News update, Christmas Eve 2025
Atlantics
After a pause in production due to personal issues relating to our builder, work will resume after Christmas on the Atlantic Programme. Final detail corrections will be made and then the engines will go into painting. We are currently working out a revised completion date with the builder. We will update you as soon as possible.
Locomotives in Stock
No other supplier of NEW hand-built top quality brass locomotives can match the number of different types and choice of locomotives that we have in stock small and large:
- 47XX 2-8-0 tender
- 28XX 2-8-0 tender
- 70XX Castle 4-6-0 tender
- 49XX/69XX Collett Hall 4-6-0 tender
- 68XX Grange 4-6-0 tender
- 57XX 0-6-0 pannier tank GWR/BR
- 57XX 0-6-0 pannier tank LT
- 8750 0-6-0 pannier tank GWR/BR
- D1000 CLASS 52 Western C-C diesel hydraulic.
For some locomotives the choice is now not as big as earlier, but it is still possible to buy at least one of every type listed above.
We also have two unused second-hand locomotives in as new condition from an estate:
- 50XX Ogmore Castle GREAT WESTERN
- 40XX Star Knight of the Bath GREATWESTERN.
It is very unusual to find locomotives of these series in such excellent condition. If you want an ‘as new’ locomotive in these series, it would be worthwhile making an enquiry.
BR/LMS 6P-7P 4-6-0s Ivatt Duchesses
Our other builder is still working on the CAD designs. In his quest for perfection the drawings and photos we provided proved to be insufficient to meet his needs, so he has conducted some additional time-consuming research to supplement our work. He now says he has enough information to complete the CAD drawings and 3-D projections. We have requested him to start work on the sample models.
Christopher Gordon Watford RIP - Severn Mill Nameplates
We sadly heard about the passing of Chris Watford on December 6 at the age of 90 years. Chris was still working up to a few days before his death.
I first met Chris when I took over Masterpiece Models from the late Michael Brooks in 2015. I travelled up to Grantham by train and met Chris at the station. We had a simple lunch at a local cafeteria and Chris confirmed that he would like to continue to supply Masterpiece Models with his nameplates. We found an immediate friendship with frequent phone calls and email and letter exchanges that lasted until his death. Chris was interested in a wide range of topics including jazz, musical instruments, politics, stocks and shares and commodities such as fertilizers and metals.
Chris was a wonderful supplier. Nothing was too much trouble for him to try and get every locomotive name/numberplates correct for the required locomotive time period. His knowledge of individual locomotive details and changes was quite remarkable. He very kindly made over 100 new additional numberplates for our 57XX/8750 pannier tank engines and sorted out obscure but vital tender details for our very early lined green GWR 28XX 2-8-0 tender locomotives. Without Chris’s knowledge and contribution, we would never have got these 28XX locomotives the correct tenders. With a few exceptions he has supplied virtually all the name/numberplates for our locomotives.
I was very pleased to have made one of Chris’s last orders for two Bulleid Q1 numberplates and 8 Urie King Arthur BR era nameplate sets. Chris’s daughter Gillian very kindly forwarded me these plates which now will have a special place in my collection in memorial to Chris.
Chris, I will miss our long telephone conversations and your long emails. For you the days of toil are over, no more worries, no more letters, no more emails, all is quiet, may you now rest in peace which you so richly deserve.
Ros and I would like to express our condolences to Gillian and all of Chris’s family.
Christmas 2025
We would like to thank all of you who have visited our stand at all the trade shows and those of you who have contacted us by letter, telephone, email and visiting the website and to wish you all a very Happy Christmas 2025.
John Borkowski/24 December 2025.