COLCESTER LAYOUTS
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COLCESTER INTERNATIONAL: From Past to Present
By COLIN SMITH
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COLCESTER TRAINS
COLCESTER LOCOS FLEET
Since the 1990`s and the very first Colcester layout, the locomotive base has grown quite a bit, initially with the Class 90 and Class 91 which were at the time the forefront of modern fleet operations, but now since privatisation of the railways and the franchising of the network, we have seen a greater variation of modern traction in different liveries which has expanded the model range and continues to do so to this day. Naturally with the renewed interest in building the layout, I have seen fit to keep up with modern times and purchase a few new items that will run on the Colcester tracks....
All new rolling stock added to the layout will be chipped for DCC operation.
Below is a list of the Colcester Fleet, CLICK on the locomotive picture and an information panel will open with details of that loco and its designated DCC code, along with its intended duties and further useful information.
The Class 350, 373, 395 and 800 sets are in a fixed formation for push/pull services. This makes them ideal for the new plan which operates primarily as an end to end layout, however if weather permits and the garden loop can be used then these sets are also equally able to run in the same formation even on the tail-chaser setup the garden loop then provides.
Class 08 Shunter will be held in the head-shunt awaiting duties, the two Class 66 locos and the Freightliner Class 90 will run occasional services via the central passing loop in the International Station and can also use the garden loop.
Primary setup will cater for passenger services with freight next and shunting duties last.
CLICK on the picture to reveal additional information and more pictures for each Locomotive
CLASS 08
I decided the layout could require a better quality Shunter than the Hornby one, so invested in this model instead. RELEASED BY: Bachmann PRIMARY DUTY: Shunting and freight services PRIMARY ROUTES: All DCC lines only DCC DECODER NUMBER: 23
I decided the layout could require a better quality Shunter than the Hornby one, so invested in this model instead. RELEASED BY: Bachmann PRIMARY DUTY: Shunting and freight services PRIMARY ROUTES: All DCC lines only DCC DECODER NUMBER: 23
CLASS 37
The dependable Class 37 is a major player in freight and passenger services. Network Rail mainly employ them as the main workhorses in the maintenance of the infrastructure. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUTY: Infrastructure Maintenance PRIMARY ROUTES: All DCC lines only DCC DECODER NUMBER: 25
The dependable Class 37 is a major player in freight and passenger services. Network Rail mainly employ them as the main workhorses in the maintenance of the infrastructure. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUTY: Infrastructure Maintenance PRIMARY ROUTES: All DCC lines only DCC DECODER NUMBER: 25
CLASS 66
Another new Diesel purchased in 2019 in the EWS sector livery. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUITES: Freight traffic, light goods and shunting. Also Track Maintenance for Network Rail PRIMARY ROUTES: All Tracks except Lower Line DCC DECODER NUMBER: 06
CLASS 87
This Virgin livery Class 87 is based on an actual locomotive which operated on the West Coast Mainline right up until the mid 1990s before Class 90s took over. On Colcester it will often be seen stopping at platforms 3/4 on express duties with a mixed rake of Mk3 coaches. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUTY: Passenger express services PRIMARY ROUTE: Shed mainline & Garden loop DCC DECODER NUMBER: 10
This Virgin livery Class 87 is based on an actual locomotive which operated on the West Coast Mainline right up until the mid 1990s before Class 90s took over. On Colcester it will often be seen stopping at platforms 3/4 on express duties with a mixed rake of Mk3 coaches. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUTY: Passenger express services PRIMARY ROUTE: Shed mainline & Garden loop DCC DECODER NUMBER: 10
CLASS 90
Although we had a previous Hornby Class 90, the release of this model from Bachmann has not only improved on the Hornby one but has given the layout one of the best running loco`s in the entire fleet. This model also features a servo-assisted working pantograph, a bit gimmicky but an interesting step forward in modern image modelling. RELEASED BY: Bachmann PRIMARY DUTY: Express passenger services & freight PRIMARY ROUTE: Shed & Garden Loop DCC DECODER NUMBERS: 07 08 16 20 22
The Virgin Class 90 is named "City of Glasgow"
Although we had a previous Hornby Class 90, the release of this model from Bachmann has not only improved on the Hornby one but has given the layout one of the best running loco`s in the entire fleet. This model also features a servo-assisted working pantograph, a bit gimmicky but an interesting step forward in modern image modelling. RELEASED BY: Bachmann PRIMARY DUTY: Express passenger services & freight PRIMARY ROUTE: Shed & Garden Loop DCC DECODER NUMBERS: 07 08 16 20 22
CLASS 91
There are presently two Class 91 locos at Colcester - "Durham Cathedral" in InterCity livery & "The Fusiliers" in LNER livery. The both have a complete rake of Mk4 coaches and DVT. These Class 91s are the new re-tooled version from Hornby with working lights and using a 21 pin decoder. RELEASED BY Hornby PRIMARY DUTY Express Passenger Service PRIMARY ROUTE Shed and garden loop DCC DECODER NUMBERS 17 (IC) 26 (LNER)
There are presently two Class 91 locos at Colcester - "Durham Cathedral" in InterCity livery & "The Fusiliers" in LNER livery. The both have a complete rake of Mk4 coaches and DVT. These Class 91s are the new re-tooled version from Hornby with working lights and using a 21 pin decoder. RELEASED BY Hornby PRIMARY DUTY Express Passenger Service PRIMARY ROUTE Shed and garden loop DCC DECODER NUMBERS 17 (IC) 26 (LNER)
FLYING SCOTSMAN
Iconic locomotive - in the best LNER Apple Green livery! A firm favourite which has been repaired and now chipped. This will operate steam special services on the upper DCC lines. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUTIES: Special steam excursions PRIMARY ROUTES: DCC upper lines and garden loop DCC DECODER NUMBER: 19
Iconic locomotive - in the best LNER Apple Green livery! A firm favourite which has been repaired and now chipped. This will operate steam special services on the upper DCC lines. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUTIES: Special steam excursions PRIMARY ROUTES: DCC upper lines and garden loop DCC DECODER NUMBER: 19
CLASS 156
A re-release by Hornby of the original Lima model, this has been added to the fleet again to redress the lack of Diesel units and to add an alternative mode of transport for the commuter services. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUTY: Commuter Services PRIMARY ROUTES: Upper level DCC lines / Mainline / Viaduct loop line DCC DECODER NUMBER: 09
A re-release by Hornby of the original Lima model, this has been added to the fleet again to redress the lack of Diesel units and to add an alternative mode of transport for the commuter services. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUTY: Commuter Services PRIMARY ROUTES: Upper level DCC lines / Mainline / Viaduct loop line DCC DECODER NUMBER: 09
CLASS 350
There are very few AC electric 4 car units produced by companies in model form, so this release has been a long time coming. A very smooth running unit especially at slow speeds, both Class 350s in the fleet were used extensively for track testing as the layout was being built. RELEASED BY: Bachmann PRIMARY DUTY: Commuter services PRIMARY ROUTE: All upper lines / Mainline / Viaduct loop line and Garden Loop DCC DECODER NUMBER: 04 & 12
There are very few AC electric 4 car units produced by companies in model form, so this release has been a long time coming. A very smooth running unit especially at slow speeds, both Class 350s in the fleet were used extensively for track testing as the layout was being built. RELEASED BY: Bachmann PRIMARY DUTY: Commuter services PRIMARY ROUTE: All upper lines / Mainline / Viaduct loop line and Garden Loop DCC DECODER NUMBER: 04 & 12
CLASS 373
Speed is the name of the game here... this Hornby model isnt exactly highly detailed (produced with train set value in mind) but its not a bad representation of the actual train, and its in the latest livery too. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUTIES: Hi-Speed express services / European travel PRIMARY ROUTE: Shed Mainline & Garden Loop DCC DECODER NUMBER: 11 & 13
Speed is the name of the game here... this Hornby model isnt exactly highly detailed (produced with train set value in mind) but its not a bad representation of the actual train, and its in the latest livery too. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUTIES: Hi-Speed express services / European travel PRIMARY ROUTE: Shed Mainline & Garden Loop DCC DECODER NUMBER: 11 & 13
CLASS 395
Introduced in 2008, these sleek Hi-Speed trains were the champions of the 2012 Olympic events carrying spectators to Stratford International Station. They are a frequent sight in the Kent countryside and form several Hi-Speed links into the Capital from there. Colcester has four of the High Detailed sets. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUTY: Hi-Speed express passenger services PRIMARY ROUTE: Shed Mainline / Garden Loop DCC DECODER NUMBER: 01 / 03 / 14 / 15
Introduced in 2008, these sleek Hi-Speed trains were the champions of the 2012 Olympic events carrying spectators to Stratford International Station. They are a frequent sight in the Kent countryside and form several Hi-Speed links into the Capital from there. Colcester has four of the High Detailed sets. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUTY: Hi-Speed express passenger services PRIMARY ROUTE: Shed Mainline / Garden Loop DCC DECODER NUMBER: 01 / 03 / 14 / 15
CLASS 800 Azuma
Introduced in 2019 to replace an aging fleet of Class 43 and 91 sets, these Hitachi built units are now in full service on the East Coast Mainline. Hornby will be releasing these as a 5 car pack and they will feature on Colcester. The layout now has four sets of Azuma`s. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUTY: High Speed Passenger Services PRIMARY ROUTE: Shed mainline loop and garden loop DCC DECODER NUMBER: 18 800 801 802
Introduced in 2019 to replace an aging fleet of Class 43 and 91 sets, these Hitachi built units are now in full service on the East Coast Mainline. Hornby will be releasing these as a 5 car pack and they will feature on Colcester. The layout now has four sets of Azuma`s. RELEASED BY: Hornby PRIMARY DUTY: High Speed Passenger Services PRIMARY ROUTE: Shed mainline loop and garden loop DCC DECODER NUMBER: 18 800 801 802