Latest News
This is a photo of the first pre-production model as 5064 ‘Bishop’s Castle’ fitted with the taller chimney in 1930’s condition. Photo courtesy of Railway Modeller.
Regular updates focusing on our Castle class locomotives and their development, together with information about our suppliers and associates, will follow at frequent intervals.
June - very latest new (24th June)
One of our objectives is to keep everyone informed about Masterpiece Models progress via our website or directly. We are producing expensive, highly detailed models so we believe it important to bring our meticulous research to the attention of everyone interested.
This is an important up-date because sections 1, 2 and 3 summarise significant changes to the appearance of our first pre-production Castle. These changes are being made, and will appear on our second pre-production Castle :-
1 perhaps the most significant and important change is the shape and size of the safety valve bonnet. One of our customers, Mr Michael Badham, thought the shape of the bonnet on our first pre-production model was slightly incorrect and provided much evidence to support his claim via a series of photographs. We, and our builders, had been working from Swindon Drwg No. 114454, which has been used by many model makers over the years. Malcolm Mitchell and I have come to the conclusion that this drawing isn’t strictly accurate for Castles and probably based on an earlier design. As you may know, each safety valve bonnet was produced individually from sheets of spun brass, so varied slightly in size anyway. Having inspected many more photographs and measured the real thing(s), we believe Mr Badham is correct and the size of first pre-production Castles’ safety valve bonnet was too slim. Malcolm Mitchell now has the revised safety bonnet cover for evaluation and has added a photograph of it below. Incidentally, our revised safety valve cover now has a small beading around the top and bottom, as per prototype.
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The re-worked safety valve bonnet reflecting the true shape of the prototype. Note the fine beading detail around the top and base.
2 the second most important visual change will be to the front cab window (which will be glazed). While retaining the same level at the base of the window, the height will be increased slightly. Both front windows will, of course, be fitted with tiny windscreen wipers.
3 the driving wheel spokes will now be slightly curved outwards to meet the centre boss/hub rather than finished flat, as on the first pre-production model. This is a characteristic feature of the prototype and will appear on the second pre-production model as well as production models.
4 the reversing rod on the drivers side on production models will actually be able to be moved - changing from forward to reverse gear or vice versa. This change has to be made manually (by tweezers or similar instrument, which will be provided). If we were modelling a Gresley Pacific where reverse is very visible, we would have fitted a small servo motor to perform this function. However, we came to the conclusion that with Castles, visible movement of the internal reversing mechanism is rather limited. Hence, this manual process – that’s if you want to change gear from forward to reverse or vice versa. Incidentally, the screw reversing handle in the cab will be able to turn.
5 the fireiron set will have an additional fireman's shovel (a spare was always carried on GWR locos just in case the fireman inadvertently threw one into the firebox!); the clinker shovel will have its handle at the correct angle: a handle will be added to the fire rake; an additional fireiron in the (curious) shape of a sword pricker will be produced; a GWR bucket will be included; together with an oil container and oiler. The lenses on loco lamps will protrude more – as per prototype. Such is attention to detail!
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The amazing level of detail that our model makers are achieving is well illustrated here in the smokebox internal components.
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The updated cross-heads detailed right down to the oil box and cork on the top slide!
There are various other small detailed changes to the first pre-production locomotive and tender now being made – but we will not go into further details here. They all appear on the second pre-production model to be shown at Telford.
A misunderstanding has led to an increase of one to the production run. It was my intention to use Prod No 005, GWR No 5017 “St Donats Castle” for the second pre-production model, now being built. This was arranged with our model engineers at a meeting on 17th June. The actual Prod No 005 was going to be changed to GWR No 5017 ‘The Gloucestershire Regiment 28/61’ for which a request had been received and SevernMill Nameplates commissioned to research and produce the nameplate and badge. However in my absence, a reservation was placed and confirmed by the web system for ‘St Donats Castle’. Under the circumstances, we decided to accept both reservations and so increase the production run by one to 111 Castles.
Finally, our revised plans for 2009 and 2010 now appear under ‘Future news’.
Michael Brooks
Masterpiece Models ltd
