what sort of trains you're running. Many branch line trains were two or three coaches. A mandatory freight might run with NO wagons at all. While the west coast main line ran 14-15 coach trains in steam days in the modern era, they tend to be shorter. (Pendolinos are either 9 or 11 coaches)

There are no doubt prototypical trains for everything under the stars.
Locos hauling a single brake van feature heavily in my steam based DVD collection. Many due to close/closed branch lines were visited initially by 'brake van specials' carrying enthusiasts.
One of my DVDs shows 20, yes 20, class 08s being moved around a shed (Crewe, I think) with just one of them under power. The wheel slip was quite amusing!

Towards the end of steam, it was not unknown to see a tender engine hauling a single brake composite. I have seen photos of such services on the both the WR and SR.

I'd have to say that when I attend a train show I'm not so worried about the prototypical aspect of what is being run, I suppose in part because I don't have an in depth knowledge on the subject. I do like to see well crafted layouts though. Myself, at home I have an interest in both European as well as British stock and my layout will no doubt be a rule 1 as it progresses. It is after all something that I am creating for my enjoyment.

Having said that, there are those that do enjoy running prototypical trains and running real railway operations and that is fine as well. I like to see what comes out of peoples imaginations and enjoy looking at the photos / videos of what others have done. If I had my way I would have two layouts with the English Channel in the middle but just don't have that much room available!

I suppose in my mind, if I see something that I like, I don't want to exclude it from my wish list based upon it's era etc.........and I can't criticize people for enjoying the hobby in their own way.......

Quote from: longbow on October 29, 2016, 12:08:00 AM
I'd also recommend Bob Essery's books on model railway operation and any of the marvellous (and surprisingly readable) "District Controllers View" series from Xpress Publishing.

Knowlegable as Bob Essery is, (Former Saltley fireman ect) and while his book is useful in terms of adjusting reality to model, the three publications I mentioned are official railway publications and are the best starting point for anyone wanting to replicate prototype operation. I have not read the 'District controllers view' books but they look as if they may be useful. Especially to anybody with no actual railway experience. But at all times, remember, Hey, its a hobby and meant to be fun.

Those without a railway background are likely to find WTTs and the BR Rule book rather dry. Do try the District Controller books, which are not only a fountain of knowledge on operations and train formations but also very readable.

Quote from: longbow on October 31, 2016, 11:27:08 PM
Those without a railway background are likely to find WTTs and the BR Rule book rather dry. Do try the District Controller books, which are not only a fountain of knowledge on operations and train formations but also very readable.

actually, theyre not. They are a mine of useful information. and even if you model a 'fictitious' location there is still much that can be used.

I found the working timetables for the line where my layout is set to be very useful for creating an operating sequence.  I may not always follow the timetable but it is nice to know I can if I want.

The trains I run may not be absolutely accurate but I try to ensure they are at least plausible; I try to ensure my 'fast' freights have more bauxite-painted, fitted stock than the slow 'pick-up' goods trains.

I've done a little guesswork for some of the trains.  There's one train from Grimsby so I guess that would include processed fish products (fresh fish traffic was worked under passenger and parcels classification) either in insulated vans or containers.  Having seen pictures of the mineral trains I know these were often a mix of open mineral wagons.

The detective work of marrying various sources including WTT, photographs and written accounts is all part of the fun of the hobby for me.

I have a question about protypical trains and private owner wagons, I have quite a big collection of brightly coloured private owner wagons.

I can, if I feel in a rule one mood, make up a brightly coloured rainbow train.

I wonder if wagons were ever really painted in such brightly coloured liveries or if they are produced in model form by manufacturers to make train sets appealing?

Quote from: silly moo on November 04, 2016, 05:33:09 AM
I have a question about protypical trains and private owner wagons, I have quite a big collection of brightly coloured private owner wagons.

I can, if I feel in a rule one mood, make up a brightly coloured rainbow train.

I wonder if wagons were ever really painted in such brightly coloured liveries or if they are produced in model form by manufacturers to make train sets appealing?

When new - Yes they would have been, but they didn't last that way for long... they would rarely (if ever) be cleaned, and appart from some of the bigger private fleets only repainted if there was a change in ownership.

So varying degrees of dull and dirty over the factory finish is most realistic...

It does make you wonder why they were painted such impractical colours but then again there were steam era coaches with white roofs 😀

As today, it was about brand identity. A brightly painted livery was a form of advertising in itself.