Current Build - GWR Stars + Saints and 4-4-2's

A limited edition of 111 GWR Stars has been commissioned for delivery in 2012. This build will complete Masterpiece Models trio of GWR major 4 cylinder locomotives as requested by many GWR aficionados. It also meets the builder's desire to produce another 'pretty little engine*' now they understand the idiosyncrasies of Churchward and Collett designs. In addition, we will be extending the build to Saints and GWR 4-4-2's. There is much synergy between all three types (see relevant Latest News for details) so we include a supplementary list in the Availability section. There is no firm commitment to build Saints and 4-4-2's; but we are very likely to proceed.

[*A comment about 'pretty little engines'. This was a phrase used by the builder to describe GWR Castles. The builder was more familiar with large matt black North American locomotives with 'everything hanging off the boiler', so were puzzled about Castles with copper capped chimneys, brass safety covers, each bearing individual names in brass, painted green and fully lined, etc. They had never produced a locomotive that was aesthetically designed to please the eye. Early Stars with their very clean lines will be even more of a puzzle to them!]

Our GWR 'Star' build is fully specified and is divided into three distinct time series with each Star available for reservation :-

  • Series 1 - pre The Great War, primarily as built or soon after
  • Series 2 - between the wars up to nationalisation, available with optional standard GWR fittings;
  • Series 3 - post World War II in British Railways livery and mostly in their final form

We have yet to specify Saints and 4-4-2's but :-

  • Saints are listed in similar time series as Stars. We will build 45 Saints
  • 4-4-2 Atlantics will be available in the 1908 and 1912 period, after which they were converted to 4-6-0's and regarded as conventional Saints. We will build 15 4-4-2's

All our Stars will be built with joggled frames, 3500 gallon tenders (series 2 has options for 4000 gallon tenders and series 3 all with 4000 gallon tenders), fully painted and lined as appropriate to their period, and fitted for sound.

Reservations and Availability

111 Stars will be produced by Masterpiece Models in three series; 60 in series 1; 36 in series 2 and 15 in series 3. If you'd like one of our unreserved Stars, a reservation of £150 is required at this stage. The price, depending on currency fluctuations, etc., will be £2900.

Update

Since preparing this introduction, we have reduced the total number of Stars to be built to 81. This is to accommodate Saints and 4-4-2�s into the same build process. It will be possible to add individual names and No's back into the build (we have the actual names and numberplates already prepared) and can do so until full production commences. We have withdrawn 22 in period 1 pre-Great War (a sub-total of 6 Kings; 4 Queens; 2 Prince and 10 Princesses); 8 in period 2 between the wars and 2 in British Railways period 3.