We have been working hard on the LMS/BR 7P programme and also on the Ivatt/Stanier Duchesses. Due to demand, and in order to avoid disappointment for any customers, we have made a further five Duchesses available – now a maximum quantity of 40 6256/46256 Sir William A Stanier FRS. If they are not all taken up, we will reduce the production volume to only those engines that have been reserved.

Original Jubilees

Over the years we have been approached with a number of requests for the LMS 5XP/BR 6P original taper boiler Jubilees. Having reflected on this we are now considering adding a limited run of these locomotives to the existing Rebuilt Jubilee programme as many of the components are common to both types. If we were not building Rebuilt Jubilees this extension would not be possible.

There are some limits on what we could offer. We will not offer variations in driving wheel patterns or tenders. The locomotives would come with the Stanier 9 ton/4,000 gallon/7ft 6in + 7ft 6in wheelbase tenders with the original lower front floor platform on the front of the tender, and with the tender sides and back in either riveted or welded form. There would be a choice of boiler fireboxes (sloping or straight throatplates as well as long and short fireboxes), AWS, chimneys (single or double) and variation in top feed/domes. O gauge finescale and Scale 7 versions would be made available to choice. The tender coal bunkers would be empty with working opening latched front doors.

To make it viable to add these original Jubilees to the existing build programme we would need orders for a minimum of 50 engines (perhaps 25 sloping and 25 straight firebox types, or another mix). We have a certain amount of flexibility to vary the mix to accommodate customer preferences. Liveries would be LMS Crimson Lake (maroon), BR lined Black, and BR lined Green. We would like to invite expressions of interest for these locomotives in order to decide whether to proceed with this extension project. If you are interested in one of the original taper boiler Jubilees please email me, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. stating which locomotive-livery-firebox combination you would like, together with your preference for a riveted or welded tender. If we receive a sufficient expression of interest we will then contact you to see if you wish to place an order.

68XX Grange - 6880 Betton Grange

Our 68XX Granges are among the most attractive engines that we have made in recent years. Interest in the new locomotive, No. 6880 Betton Grange, currently under construction at Tyseley is growing as it nears completion and Diane Carney has very kindly made up a four sets of name and number plates for No. 6880, as well as the 84E shed plate. We have two sets of these plates still available, so if you would like a model of No. 6880 in BR lined green either with a Collett 3,500 gallon tender or a Collett 4,000 gallon tender, please let me know.

Other Matters
Due to post COVID issues and an exceptionally bad cold still present, I am running behind with deliveries and modifications. As soon as I recover business deliveries will revert to normal.

John Borkowski
4 August 2023

Western Diesel
Following our award from Model Rail we have updated the list of Westerns that are available. Please note that some of the names and liveries have changed mainly as a result of a number of changes in selection by customers for different name, liveries or gauge. Adrian has done a great job in colouring the backgrounds that you can now see at a glance what the livery is of each model. If the engine you want is shown in S7 or O Gauge, we can probably change the gauge at least at this stage of the stock level. There is one desert sand engine that has become available.

28XX/38XX
We are virtually out of stock of GWR plain green 28XX engines. Only pre-orders are left. There are only three unreserved BR 28XXs left. There are a large number of pre-orders still to be delivered.

We have only one GWR 38XX and one BR 38XX. Other remaining 38XXs are reserved awaiting delivery. 

Modified HallsOnly Parwick Hall in BR lined green late livery is left. All other stock is reserved awaiting delivery to customers.

Collett Halls
There are still a substantial number of Collett Halls due to be delivered. At present the availability is limited to BR Halls as the last GWR engine, Charfield Hall, has now been sold. Please enquire if you would like a Hall.

Panniers
We still have a healthy stock of engines available including a few London Transport red locomotives. There are not many GWR 57XX early cab models left and generally we have more BR engines available. We have now sold out of BR lined black, but more 8750s in both GWR (green and black) and BR black are in stock. Because the models are configured to a wide variation and are numbered to customer choice, please call us if you would like a pannier. We are still able to offer some variation but the models need to be configured to meet individual needs.

45Xx Prairie
Occasionally we have engines returned for resale and we have two BR 45XX currently available including 4507 in S7 late BR configuration unused. Please enquire if you are interested.

Second hand Locomotives
We recently received a stock of second hand locomotives. We have an LMS red single chimney Duchess, a GWR King, two Stars and a Saint available. Please enquire if any of these engines are of interest. All are in O gauge. 

John Borkowski 17 April 2023

This week we had some really great news. Thanks to all your efforts and determination to go out and vote the Masterpiece Models Class 52 Western diesel hydraulic has received the '0 Guage Locomotive of the Year' award by Model Rail magazine. Despite costing considerably more than popular plastic-bodied 0 gauge diesel models from other manufacturers, with far fewer also having been made, the Masterpiece 'Western' took the top slot. It was quite a tight contest versus Heljan models of a Class 47 and a Class 56, but it proved the point that, finally, metal wins over plastic!

We are so pleased to have won this award as we have made so much effort to get our Western as accurate as possible. We feel this award is great reflection on the locomotive and our team who have put in so much hard work on this project. It also reflects on the huge loyalty and interest that you all have in what we try to do. So, a big thank you to all of you who took the trouble to vote.

The photo shows one of our 'Westerns' in late condition blue livery, subtly weathered by Martyn Welch.

The Western diesel AVAILABILITY LIST has now been updated and revised.

28XX and 38XX, Collett 'Halls' and 'Modified Halls'

We are running late on deliveries as I have been suffering from some post-COVID health problems after my second bout of COVID that led to cancellation of our family Christmas festivities. After Easter we will try harder to get your locomotives out to you. Meanwhile sales, especially of 28XX models, has been steady and there are very few of these models now available. So, if you want a model please do not wait too much longer as soon there may be nothing available in these locomotive classes.

The team and I would like to wish everyone a happy Easter holiday.

John Borkowski
31 March 2023

Kettering Saturday Show 4 March 2023

Just to remind everyone that we will be attending the Kettering Show on Saturday.  If you would like us to bring your locomotive or rolling road for collection, please contact me by phone or email by Thursday at the latest as otherwise you may not receive your model/rolling road at the show. Our carrying capacity is restricted, so I only have a limited space for collection locomotives/rolling roads. If you have already contacted me your locomotive or rolling road is already booked.

 We look forward to seeing everyone at our stand. 

 John Borkowski