https://caledoniaworks.com/product/sr-u-class-pack-1/ - out now - available here. I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while, Southern Moguls have long been my favourite types of kettles. The U classes were found on Southern semi fast services across the Southern network. Most were rebuilds from the ‘River’ 2-6-4 tanks, which were converted due to the Sevenoaks accident of 1927. They were also notably found forming some of the final skeleton passenger services on the Great Western’s M&SWJ line from Andover to Cheltenham, part of which is included in the Swindon - Stroud workshop route (https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=865768605) from Swindon Town to Cirencester Watermoor. Will report back soon, am planning on getting this one as soon as poss.
I have a feeling these also used to work across from Reading (Southern) towards Redhill, if my recollections of the old SIAM 1954 game are correct (you always used to forget the Southern side and lost loads of points!). Also appreciate the heads up re the route. The old M&SWJ has been turned into a foot/cycle path for some of its length around Swindon (apart from the heritage railway and a few other sections) and often features on our daily walks. So just getting things set up now for a little drive albeit with something other than the U, which has gone on my exponentially increasing shopping list!
Happened to walk along a bit of that path a couple of weeks ago, up Marlborough way, quite a coincidence as was my first time in the area. When I realised it was the trackbed of a railway, I thought it would have been a little branch with Panniers shuttling up and down. After some research, I realised that this was a line once advertised as a premier route for passengers arriving from the continent at Southampton heading to the Midlands!
I had a quick run in the U Class last night, and was very pleased with what I saw and heard. Does not disappoint, would highly recommend.
At It’s on the wishlist though still a few Bossman items I want to get first plus the West Somerset and Marches route in the forthcoming Steam sale.
Just noticed - the same creator of the Swindon to Stroud route has another section of the MSWJR on the workshop from Grafton to Marlborough - https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=496990624
Interesting... Though with a Quick Drive from Swindon to Cirencester found I was getting SPAD's, seem to be some ground signals just beyond a main signal, one at Swindon Town and another at Cricklade which are not clearing and you are right on top of them. Or possibly facing/linked the wrong way.
