Roundhouse 2014

[HereticUK]

I think the Beddgellert model is a beautiful thing indeed. But there is a reason I am a supporter of freelance designs: cost. Usually anything based on a prototype will have several hundred extra quid thrown on top of the price and for a prospective newbie like me that is quite off-putting.

[INJIN]

Here she is....

[pauly]

Anyone else think she looks very Irish?

[kandnwlr]

Anyone else think she looks very Irish?

I was thinking how good she would look with Irish rolling stock - even if not prototypical .....

[williamfj]

I'm finding it increasingly easy to see Beddgelert in NER lined green.

[TommyDodd]

Anyone else think she looks very Irish?

The Ballymena lines had some large saddle tanks, particularly "the bruiser" 2-6-0T, so I can see what you mean.

[Gremlin]

I'm really pleased they made a nice long engine, it won't go round my tight curves so my money is safe for another year I did find myself very drawn to Charles though.
I think its looks great and they should be commended for bringing out something new, it's not like there is a shortage of locos to choose from these days if you don't like it.

[MuzTrem]

Well said dweller of DVT's (ex dweller?).

In our own imaginary histories of the lines, whose to say how many of a certain loco were built. Maybe there were some other locos shaped uncannily like Beddgelert that were destined for an overseas railway but unfortunetly for Hunslet of Leeds the order was cancelled before shipment. Luckily XYZ Railway had a need for a new engine so helps hunslet out and buys them. . .

Some of the pipework details are great on the new release. I was talking to Harry of Roundhouse and he was saying about their new found love of getting patterns 3d printed. This may help explain why the price was lower than I expected.

Hear, hear! That's more or less what I've done with my own line, where I've ended up with models of NWNGR, L&B, Vale of Rheidol and even GER standard gauge prototypes, all running on a line of nominally 2'6" gauge!

I've nothing against freelance designs, but given an entirely free choice I'd usually choose a prototype design, even if I were to then paint it in a freelance livery. I don't quite know why, to be perfectly honest. But I remember that, when deciding which RH loco I wanted to start saving up for all those years ago, Russell appealed to me because it was (at that time) the only prototype design in the catalogue that I recognised (having seen the prototype at the WHR some years previously). For some reason, I just liked the idea of having a model of real engine that I had actually seen in real life.

There is a rich and interesting array of NG prototypes to choose from, each with their own character. I can think of so many full-size engines that I would want for my garden line if I only had the cash! Whereas the freelance designs, though not unattractive, usually just don't grab me in the same way.

But of course, that's personal taste, and I fully agree that the best aspect of the garden railway hobby is the tolerance which (usually!) prevails; indeed, the differing choices and approaches of different modellers give our railways interest and variety.

And, of course, for me these ramblings are largely academic since I'm not going to have the disposable income to buy any more live steamers any time soon!

[Marquis DeCarabas]

I'm finding it increasingly easy to see Beddgelert in NER lined green.

More like NBR, I suspect.

[IrishPeter]

Anyone else think she looks very Irish?

Reminds me a bit of the early Swilly locos, but they were rear and well tanks not saddles.

Peter in AZ