The LNER Encyclopedia

On the concourse of Paddington (near the tube station entrance) there used to be a large scale model of a King class loco and a coach. It was housed in a glass case and held my attention many times as a kid. Does anyone know if it's still there, or of its whereabouts these days?

Giner,
Its not there currently, Paddington himself has been moved to the far side under the arch where all the work is going on. If it wasn't removed years ago it may have been done recently whilst the building work is on going.

Thanks
Simon

Yes, I recall that locomotive and coach. In the middle '60s it was upstairs in the ticket reservation office above platform 1. All that I can remember is that it was built by someone from South Africa. The detail was remarkable - you could even see the toilet rolls. Looking back, I should say the coach was an example of '29 Cornish Riviera stock.

Oh, it was a joy to behold, alright. I didn't know it got moved upstairs - shows how long ago since I saw it. Any idea of what gauge/scale that model might have been? I've done a bit of nosing around on the web, but nothing seems to turn up. I thought it might have been at Swindon or Didcot.

Changed trains at Bristol Temple Meads today and checked on something I thought I'd noticed before. Near the ticket barrier there is a rather fine model of 6000, built by Swindon apprentices, which still serves a purpose collecting for a railway charity. Nothing on show as to it's previous history so not sure if it was moved from London, but I also remember those lovely models at Padd, which I seem to recall were latterly upstairs in the old sleeper and reservation office?

Visited York museum two weeks ago. The model of 6000 (and coach) is near the turntable, close to it’s prototype. The bogie springing on the model is in the pre modified state, i.e. without the additional coil springs on the leading axle.

Further to our trip, went down from Peterborough in a mark 4. The ride was quite twitchy at times and the seats not that comfortable. Not up to mark 3 seating. But then the mark 3 was never that good. Yet another case of something that works well in Switzerland at moderate speed on perfect track – the SIG bogies – not up the mark here.

Sorry, should have said that the mark 4s were never that good.

Thanks for that, Melton. The wife and I are planning a holiday to Stevenage later this summer and I've promised myself a fast run up to York - donkey's years since I was last there. It'll be great to see the King model again.

melton wrote:Sorry, should have said that the mark 4s were never that good.

Had a ride to Leeds & back on a 373 Eurostar while GNER had 2 or 3 on hire a few years back, to run their 'White Rose' journeys : Left me with an impression that they, while not faultless, gave quite a reasonably steady ride; particularly over junctions, whereas the Mk.IVs seem a bit more 'lively'.

Carried a cup of soup back to my seat on a Eurostar en-route to Paris Nord. Didn’t spill a drop.

melton wrote:Visited York museum two weeks ago. The model of 6000 (and coach) is near the turntable, close to it’s prototype

I'm hoping to go to York on Saturday for the model railway show and a general wander around York, so I'll get a few piccies of her. I know where she is and I'm surprised I didn't take a picture of her on my last visit.

EDIT: while you're waiting, here is one of my pictures of 6000 from Feb 2012. The model and coach are in the cabinet on the wall to her left:

G'Day Gents

Oh look, another candidate for Woodhams Brothers

manna

I like the Kings, but I do prefer Lode Star.

I'm not sure if I'll have time to go to the NRM today to get a picture of the model as I'll be spending the morning at York model railway show, and in the afternoon Mum and Dad are dragging me around York clothes shopping

Ay up!

What's that thing blocking the view of the Stanier 2-6-4T?

Sorry chaps, no time to visit the NRM today. Spent an hour looking for a parking space in York