LNER articles index

A user note: I have tried to present the articles with a helpful précis. Historical and modelling aspects can overlap and search engines in a website can be limited: "Enter search string", for example, will only find the top hit per page. Running Firefox helps because keying CTR+F (and a precise word or phrase) will highlight all the hits on that page.

This is a complete LNER list. The breakdown by subcategories may help.

Back Track

The Great Central in East Anglia
An account of the LNER period when the GE Section ran short of locos and all manner of types were drafted in to work passenger and goods services.
6pp, 10 illus. Dec 1995

Racehorse Names for LNER Pacifics
An explanation of the reasons for the adoption of these names and why they were chosen, from the Gresley A1/A3s to the post-war Thompson and Peppercorn A1 and A2s.
7pp, 10 illus. Jun 2005 (Vol 19, No 6)

British Railway Modelling

LNER D.23A Hairdressing Saloon, Ladies Retiring Room, Cocktail Bar 3rd
- Gresley 61'6"
A one page piece with two good illustrations of the model and some constructional notes. Based on Kirk sides and (I didn't quote any more suppliers) MJT/scratch underframe on ABS bogies.
1pp, 2 illus. Oct 1993 For more details see "The Flying Scotsman-2" in Model Rail, Apr 2006.

MJT Gresley Non-Corridor 3rd
- The Gresley 51'1 1/2" 3rd
- MJT kit built and compared with Comet and Kirk.
Best account I have written on how to build MJT etched sides. The techniques shown here are referred to in subsequent articles.
4pp, 9 illus. Jan 1994

Gresley Coaches from MJT
A review of the new range with pictures of etchings, three pairs of made-up and painted sides in LNER and BR liveries, and a D&S 52'6 GNR Saloon completed with MJT roof, ends and underframe.
2pp, 4 illus. Jun 1994

BR(ex-NER) Semi-corridor Lavatory 3rd
- Brief history and prototype photo of the flat-sided matchboard design and service into BR days in secondary services.
- Construction of the D&S kit with some additions and tweaks to make construction easier.
4pp, 11 illus. Oct 1994

A First Class Sleeper
- Another one-page piece, about the 66'6" SLF (1st Sleeping car) to D.157 which was fitted with a shower.
- Based on 61'6" Kirk sides and MJT parts "stretched" with various additions by scratch. The interior was fitted with beds, pillows, sheets and blankets: a most enjoyable project, this!
1pp, 2 illus. April 1996

GCR Clerestory Composite
- 50' design of 1903, brief history of vehicle and use in service with protoype photo.
- A reworking of the Perseverance kit.
2pp, 3 illus. (model & prototype), Nov 1998

Gresley TPO
- D.164 and D.165 with historical notes and illustrations.
- Two semi-scratch models in LNER teak and BR livery using Peter K etchings for the body, Cu-clad base with MJT parts and ABS bogies, Masokits gangways, and various details from scratch including working lights.
These are pleasing models but of above average difficulty.
4pp, 11 illus. (4 prototype). Apr 1999

Varnishing point
An illustrated letter on the nature of LNER brown. (There should have been an article on this subject)!
2pp, 1 illus. Apr 1999

Gresley & Thompson Steel Panelled Stock
- Gresley 51'1 1/2" BT(4) to D.294.
- Thompson 52'4" BC(2,6) to D.360.
- Historical and service intro. Models built in similar fashion around a Cu-clad base and MJT and ABS parts, with corrected sides from Kemilway (an old kit) and Comet. Both finished in BR crimson.
4pp, 10 illus. (one prototype). Nov 1999

MJT Gresley Brake Composites
- Product review.
1pp, 3 illus. (one prototype). Nov 1999.

61'6" Gresley Stock
- BTK(4) to D.114
- BCK(2,2) to D.34
- Historical intro with service notes and photographs.
- Construction of two MJT models, in LNER teak and BR carmine & cream.
4pp, 9 illus. (including two prototype). Feb 2000.

Model Rail

An LNER (GNR) Restaurant Composite
- 65'6" 12-wheel RC built 1906 with historical vehicle and service notes.
- The D&S kit souped up.
2pp, 6 illus. Apr-May 1999

LNER and BR goods brake vans
- Model Mail: illustrated letter responding to confused comment re Diagrams and fittings.
1pp, 2 prototype illus. Jan 2006

Cattle traffic in LNER and BR days
- Historical overview of vehicles and train working.
The precursor to four articles with slightly haphazard titles.
3pp, 6 historical illus. Mar 2003

Cattle by Rail:3
- Ex-NER and ex-GCR cattle trucks with historical notes & photographs.
- All based on D&S whitemetal kits. One version of the ex-NER one, but four of the ex-GCR one from manual to AVB and various detail differences. In LNER and BR liveries.
3pp, 8 illus. (3 prototype). Jul 2003.

Brake with tradition
- Ex-GCR 60' matchboard brake composite of 1911. Some historical notes and photographs.
- Falcon Brass kit much reworked or, more accurately, scratch-built with reworked side etchings.
3 pp, 8 illus. (2 prototype). Dec 2003

Rabbits for Sheffield
- GWR 6-wheel Syphon O4.
- Historical notes including traffic between GWR and LNER.
- D&S kit with body tweak and revised assembly.
2pp, 3 illus. (1 prototype). Jan 2004

Horse Play
- GCR horse box in GCR and LNER conditions, with some historical and operating notes.
- R&E Models kit, one built in original condition, the other reworked for modifications made by the LNER.
Please note that Model Rail's art department made several of the fittings on the roof, ends and underframe kind of melt or disappear! It helps to compare all the photos. Almost entirely lost is a crucial recess which has to be cut in the end of floor of the main etching to take the body ends.
3pp, 101 illus. (2 prototype). Feb 2004

ER Secondary Services in Transition - 1
- Historical: an overview of workings on former LNER lines.
First in a series of 12 articles whose titles kept drifting!
4pp, 5 illus. Sep 2004

Eastern Secondary Services in Transition
- Thompson 52'4" steel-panelled CL, BC and T.
- Built using corrected Comet sides married to a Cu-class base, scratch built ends, MJT roof and u/f fittings, ABS bogies.
A first presentation of how to build a rock-solid base for a model with etched brass sides. Much used in subsequent models.
4pp, 16 illus. (2 historical). Oct 2004

Eastern Secondary Services in Transition - 3
- Historical: Articulated twins and the "steel quintuple sets" on LNER and former GNR and GCR lines.
4pp, 6 illus. Bov 2004

Eastern Secondary Services in Transition - 4
- Historical and modelling, workings on the GN Section, LNER.
- Gresley 51'1 1/2" twin BT-CL.
- Based on the Kirk kit with scratch built ends, other parts MJT and ABS.
A first presentation of a base built around .060" Plastikard and Evergreen solebars.
4pp, 12 illus. (three very large historical). Dec 2004

Eastern Secondary Services in Transition - 5
- Historical and modelling. Workings on the GN Section.
- LNER former GNR 58'1 1/2" BC.
- A reworking of the D&S kit, in particlar the base using the technique described in the above article.
This was an early and problematic floor-pan design by Dan Pinnock which he dropped: the modelling solution I employed makes for happy modelling.
6pp, 14 illus. (4 large historical). Jan 2005

Eastern Secondary Services in Transition - 6
- Historical and modelling. Workings include Yorkshire area.
- Gresley 51'1 1/2" steel-panelled BT, LNER, ER.
- Largely scratch-built fitting modified Kemilway sides to a Cu-clad base and modified MJT ad ABS parts.
4pp, 13 illus. (4 historical). Feb 2005

Eastern Services in Transition - 7
- Historical and modelling. Workings on the GN Section.
- Former GNR 51'1 1/2" BV use for milk traffic, LNER and ER.
- D&S kit with reworked floor-pan and MJT fittings.
6pp, 12 illus. (7 large historical). Apr 2005

Eastern Services in Transition - 8
- Historical: the LNER Gresley 61'6" gangwayed bogie van (BG) to D.43, D.113, D.245, D.260.
- A detailed account of the development strands, sorting out several misunderstandings over the years.
5pp, 8 illus. May 2005

Eastern Services in Transition - 9
- Part two of the above.
- Two models using Kirk and MJT kits of two variants re underframe and bogies. Finished in LNER and BR livery.
6pp, 18 illus. Jun 2005

Eastern Services in Transition
- 10th in the series.
- Historical and modelling. LNER, former NER, ER.
- Non-gangwayed, semi-corridor lavatory 3rd, both types described, detail changes and workings including M&GN.
- D&S kit of the matchboard version, built for the early BR period.
6pp, 16 illus. (6 historical) Oct 2005

Push & Pull
- Historical overview of types and formations, LNER and ER on former NER, GCR, GER, NBR regions.
6pp, 10 illus. Nov 2005

Eastern Services in Transition
- 11th in the series.
- Gresley 61'6" gangwayed bogie van (BG), steel-panelled to D.198, D.245, D245. LNER and ER.
- Historical. Workings and resolution of confusion between diagrams built with wooden or steel panelling.
5pp, 7 illus. Dec 2005

Eastern Services in Transition
- 12th in the series. Second part of the above.
- Gresley 61'6" gangwayed bogie van (BG), steel-panelled to D.198, D.245, D245. LNER and ER.
- Built as an MJT kit with corrected Comet sides.
4pp, 8 illus. (1 historical). Feb 2006

The 'Flying Scotsman'
- Historical and modelling: formations and "standard" types.
- LNER 61'6" FK, CK, TK.
- Based on Kirk kits souped-up on semi-scratch underframes with MJT parts. The "Superfirst" FK needed replacement toplights with Stones window vents.
5pp, 18 illus. (5 historical). Mar 2006

The 'Flying Scotsman' - 2
- Historical and modelling: the catering coaches.
- LNER restaurant triplet set (RTS) and 61'6" toilet 3rd (with Hairdressing Saloon, Ladies Retiring Room and Cocktail Bar).
- Based on Kirk kits souped-up on semi-scratch underfames with MJT parts. Details of articulation, roof fittings, and interior with 2:1 armchairs.
A grand pair of vehicles, only a pity that a full side view of the toilet 3rd got dropped!
6pp, 17 illus. (one historical). Apr 2006

BR MkI - Secondary and Suburban
- Historical.
- Overview of designs and gradual progression of formations used in: Marylebone Outer Suburban and Secondary service; King's Cross Inner Suburban; Dunstable branch.
There were clear lines of development in these services over the years which I have tried to lay out clearly.
5pp, 9 illus. Jan 2007

BR MkI - Secondary and Suburban - 2
- Historical.
- As above but looking at: King's Cross Secondary and Outer Suburban service; GN Section Secondary; the 1970s; Excursions.
Conclusion of the half dozen or so different kinds of service on which the stock was deployed in a characteristic and methodical manner.
4pp, 9illus. Apr 2007

BR brake van tail lamps
- Reply to a Q&A query with two illustrations showing changes in practice over the years.
1pp, 2 illus. May 2007

Horses by rail
- Historical: overview of general practices; race traffic; troop specials; hunt specials; theatrical specials.
2pp, 4 illus. May 2007

Thompson Bogie Vans
- Historical and modelling.
- Thompson BG to D.344.
- Model based on corrected Comet sides and scratch-built ends on a Cu-clad base, MJT roof and other parts, Coopercraft bogies.
5pp, 14 illus. (7 historical). May 2007

GNR Howlden carriages
- GNR 45' BT, BV with historical and service notes, LNER/BR.
- D&S kits, main modification concerns chassis/body width.
5pp, 14 illus. (7 historical). Sep 2007

Parcels trains in the steam era
- A historical overview, mainly LNER/ER, LMR.
7pp, 10 historical illus. Nov 2007

Horses by rail: the auto-trains
- Another historical follow-up to an article by Chris Leigh
- Shows Ex-GCR, NER and GWR workings.
1 pp, 3 historical illus. Sep 2007

Secondary expresses in BR days
- Historical outline and focus on an example: Cleethropes-Leeds.
- Colour pictures include haulage by D1832.
2pp, 3 historical illus. Dec 2007

East Coast Main Line 'relief'
- Historical: a West Riding relief express made up with stock from a secondary service.
1pp, 1 historical illus. Jan 2008

Parcels trains in the steam era - 3
- Historical: Working of short trains; through vans; and the modelling options.
- LMR, ER, ex-S&DJR.
4pp, 8 historical illus. Jul 2008

Milking it!
- Historical: steam era milk traffic on the GWR, WR, LMS, LMR, LNER and ER.
5pp, 11 historical illus. Jul 2008

The Station Halt
- Historical: halts on the GWR, WR, LNER former GCR, NER, SR former LSWR, SECR, Lynton & Barnstaple.
4 pp, 10 illus. Aug 2008

Pilot duties
- Historical: an account of pilot engines around the country in LMS, LNER, GWR, SR and BR days.
- Covering station, yard and other duties.
7pp, 16 illus. Oct 2008

Pullman cars in general service expresses
- Reader to Reader section: Illustrated overview.
1pp, 4 illus. Dec 2008

Coal trains in the steam era
- Historical overview of the traffic and workings.
- LMS, LMR, LNER, former GCR, GWR, WR, BR.
8 pp, illus. Oct 2009

Coal trains in the steam era - Part 2
- Historical overview of the traffic and workings.
- Coal Yards.
- Example photos on LNER ex-GCR, ER, LMS and LMR. RCH.
- Model examples based on kits from ABS and Slaters.
Please note that the "Anatomy of a wagon" was introduced without my knowledge: "W-iron" is not a railway term, not part of a wagon, and I have taken a fair bit of stick for this error! It is only a modeller's component. Got that, chaps? :)
6pp, 11 illus. (4 historical). Nov 2009

Model Railway Journal

LNER Cattle Trucks
- Historical account of the development of the LNER cattle truck from 1924 to BR days.
- Construction of three variants using the Parkside Dundas kit. Please note that I got the door width of the 1924 design wrong: it should be narrower.
10pp, 23 illus. (prototype & model). Mo 87 (1996)

Gresley Kitchen Cars
- Brief history of the prototypes, both anthracite-electric and gas.
- Construction of both versions based on MJT parts, now sold by Dart Castings.
8pp, 20 illus.(prototype & model). No 95 (1997)

Gresley Middle-period Full Brake in 4mm
- Brief history of the 61'6" teak-panelled vehicles to D.43 and D.113 and train services.
- Construction of a D.113 on turnbuckle trussing and Fox bogies based on MJT parts, now sold by Dart Castings.
The 61'6" bogie vans were revisited in greater historical depth in Model Rail, May & June 2007.
5pp, 8 illus.(prototype & model). No 130 (2001)

Modellers' Back Track

Passenger Trains and Formations on the LNER
An account of the Ordinary Passenger services, with some focus on the GC Section.
9pp, 10 illus. Feb/Mar 1993 (Vol 2 No 6)

Passenger Trains and Formations on the LNER, Expresses, Part One
Focussing on the catering combinations.
5pp, 7 illus. Aug/Sep 1994 (Vol 4, No 3)

Passenger Trains and Formations on the LNER, Expresses, Part Two
Other aspects, from general formations to through coaches. One table was badly set and republished on p.332 in issue 4/6.
9pp, 13 illus. Oct/Nov 1994 (Vol 4, No 4)

Railway Modeller

Please note that the first seven articles here go back to a time when information was harder to come by and not all the components available today had arrived.

Gresley non-corridor first
- 51'1 1/2" 1st, LNER, ER. - Based on the Kirk kit before MJT did the etched turnbuckle trussing. Good detail of how to make up the ends.
2pp, 6 illus. Jul 1987

LNER quad-art set in 4mm
- Kirk kit with scratch-built trussing and lower steps.
- There are some useful tips and illustrations here, but much was out of the box. Also, these vehicles were not lined.
A set I built later in BR crimson had all-MJT parts underneath, cutting and splicing the trussing etchings. Between the carriages I made adjustable brass connections so that the spacing can be adjusted to the sharpness of the curves on your layout. Alas, no write-up to show for it; I hope these notes help. Amusingly, I put the BR(E) model in the Scalefour competition one year, and so did somebody else. What a glorious sight they were!
4pp, 14 illus. (including 2 sketches and 3 prototype photographs).

Gresley open 3rd restaurant car
Not recommended.
This was based on limited info and misinterpretation. Only later did I get a copy of the LNER Diagram book (and it's now widely available c/o Michael Harris). In short, I used the Comet sides for the general service D.186 3rd Open with 2:2 seating to try and make a D.27 dining car with 2:1 seating (which was briefly branded "Restaurant Car" on the GE Section before being de-branded and renumbered. The bodies were different for the catering version had no lavatory on the narrow side and plain panelling there instead. It cannot be made from an etching for D.186. It can be built via two different routes:
- My taking the Kirk kit for D.186 and reworking the panelling.
- The MJT etchings for D.27.
3pp, 8 illus. Jun 1988

LNER bogie brake van
Not recommended except with reservations.
- 51'1 1/2" BV based on the Kirk kit.
- Some useful tips but another model from the days before MJT produced etchings for the turnbuckle trussing, hence it's scratch built. Fitted with whitemetal Fox bogies and a suspended box that is fictional: I misinterpreted a photograph.
3pp, 9 illus. (1 historical). Sep 1988

LNER 1st restaurant car
Not recommended except with reservations.
- LNER D.144 RF.
- Some useful tips, mainly the underframe layout. Roof, alas, is based on a less than accurate modeller's dwg. Numbers quoted not entirely applicable because the window design changed. U/f undetailed, insufficient trussing. We have come a long way since this model was built! For better and more accurate models see BRM April 1998 "Gresley Restaurant 1st", above, and an unpublished picture on this website under "Modelling".
4pp, 8 illus. (1 u/f dwg). Jan 1989

LNER gangwayed brake vans
Not recommended.
A rather early attempt to build the Gresley 61'6" BG. Covered better and with more accurate historical info later in:
MRJ No.130 (2001)
MR May & June 2007
5pp, 10 illus. Jun 1989

LNER gangwayed brake vans - 2
- 52'6" BG as built for the GE Section
- With historical notes and Diagram.
- The Kirk kit reworked (there is a full kit now). Another model from before MJT produced etched turnbuckle trussing.
2pp, 3 illus. Sep 1989

Gresley steel-panelled full brake
- Brief (very!) history of 61'6" all-steel and steel-panelled bogie vans.
- Steel-panelled D.198 model using MJT parts and Comet sides.
This subject was revisited in greater detail in Model Rail, Dec 2005 & Feb 2006.
3pp, 7 illus. Oct 1997

Some LNER brake 3rds
- Two different types of BT(6) with historical notes, an LNER/GC hybrid to D.59 (56') of 1924, and a more conventional 51'1 1/2" to D.246 of 1938.
- Both built with reworked Kirk sides. The early one on GCR bogies got a scratch-built underframe, the later one MJT and ABS.
Please note that the drawings provided by the Railway Modeller were produced without my knowledge and contain 35 mistakes. It was particularly poor to place a bad drawing next to the model pictures and make it look like I couldn't produce an accurate model! Was the term "silly billies" in vogue at the time? I submitted a correction with prototype photographs: it was never run. I have always believed in correcting historical errors at the first opportunity, as do most Editors. The Modeller preferred to turn a blind eye and let modellers be misled. So, ignore the drawings and work off the model photos which are nice and large.
4pp, 7 illus. March 1998.

Constructing two LNER bolster wagons
- A pair of ex-NER single bolster wagons, scratch built.
- One by me, the other by my 14-year old son. Scratch-building isn't so hard, after all!
2pp, 2 illus. Dec 1996

LNER Express Fish
- Fish train with GCR and LNER fish trucks and 6w goods brake van.
- 7 models based on kits from ABS, Chivers, Falcon Brass/Jidenco, R&E.
- With two versions of the GCR bogie fish van.
3 pp, 8 illus. Mar 1997

LNER (ex-GC) bogie van
- Former GCR bogie fish as modified for general bogie van service.
- R&E Models kit.
1pp, 2 illus. Jul 1999

GNR First Class Saloon
- 52'6" GN.45D of 1912 with prototype notes.
- D&S sides etchings married to a Cu-clad base, MJT ends, roof and general fittings.
- With a lovely interior...
2pp, 4 illus. (1 historical). Jun 1997

Thompson steel-panelled full brake
- 63' D.344 brief history.
- A cross-kit build using re-formed Comet sides around a Cu-clad base and MJT parts.
This subject was revisited in greater historical depth Model Rail, May 2007.
2pp, 5 illus. Oct 1998

Gresley late-period Full Brake
- 61'6" BG to D.113 and D.245 with brief history.
- On steel-angle trussing and Gresley 8' bogies.
- Based on the Kirk kit with semi-scratch underfame with MJT parts and Blacksmith or Coopercraft bogies.
Covered in greater detail in:
MRJ No.130 (2001)
MR May & June 2007
2pp, 6 illus. Feb 1999