Western Enterprise Model Locomotive arrives at STEAM Museum

Known as Western Enterprise D1000, the 00 Gauge model – designed for running on a layout or display – has been manufactured exclusively by model rail manufacturer Dapol Limited for Swindon Borough Council’s STEAM Museum.

Western Enterprise was the first Western locomotive off the production line in 1961 at the famous Swindon Railway Works and the class became the focus of many livery experiments and modifications. The locomotive carried a unique and eye catching cabside Lion and Wheel crest and by 1962 was featuring its distinctive small yellow warning panel as depicted on the museum’s new limited-edition model to improve trackside safety.

The limited edition run of 500 models come in a prestigious presentation box together with an exclusive 10-page souvenir guidebook entitled ‘Diesel Decades’ and a certificate of authenticity. Three model options have been produced which include DCC Ready, DCC Fitted and DCC Sound Fitted and prices start from £199.95. The first batch of models have just arrived at STEAM, and it is expected that the models will be very popular.

Hannah Thielen, Retail Officer at the STEAM Museum, said: “We’ve had a terrific amount of interest in the models already and there’s a chance that the 500 Limited Edition models will all be sold very quickly.

“The STEAM shop has already received 150 pre-orders for the model and enquiries are coming in from both the Museum’s online shop and from publicity in the railway enthusiast magazines. We showcased a sample model of Western Enterprise at the Swindon Railway Festival at STEAM last year and took some early orders right there at the show!

“Most buyers are model rail enthusiasts but some people simply want to buy a little piece of Swindon history.”

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Heritage, Art and Culture, said: “It’s great that we’re offering this part of Swindon’s history to collectors exclusively from STEAM and it’s brilliant to see there has already been such keen interest in the model.

“With such a limited availability, be sure to order yours as soon as possible to avoid missing out.”

The exclusive new Dapol model is in its striking ex-Works Desert Sand Livery with distinctive small yellow warning panel and the model locomotive boasts amazing detail and accuracy.

Each model will be supplied in a presentation box with a numbered certificate of authenticity and prices are £109.95 for DCC Ready, £229.95 for DCC Fitted and £349.95 for DCC and Sound Fitted version.

To find out more or to order one of the Limited Edition D1000 Western Enterprise models, contact the STEAM Shop on 01793 466626 or visit STEAM’s On-line Shop at www.steam-museum.org.uk

For more information about STEAM Museum, visit www.steam-museum.org.uk