News

GWR 850 update June 11 2026

We have two version 2 Swindon Green-Indian red 3 panel tanks available for reservation

see the project page

Progress continues with assembly of the wheels for the project.

assembled crank axles ready for the wheels to be pushed on

wheel centres machined to size

gears and crank pins plus gearbox bearings

BR 80xxx 4MT update June 01 2026

The builder has made a start on some of the lost wax castings for the sample model. Wheels are currently being made after some design modifications.

tyres and bearings ready to send for assembly with the wheel makers.

GWR 850 saddle tank availability June 01 2026

We have two version 2 Swindon Green-Indian red 3 panel tanks available for reservation

see the project page

GWR 850 May 21 2026

We are working on the paint layouts for the production models at the moment. As with everything GWR there are variations!

Looking in particular at the Wolverhampton livery I noted that the " Great Western Way" book states that saddle tanks were not lined.

As you can see below this is not 100% correct. I am sure there were some that did not receive lining. However our models will be lined and as you can see the black band with white line only goes as far as the tank lifting brackets a detail I did not expect!

The internet is full of "experts" making definitive statements on loco details and liveries. The truth is unless we have photos of every member of a class in each main livery time period we can not be 100% sure!

The only way to be confident is to buy a Delorean car and fit it with time travelling equipment!

seriously though if someone has photos hiding in a drawer please share.

GWR Passenger brake vans in 1898 fully lined livery availability May 02 2026

1898 K14 non-corridor, 1 remaining

1898 K15 corridor, 1 remaining

GWR K14 non corridor pictured

GWR 850 06-05-2026 April 30 2026

Wheel centres have been hot forged in brass, next job is machining to size and fitting the tyres and axles.

Gears assembled ready for installation into the gearboxes.

Below are the laser cut and soldered parts forming the rear of the wheels and giving us a proper H spoke shape.

BR 80xxx update April 16 2026

Whilst the designer is working on the final corrections, mostly in the cab. We have placed the order for the wheel sets as the first step in making the pilot sample.

BR 80xxx April 11 2026

My final list of corrections and additional details have been sent to our designer. Once he has completed these, work will begin on the sample model.

GWR 850 update April 08 2026

Footplates are now complete with all details and the wheels are now being made/assembled. All the inside motion parts are complete and ready for assembly.

GWR 850 update March 11 2026

Work continues on the footplates for the 850 project with castings being added

A type, Wolverhampton front buffer beams being assembled.

GWR K14 k15 Availabilty December 30 2025

1898 K14 non-corridor, 1 remaining

1922 low stock for K14-K15 version

1898 K15 corridor, sold out

1912 liveries are sold out

1927 K14-K15 livery, sold out

K14 in 1898 livery

BR 80xxx update December 19 2025

Design work is continuing, here are some images directly from the designer. I use these to make corrections as he works.

The design should be complete early next month, then we can start the process of the pilot sample model. This will include making all the patterns and etch tools, so it is important to get the design as perfect as we can now.

BR 80xxx 4MT additional versions added December 08 2025

We have revised the versions available and added notes of additional details.

Version 1. 80000-80058 Fluted rods, L/H vent rear position. Early BR Totem

Version 2. 80000-80058 Fluted rods, L/H vent rear position. Late BR Crest

Version 3. 80059-80078 Fluted rods, L/H tank vent in the forward position. Early BR Totem

Version 4. 80059-80078 Fluted rods, L/H tank vent in the forward position. Late BR Crest

Version 5. 80079-80154 Plain rods, L/H tank vent in the forward position. Early BR Totem

Version 6. 80079-80154 Plain rods, tank vent in the forward position. Late BR Crest

Version 7A. Scottish region with recess in cab side and Manson tablet catcher fitted Early BR Totem

Version 7B. Scottish region with recess in cab side and Manson tablet catcher fitted Late BR Crest

Version 8A. Scottish region with recess in cab side for Manson tablet catcher. (no apparatus fitted) Early BR Totem

Version 8B. Scottish region with recess in cab side for Manson tablet catcher. (no apparatus fitted) Late BR Crest

Additional variations:

Water pick-up scoops, fitted to 80034-53, 80059-68, 80081-95.
Extra brackets fitted to Southern Region locos for fitting of route disks
Speedometers fitted from 80059, earlier locos being fitted later on
Scottish Region with tablet catchers, 80000-9/20-30/54-8, 80110-4/21-30
AWS fitted (over a number of years) to the rear of the bogie, battery being held in a locker accessed at the rear of the bunker, a plate fitted on the rear buffer beam to stop damage by the coupling. The original Hudd version did not have the battery box.
From 1960 Southern Region locos had lifting hooks fitted to the roof.
LNER style return cranks 80000-80120 and LMS 4 bolt return cranks 80121-154
Any shed code available, just add in the comments on your order

with tablet catcher

without tablet catcher

BR 80xxx update December 03 2025

Design work is nearing completion now. It’s mostly the pipe work to be added now, such as injectors etc. I will be spending time to study the drawings carefully and make my comments and corrections before we start the pilot sample model. This job is made much easier with these 3D drawings.

GWR 850 Update November 18 2025

Assembly of the footplates with all details being added is underway.

some of the brass castings for the footplates.

BR 80xxx update October 19 2025

Progress continues with the BR 4MT design. More detail has still to be added along with ongoing corrections.

BR 80xxx October 10 2025

Now having direct contact with the designer is helping greatly with getting information understood and corrections made. We are doing this on a mobile phone messenger app, so communication is quicker than by email.

We are focussed on the frames and motion at present, although you can see part of the front footplate with the mechanical lubricator.

GWR 850 August 08 2025

With footplate parts riveted the next step is assembly of the footplate and boiler components. Picture below shows some of the footplate and valance parts hand riveted.

GWR 850 June 23 2025

Progress continues on the GWR 850 project.

Smokeboxes added to the boiler units and the long process of individually hand embossing rivets on all the saddle tanks so they can then be formed and soldered in place.

boiler bands are also being soldered on individually again giving a better finish to the model than etched bands.

Approx 50'000 rivets! to do. 3 panel and 5 panel tanks shown below

boiler bands being soldered in place

smokeboxes added.

hand embossed rivets

GWR 850 April 10 2025

Work continues on the project with focus on the boilers and smokebox assemblies

BR 80xxx 4MT February 19 2025

Progress is now being made on the standard tank design. These early drawing screen shots allow me to start checking for errors.

I will post more design progress pictures as I receive them.

GWR 850 update February 03 2025

Progress continues on the 850 project with body components etched. Many rivets to be hand pressed on the tanks!

Motors are now in stock as the wheel-gearbox assemblies are next.

Weathered models by Neil Podbery November 05 2024

The pictures show the fine work done on one of our GWR Castles and one of our GWR 51xx models.

Neil Podbery, being a professional artist is certainly a worthy successor to Martyn Welch. Neil, as you can see has a subtle touch and uses his artistic sensibilities in his use of colour and texture. One of the few people who can add value and realism to your Lee Marsh model.

check out his website http://www.neilpodberyfineart.co.uk