British Railways Standard Class

BRITANNIA 70000

KINGSCALE GAUGE 3 ™

For The Ultimate Live Steam Garden Railway

Design of the highest pedigree… Britannia 70000

The design process

The Britannia Class represents an iconic symbol of British steam. It was the first of the standard designs introduced and the last express steam locomotive type in service - retired in 1968.It is a beautiful, much loved, locomotive and a worthy choice as Kingscale’s first G3 live steam model.

To ensure traditional design and quality were to the fore we engaged two of the leading authorities in British model engineering.

uncompromising commitment to quality and reliability. After an exhaustive process Wuhu Brand Art & Crafts Co., Ltd, based in Anhui province in the south east of China, was selected to undertake the production design and development work.

Introducing Kingscale The Kingscale range has been introduced to meet the need for ready-to-run, traditionally engineered, live steam locomotives for Gauge 3 – the largest scenic model railway gauge. From the outset our sights were set high. Not only did we want to achieve the highest technical and aesthetic standards, but also a model offering exceptional value-for-money. It was clear that British customers, with over a century of live steam model engineering tradition behind them, demanded exceptionally high technical standards. It was equally important the model evidenced a high level of fine scale detail. To deliver on these prime objectives without compromise required an innovative solution. We determined that the technical design must be British; with batch manufacture undertaken by a proven overseas supplier.

Mike Pavie, an award winning professional builder with over 40 G3 models to his name, is consultant engineer. Chris Barron is known for his extensive range of successful live steam model designs and was commissioned to produce original drawings to G3 scale standards. Thus the design has an impeccable British pedigree and is of the highest standards demanded by the discerning collector. We then identified a number of candidate manufacturers with proven expertise in the production of large scale live steam models and an

Full CAD drawings were produced to a demanding technical specification and sent to Mike Pavie for checking and approval. Manufacture of the first preproduction pilot was then authorised. Nine months into the process the first unpainted brass pilot model was shipped to England for inspection and testing. To say we were delighted with the model is an understatement. Nonetheless we provided a list of 50 improvements for incorporation on the final pre-production model. The second pilot model, fully painted and lined, was shipped at the end of 2011 for approval. This model represents the final production standard and is pictured throughout this brochure.

Model Dimensions (approx) Length: 940mm Height: 176mm

Width: 128mm Weight: 18kgs

Technical specification Constructed of the finest materials the Kingscale Britannia stands comparison with the very best. The bronze cylinders have slide valves actuated by fully operational Walschaerts’ valve gear - which is reversed from the cab in the same way as the real locomotive. The motion is machined from solid stainless steel for long life and exceptional resistance to corrosion. Slide valves have been selected for their reliability and performance over the life of the engine. A cross porting solution ensures the Walschaerts motion is correctly positioned. The multi-flue copper boiler is silver soldered and hydraulically tested to twice working pressure. It is fired by a near-silent gas burner fitted with a ceramic fire bed which emits a bright glow visible through the firebox viewing window for dramatic night time running effects. The very efficient burner is simply ignited via the locomotive chimney and no artificial draught is required. Within 10 minutes of ignition the two safety valves will be blowing and the model ready to run. The boiler is fitted with a water level sight glass and is fed by an axle driven feed pump simply regulated from the

“As an award winning professional model maker, I am proud to have been associated with the design and testing of this fine model” - Mike Pavie

cab. The fully sprung brass tender contains the re-chargeable gas tank and also carries the water supply for the engine. A hand operated pump facilitates boiler top up when stationary. Every aspect of the design conforms to G3 Society standards and all models are subject to detailed

inspection in the UK before delivery to customers. Boilers, gas tanks and safety valves are individually pressure tested and certified by Mike Pavie; assuring the highest quality standards. The Kingscale Britannia requires a minimum turning radius of 12 feet (3.7m).

Showcase Gallery… The Kingscale Britannia is a beautiful model built to the highest presentational standard. It is a fine working engine, but equally at home as the centre-piece of your showcase collection. The model is delivered ready-to-run, fully painted and lined as illustrated here. Colours have been carefully matched to ensure authenticity.

Cab roof slides forward for easy access

Locomotive nameplate, smoke box door number and shed plates, are all included - as are the plates on the back of the tender.

Cab interior showing burner viewing window

Gauge 3 – For the Ultimate Live Steam There is little to match the spectacle of a garden railway on a glorious summer’s day. Whether you are an old hand, or novice, the sight of a live steam locomotive thundering past, belching steam, will lift your heart and your sense of contentment will remain long after the last echoes of the rhythmic exhaust beat have faded away. SIZE COMPARISON OF SCALES

Gauge 1

Gauge “O”

“Kingscale” Gauge 3

Imagine the challenge of building your own garden railway and the fun of running it - adding features and rolling stock as time and funds permit. A garden railway, in any scale, provides the most pleasurable and absorbing hobby you could find. A garden railway in Gauge 3 is the ultimate form of this rewarding and quintessentially British pastime.

Gauge 3 is not new - far from it. Indeed it was one of five standard gauges recommended by a sub-committee of the Society of Model Engineers in 1899. Some of the most illustrious names in railway modelling history boast a proud G3 heritage. Running on 2 ½” gauge track the models are built to a near perfect scale of 1:22.6 and are free running, or adapted for RC operation. Railways feature scale trains, tunnels, stations, and buildings in a world populated by little people – all in the privacy of your own back garden.

Garden Railway… It is obvious why Gauge 3 is becoming one of the fastest growing sectors of the market. The models are appreciably larger than G1 and have a stunning physical presence – providing the ultimate garden railway experience. The gauge is well supported by suppliers offering rolling stock, track and buildings to suit your every need. The Gauge 3 Society has a growing and enthusiastic membership providing a warm welcome at gettogethers, held on members’ railways, throughout the year.

Photographs courtesy of Ted Sadler, Gauge 3 Society

Garden railway modelling may ultimately cost less than you think. Your expenditure on quality steam models over the years may well provide a better return financially than more conventional investments. Well cared for models often tend to hold, or increase, in value over time.

The Gauge 3 Society www.gauge3.org.uk

Collecting and Investment The pleasure of collecting... Purchasing a locomotive with a view to future profit is rarely a primary consideration for the live steam enthusiast. Quite rightly purchase decisions are based on finding that favourite model to grace your railway, or as the centre-piece of your collection. Our most treasured subjects are often those to which we have some sort of emotional attachment – perhaps a vivid childhood memory where even the merest hint of a near forgotten smell can transport us back decades in an instant. This may well be an evocative memory of a favourite express locomotive thundering past with a heavy train. Equally it may be that busy tank engine viewed over a grandmother’s garden fence, backing onto the shunting yard. Thankfully the steam enthusiast community is a broad church of individuals whose distinctive tastes are catered for by the vast choice of locomotive subjects created during a century of mainline steam. Thus, first and foremost, choose a model locomotive you will enjoy owning. Residual values…. Notwithstanding the above it is worth noting that a well cared for model locomotive will typically retain its value. Indeed, there are notable examples of quality locomotives showing substantial increases in value over time that would rival the returns of many other types of investment.

This gas-fired G3 model increased in value by 100% in 10 years

It is not unreasonable to compare an exemplary working model to an original oil painting, or a fine ornament. Indeed it is not uncommon for some exhibition quality models to be confined in a bank vault.

Past experience suggests that models exhibiting the following qualities are more likely to increase in value over time:

Whilst we cannot guarantee your Kingscale Britannia will prove a good investment it potentially has all the requisite qualities. 12 months rolling warranty… To help maintain the value of your model we are pleased to offer an unprecedented 12 months rolling warranty on all significant components, agreeing to replace them in the event of failure (excluding fair wear and tear).

Each model is accompanied by full operating and maintenance

instructions to assist you in keeping your Britannia in the best possible condition. Limited production… Small batch manufacture delivers some economies of scale compared to a oneoff build. However, these fine models are traditionally hand-built by fundamentally the same methods now as they would have been 100 years ago. The casting, machining, preparation, painting and assembly of the 965 components in each locomotive take more than 250 hours per model.

Relative scarcity Popular prototype High technical specification Fine scale detail Mint condition Factory built (not a kit)

Each locomotive will be delivered with discrete security seals attesting to the un-steamed, mint, condition of your model. Providing these seals are not removed we are prepared to re-issue a full 12 months warranty at any time the locomotive is presented to us for inspection. This effectively means your model can be subject to a lifetime warranty if the security seals remain intact*. Moreover, the warranty is transferable to a new owner should you wish to sell your model – enhancing its value and saleability.

The perfect size for display in your home

It will come as no surprise that these models will only be available in relatively small numbers and order reservations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.Please see the accompanying Order Reservation Form for details of the next available batch, including price and delivery date.The Kingscale Britannia is exclusively available from Silver Crest Models Limited.

You are invited to visit us…. We are situated in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside and you are welcome to visit our office. Kindly make an appointment at least 24 hours in advance so we can ensure individual customers are afforded sufficient time to view the models. Silver Crest Models Limited, Bragborough Farm, Welton Road, Braunston, Northamptonshire, NN11 7JG Office hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. Telephone 01327 871 437

www.kingscalelivesteam.co.uk e-mail: [email protected] Registered Company number: 7425348

* It is a condition of the warranty that the model has not been subject to abuse, or kept in an inappropriate environment that might cause damage, or corrosion.