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Western diesels and 57XX panniers confirmed for production

D1000 old oak common 1964Following a tremendous response from people who have registered their interest in our proposed model of the Class 52 'Western' diesel, we are delighted to be able to tell you that the model has now been confirmed for production. We plan to build models of the entire class, covering the examples built at Swindon and Crewe and incorporating the key modifications made during the life of these charismatic locomotives. We are offering the full gamut of liveries, with additional mini-editions of D1000 Western Enterprise in 'Desert Sand' livery and D1015 Western Champion in Golden Ochre.

Our Western diesels will be constructed by the same builder who is making such a fabulous job of our GWR/BR 4500/4575 class prairie tanks. While he was in the UK a couple of weeks ago we took the opportunity of visiting the Severn Valley Railway where he was able to see, photograph and measure D1062 Western Courier. This quick, preliminary survey will shortly be augmented by a full laser scan of the actual locomotive, courtesy of owners the Western Locomotive Association who have kindly offered full access to both D1062 and D1013 Western Ranger.

The Class 52 is a large and complex locomotive and we are determined that the Masterpiece Models 7mm scale version will, quite simply, be the best ready-to-run 'Western' ever made. Every deatil of the originals will be faithfully reproduced, with particular attention being paid to the intricate shapes around the cab ends and tumblehome. At present the plans include double traction motors for superlative haulage, working fans and illuminated features. The models will be available in a choice of 7mm finscale or ScaleSeven at no additional cost, as well as 'Maybach' sound as standard!

Clearly this cannot be a cheap exercise; at £3,300 (allowing for the fall in the valiue of Sterling) the price of our Class 52 is comparable to a medium-size steam locomotive model, despite the exchange rate uncertainties introduced by Brexit. You can now reserve the locomotive of your choice HERE for a modest deposit.

57XXThe other top news this month is that we have also confirmed production of our 57XX (and 8750) GWR/BR pannier tanks. Most of the pre-production work has already been completed and a pre-production model will be available to view before the end of this year, with the completed models are expected to be available in Spring 2017.

As the class was ultimately so large (863 engines) we don't intend to produce a model of each. To make make sense of this build it's necessary to restrict the number of variables in the build, although the great majority of variations will be catered for, including:

  • Earlier or later styles of cab
  • With or without steam heating
  • With or without ATC
  • Riveted or flush tanks
  • With or without top feed
  • Polished or painted safety valve bonnets
  • With or without cab shutters and doors
  • With or without additional bunker steps and handrails
  • Smaller/larger whistle shields
  • Brass/cast iron number plates
  • The engines built by outside contractors will carry appropriate builder's plates

For the sake of simplicity we will not build the 97XX condensing engines, neither will we build the 6700-59 series which appeared only with steam bakes and three link couplings. Also excluded are engines 5768 and 5770-78 which had different boilers featuring an external steam pipe running from the dome to the steam fountain. We will not be producing spark-arresting chimneys.

L90 SNOWHowever, due to strong levels of interest we will also include a batch of London Transport panniers in their distinctive Metropolitan dark red livery. These will feature  LT trip-cock apparatus, revised cabs and rainstrips, LT-style lamp brackets, reporting number frames and red-painted coupling rods.

RESERVATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 57XX / 8750 PANNIER TANKS. Click HERE for details..

John Borkowski
7 August 2016