THE POPULAR Great Western Railway (GWR) ‘Manor’ 4-6-0 is set to expand Dapol’s ‘OO’ gauge steam roster. The ‘Manor’ is set to build on the development of the manufacturer’s GWR ‘43XX’ 2-6-0.
The fleet of 30 ‘Manors’ was built at Swindon Works between 1938 and 1950 to provide a locomotive with comparable power to the versatile ‘Grange’ 4-6-0, but with a lighter axle loading. They were numbered in the 78XX series and the last was withdrawn in 1965. Nine have been preserved.
Dapol has used General Arrangement (GA) drawings in development of its new ‘Manor’ which is currently at the CAD drawing stage. Features will include Dapol’s new tool-free DCC installation design with a slide in Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and with space for a ‘sugar cube’ speaker in the smokebox and a high bass speaker in the tender. It will also have a die-cast compensated chassis, detailed cab interior and a sprung pony truck designed to operate on second radius curves.
Other highlights include an electrical coupling between the locomotive and tender, firebox glow synchronised with sound on the DCC sound fitted versions, a high torque motor and slow speed mechanism and Dapol RealDrive sound files.
Prices are set at £159.95 for DCC ready models rising to £189.95 for DCC fitted and £309.95 for DCC sound fitted versions. Release is expected in 2021. Liveries will cover 7800 Torquay Manor in GWR green with roundel logos (Cat No. 4S-001-001), 7814 Fringford Manor in GWR green (4S-001-002), 7807 Compton Manor in green with G crest W lettering (4S-001-003), 7823 Hook Norton Manor in BR lined black with early crests (4S-001-004), 7819 Hinton Manor in BR black with early crests (4S-001-005), 7810 Draycott Manor in BR lined green with early crests (4S-001-006) and 7827 Lyndham Manor in BR lined green with late crests (4S-001-007).
Visit www.dapol.co.uk for more information.
