A rail chance to purchase a little piece of loco history (From Swindon Advertiser)

A rail chance to purchase a little piece of loco history

11:00am Thursday 31st January 2013 in News

RAILWAY fans from all over the world have been busy putting their orders in for the eagerly awaited Western Enterprise locomotive model.

Known as D1000 Western Enterprise, the 00 Gauge model – designed for running on a layout or display – is being manufactured by model rail manufacturer Dapol Limited in partnership with the Steam Museum. Western Enterprise was the first Western to run off the production line in 1961 and the class became the focus of many livery experiments and modifications. The locomotive carried a unique and eye catching Lion and Wheel crest on her cab side and the model comes with an exclusive pin badge of this iconic crest.

The first factory model of the locomotive was at Steam yesterday, and it is expected that the models will arrive by mid-February. Ian Surtees, Commercial Manager at the museum, believes there is a chance each of the 400 Limited Edition models will have been sold before they reach Swindon.

“We have had a terrific amount of interest in the models already,” said Ian.

“To date, the Steam Shop has 350 pre-orders for the model and enquiries are still coming in from both the Steam online shop and from publicity in the railway enthusiast magazines. We also showcased a sample model of Western Enterprise at the Swindon Railway Festival at Steam last year and took some early orders right there at the show.

“Most buyers are model rail enthusiasts but some people simply want to buy a little piece of Swindon history.”

The Dapol model colour is striking ex-Works Desert Sand Livery and the model locomotive boasts detail and accuracy.

Each model will be supplied in a presentation box with a numbered certificate of authenticity and costs £159.99.

To find out more or to order one of the Limited Edition D1000 Western Enterprise models, contact the Steam Shop on 01793 466626 or visit Steam’s On-line Shop at www.easycatalog.net/home/steamshop.

For more information about Steam, visit www.steam-museum.org.uk