News

GWR Castle August 27 2022

The painter has shipped a GWR body and BR body so we can check the painting and lining. This saves any potential errors being carried into the main production.

Whilst the painter is busy work continues on assembling the motion on the frames, after that, details such as injectors etc are fitted. Wiring for the motor, pick ups and DCC speaker need to be installed.

production samples to check the work.

inside motion being installed in the frames.

GWR 850 August 25 2022

This project is fully reserved.

3D drawing continues. rivets now added to the tanks

GWR 850 August 22 2022

3D design is almost completed. Various rivets have still to be added. This will be the subject of our production sample.

The project is almost fully reserved.

Version 1. SOLD OUT
Version 2. SOLD OUT
Version 3. 3 remaining
Version 4. SOLD OUT

Castle Update August 16 2022

Lining has now started with the Period 5, BR models.

painted locos ready for lining

lined locos, soon to be varnished

splasher sides being lined. These are bonded to the main splashers giving a sharp finish. As we have done on previous projects.

These photos show a BR model in the process of being lined. They use reverse decal sheets. This leaves only the lines with no visible backing. The actual backing film is still on the cab side in these views waiting to be removed.

Castle update August 11 2022

Painting continues with all the black areas being done. Next stage is the lining.

GWR Castle July 26 2022

Work continues at the painters.

Once the buffer beams are painted, the black areas of the smokebox, footplate etc can be done. Then they will start making the lining decals. these are designed from our AutoCad drawings to ensure accuracy. It's a lot of work for 140 models.

here the beams are painted before masking for the black areas.

splasher sides are painted and lined separately, this allows a clean finish behind pipe work etc These are just the right hand rear sides!

beams now masked, ready for the black coat

light rubbing down before the final coat of paint

final coat of green being sprayed

loco lamp castings to be painted

GWR 850 July 26 2022

Work continues on converting the 2D drawings to 3D.

Once completed I can start the process of checking each component.

This will be the Swindon 3 panel tank when completed

Castle Update July 07 2022

Assembly progress continues on the Castles. Work on assembly of the motion is being carried out. Tender frames are complete with wiring and speakers.

lined cylinders ready for assembly

tenders completed. The bodies will be fitted once they are varnished along with the loco bodies.

motor-gearbox units ready and tender frames completed

GWR 850 July 06 2022

The 3D designers have been busy working on the 850 project. Shown below is the complete frame drawing including the custom designed fully enclosed gearbox.

All drawings will be completed in 3D for checking next month. Once checked the production sample will be made.

Over 3/4 of this project has now been reserved from a total of 100 models.

Castle Update June 23 2022

Progress continues with the loco bodies being painted and the main frame inside motion being assembled.

The reservation price ends on 31st July. £3300 inc VAT

From 1st August price increases to £3475 inc VAT

Available loco update,

Period 2 SOLD OUT

Last Period 4 (early BR totem) available - 5063 Earl Baldwin, Collett 4000g Tender

loco bodies being painted.

ignore the odd colour, that's just a picture taken under florescent lights!

backheads in the process of being painted

last of the tender frames being assembled, wiring is for the tender pickups, next speakers get added

a speaker is also fitted into the loco smokebox, same as our previous tender locos.

Faulhaber motors and CNC milled enclosed gearboxes assembled

inside motion assembly underway

rods assembled to the CNC machined crank axles

lots of fiddly inside motion parts!

more updates soon

GWR 850 June 15 2022

As we near completion of the GWR Castle project, preliminary work has started with another builder on the 850 project. They are taking the 2D drawings and converting them to 3D which not only makes checking easier but they can be used to make the 3D printed lost wax patterns. Sample parts are shown below. The rods are nickel silver and very nice.

The production sample will be a Version 2, Swindon 3 panel tank.

More news soon.

Castle Update June 13 2022

Work continues on assembly whilst the loco bodies are away for painting. The loco and tender bodies will be varnished at the same time to make sure the finish is consistent.

Tender frames are now being assembled with pickups and wheels etc

frames being wired for pick ups. These as per our previous projects are only fitted to the leading and trailing wheels.

tender frames awaiting wheels and pickups

backheads cleaned and ready for paint.

the motors have now had the gears pressed onto the shafts. Now these can be assembled to the gearboxes.

final batch of loco bogies being assembled.

ready for assembly to the frames.

more updates soon!

Castle Update June 01 2022

On my first factory visit in over two years I was pleased to see good progress continues. The tenders are now being varnished and will be assembled. I checked the loco bodies and these have been sent for cleaning and painting. The Faulhaber motors safely arrived so the gearboxes can be assembled. Once the tenders are completed the frames, wheels, motion will be assembled.

Here are some pictures from my inspection.

checking each loco body using the AutoCad drawings for reference

Backheads being soldered

checking the lining and decals before the final varnish coat at the paintshop

castle bodies ready for painting

loco drivers all painted and ready

loco bogies being assembled

loco frames ready for assembly

Remaining GWR Castle available names per livery period May 23 2022

Go to the project page to place a reservation, click here

Period 1. 1926 - 1934. #4073 - 5032 + 111 & EARLY STAR REBUILDS

Period 1. 5005 Manorbier Castle, Collett 4000g tender
Period 1. 5007 Rougemont Castle Collett 4000g Tender
Period 1. 5010 Restormel Castle Collett 4000g Tender
Period 1. 5012 Berry Pomeroy Castle Collett 4000g Tender

Period 2 Monogram. SOLD OUT.

Period 3. 1939 - 1948/9. 4073-7027 "G twin shield crest W" BRANDING ON THE TENDER SIDES

Period 3. 5075 Wellington Collett 4000g Tender
Period 3. 5081 Lockheed Hudson Collett 4000g Tender
Period 3. 7006 Lydford Castle Collett 4000g Tender
Period 3. 7001 Sir James Milne Collett 4000g Tender
Period 3. 7004 Eastnor Castle Collett 4000g Tenders

Period 4 Early BR. SOLD OUT

Period 5. 1956-1965 4073-7027 LATER BR CREST ON THE TENDER SIDES

Period 5. 4073 Caerphilly Castle, single chimney, Collett 4000g Tender.
Period 5. 4076 Carmarthen Castle, Collett 4000g tender, single chimney
Period 5. 7033 Hartlebury Castle Collett 4000g tender, double chimney

Castle Update May 18 2022

Final details are being fitted to the loco bodies and then its time for painting.

I will inspect the work next week before they are sent to the painters.

BR Versions ready for paint with the production sample in the background

GWR Period 1 models having the whistles added

backheads being assembled

some of the completed bodies ready for cleaning and paint

Castle Update May 03 2022

Work continues on adding the many details to the loco bodies, whilst the tenders are being lined and lettered.

With luck and a clear PCR test! I will being travelling to Korea later this month for an inspection. Another visit will be made for a final inspection.

tender frames being lined

tender bodies being lined and lettered

Castle Update April 19 2022

I have now arranged an inspection visit to S.Korea for the end of May.

this allows me to check the loco bodies before they go to the paint shop. And to go over all corrections to make sure everything has been fully understood.

it’s my first visit since Nov 2019! So long overdue.

I will post lots of updates during my visit and hopefully have a chance to visit the paint shop to see the tenders being lined and have decals added.

I will also have a chance to sit with the builder to discuss the final projects, starting with the GWR 850.

I will then return to do the final inspection.
The builder is busy detailing the 140 loco bodies, it’s a slow job. We will post pictures once they are completed.

Castle update April 06 2022

I have been working on the paint layouts in readiness for the loco bodies heading off to the paint shop this month. Below are screenshots from my AutoCad screen. The colours obviously don't represent what will be used. Have a look at the Dean goods and 517 models in our gallery.

These drawings are a guide for the painters and are used in conjunction with prototype photos. I have also coloured various individual parts for clarity.

The painters will also use the AutoCad drawings to make the various masking shapes required. These are cut out on a plotter.

Faulhaber have confirmed that the motors are being made. These are not stock items. They will be with us in time for the builders to do final assembly on the frames whilst the bodies are being painted and lined.

GWR Period 1 (ignore the purple lettering!)

BR livery

Weathered GWR 61XX March 24 2022

Neil Podbery has done a very fine job of weathering one of our GWR 61xx models.

photo by D Thomas on Bucks Hill.

GWR Castle update March 18 2022

Progress continues at SMT with assembly of the loco bodies. Not long now until the bodies are ready for painting.

GWR Passenger brake vans March 18 2022

We now have only 5 1898 K14 non-corridor PBV's and 4 1927 K14 non-corridor PBV's remaining. All 1927 livery K15 PBV's are sold out.

CLICK HERE

1898 K15

1927 K14

Castle Update March 06 2022

The decals have now been made. These have been designed directly from our AutoCAD designs. They are screen printed on “reverse” decal papers. This leaves only the lines on the models with no backing. Some areas will be hand lined as required.

the masking for painting is also designed from our drawings and cut on a plotter.

Castle Update March 05 2022

Assembly work continues, with the cabs and boilers now being fitted to the footplates.

Castle Update February 22 2022

SMT continue to make steady progress on the project. Bogies are now back from the painters and ready for assembly. Boiler units are now having lost wax brass details added, footplate detailing is nearing completion and cab sub assemblies are now having side window handrails added etc.