Unfortunately the website went down for a short period yesterday, but we are now back online as normal. Thank you very much to all who phoned and emailed us about the problem. Your actions enabled us to fix it more quickly.

Since we last updated the website a month ago much work has been done on finalising changes to the current builds, as well as working on the ‘Atlantics’. The return of more Covid-19 restrictions has prevented me from meeting up with my colleagues to conduct normal work and we are also behind on preparation of a number of orders. We ask you to continue to be patient with us as we are doing our best in the very difficult Covid-19 situation.

Current Build
Class 52 Western Diesel

The Western production sample is being shipped back to Korea this week together with new reference material for the builder to replace what was lost in the factory fire earlier this year. We are also sending new British outline O gauge and Scale 7 track to replace track lost in the fire so that the builder can test the models in conditions as close as possible to the UK.

We have carried out extensive layout tests to assess the tightest radius that the production locomotives could negotiate. They were just able to negotiate 5 feet 6 inch (1.676 metres) radius curves at moderate speed, but that was close to the absolute limit for an O gauge locomotive. We think the Scale 7 performance would be similar, but it might need a slightly larger radius. It might be best to plan for 5 feet 9 inches (1.753 metres) in Scale 7 as the brake gear will be factionally wider on these versions.

We have finalised the Western painting schedule to accommodate customer preferences. We are making at least 135 engines and it is simply amazing how many people have reserved engines with the same names and numbers. The livery selection has been adjusted to reflect the numbers of each livery that have been reserved.

There are 3 engines in maroon with the early yellow small buffer beams with no names allocated. If you want one of these locomotives you can choose from 10 engine names/numbers:

D1001 Western Pathfinder
D1005 Western Venturer
D1006 Western Stalwart
D1007 Western Talisman
D1008 Western Harrier
D1009 Western Invader
D1039 Western King
D1040 Western Queen
D1041 Western Prince
D1042 Western Princess

All the other locomotives have liveries and names allocated. So, if you have not yet reserved an engine, your choice may be limited to what we have left. Everyone who has made a reservation (even if you have not yet made a payment) will be able to receive the engine of their choice. Fortunately we still have a very good choice, except for D1015 Western Champion in Golden Ochre livery, for which only one engine is left. The following names are sold out:

D1012 Western Firebrand
D1018 Western Buccaneer
D1026 Western Centurion
D1031 Western Rifleman
D1045 Western Viscount
D1072 Western Glory

The number of models in each livery in our final production schedule is:
Desert Sand, red buffer beams: 6
Green, small yellow ends: 19
Maroon, small yellow buffer beams: 4
Maroon, small yellow ends: 62
Blue, full yellow ends: 41
Golden Ochre small yellow ends: 3

This split has been based on current orders and the level of interest shown thus far in each livery. It is now too late to add any other livery combinations.

Crews and Headcodes:
Based on our initial discussions with the builder we had expected that the cab interiors and headcode panels would be user-accessible. However, the intricacy of the build, combined with complex wiring for the cab, headcode and marker lighting, makes this virtually impossible. Once the models have been assembled in the factory, any attempt to dismantle the cab by the customer would be highly likely to result in damage.

However, many customers have said they would like to have crew in the cabs as the large windows make the interior very visible, so how are we going to accommodate this? Having considered all the options, we have decided to factory-fit a driver and second man in one end, with no crew in the other end. This means that depending on how it’s positioned, the model can still look authentic whether running at the head of a train, or stationary in a MPD. We are planning to commission special laser-scanned figures from Modelu. Study of many photographs shows that drivers seldom wore their uniform caps while driving – the part of the uniform that really differentiated the pre and post-1967 appearance – so we will have the same figures in locos of all periods – a driver in jacket and tie but no cap and a second man in shirt sleeves, no tie. The Modelu figures will be hand painted to a high standard before fitting.

Regrettably the addition of crew figures will incur extra costs. Normally we would have tried to absorb this within the price of the model, but we have already suffered a large cost overrun on this build due to the factory fire and devaluation of the pound. Regrettably, therefore, we will have to pass on the cost of the two painted and fitted figures, so the price of each model will be increased by £50 + vat (subject to final estimates from Model U and the builders in Korea).

The headcode boxes present a similar problem as all the cab fittings and partitioning need to be removed for access which, as noted, could easily result in damage to the internal wiring. With this in mind we have decided to pre-fit suitable headcodes with fairly universal appeal.

Although the Westerns were often used on freight, parcels and – in latter years china clay workings etc – they were primarily express passenger locos and were thus most often seen displaying a headcode starting with 1. The second character was a letter denoting the destination, ‘A’ being an up train bound for London Paddington, and ‘C’ being a down train for points west between Plymouth and Penzance etc. Some of the letters, such as V, M and S were used to indicate an inter-regional workings. The final two numerals are the number of the train from the working timetable, which told the signalman exactly which train it was.

On that basis we will fit 1A48 to one end (the ‘up’ Cornish Riviera Express), and 1C88 to the other end (the ‘down’ Golden Hind). To serve more intrepid customers who would prefer a different headcode, we will supply a sheet of headcode characters and numerals on a translucent material with each loco so they can fit their own – on the understanding that this will be STRICTLY at their own risk!

Covid-19
The virus is back with a vengeance, so do please follow the Government guidelines and regulations and please keep safe.

John Borkowski
29 September 2020

It is some time since we last updated the website. Despite the global impact of Covid-19, much has been going on at Masterpiece Models and we have been extremely busy preparing and delivering locomotives to customers, as well as working on the current builds of the Western Diesel, 28XX/38XX 2-8-0 tender engines, as well as Halls and Modified Halls.

Current Build – Class 52 Western Diesel

As we are unable to visit Korea at present we asked the builder to send over a sample Western Diesel pulled from the current production run so that we could check it for details as well as finalising the design and fitment of the sound and lighting. Following our assessment of the previous pre-production model all the necessary changes have been made to ensure the cab shape, roof and front windscreens are correct. The whole locomotive now looks spot-on! The underbody detail is also simply wonderful and all six axles are driven by the largest, most powerful Swiss motor that we have used in a model to date. The model has been approved by our technical experts Bob Meanley, Adrian Knowles and Bryan Robertson, all of whom are passionate about Westerns. Please note that the windscreen wipers in the photos will be replaced with better ones parked in the correct position, while the 'Bardic' lamp brackets (which were bent in transit) will only be applied to late period blue models.

Unfortunately, the shipper UPS managed to drop the package and the Western was badly damaged on one end. We managed to partly repair the damage and the locomotive has now been fitted with lighting and sound. Our sound engineer Bryan Robertson has performed heroically reconfiguring the decoder and fitting lighting in the headcode boxes, side lamps, cabs and engine room. The locomotive now sounds and looks superb. We have separated the electrical circuits to the fans so that it is possible to run the locomotive with only one set fans working and then start up the second engine to make the second set of fans operating. We think the electronics take this model into a new league as far as British outline 7mm scale diesel locomotives are concerned.

Bryan carried out running tests of the locomotive and we can confirm that it will operate on 6ft (1.83m) radius curves. It may be possible to go slightly tighter but this would need to checked.

In Korea work continues to prepare components for painting

If you have not yet made a reservation and you want a Western in a special livery other than:
• Green with small yellow ends
• Maroon with small yellow ends
• Blue with full yellow ends
Please contact me as soon as possible as otherwise it will be too late.

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Current Build – 28XX/38XX 2-8-0 Freight Locomotives

We also shipped over three samples of 28XX/38XX from South Korea for checking by our technical expert Bob Meanley. He has identified a few minor changes that will be requested to be carried out by the builders.

  

We have discovered a major issue with the six 28XX square frame locomotives ordered with no top feed. We have been investigating as many sources of material as we can find. Very little has been written and what is in the public domain is not accurate or very helpful. Thanks to the goodwill of one of our key suppliers we have managed to access some private papers with crucial information.

We now believe that no non-top feed locomotives with the No 1 boilers were ever painted in GWR plain green. After 1918 when the engines were in GWR plain green, it appears that all engines had top feed already fitted. So, we have a dilemma. Either we cancel all the build of non-top feed engines, or we try to make them as accurate as possible. This means that the non-top feed engines would have to be painted in GWR lined green with lining on the tender body and chassis, as well as polished fittings on both the engine and tender. The tender needs to be changed to the Churchward flush-riveted short-fender version with the garter arms. The only engines that we can build were numbered from 2820 to 2829 and were delivered in 1907. So, we can only provide engines with these numbers as earlier engines were delivered with Dean tenders and later engines were fitted with top feed. As a result of all this we have decided to offer the non-top feed engines only in the lined green 1907 configuration.

Unfortunately, this work will incur both an additional cost and delay production of these six engines as new tender bodies need to be made. The locomotive bodies will also need some changes and new modified tender chassis for these engines will now have to be built.

The existing tenders that have been completed are all Churchward 3,500 gallon long-fender snap riveted versions. None of these tenders ran with the lined green non-top feed engines. We plan to increase the price by £200 for these six models engines which only partially covers the additional production cost. Thus the current price will rise to £3,500 for these six locomotives. The top feed plain green GWR and black engines will remain at £3,300. Buyers who do not wish to pay the extra cost can elect to take plain green or black top feed engines at £3,300.

There are still some 28XX models, both BR and GWR square frame and curved frame available, but there are very few unreserved 38XX engines left. So, I you want a 38XX please let me know as soon as possible, especially GWR engines; if several engines are required this requires a reshuffle of the build. There is very little time left to undertake this change.

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Current Build – Collett Hall and Hawksworth Modified Hall
We shipped over two samples of the Hall and Modified Hall for checking by our technical expert Bob Meanley. He has identified a few minor changes which will be requested to be carried out by the builders.

 

As previously reported we increased the number of Collett Halls to 54 locomotives with a few slots left, both GWR and BR. These are mainly 49XX and 69XX types (BR).

Production of Hawksworth Modified Halls has been increased from 15 to 24, so there are a few extra slots. Half the Modified Halls will be fitted with mechanical lubricators which provide interesting extra detail. Please note that the cylinder covers and chimney in the photos of the Modified Hall are not the correct type as the loco was not complete when the picture were taken and these items were simply fitted to give it a more finished appearance. The correct items will be fitted to all Modified Halls delivered to customers.

Witherslack Hall is proving to be the most popular locomotive name followed by Wolf Hall and Lady Margaret Hall.

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Possible Future Build – Brighton and GNR/LNER Atlantics
We continue to receive requests to build these locomotives, but we have not still received quite enough requests to proceed with the build. So, if you want a model of one of these locomotives and you still have not made a reservation or expression of interest, please contact us urgently as we still need more support to proceed with the project. If this project proceeds it will have to start from scratch with a complete redesign of the locomotive chassis to make the wheelbase as accurate as possible. The Scale 7 models will have the full scale sized wheels, but the O gauge versions will be forced to have reduced diameter (worn) driving wheel tyres as otherwise the flanges will touch each other and short circuit.

We are very keen to make these models and the current plan (subject to sufficient reservations) will be to make about 90 models (expected to be 55 Southern H1s/H2s and 35 GNR/LNER Atlantics). The cost will be probably around £3,300, but could be more due to the smaller volume and any currency and duty/VAT changes post the final UK departure from the EU Transition Period on 31 December 2020.

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Models in Stock – Small Prairie Tank 45XX/4575
A recent flurry of sales has exhausted our stock of O gauge models. We have several 45XX/4575 sold but still due for delivery. We also have one 45XX and one 4575 awaiting conversion to O gauge (both sold). So, the remaining stock is down to two Scale7 BR 4575 (sloping tank) locomotives in BR lined green with the earlier lion-over-wheel emblem. When these are gone we will have run out of all stock. There are no more spare O gauge wheel sets, so no further conversions other than the two that are booked are now possible. Please note that there are no more models available at the factory or our warehouse, so when these last two Scale7 models are gone, sadly they have all gone.

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Models in Stock – Pannier Tank 57XX/8750
We have a good stock of 57XX especially in Great Western liveries (green and plain black). We have a few BR riveted 57XX engines left and two London Transport 57XXs in the very attractive LT red. We can now only supply LT engines in O gauge.

8750s are available in GWR (green and black), BR mostly back feed engines and two top feed locomotives in the attractive BR lined black as used on empty stock working at Paddington etc. We are down to our last Scale 7 locomotive: one 8750 chassis.

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Models in Stock – 70XX Castles
We can still offer a double chimney 70XX Castle with the mechanical lubricator in the forward or standard position (behind the RHS steam pipe). There is a good choice of single chimney 70XX Castles in most configurations and BR liveries. We can no longer offer 7005 Sir Edward Elgar as the set of nameplates was recently sold on a single chimney engine. Sadly, no more full sets of plates are available for this engine. Very few Scale 7 gauge locomotives are now available.

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Models in Stock – 47XX 2-8-0 Tender Engines
A reasonable choice of GWR plain green engines is available, but choice of BR types is now more limited. Some BR plain black engines remain, but BR lined black 4702 now all now sold. Very limited choice of Scale 7 locomotives now left.

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Models in Stock – 68XX 4-6-0 Grange Tender Engines
All GWR plain green engines now sold except one model in S7. All BR lined black engines now sold. We have a few BR plain black engines and a good choice of BR lined green engines available including some in Scale 7. Many great Grange names are still available. Please check on the phone or email with your request.

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Covid-19 - Impact on Korea and the UK
The Covid-19 Virus has again spread back into the Seoul area in Korea which includes Incheon where our models are built. New measures have been imposed by the Government to control the new outbreaks. This has further slowed down our production in Korea. Travel to Korea (with flights and travel insurance still unavailable) is not possible despite the fact that I urgently need to go there. We now also have quarantine issues at both ends, so no visit has been possible this year. We expect the restrictions on travel to continue for long haul flights for the rest of 2020. So, an alternative plan to get the builds completed is essential.

Covid-19 has made activity here in the UK also very difficult. Both my UK engineer (Colin Dowling) and I are still in isolation. Since our last report we managed only one short meeting to prepare three locomotives. This limitation makes business activity very difficult, as all preparation has to be undertaken by me. We have despatched a number of locomotives to customers in the UK and elsewhere and more deliveries are expected to take place next month.

I hope that you are all well and are continuing to take all necessary precautions to avoid catching this dreadful disease. Please continue to be careful and look after yourselves and anyone you meet by following the rules that are in force.

John Borkowski  27 August 2020.

45XX/4575 – The final models
A recent flurry of purchases means that our stock of 45XX (flat tanks) /4575 Sloping tanks is now down to JUST FIVE MODELS, two in GWR livery and three in BR livery:

• 4505 Type 3.1: Square footplate, tall safety valve bonnet, no ATC, no outside steam pipes and no shutters, extended bunker with packed rear buffer beam. 0 gauge finescale.

• 4585 Type 5: Sloping tanks, curved footplate, tall safety valve bonnet, ATC, outside steam pipes, shutters, long bunker and standard rear buffer beam. Scale 7.

• 4588 Type 5: Sloping tanks, curved footplate, ATC, short safety valve bonnet, shutters, long bunker and standard rear buffer beam. BR lined green later emblem on tank sides. O gauge finescale.

• 5514 Type 5: BR lined green Lion-over-Wheel emblem: Sloping tanks, curved footplate, ATC, short safety valve bonnet, shutters, long bunker and standard rear buffer beam, Scale 7.

• 5551 Type 5: BR lined green Totem emblem: Sloping tanks, curved footplate, ATC, short safety valve bonnet, shutters, long bunker and standard rear buffer beam, Scale 7.

At this stage it is no longer possible to switch gauges, as we have insufficient spares to undertake this work. So the models are only available in their current configuration and gauge.

Please note that there are no more models available at the factory or our warehouse, so when these are gone, sadly they have all gone.

57XX/8750
We have a good stock of 57XX especially in Great Western Liveries (green and plain black). We have a few BR riveted 57XX engines left and some London Transport Panniers in the very attractive LT red. We can now only supply LT engines in O gauge finescale.

8750s are available in GWR (green and black), BR mostly back feed engines and two top feed locomotives in the attractive BR lined black as used on empty stock working at Paddington.

We are down to our last two Scale 7 locomotives: one 8750 chassis and one 57XX chassis.

70XX Castles
The last 50XX double chimney Castle, 5092 Tresco Abbey, has now been sold, but we can still offer a double chimney 70XX Castle with the mechanical lubricator in the forward or standard position (behind the RHS steam pipe). There is a good choice of single chimney 70XX Castles in most configurations and and BR liveries. We can no longer offer 7005 Sir Edward Elgar as the final set of nameplates was recently sold on a single chimney engine. Sadly no more plates are available for this engine. Very few Scale 7 locomotives are now available.

47XX 2-8-0
We have a reasonable choice of GWR plain green engines, but choice of BR types is now more limited. Some BR plain black engines remain, but all the lined black models of 4702 have now been sold. A very limited choice of Scale 7 locomotives is now left.

68XX 4-6-0 Grange
All GWR plain green engines are now sold except one model in S7. All BR lined black engines are now sold. We have a few BR plain black engines and a good choice of BR lined green engines, including some in Scale 7. Many great Grange names are still available.

CURRENT BUILDS: 

Western Diesel
A number of small components for the Western diesel were damaged a in the factory fire earlier this year and these have now been re-made. A new set of motors to replace those lost in the fire has also been delivered. Work continues to get the components ready for painting. If have not yet made a reservation and you want a Western in a special livery other than:
• Green with small yellow ends
• Maroon with small yellow ends
• Blue with full yellow ends
Please contact me as soon as possible as otherwise it will be too late.

28XX/38XX 2-8-0 
The bodies and chassis for these engines are now being built as the tenders have been completed and painted. There are still some 28XX – both BR and GWR square frame and curved frame – available, but there are very few 38XX locos left. So I you want a 38XX please let me know as soon as possible, especially GWR engines, as it may be necessary to reshuffle the build to accommodate this. There is very little time left to undertake this change.

Collett Hall and Modified Hall
We increased the Collett Hall build to 54 locomotives with a few left in both GWR and BR liveries. These are mainly 49XX and 69XX types (BR). The Modified Halls production has been increased from 15 to 24, so there are a few extra available. Half the Modified Halls will be fitted with mechanical lubricators which provide interesting extra detail. Witherslack Hall is proving to be the most popular locomotive name followed by Wolf Hall and Lady Margaret Hall.

Brighton and NER Atlantics
We continue to receive requests to build these locomotives but we have not still received enough requests to proceed with the build. So if you want a model of one of these locomotives and you still have not made a reservation or expression of interest, please contact us urgently as we still need more support to proceed with the project.

 

COVID-19
The COVID-19 Virus has slowed down our production in Korea and has made activity here in the UK very difficult. Both my engineer and I are still in lockdown. No visits or interchange of working together is possible. This makes business activity very difficult, as all preparation has to be undertaken by me. There is no question of travel to Korea (no flights and no travel insurance is available) and I urgently need to go there. No visit has been possible this year and we expect the restrictions on travel to continue for long haul flights for the rest of 2020. So we are working on an alternative plan to get the builds completed. We have despatched a number of locomotives to customers in the UK and elsewhere and more deliveries are expected to take place this week.

I hope that you are all well and are taking all necessary precautions to avoid catching this dreadful disease. Please continue to be careful and look after yourselves and anyone you meet.

John Borkowski
3 June 2020.

The Spring 2020 issue of the Gauge 0 Guild Gazette (just published) features the wrong advertisement from Masterpiece Models!

The artwork, which was signed-off last month, has been swapped for an older advert in a mix-up at the publishing house. The ad that should have appeared was designed to bring readers up to date with progress on our builds following the fire at one of our South Korean factories, as well as setting out our plans the resurrect the LBSCR/GNR 'Atlantic' build after all the original models were destroyed in the fire.

So here's the advertisement that should have appeared – although the best way to keep up with developments is to follow the Latest News entries on this website!

18 April 2020