Beautiful Pre Grouping Era 2 locomotives Part 01 Exceptions!

Welcome to the first episode in my new series exploring the stunning locomotives and rolling stock of Era 2 (1870-1923)! 🚂✨
Before diving into the truly authentic Era 2 models, I’m kicking off with a few exceptions-locomotives and wagons that might look like they belong to this period but actually don’t. These include:
🔹 SECR P Class ‘Bluebell’ - Built in 1910, but in a 2011 Bluebell Railway livery (Era 10).
🔹 J72 ‘Joem’ (NER Livery) - The J72 class started in 1898, but this one was built in 1951 (Era 6).
🔹 LBSCR Terrier ‘Brighton Works’ - Originally from 1878, but this livery dates to 1947 (Era 4).
Alongside these locomotives, I also take a closer look at some wagons whose markings and details reveal their true eras, including RCH 'double C' and speed star symbols!
If you’re interested in the intricate details of pre-grouping railway history, or just love beautifully detailed models, this series is for you! Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss Part 2!
Music by Aaron Kenny.
📌 Links & Resources:
🔗 Gaugemaster’s 50-Year History: www.gaugemaste...
📷 Follow me on Facebook: [ / modelrailwaysunlimited ]
💬 Have any questions or observations? Let me know in the comments-I’d love to hear your thoughts!
👍 Enjoyed the video? Give it a like and subscribe for more Model Railways Unlimited content!
#ModelRailways #Era2Trains #PreGrouping #SECR #LBSCR #J72 #Hornby #RailwayHistory

[@Jimyjames73]

A nice Running Session Of Locos & Rolling stock...😉🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks for watching stay tuned for more

[@PixamixsPixamixs]

Wonderful video Mike 👍🏻 great collection of colorful wagons love the shots of the Brighton works shunter. It’s no good this years goal it’s got to be a model of this charming terrier. Maybe it could be my birthday present from my misses 😃🚂

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Many thanks! That sounds like a plan to me

[@fircombehallrailwayoogauge1430]

Lovely footage and very interesting history. Thanks Mike.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Most welcome 🤗

[@donniblanco5239]

Great Job and Nicely Presented- Having a Somewhat Parsimonious Approach to Model Purchases, I “Reel” at Some of the Prices of Locomotives here in 2025, However Bluebell is Stunning 🤩 and Well worth Whatever the Price was. I 💙 Bluebell 😁 Cheers Mike 👍🏻

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thank you very kindly 😊 I totally agree, mine was a Hattons original from the time of first release. Lord knows what they go for now

[@Shauniboy1984]

Fantastic stuff Mike - back for 2025 👍😎

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks very much, yes indeed

[@neilfarrar6217]

Hello Mike, Ive been looking forward to watching this new series since you first mentioned it. Absolutely packed with information as usual, and some very interesting little locos. `a, interesting watch for me as I don't have any locomotives quite like these. Thank you.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

So glad you enjoyed it, I'm stuck fast with research for episode 2 just now lol

[@KellinoRail]

Nice to have you back Mike, hope you're feeling a lot better now. 😎

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks very much indeed. Well I am at the point where I can push through so making progress thanks

[@Fred-Wilbury]

Lovely locos and rolling stock 👌😎☕️

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Cheers Fred, glad you liked it

[@Christophoross]

Nice to have you back Mike. Another great video. They say everyday is a school day and now I know what the stars and cc markings mean. Keep up the good work.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks very much, glad it was helpful

[@simonturner5450]

Lovely stuff Mike thanks for sharing and great to see you back. You mentioned that the GWR had always been the GWR but they too absorbed several companies in 1923: Alexandra Docks and Railway, Barry Railway, Cambrian Railways, Cardiff Railway, Rhymney Railway and Taff Vale Railway which were 560 miles in total.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks kindly, ah yes indeed you are right. I wondered if anyone would clarify that so thanks

[@oesypum]

Very enjoyable. Thank you Mike, and I hope your health improves. Regards from Horsham

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Most kind of you thanks :)

[@ausfoodgarden]

Surely that LMS marked vent van can't be era 2. A very interesting and well presented video as usual Mike. I hope the L&YR will be included as part of this series. Cheers!

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Spot on well done, yes L&Y gets in 😊

[@davidwynne3170]

Mike, I love your videos. I always learn something new and they are a joy to watch. I’ve just received the Bluebell loco from Accurascale from an order that I originally placed with Hattons a very long time ago. It’s such a small loco. Your video brings it to life so well. Best wishes and good health.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Aww that's super kind of you thanks. Glad the video was good.

[@AdiPullen]

Hi mike I hope you are well This is a great video i learnt something new about rolling stock but still don't quite understand it. J72 is a film star it was featured in heartbeat Keep safe ARP

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Cheers Adi, very glad you enjoyed. Which bit don't you understand?

[@Night_Ferry]

What a nice start to the series 🙂 I believe Brighton works also would have been an A1x by the time it carries that particular livery the second time. Glad I recently picked up a bluebell from the second hattons run. It really is an astonishing print job. Very interesting about the rectank. Looks like it could be backdated then my removing the yellow start and Cc. Learn something new every day! I'll have to examine my wagons next time I get them out. Cheers!

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

What a great comment, thanks very much. Yes certainly an A1 by then. Glad you picked up some hints

[@lewisshields8481]

The LMS D2078 van built to the SRs diagram 1455 is era 3 as it was built for the LMS by the SR in the 1940s and it has the post 1936 RCH lettering/numbering.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Wow, excellent spot there well done.

[@christopherbellamy639]

Great running session. Bluebell, Joem and Brighton Works (Morden) look great. I have 32635 in its SR livery (2635 Morden).

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks very much indeed 😃

[@gordonmcillroy455]

Very enjoyable. Very interesting Mike.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ewhurstgreen]

Delightfully informative video Mike! 👍

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Aww cheers Colin, much appreciated

[@ewhurstgreen]

@@ModelRailwaysUnlimited Videos which can increase the knowledge of viewers can be so rewarding! 😺

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

That's wonderful 😊

[@hotdogpilot6319]

Very nice Mike, I would never have guessed the exceptions without being lead by the nose.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Has your nose 👃 recovered 😂😆

[@DennisLora2001]

Amazing video Mike i love it well done ✅ 👍 ❤❤❤❤❤

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks so much

[@DennisLora2001]

​@@ModelRailwaysUnlimited You're welcome Mike

[@markheasman7631]

Hi Mike Great video nice to see back and little locomotives

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Many thanks! More to come soon

[@SBCBears]

Mezzotint! Impressive slow running, too. Good music choices. I can't say anything intelligent about the signs and symbols as I don't know anything.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Wow, yeah that's the look I was after, so glad you enjoyed it. Music is lovely for sure

[@rodericfindlay4147]

Very interesting video. I'm amazed that J72s were built as late as 1951. The Southern van was originally an SECR design, but I don't know enough about it to say whether yours is SECR or Southern.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks very much Roderic. Yes surprising about the J72s! So glad you enjoyed the film

[@Night_Ferry]

That's actually the 10ton SECR van you are thinking of that gives this particular van it's roof profile. This is a later southern built 12ton vehicle. A longer wheelbase but the dead give away are the end vents. The SECR built vans had a single central vent. Whereas the slightly larger southern built vans had two vents. Hope that's useful, happy modelling!

[@stephendavies6949]

Hi Mike. A very enjoyable video. You hinted at the star/CC issue in your trailer video, so I investigated: fascinating! Glad you mentioned it, as I'm currently trying to collect some GER-era rolling stock. I don't suppose you know where I can buy a GER brake van? Your vent van was probably built in Era 2, but there was an LMS logo lurking under the grime, so it's post grouping.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks very much, no I don't really but the secr brakes look a lot like the GER ones? That's it a LMS van, built by the Southern for them.

[@stephendavies6949]

@ModelRailwaysUnlimited Ah, so "doubly" post-Grouping!

[@TallboyDave]

Isn't that ventilated van a Southern Railway design?

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

That's right well done