Graham Farish 372-034SF 4073 Class 5055 Earl of Eldon GWR Lined Green (DCC-Sound)

1:148 scale model produced by Graham Farish. This model is ready-to-run straight out of the box and would make a excellent addition to any model railway collection.

• DCC Sound Model
• This model mainly operates in British
• This model is decorated in GWR company markings
• This model is best suited to 263mm radius curves
• Graham Farish N Scale
• Era 3
• Pristine GWR Lined Green (GW Crest) Livery
• Running No. 5055
• Named ‘Earl of Eldon’
• SOUND FITTED – Fitted with a Zimo MS590N18 DCC Sound Decoder 
• Collett 4,000-gallon Tender
• Single Chimney
• Inside Cylinder Chest: Box Pattern with Curved Front
• Straight Cylinder Steam Pipes
• Tapered Buffers
• Horizontal Cab Side Handrail
• Rear Sandboxes Behind Cab Steps
• Short Nameplates
• Coreless motor
• Electrical pickup from all driving and tender wheels
• Separate metal bearings fitted to each driving wheel axle
• Metal bearings fitted to each tender wheel axle
• Diecast metal chassis block
• Diecast metal gearbox, with gearing arranged for prototypical running speeds and haulage capabilities
• 9mm (N gauge) wheels to NEM310 standards with authentic profile and detailing
• Traction tyres fitted to the rear driving wheels for assured haulage capabilities
• Valve gear of metal construction
• Discreet fixed locomotive to tender drawbar with integral electrical connections
• Coupling pocket to NEM355 standards fitted to the front bogie
• Removable coupling pocket to NEM355 standards fitted to the tender chassis
• Length 145mm (over couplings)

Details

The GWR 4073 ‘Castle’ Class was introduced in 1923 to the design of Charles Collett, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Great Western Railway. Intended for express passenger duties, the 4-6-0 Castles were a development of the earlier Star Class, featuring a larger boiler and improved power output to handle the heaviest express workings from London Paddington.

Over 27 years, 155 were built at Swindon Works, joined by 16 rebuilt from older Stars between 1925 and 1940, giving a total of 171 locomotives. All carried names, most after castles of England and Wales, although rebuilt Stars often retained their earlier identities. During wartime, some were renamed after RAF aircraft or titled nobles.

Renowned for their performance and route availability, the Castles proved more versatile than the heavier King Class and became the backbone of GWR express operations. Few design changes were made, though 65 locomotives gained double chimneys from 1956 to enhance high-speed running.

Withdrawals began in 1950, but the class endured until the end of Western Region steam. The final Castle, No. 7029 Clun Castle, was withdrawn in November 1965 after working the last Paddington steam service. Eight survive in preservation, though one, No. 7027 Thornbury Castle, remains unrestored.