Minerva Model Railways, the independent company formed by Chris Basten and Chris Klein, announces the production of a finescale, injection-moulded 0 gauge model of the Kerr Stuart 0-6-0 tank locomotive in 7mm scale (1:43.5, for 32mm standard gauge). It is Minerva’s second model and follows the successful launch of its acclaimed Peckett E Class 0-4-0ST locomotive in 2015.
Ten locomotives of this class were built for the Inland Waterways & Docks Department in 1917. Built to mainline standards, the ten Victories were sold by the Railway Operating Department at the end of the World War I to a variety of buyers including the Alexandra (Newport & South Wales) Docks and Railway, Brecon & Merthyr Railway, East Kent Light Railway (EKLR) and other private users including collieries. Three were inherited by the Great Western Railway, two of which entered British Railways (BR) service surviving until 1954 and 1955. The EKLR locomotive entered Southern Railway ownership and finished its life with BR, though it was scrapped in 1949 and never carried its allocated number of 30948. Seven of the locomotives ended up in service with the National Coal Board with the last examples being scrapped in 1969. None have survived.
The Kerr Stuart will be built to the same specification as the Minerva Peckett. It will include an accessory set with optional moulded toolboxes, sandboxes and tank vents. An etched brass fret will include all 10 works’ plates and lamp irons. Work is also being done to offer an ‘add on’ kit to include riveted side tanks and Great Western style dome and safety valve for those wanting an authentic conversion for the Alexandra (Newport & South Wales) Docks and Railway locomotives as running in late Great Western or British Railways days
Technical Specification
- In injection-moulded ready-to-run body
- Over 200 individual components
- Die cast metal chassis
- Fine scale wheels
- Six-wheel electrical pickup
- High-torque flywheel-equipped motor, driving the rear axle
- 40:1 precision gearbox for slow, smooth running
- Options include DC, DCC ready, DCC-fitted and DCC sound fitted
- Cab detail
- Sprung buffers
- Hook draw-gear with three-link couplings
- Choice of three liveries: lined light green, lined red, unlined black.
A bespoke DCC sound project is being developed, design work is complete, tooling has commenced and the Victory is expected to be available in time for Christmas 2016.
The retail prices including UK VAT are expected to be:
DC – £270
DCC fitted – £TBC
DCC and sound fitted – £390
Advanced orders will be taken until 05/09/2106 with a discount of £20 and free postage and packing. The models will only be available direct from Minerva Models via mail and telephone order, the Minerva website and from the Minerva Models’ stand at selected model railway shows.