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Thursday 31st, December 2009
A look ahead
With completion of our Kings and our Coronation/Duchess build proceeding rapidly with delivery expected early/mid autumn 2010, we anticipate our next builds (Britannias and Stars) making steady progress during 2010. Indeed Britannias might just be produced by the end of 2010 (or certainly early 2011) assuming pre-production builds are satisfactory and production proceeds according to plan. Stars are progressing and continue to take advantage of the builders’ Churchward/Collett expertise – to be followed by yet another Great Western locomotive. GWR locos have their own design team.
Which brings new builds in 2011/12 into perspective. 2011 is only twelve months away and with each build taking at least twelve months from final research to completion, it’s time to consider what models we can introduce in 2011 and 2012 without compromising our reputation for accuracy.
And it’s also time to take the Masterpiece Models concept to new levels.
With this in mind, two 2011/12 build slots were commissioned during my recent visit to the builder. And because an early announcement of our BR Britannia created much helpful comment and further information (much of which has been incorporated into the revised build specification), it makes sense to announce our 2011/12 builds now. Then we can take full advantage of the support and expertise of potential purchasers.
This time, we also intend to make a fundamental change to the perception of ready-to-run (don’t like that term, as it can cover a multitude of sins).
Our most recent and current builds are of relatively small classes. There were only 30 Kings and 38 Coronation/Duchesses. To reach our, what has now become accepted limited edition of 111 unique models; we find it necessary to impose such variables as different periods, conditions and liveries on potential buyers, as you can see from our seven King periods and the many Coronation/Duchess options (no fewer than seven different liveries alone). With only fifty-five Britannias, we have to repeat some names/numbers in a different later condition (as there were no livery changes of note). But these are handsome and attractive locomotives, so it isn’t going to be a problem. While this was and is perfectly acceptable to buyers of smaller classes of locomotives; Masterpiece Models determines the build criteria. Buyer choice is limited to fitting into our criteria, especially as each Masterpiece Models locomotive is personalised by its name and number. And thus unique.
To some extent, the GWR Star has led us in a different direction. With more than seventy Stars, many having completely altered in appearance over time, it is extremely difficult to standardise production. But then we thought why should we? It would surely be better if the potential purchaser of a particular Star tells us how he wants his Star to look - what of the many modifications he wants to incorporate, what he doesn’t, and so on. In other words for each Star, we list a range of options available but the purchaser determines what he wants.
Now we want to take this concept further for our 2011/12 builds. We want potential purchasers to take the initiative. To do this, we will introduce a completely new concept in ready-to-run. While we chose the class of locomotive, YOU not only chose a specific locomotive name and number but YOU specify the condition/detail, livery, etc. of your locomotive. In other words, we will BUILD TO ORDER. As before, only one name/number of each class will be made, guaranteed unique within a limited edition of 111 only. But the precise condition of each locomotive will depend on the buyer.
Now that’s a different proposition to your usual ready-to-run!
In order to achieve this objective, numerically larger classes of express locomotives are required. Only three classes of relatively modern locomotives meet these criteria :-
1 Bulleid light pacifics (in Southern and BR condition) 110 built.
2 Gresley A3/A1 Pacifics (in LNER and BR condition) 79 built.
3 Fowler Royal Scots (in LMS and BR; as built/rebuilt) 70 built.
As Masterpiece Models haven’t built LNER and Southern locomotives so far, we decided to focus on Bulleid’s West Country/Battle of Britain light Pacifics in air smoothed condition (unrebuilt) and Gresley’s first masterpiece, his A1 subsequently A3’s, with post 1960 rebuilds in addition. LMS Royal Scots are planned for the following year.
Full details, reservations and availability lists will appear on Masterpiece Models website on 4th January 2010. As before there is no obligation at all at this early stage when reserving the name and number of your choice. The respective websites will highlight many of the options available for both classes but we will not ask you to choose until nearer the build date.
So in 2010 (or rather 2011/12) Masterpiece Models introduce new post grouping railways, new concepts, and two great and attractive locomotives.
Meantime hope you’ve had a happy Christmas and our best wishes for 2010.
Michael Brooks
31st December 2009
