GWR Stars Latest News
Thursday 15th, October 2009
Modifications
Stars and their visual modifications over time
Stars have a reputation for variation in outward appearance; perhaps almost as much as earlier Saints and certainly more than any other subsequent class of GWR express tender locomotive. Much of this is due to innovation in boiler design, superheating, cylinders, bogies, etc., developed and refined by the GWR especially prior to the Great War. These innovations were widely applied to Stars and some can be identified by differences between batches when built – see our Period 1 Star descriptions. The reputation for variation arose because these innovations were retrospectively and randomly applied.
Ten specific features listed below highlight most variations, based on research by Michael Forsgate and others. They form the basic format for Masterpiece Models production Stars. But more needs to be done before the production run is finalised. Our thanks to Michael for his comprehensive research and for making it available to us. Feedback is appreciated as we are determined to get Masterpiece Models Stars as correct as possible within the format of a production run.
1 Boilers All Stars were built with fully coned boilers although a few had semi-coned boilers for limited periods of time. Because this practice wasn’t widespread, neither were semi-coned boilers usually fitted for long; all Masterpiece Models Stars will carry fully coned boilers. By 1922, all had fully coned boilers anyway, so this doesn’t apply to second and third period.
2 Frame extension This is straightforward. 4001-4030 (Stars, Knights and Kings) were built with straight frame extensions, and retained them until withdrawal. 4031- 4072 (Queens, Princes, Princesses and Abbeys) were built with the more attractive curved frame, and again retained them throughout.
3 Inside valve chest cover Again straightforward. 4001-20 had ‘square’ inside valve chest cover; whereas 4021-4072 covers were ‘shaped’ (‘Vauxhall style’).
4 Bogies Originally 4001-10 were built with swing-link pattern bogies but were soon changed to de Glehn bogies (as fitted subsequently to all Stars). Our Stars will all have the de Glehn version. Bogie brakes were fitted to all Stars when built but removed from 1922 onwards. Therefore period 1 Stars will be fitted with bogie brakes, periods 2 and 3 will not.
5 Front steps Front steps were fitted to a few early Stars but soon removed as they impeded access to inside motion. We will not fit front steps.
6 Splasher beading Fitted to 4001-60 but removed during the Great War and never replaced. Splasher brass beadings will appear on 4001-60 in period 1 only.
7 Coupling rods Standard rods were fitted to all Stars except 4046-62 (Princesses and early Abbeys) which were fluted. (Although it is thought that perhaps some later Abbeys built 1922/23 also had fluted rods). Otherwise all Stars will be fitted with standard coupling rods post WW1. But both options will be available for period 1 Stars.
8 Chimneys All Stars (excluding Stars 4001-10 and most Abbeys 4061-72) were built with standard copper capped chimneys. Narrow chimneys were fitted to 4001-10, while most Abbeys and some others carried cast iron chimneys. Eventually all reverted to standard copper capped chimneys over time. All three types will be available.
9 Porthole cab windows Round porthole lookouts with brass surrounds were fitted to all Stars but gradually plated over between the war years. Both options will be available for period 2.
10 Tenders 3500 gallon tenders were standard to all Stars; 4001-30 (Stars, Knights and Kings) were built with short coal fenders. 4005 was fitted with a long coal fender for the L&NWR 1910 exchanges and subsequently all Stars received long coal fender tenders either from build or retrospectively. From mid 1930, Stars received standard 4000 Collett tenders; all had them by nationalisation. All three tender options will be available.
This is a summary of our thinking to date. Further research is being undertaken on subsequent fittings such as 4 cone injectors, topfeeds, buffers, steam pipes, etc. Stars are a complex class in terms of appearance; hence we would rather spend a little more time getting individual Stars as correct as we can before the build starts.
Michael Brooks
15th October 2009
