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.
Latest news
2nd September
Delighted to report the second pre-production Castle has arrived safely in the guise of 5055 ‘Lydford Castle’ – fully painted and lined. It seems to include all modifications highlighted from the first pre-production Castle. It WILL appear at Telford this weekend!
Must say, ‘Lydford Castle’ really does look superb. Painted in GWR green from a paint sample provided by Alan Brackenborough, there are lining details around front cab windows that require attention. But we are some time away from production painting; so this will be corrected by then. Otherwise lining looks very good indeed. The nameplate lining adds to the overall appearance of the Severn Mill nameplate with its highlighted individual letters.
More detail has been added to the cab; even an oil can rests on a shelf, the firebox door has been modified, notice holders added to the roof, along with the coil, as well as cast iron warning notice and whistle chain. And although you can’t see them unless you look carefully; it’s nice to know they are there. Similarly the smokebox door interior). Folding driver and fireman seats haven’t been painted yet but will be (colour or wood?). In fact, the closer you look; the more you see. Tool boxes now open (with many tools – as yet unpainted) and even a GWR bucket is provided (to be painted). We also have some exquisite GWR painted loco lamps. Couplings can be hooked to a buffer and I am impressed with the corrugated hoses and use of chains with brake blocks and so on.
With Telford imminent, I thought the first thing to do was report its arrival in ‘latest news’ on the website; and the next thing is to check it thoroughly. Of course those of our customers who are going to Telford will be able to see ‘Lydford Castle’ for themselves so feedback would be appreciated. After Telford, it will go to our expert team for their evaluation. But don’t worry if you can’t get to Telford. We will post photos on this website shortly after the show. I think it’s a very impressive model – but then I am biased. Will leave further comment until after 5055 ‘Lydford Castle’ has been carefully inspected and assessed.
Although the main build has already started (frames, wheels, etc), added detail is waiting until the second pre-production model is approved. I have most detailed check-lists returned outlining requirements for each Castle. But to be absolutely certain, I’ll be contacting everyone who made a reservation, confirming build instruction details for their Castle. Don’t want any mistakes.
Now to finalise Castle availability. For Earls, we plan to fit tall chimneys to 5045 and 5046, whereas 5044 (and 5057/60/62) will carry standard chimneys – see our February up-date. Three Earls will be in GWR condition :-
* (077) 5044 “Earl of Dunraven” – a long term Old Oak Common Castle
* (078) 5045 “Earl of Dudley” – Old Oak Common and Stafford Road Castle
* (079) 5046 “Earl Cawdor” – no less than the GWR Chairman for ten years!
- and three in British Railways condition :-
* (090) 5057 “Earl Waldegrave” – a West Country shedded Castle
* (093) 5060 “Earl of Berkeley” – nameplates intended for Dukedog 3217
* (095) 5062 “Earl of Shaftesbury” – another West Country based Castle
The WW2 Aircraft; we plan to produce in BR condition :-
* (102) 5074 “Hampden” - one of the few bombers commemorated.
* (106) 5078 “Beaufort” – A Newton Abbot Castle for most of its life.
* (110) 5082 “Swordfish” – at Bath Road (GWR) Old Oak Common (BR)
These remain unreserved at the time of preparing this up-date. There is time to alter the above plans but final decisions must be made soon after Telford. Incidentally, for much background information we are indebted to the authors of the new Irwell Press publication ‘Book of the Castles’, due to be published just in time for Christmas stockings. If you’re used to the classic Irwell ‘Book of …’ series, this one is even more authoritative and the most comprehensive book about Castles yet produced.
Turning to other matters; there has been interest in display cases and I am delighted to confirm Martyn Welch (of Hursley and Monks Eleigh fame) will produce authentic GWR track on a small raised embankment so the Castle can be displayed to full advantage. Shortly I’ll investigate appropriate display cases. Once Telford is over and experts have made their recommendations, with main production well underway, I’ll advise likely cost.
The next Castle up-date will probably be early October after our experts have had an opportunity to inspect ‘5055 Lydford Castle’ and report back. Then I finalise any last minute modifications; and keep you notified of course.
Finally, although the Castle takes full priority in Masterpiece Models workload, firm slots have been reserved with the builder for two further models. Work on Britannias will start in early 2009 and a brochure will be available at the show. I think Britannias will be great models, particularly the ‘specials’. Later next year, the definitive Duchess will start to take shape. We will offer three main versions – LMS streamlined and non-streamlined; as well as BR versions in most of livery combinations and different conditions. As one well known railway modeller and historian said “Duchesses are one of the most difficult of ‘modern’ locomotive types to represent accurately in model form”. Very true. Therefore we will not rush into this build but with Bob Meanley, currently responsible for re-streamlining a Duchess at Tyseley Works for the National Railway Museum as one of our advisers, we’re off to a great start. A Duchess brochure will be available at Telford. We are already taking reservations.
Enough of future plans. It is essential the Castle lives up to high expectations and our efforts are focused on moving production forward. Hope to see you at Telford. If you are a customer and can’t make Telford, we will get a good selection of photos to you as soon as possible. Just let us know.
Michael Brooks
Masterpiece Models
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PS My computer crashed so I am using a temporary replacement. Some incoming e-mails may have been missed, so if you’ve e-mailed recently and haven’t had a reply, it may have been lost when the hard disk was being replaced. I do apologise.
