Please note that this article is out of date as of April 15th 2015.  Please click here for the latest version.

 

It is difficult to keep track (excuse the pun) of 00 scale model announcements.  It wasn’t too long ago that a summary was put together here on locoyard, but within a short space of time it has become outdated.  There are many manufacturers and special commissions from different vendors, with announcements made at various events and through different media.  Hopefully this will summary will not be outdated too soon, but I have no doubt that it will!

Midland Region

It is fair to say that there are fewer known Midland Region releases in progress than other regions at present.  Firstly in the pipeline from Bachmann is an upgraded chassis for their Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T, that will feature DCC compatibility and prototypical motion and valve gear.  The venerable original Royal Scot model is also due for a chassis upgrade that will feature a 21 pin DCC socket.

In fact, as far as we are aware, Bachmann are the only manufacturer developing new midland region models in 00 scale.  Stanier’s 2-6-0 mogul will be appear in model form in due course, as will LNWR Webb 0-6-2T Coal Tank.

North Eastern Region

There are a plethora of new and upgraded eastern region prototype’s on their way to 00 scale layouts.  Two will be new eight-coupled north eastern locomotives.  One is to be produced by DJ Models, the Raven Q6 0-8-0.  Heljan meanwhile are working on Gresley’s Tango 02 class 2-8-0.

There is much interest in the forthcoming National Railway Museum commission of Great Northern Railway Ivatt C1 Atlantic.  This will be produced by Bachmann, who are also building the similar Marsh LBSCR Atlantic.

The attractive 4-4-0 D16/3 Super Claud is an exciting prospect from Hornby, adding an attractive 4-4-0 for Eastern region modellers.

Hornby have just released the GER J15 class, adding another ready to run 0-6-0 to the market.  0-6-0’s are vital types for model railways and its good to see the attention of the manufacturers is now supporting this.

Two new 0-6-0 tank engines are in development with a third receiving a new chassis.  The first is J94 Hunslet Austerity class (including it’s industrial siblings) that is the subject of a forthcoming DJ Models release that is likely to be a big improvement on Hornby’s ex-Dapol offering (click here for the review.)  The Second tank engine is the Gresley LNER J50 tank engine in development by Hornby. Third we have the J72 tank engine from Bachmann, that will receive an upgrade with a new DCC (6 pin) compatible chassis.

Bachmann are upgrading a further three eastern region models.  The Gresley V2 class model from Bachmann will be brought up to modern standards .  The model recently received a chassis upgrade, an improved newly tooled body is to follow.  Finally for the North Eastern modeller will be a welcome DCC upgrade for Bachmann’s V2 2-6-2T and J39 class 0-6-0.

Southern Region

Southern region modellers have plenty to look forward to! The most recent announcement has come from Hornby, who plan to produce a 00 scale model of the first batch of ten unrebuilt Merchant Navy class locomotives in 2016 (click here to read more.)

Another much requested prototype should be with us even sooner – the LSWR/SR S15 class from Hornby.  It is hoped that the new model will meet the standards of Hornby’s N15 King Arthur class, which is still one of the best 00 scale models around (click here to read its review.)

Although Hornby’s models have had a mixed reception in recent times, early examples of the LSWR 700 Blackmotor class 0-6-0 look very promising.  For those with a fleet of Hornby T9/M7 models, this is a vital ready to run addition to the roster..

Also of LSWR origin, Dapol are to produce the LSWR B4 0-4-0T and Kernow Model Rail Centre (with DJ Models) are producing the LSWR 02 0-4-4T.

There are two manufacturers working on the LSWR Adams Radial tank, with Oxford Models (click here for more) to produce there first ready to run model that will compete with an offering from Hornby.  Kernow also looked as this subject as have Bachmann, which is an unprecedented attention for such a prototype and something we’ll look at in more detail in the near future.

LBSCR E4 class 0-6-2T is likely to be arriving in early 2015 from Bachmann, who also are producing the Marsh Atlantic 4-4-2, also of LBSCR origin.  Completing a trio of LBSCR locomotives (and another Marsh Atlantic) will be from 00 Works in the form of I3 class 4-4-2T.

The final steam engine of southern origin is Model Rail’s Bachmann commission in the form of USA tank 0-6-0T locomotive.

Western Region

As with the Adams Radial Tank, there are two manufacturers developing new models of the GWR King class.  Hattons have announced that in collaboration with DJ Models, they will be producing a high-spec new model of the King class.  Within a few days, Hornby also announced their intention to upgrade their old model (reviewed here by Simon.)  It will be interesting to see how comes out on top with these two new models.

The King class is not the only example of a GWR class that is being duplicated. Despite there being a decent Bachmann model of the class (reviewed here,) Hornby a producing a version of the 49xx Hall (above) to fit into both their Railroad and main ranges.  It’s not all duplication on the hall front though, as Bachmann are working on improving their old modified hall class.  The re-release should have been released some time ago, but due to a few problems with the first batch it was recalled.

Also in the distant (2016) Horizon, Heljan plan to produce a model of the 47xx Night Owl 2-8-0.

Bachmann are working on another Hawksworth locomotive in the form of the pannier 94xx class.

Meanwhile Heljan are working on a different pannier tank, the outside cylinder 1366 class.  As surprising as the 1366 announcement was, even more unusual is Kernow Model Railway Centre’s decision to produce a model of the saddle tank 1361 class in collaboration with DJ Models.

In this authors opinion, the biggest wow is that Kernow and DJ Models plan to reproduce the GWR railmotor in 00 scale!  It’ll be interesting to see this being developed over the coming months.

Hattons have commissioned DJ Models to produce an updates version of the classic GWR 14xx/48xx/58xx 0-4-2T.  For more info on versions to be produced go to www.ehattons.com/14xx.

Industrial Locomotives

As well as the aforementioned Hunslet Austerity, DJ Models have taken the plunge and announced another industrial locomotive in the form of Hudswell Clarke’s 24t 0-6-0ST Locomotive.  It is great that industrial subjects are being considered at long last and I sincerely hope this model does well.

Miscellaneous

Bachmann’s 2015/16 range is to include the Ransomes & Rapier 45 Ton steam powered crane.  This should add plenty of interest to many people’s layouts!

Lots of Models!

I haven’t touched on 009 gauge ready to run models either, which are being produced by Peco (for rolling stock), Heljan and Bachmann. That is the icing on the cake because as you can see, there are many models on their way!  It is a very exciting time with new announcements being made more and more frequently.  I wonder what will come next… time will tell!

Click here for more on DJ Models J94 and Kernow 02 class models in development.

Click here to find out about the announcements that were made at Warley in 2014.

Click here for more on Hornby’s 2015 range as announced on 17 December 2014.

Click here for more on Hornby’s announcement to produce the unrebuilt Merchant Navy class.

Click here for more on Bachmann’s 2015/16 range announced on 2nd March 2015.