Future Plans
Our NEXT BUILD - a formal announcement
Preparation for Masterpiece Models next model is well advanced. In 2009 we will produce a series of British Railways ‘Britannia’ 7MT 4-6-2 locomotives in fine scale 0 gauge.
Our Britannia’s will be produced in two main series - the first in virtually as-built condition, circa 1951/2/3; the second in mid-fifties condition, by which time numerous modifications had been made. We will not produce Britannia’s in their later condition when steam was being run-down. The complex and exposed fittings and pipework found on BR Britannia’s are reminiscent of North American locomotive design practice - so these complexities will be familiar to our builders and so relatively straightforward for them produce. Given their expertise, together with Masterpiece Models attention to detail, our Britannias will be exceptionally accurate models.
Masterpiece Models will focus on Britannia No’s. 70000–70044. It isn’t economically viable to model 70045–54 with BR1D tenders; these ten tenders were very different in appearance to BR1 and BR1A’s as fitted to the first forty-five. However and again economics are important, we have to commission a minimum run of 100 Britannias. With Masterpiece Models Castles, we were able to meet this requirement AND ensure each locomotive carried a different name and number. Each Castle model was unique. With forty-five Britannia’s available, we’ve found an approach which, although there is some duplication, follows a similar concept with most different names in different conditions, apart from a series of ‘specials’ in exceptional finishes. It should be noted that more than one of each ‘special’ locomotive will be modelled (there will be duplication). However these ‘special’s will be highly sought after.
Our current planning (to be finalised) is as follows :-
1a - in almost as built condition, with BR lion and wheel totem
No’s. 70000 – 70024. These will have standard domes, as built smoke deflectors, lubricator cover plates, fluted coupling rods, smooth sandbox lids, hollow axle wheels, seven spoke balance weights, raised front vacuum pipes, two steps to mainframe and tenders without step to water filler. (25)
1b - in almost as built condition with BR lion and wheel totem
No’s 70025 – 70044* These will have standard domes, as built smoke deflectors, exposed lubricator control, plain coupling rods, raised sandbox lids, solid axles; six spoke balance weights, lower front vacuum pipes, one step to mainframe and tenders with step to water filler. (20)
* 70043 and 44 were originally fitted with Westinghouse air brake compressors. However, we will model 70043 and 44 in conventional form with nameplates fitted.
2 - in circa 1955/58 condition with later BR totem
No’s. 70000 – 70014 / 70030 – 70044
[Excluding WR allocated Britannia’s mostly with modified Swindon smoke deflectors]
These will carry standard domes, as built smoke deflectors, exposed lubricator control, plain coupling rods, raised sandbox lids, solid axles; six spoke balance weights, lower front vacuum pipe, one step to mainframe insides tender with step to water filler. (30)
Specials all these models will be in highly polished ‘presentation’ condition, etc. and appear under ‘themes’, as followed :-
1 Exhibition Britannias in almost as built condition in exhibition finish
- 70000 ‘Britannia’ in similar to naming ceremony finish (5)
- 70004 ‘William Shakespeare’ in Festival of Britain finish (5)
- 70037 ‘Hereward the Wake’ in International Railway Congress finish (3)
2 Royal Britannias in almost as built condition in royal train condition
- 70000 ‘Britannia’ in Stratford Shed condition with white roof (2)
- 70037 ‘Hereward the Wake’ in Stratford Shed condition with white roof (2)
3 Named Britannia in almost as built condition, named train boards, etc.
- 70004 ‘William Shakespeare’ Golden Arrow Pullman train with regalia (5)
- 70014 ‘Iron Duke’ Golden Arrow Pullman train with full regalia (5)
- 70009 ‘Alfred the Great’ - removable ‘Bournemouth Belle’ headboard (3)
4 The last Britannia to commemorate the last steam run on BR
- 70013 ‘Oliver Cromwell’ in mid 1950’s condition (5)
Many GA’s are now available to our builders (although you can never have too many!) and we are waiting build costs. Currently we envisage a similar price to our Castles, although ‘specials’ will cost a little more.
The current schedule is to have Britannia’s built by late 2009, with the first pre-production model available for inspection in Spring 2009. This follows the Castle 2008 schedule. We do not to seek the £150 reservation at this stage although specific reservations have already been taken for 70019 ‘Lightning’, 70030 ‘William Wordsworth’ and 70034 ‘Thomas Hardy’ - as well as one of the Golden Arrow sets. By all means let us know if there is a particular Britannia that interests you although all our focus is currently on developing the second pre-production painted Castle in time for the Telford Show in September 2008.
For 2010, we will turn our attention to the LMS and either produce ‘Princess Coronation’ 4-6-2’s in LMS and BR livery but exclude streamlined versions and the last two built in 1947 and 48 (too many detailed differences); or produce ‘Royal Scots’ in both unrebuilt (circa 1939 full LMS livery and condition but excluding 6170), AND in rebuilt condition with BR livery circa early 1950’s
For 2011, we are considering the BR standard 9F 2-10-0’s AND a pre-grouping locomotive such as a GWR Star or Bulldog; L&NWR Claughton; GER Claud Hamilton 4-4-0 or LB&SCR tank locomotive.
June 2008
Michael Brooks
Masterpiece Models Ltd
