Dapol has announced an all-new 7mm scale model of the Great Western Railway (GWR) M3/M4 Shunter’s trucks as it's next 'O' gauge project.
The GWR M3 shunter’s truck was born in 1912 with 41 being built with some featuring very minor modifications. The M4 was an updated version of the M3 with 44 being built from 1920. They lasted in service for a long time with some lingering until the 1970s and 80s.
Shunter’s trucks were used to transport staff around goods yards with the trucks themselves normally confined for use within their designated yard. The storage box in the centre of the truck was used to house tools and equipment. It was safer for staff to travel around the yard on a shunter’s truck, rather than on foot or in a locomotive cab.
Dapol’s all-new ‘O’ gauge models cover both M3 and M4 types with 20 individual models planned in GWR and BR liveries (see table). These newly-tooled models are set to feature a die-cast compensated chassis, disc or spoked metal wheels, brass bearings, sprung buffers and instanter couplings, fully modelled DC III brake gear and more. The final CAD review is currently underway at Dapol.
Priced at £60 each, delivery is anticipated in late 2025.
◘ Visit www.dapol.co.uk for more information.
TABLE 1 - DAPOL 'O' GAUGE SHUNTER'S TRUCK
| WAGON TYPE | DESCRIPTION | CAT NO. | LIVERY |
|---|---|---|---|
| M3 | 41731 Severn Tunnel Junction | 7F-074-001 | GWR early |
| M3 | 41734 Newton Abbott | 7F-074-002 | BR |
| M3 | Unnumbered and Unnamed | 7F-074-003 | GWR late |
| M3 | 41736 Bristol Canons Marsh | 7F-074-004 | GWR late |
| M3 | 41737 Shrewsbury Coton Hill | 7F-074-005 | GWR late |
| M3 | 94981 Bordesley Junction (Carr' Sidings) | 7F-074-006 | GWR late |
| M3 | 94986 Pontypool Road | 7F-074-007 | GWR late |
| M3 | 94988 Worcester | 7F-074-008 | BR |
| M3 | 94989 Leamington Spa | 7F-074-009 | BR |
| M3 | 94993 Alexandra Dock Junction | 7F-074-010 | BR |
| M3 | 94998 Penzance Goods | 7F-074-011 | BR |
| M4 | 41046 Laira Down Side | 7F-074-012 | BR |
| M4 | 41053 Old Oak Common | 7F-074-013 | GWR late |
| M4 | 41054 Park Royal | 7F-074-014 | GWR late |
| M4 | 41092 Swindon | 7F-074-015 | BR |
| M4 | 41098 Kidderminster | 7F-074-016 | BR |
| M4 | 41100 Didcot | 7F-074-017 | GWR late |
| M4 | Unnumbered & Unnamed | 7F-074-018 | BR |
| M4 | 94947 Birmingham Moor Street | 7F-074-019 | GWR late |
| M4 | 4958 Gloucester T Sidings | 7F-074-020 | BR |
