Update 28 June 2016
45XX/4575
The builders are still working on the final sample models, which are due to be despatched this week. We have also fixed the production programme in line with the announcement we made on June 1 and the locomotives are now being be built at the factory by the builders to that specification. We have now finalised the production programme, which is as follows:
45XX Flat Tanks 110 locomotives
- 45XX Type 1 15 locomotives
- 45XX Type 2 15 locomotives
- 45XX Type 3 35 locomotives
- 45XX Type 4 45 locomotives
4575 Sloping Tanks 50 Locomotives
If you want a 45XX/4575 locomotive and you have not yet ordered, please do hurry up as there are only two weeks left in which we can change the specification and this is now limited to the livery. After that time we will have a fixed set of engines and liveries.
Total production of the 45XX/4575 is fixed at 160 locomotives, the majority of which have now been sold. There are still some locomotives available in most categories except the very earliest versions of Type 1, which are now sold out. We will be requesting second payments shortly now that we have put the locomotives into production.
70XX 'Castle'
We have now fixed the production programme for the 100 locomotives and made one significant change. Due to the high level of interest in 7013 Bristol Castle (Davies and Metcalf (D&M) valveless lubricator double chimney locomotives), we have decided to offer the additional names of all the engines that received the D&M lubrication system with 70XX 4-row superheater boilers and double chimneys. These locomotives have been included in the 100 locomotive production by reducing some of the other names options, although all the engines from 7000 to 7037 will be made.
So in addition to Bristol Castle we can now offer in D&M lubricator/double chimney form:
- 4087 Cardigan Castle
- 4088 Dartmouth Castle
- 5083 Reading Abbey
- 7014 Caerhays Castle
Interest in the double chimney locomotives has increased in recent weeks and currently they are in a significant lead over the single chimney locomotives in terms of reservations. Whatever your chimney preference there are still some interesting locomotives available for sale, so do contact us for your interest and requirement. As the production programme is now fixed to meet our production target date, we are restricted on choice for the unreserved engines to changes in livery and swapping tenders to a limited extent.
The part-built pre-production models reveal the astounding level of cab detail being incorporated in the 70XX series 'Castles'. Much more still will be included on the finished locomotives.
John Borkowski
28 June 2016