Future Build - GWR Stars
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.
[*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 not fully specified yet. We will up-date modifications under ‘Latest News’ as further information becomes available from reliable sources. The purpose of this summary is to inform potential buyers that we will proceed with a limited edition of Stars; in due course. Outline variations as we currently envisage them and finally provide an opportunity for potential buyers to make tentative reservations. An additional reason is to finalise the large GWR builders and tender plates fitted to pre Great War Stars well in advance.
Our Stars will be divided into three distinct time series with each individual Star class locomotive in service at the time, 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
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; 61 in series 1; 35 in series 2 and 15 in series 3. If you’d like one of our Stars, no deposit is required at this stage. Just make your reservation within one of the series and when model engineering drawings commence, £150 will be requested to confirm your reservation. It is envisaged the full price, depending on currency fluctuations, etc., will be between £2650 and £2850. We will confirm prices and schedules when requesting confirmation of your tentative reservation.
