Class 5 New Model for 2010

Aster Hobby Co Inc and Aster Hobbies (UK) LLP are delighted to announce a new model for 2010. This will be the ever popular British Railways Standard Class 5 Mixed Traffic 4-6-0 tender locomotive

The locomotive will be produced in two livery variations - BR mixed traffic black lined grey / red and the BR express passenger green lined orange / black livery (see Formats below).

Specification
Two outside cylinders 13 mm x Stroke 22 mm
Piston Valves driven by Walschaert valve gear fully reversible from cab
Axle driven feed water pump and tender hand pump
Removable fuel tank in tender
Cab Controls: Regulator, blower, water gauge with blowdown, cylinder drain cocks, pressure gauge and water bypass control.
Boiler: Type C with two Safety Valves and fitted Superheater
Lubricator: Roscoe Displacement Type
Minimum Radius: 2

Aster have announced a price for the Factory built-up BR 5MT which like the kit price is subject to exchange rate variations. However, we are looking at a UK price of £3950 and that is for the Green version numbered 73051 as illustrated in these pages. I have also had some requests for the black version to be Factory built and I am happy to obtain these for customers on request.

It would be a great help if potential customers for this model could advise me of their preference for either Green or Black. By telling me a preference is in no way a commitment to purchase. It just helps me get the right models and kits. An email to me at asteruk(at)gmail(dot)com would be much appreciated.

I have been asked about alternative tenders for the BR 5MT and I am bound to say that there are no plans to offer other tender types. Please keep in mind that many of the class were coupled to the BR 1 tender which is both dimensionally and visually the same tender as the BR 1G which we are modelling. Altered fall plate and anti draft provision are the key differences. It may be possible to offer a different height water scoop dome and number / class plate if there is serious interest

Formats: Kits in Green and black livery for your choice of number (UK only). Factory built, green (73051) and black (73050) version to special order only.

Please note that the initial production run will be 170 units each individually numbered. Approximately 100 units will be coming to the UK so an early reservation is advised. If the model proves to be popular then Aster Hobby Co Inc reserves the right to produce a further series which will be numbered from 171 onwards. The total quantity produced will be announced at the end of the final production run. This situation is entirely due to the difficult worldwide business environment and the need by both the Manufacturer and the Distributors to minimise avoidable costs.

It should be noted that despite very difficult trading conditions, Aster continues to show its commitment to its loyal Worldwide customers by offering first class, high quality models and kits. Aster will always offer the very best products built to the highest standards of innovated design and accuracy to prototype. Other suppliers may offer inferior products at lower prices but are unable to match Aster's premier position as the World leader in Gauge One Live Steam.

Commitment to customer satisfaction, quality, design and value for money have been the pillars upon which the Aster business has been built and operated for the last 35 years. With the launch of the BR 5MT Asters' dedication to the hobby of Gauge One Live Steam remains as strong as ever!

History of the Class 5

In 1948 with the formation of British Railways from the 'Big Four' independent companies, the development of a new range of standard steam locomotives which could be used throughout the entire system became a high priority. Mr Robert Riddles and his team of designers were soon at work. In total 12 new designs were created by Mr Riddles' team. In 2007 Aster Hobby Co Inc created a live steam model of the BR Standard Class 9F which included 'Evening Star' the last steam locomotive built for British Railways, now in 2010 Aster have produced the BR Standard Class 5MT for the delight of modellers in the UK and around the World.

The BR 5MT was deliberately based on the LMS 'Class 5' mixed traffic design - the famous and much loved 'Black Five' introduced in 1934. However the BR 5MT had the advantage of nearly 20 years progress in steam locomotive development. Consequently the general layout for crew comfort, ease of disposal and shed maintenance were all much improved.

No fewer than 172 BR 5MT were built for use throughout the UK of which 30 were constructed with cam operated rotary Poppet valves driven by Caprotti valve gear. The only other significant difference between the locomotives was the variation in tenders chosen to suit local operating requirements. Several were painted at Swindon and Eastleigh for use in the Western and Southern Regions of BR in the attractive lined green livery and Aster are offering this variation in their production run.

The BR 5MT was a true Mixed Traffic design being equally at home on an express passenger services as well as local passenger trains and fast freight operations.

A total of 5 representatives of this class are preserved including one example with Poppet valves and Caprotti valve gear. The most famous example in preservation is probably No 73050 located on the Nene Valley Railway and named in preservation 'City of Peterborough'.

Andrew Pullen
7 January 2010