The swansong of the magnificent 'Castle' class 4-6-0s was marked by the production of the 70XX series, built at Swindon between 1946 and 1950. The very fact that a design that first appeared in 1923 – with its DNA going back to Churchward's 'Stars' of 1906 – should still have been in production in British Railways days is extraordinary, but even more remarkable is that the type was still turning in performances that outshone much later designs. As the engines got older and were modified so their performance improved.

These final 'Castles' embodied many refinements that had been introduced over the years, but it was following the introduction of revised draughting, double chimneys, reprofiled outside steam pipes and four-row superheaters that they really attained their ultimate form. They truly were the 'Super Castles'.

To complement the earlier 50XX 'Castles' already produced by Masterpiece Models, we commissioned a strictly limited run of 108 models of 70XX 'Castles' (and a few 50XX Castles all with double chimneys) covering the engines in GWR and BR guises where applicable as single and double chimney variants. It must be stressed that this is a COMPLETELY NEW model and sets standards hitherto unseen on any RTR GWR 4-6-0. Split axles, hornblock pickups, fully enclosed gearbox with ball bearings on all shafts and a state of the art aerospace grade Swiss coreless motor were unique features of these locomotives.

Ten of these models were built as the Davies and Metcalfe valveless mechanical lubricator double chimney engines with an oil tank reservoir fitted on the smokebox side. These engines included 7014 Caerhays Castle, 7013 Bristol Castle, 5084 Reading Abbey, 4088 Dartmouth Castle and 4087 Cardigan Castle. Despite naysayers predicting that nobody would want this configuration, these engines were in high demand and sold out immediately!

70XX 'CASTLE' availability

Number	Production number	Name	Livery	Emblem	Chimney	Outside steam pipes	Inside cylinder cover	Lubricator position	Tender type	Gauge 0/ Scale 7
5099	75	Compton Castle	BR lined green	Lion-over-wheel	Single	Early	Flat	Behind	Hawksworth 4,000 gallon	OFS
7000	2	Viscount Portal	GWR lined green	BRITISH RAILWAYS	Single	Early	Flat	Behind	Collett 4,000 gallon	OFS
7000	3	Viscount Portal	BR lined green	Totem	Single	Later	Raised	Behind	Collett 4,000 gallon	OFS
7009	36	Athelney Castle	GWR lined green	BRITISH RAILWAYS	Single	Early	Flat	Behind	Hawksworth 4,000 gallon	OFS
7010	37	Avondale Castle	BR lined green	Totem	Single	Later	Raised	Behind	Collett 4,000 gallon	S7
7013	44	Bristol Castle	BR lined green	Lion-over-wheel	Single	Early	Flat	Behind	Collett 4,000 gallon	OFS
7014	45	Caerhays Castle	BR lined green	Lion-over-wheel	Single	Early	Flat	Behind	Collett 4,000 gallon	OFS
7015	47	Carn Brea Castle	GWR lined green	BRITISH RAILWAYS	Single	Early	Flat	Behind	Hawksworth 4,000 gallon	OFS
7016	49	Chester Castle	BR lined green	Lion-over-wheel	Single	Later	Raised	Behind	Collett 4,000 gallon	S7
7017	79	G J Churchward	BR lined green	Totem	Single	Later	Raised	Behind	Hawksworth 4,000 gallon	OFS
7022	64	Hereford Castle	BR lined green	Totem	Single	Later	Raised	Behind	Collett 4,000 gallon	OFS
7025	72	Sudeley Castle	BR lined green	Totem	Single	Later	Raised	Behind	Collett 4,000 gallon	OFS
7026	74	Tenby Castle	BR lined green	Totem	Single	Later	Raised	Behind	Collett 4,000 gallon	OFS
7034	92	Ince Castle	BR lined green	Lion-over-wheel	Single	Early	Flat	Behind	Collett 4,000 gallon	OFS
7036	96	Taunton Castle	BR lined green	Totem	Single	Later	Raised	Behind	Collett 4,000 gallon	OFS
7037	97	Swindon	BR lined green	Lion-over-wheel	Single	Early	Flat	Behind	Collett 4,000 gallon	OFS
Unnumbered	22	Unnamed, choice of names available*	BR lined green	Totem	Double	Later	Raised	Behind	Collett 4,000 gallon	S7

*This model has not yet had a name or number applied. It is one of only two double-chimnet 'Castles' still remaining and, based on its configuration, the buyer can choose any of the following names/numbers which will be fixed to the model before delivery:
7001 Sir James Milne
7006 Lydford Castle
7007 Great Western
7010 AvondaleCastle
7019 Fowey Castle
7034 Cranbrook Castle
7036 Taunton Castle

*

All the models have now been made and most have already been purchased, so the availability of what is left is limited, especially in the case of double chimney engines. We still have a good choice of single chimney engines and can provide some name changes where required, subject to the configuration of the engine being authentic to what we have in stock. In terms of livery we have several engines in early BR form with GWR lining and BRITISH RAILWAYS on the tender, as well as the later BR livery with the Lion-over-Wheel and the later BR Totem.

The tenders have been allocated based on photographic evidence showing which type of tender was coupled to each locomotive at different periods. Where possible the correctly-numbered tender is supplied. If you wish, you can purchase an additional tender at the same time so that you can run your model with either Collett or Hawksworth types as these tenders were frequently switched in real life.
If you are interested in a particular locomotive please let us know your requirement and we will try to match your needs from the available stock. As all the models are now ready to deliver we only take payments in full. EU Customers can enquire about paying in Euros.

If a particular engine is of interest and you would like help on its specification (early or late steam pipes, type and position of mechanical lubricator, buffer type etc.) please email or telephone and we will be happy to give you all the details and see if we can provide it for you. Please note we only have one new 50XX engine still available (5092) and that all the other engines will only cover 5098 to 7037. These models were recently reviewed in Model Rail and received an outstanding recommendation “If you buy a model like this if you want the very best.” What more can we say?

70XX 'Castle' prices

Model Type   Base price Carriage charge Reservation deposit Second payment Final Payment Total Payment 70XX 'Castle'   £ £ £ £ £ £ Non EU Overseas Price excl VAT 2860 60 250 1540 1070 2920 EU Price inc VAT 3432 60 250 1540 1642 3492 UK Price inc VAT 3432 0 250 1540 1642 3432

You can phone Masterpiece Models on 01737 242073, mobile 07484 617692

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All new models from this build have now been sold. We occasionally receive second hand models in first class condition that we can offer for sale. If you are interested is any such models please email or telephone us with an expression of interest and your contact details and we will let you know what is available.

Standard fittings on this build included working inside motion, opening smokebox door with detailed tube plate, superheater header, blast jumper nozzles and inside steam pipes as required. Cab roofs were made detachable to provide a choice of sliding hatch and different types of rainstrip, as well as making it easy to access the cab interior to fit a crew. Additional features were working seats, sliding bunker coal door, and opening firebox door.

Type 1

Standard frames, short smokebox, saturated steam boiler, no topfeed, small low bunker, square front drop end, numberplate on tank.

 

Type 2

Standard frames, long smokebox, superheated boiler, enlarged bunker, square front drop end, front struts.

 

Type 3

Standard frames extended at rear with timber packing, extended bunker, long smokebox, superheated boiler, square front drop end, front struts.

 

Type 4

Long frames, long smokebox, superheated boiler, curved front drop end, front struts

 

Type 5

'4575' variation with enlarged, sloping top tanks.