Hempton's prairie power includes Baba's original Airfix version from the 1970s, 4119 given a new lease of life with a Hornby mechanism, the Lima 4598 and Bachman 4527 small prairies and 5108, all in working order as of 2011/12.
The latest to join our prestigious pack of prairies is 5108, the Hornby version of the large prairie with improved handrails and 1934 shirt button.
In line with Hempton policy to have all locos fully functional to latest industry standards and to include most available GWR locos, this is Bachmann's 5775; we have a duplicate in stock to be painted in 1929 livery and allocated another number.
You can't have too many panniers. Initially designed as shunting engines, they could do almost anything; there were thousands of them scattered around the country, all based on the Victorian design.
The heavy mob at Hempton at the beginning of 2012. We hope a Churchward 2-8-2T may join the mob next season.
Hornby re-engineered their Churchward 2-8-0. So fine is it, that we have sold our 1992 version on eBay. This model 2818 was coproduced with the NRM in time for Col's 70th in 2011.
When we regress to the beginning of the 20th century, the Dean group predominates – two single drivers, an open cab pannier and the famous 0-6-0 goods. They are joined by a GWR mogul and locos from other pre-grouping companies.
Dean single 3064 Duke of Edinburgh sits alongside it class sister 3046 Lord of the Isles dating from the 1970s. From the same Triang-Hornby moulds, it has some added detail and an improved front bogie. The motor is quite different.
A complete re-engineered model, 5011Tintagel Castle is far superior to our 1980s GMR Airfix model of Caerphilly Castle which we've now sold on eBay. The original was built in 1927.
Bachmann's Patriot class 5541 The Duke of Sutherland received that number in 1934. This is fine model is by by Bachmann and joined Hempton's top link in 2011.
The original version of Robinson's 2-8-0 heavy goods was designed for the Great Central Railway. Bachmann produced no.1185 for the National Railway Museum in 2011.
The versatile T9, nicknamed Greyhound because if its turn of speed, is seen here before detailing. Loco no.120 is in the livery adopted by the LSWR in 1917.
Dugald Drummond's M7 was originally a suburban passenger loco but was seen as a reliable branchline worker. Sourced on eBay, 252 will see work on LSWR goods. Compare the Southern livery version bought for Gampa's 60th birthday.
In pre-1917 livery. Produced form the Hornby Collectors Club, this former LB&SCR loco, designed in 1870 to haul commuter trains on the heavily congested lines in South and South-East London, was sold to the LSWR around the turn of the century. A similar loco was sold to the GWR.
Sir Henry Fowler's 2P 4-4-0 for the S&DJR entered service in 1935. Interestingly,when in 1923 Britain's railway companies were were grouped together into the four major companies,the Somerset & Dorset line became jointly owned by the LMS & the SR. Despite this the S&DJR retained its individuality. The engines retained their royal blue livery for a further seven years and even the gold letters 'S&DJR' remained as on the Hornby model.
Bulleid's Q1 for the Southern in 1942 is perhaps the best example of austerity design to be produced, stripped of anything felt to be non-essential that added to the weight. Running plates and wheel splashers were left out and the three section boiler casing was made of a light material. The Q1 is regarded as the ultimate development of 0-6-0 freight loco; the class were nicknamed 'coffee pots'. ByHornby, this model is delicately detailed.
Introduced in 1930 the 2251 class was a replacement for the Dean goods – same main dimesnsions but with tapered boilers and full cabs. This loco, 3217 entered service in December 1947, just making it into traffic before the end of the GWR! Many of the Collett goods engines were paired with ex-ROD tenders. The GWR had a surplus of these from the 1930s and when paired with the 2251 class engines the result was a tender which, when full, weighed more than the locomotive! The Bachmann body here is the same as the original Mainline model but with a better motor, better located.
Deeley's 3F 0-6-0 was based on Johnson's Midland 2F with new cabs and boilers 1903-08. Originally for freight, they also worked passenger trains. At Hempton, 3205 joins the light goods gang along with the Q1, the Dean and Collett 0-6-0s.
Change of scale
Lambourn
Raising the game in the interim years
The birth of Deddington Junction
Early years at Deddn Jn
Re-wiring and first refurbishment
The Grand Refit
Building Barford terminus
Hempton shed refit
Work in progress - latest news
Thirty Years On – Grand Re-opening
Gallery 1
Gallery 2
Gallery 3; fin de siècle
Gallery 4
The Deddington Junction mythology
Loco power
Rolling stock
Track plan
Electrics
Museum
Thomas and friends