To the manor born…

This Mainline model from 1980 has recently arrived in my hands from my late Grandpa’s collection. As Dapol’s 2022 release is available very soon with Accurascale’s on its way as well it is interesting to take a quick look at this older model…

One of the original Manor releases in the 1980 Mainline catalog was ‘38078’ Hinton Manor. Pictured here on shed at Pont-y-dulais.

These models manufactured in Hong Kong for Palitoy by Kader later found their way into the ranges of other brands as Palitoy ceased to import them from 1983. I had a Bachmann Branchline version in the 1990s with a revised ‘flywheel’ chassis that was otherwise the same model.

The model still just about holds muster today, yes lots of chunky or missing parts and the paintwork isn’t the best example from the manufacturer but proportions look right, the darkened handrails neat and relatively fine and the tool makers and designers have put the joints in places where they’re not visible. I popped it on Pont-y-dulais to see if it suffered from the dreaded ‘split muffs’ but it runs, a little noisy and not as smooth as we’re used to, but for a secondary route express engine it’s turn of speed and sure footed hauling with traction tyres would be appreciated. 

It leaves an interesting question in my mind. As the new kids on the block arrive, will they stand the test of time as well. This model has sat in a box pretty much undisturbed for 35 years and turned a wheel first time. On opening the box there were no loose bits rattling around in the bottom, and getting it out I didn’t snap anything off… character and realism don’t have to come from museum quality models, I’d argue they come from our artistry in their application to our model. How we detail and weather them, and how they match the detail level and palette of the scenery they run through. There is life in these old dogs yet - and in the same breath, new models like the Accurascale example, or the Sutton 24 push the boundaries of what is possible from a mass produced yet hand assembled model in China. Until next time, more soon…