4-6-0 thread

[Dorsetmike]

Still no RTR Southern 4-6-0s just two kits BHE N15, and Langley S15, an H15 can be made from either of these using a chassis with scale 6' drivers, a Nelson could be hacked from a Scot or Jubilee. Of the Drummond 4-6-0s only the T14 lasted for any length of time, I remember seeing an occasional one, the last one was scrapped in about 1951.
I often wonder who has my old Nelson, it probably found it's way onto Ebay or on sale at a show, I let someone do a refurb  on it and a few other SR locos in exchange for a load of chassis, bodies and other bits  I know an H15 found it's way onto Ebay so assume others did I never saw any or the requested refurbs returned, including a Nelson and Arthur as well as the H15

[Le Night ferry]

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@Le Night ferry here is a Foxhunter King kit built 2026. I'm well pleased with it! It's built on a China chassis

King edward 2!
One of my favorite locomotive.

[Le Night ferry]

Dapol had made lots of GWR 4-6-0s, like hall, grange and (older and newer) manor class.
What if they release it-GWR 6000 King George V with its bell.

[PLD]

In the last 5 years or so, we've had 3 different proposals for a King seeking expressions of interest.

The only one who shared any information claimed to have reached 30-somthing percent of the numbers needed to be viable; we can assume the others achieved less than that...

That strongly indicates that the supposed demand is not there, just a few albeit rather vocal modellers, unless you can provide irrefutable evidence otherwise...

So for those who state a desire for a King, the question has to be did you submit an expression of interest for any/all of the proposals?; and if not why not?? Was it an aversion to the suppliers, a mistrust in their funding methods, the price point or something else??

[Steven B]

DJ Models, KR Models and who else for the King?

Personally, I think it would sell, but then it's not my money being invested (and I might think differently if it were)!

[Bigmac]

would a retooled King sell ?

weve had 3 incarnations of Hall
3 manors
2 castles
Grange
King----so a new one is long overdue.

[PLD]

DJ Models, KR Models and who else for the King?

Personally, I think it would sell, but then it's not my money being invested (and I might think differently if it were)!

I had Hattons in mind, but thinking about it was that a tie-in  with DJ (on one a re-hash of the other)?

[PLD]

would a retooled King sell ?

As said above, the outcomes of recent calls for expressions of interest (which are the only solid evidence we or potential manufacturers have to go on) would suggest not...

If you (or anyone) wants to persuade a manufacturer otherwise, a lot of evidence to the contrary will be needed...

[Wrinkly1]

I'm one of those who have hesitated. I have many of the other 4-6-0 locos but like most of the steam-based layouts I've seen at shows, my layout is of a modest rural town. The king class were only used on 3 routes (Paddington to Wolverhampton, Plymouth or Bristol) so they don't feature on my wish-list.

[Steven B]

I had Hattons in mind, but thinking about it was that a tie-in  with DJ (on one a re-hash of the other)?

Hattons announced one in OO in September 2014, probably via DJ Models but it was quickly dropped as Hornby released/annouced an updated model not long after.

The Hattons range had about 15 different models in it - with variations of chimney and cab height. I believe neither N Gauge model (DJ and KR) was going to have quite the same level of variation.

Would it sell? I think so - we've seen LMS twins and Deltic from Bachmann, class 41 Warship from EFE and the prototype HSDT from Dapol.

There are big passenger locos for the LNER (several!), LMS and SR so I still think it would sell even if in real life it was route restricted. If nothing else, the inside/outside bearing bogie makes it looks somewhat different to any other GWR 4-6-0.

Compared to say an A4, roughly the same number were built (31 Kings vs 35 A4). The King had a longer life. 1927-62 cf. 1935-66). The A4 wins on number of liveries - four pre-nationalisation (silver, blue, green and war time black) and two BR for the A4 although GWR had variations on tender lettering.

[Roy L S]

DJ Models, KR Models and who else for the King?

Personally, I think it would sell, but then it's not my money being invested (and I might think differently if it were)!

I had Hattons in mind, but thinking about it was that a tie-in  with DJ (on one a re-hash of the other)?

No, Hattons were collaborating with DJM for a OO King which didn't come to fruition but there was never an agreement with Hattons for one in N, which is why Dave Jones ended up trying to crowdfund it under the DJM banner himself (and sadly as it never happened a fair few people lost money).

The only N locomotive Hattons ever proposed was the LMS Garratt which was pretty ambitious as a first N project (and only proposed because their OO one did so well which shows a lack of understanding of the N market).

As far as I am aware, the only Kings that have actually been delivered are the Foxhunter kit, and the Farish (Poole) RTR. RTR models were also proposed by DJM and later KR Models (with many saying KR had resurrected the DJM CADS which was denied).

My personal view is that the King would make a nice model and any addition to N is to be welcomed, but against it sadly is very likely (and possibly illogically if no money asked for up front) some people's experience of losing money on the DJM model, plus it's very limited route availability (Double Red) and the reality that the Castle (of which Farish produce a lovely model) could undertake probably 90% of the tasks that would be asked of a King in the real world.

Much more useful (in my opinion) will be the soon to arrive GW Mogul which will then provide a fairly well balanced stud of locos in N with current availability, from 64xx through 57xx, Large Prairie, Mogul, Hall, Castle and a Manor still to come.

Roy

[port perran]

I, for one would love a King.

I have two GF ones, one in blue livery with single chimney, and one in green with a double chimney.

Both run really well but look rather dated so a new version would go down well as would a County to complete my fleet of sea wall 4-6-0s.

Plus, of course, not a 4-6-0 but a 47xx 2-8-0 would be the icing on the cake.