Class 52 'Western' prototype model
Fresh from the foundry, and still bearing all the scars of its creation, is the first pre-production model of our forthcoming Class 52 'Western' diesel hydraulic.
Showing every sign of being the best Masterpiece Model yet, this impressive leviathan is bristling with detail and replicates the exact and complex shapes of the original, having been developed from 3D laser scans of D1015 'Western Champion'. Like all pre-production models, there are things that need to be changed and refined and the model has already been appraised by our panel of experts. It will shortly be scrutinised by the Diesel Traction Group, owners of D1015.
At present the model is something of a hybrid; for example it is fitted with the extended lamp backets, added in later years to carry emergency Bardic lamps, but it lacks the air brake pipes which would have been present in the same period. All such anomalies will be resolved on the production models and each individual model will be correct in all respects for its chosen period.
Powered by a high-end Swiss coreless motor, drive is delivered to all six axles. The pre-production model exhibited stunning slow running capabilities, controllable down to 6min 50sec to cover a one yard length of track! At the other end of the scale it will haul prototypical loads with ease at the impressive speeds one would expect from a mighty 'Western'.
Development will continue through the spring, with production starting in the summer for delivery to the UK before the end of 2018.
Click HERE to visit the Class 52 'Western' reservation page.