Railway Models UK

Dapol have announced a new OO Gauge model of the Great Western Railway (GWR) 517 Class 0‑4‑2T tank locomotives.

The 517 Class, originally designed by George Armstrong for local passenger work, saw 144 examples built in Wolverhampton between 1868 and 1885. Many units later received longer wheelbases, while a number were fitted for auto‑train duties. In 1924, Charles Collett upgraded them with wider tanks and a new cab that incorporated an extended bunker, giving them a resemblance to the later 48xx and 14xx classes.

The new Dapol offerings will reflect the later type of the class, featuring a modified chassis with an extended wheelbase and side tanks that replace the earlier saddle tanks.

Both open‑cab and closed‑cab variants will be produced. Expected liveries include:

Open cab No. 202 in Great Western lined green with red frames
Open cab No. 539 in Great Western lined green with black frames
Open cab No. 1158 in plain Great Western green
Closed cab No. 523 in Great Western green, marked GREAT WESTERN
Closed cab No. 524 in lined chocolate
Closed cab No. 1159, fitted with a Collett cab, in Great Western green and marked GREAT WESTERN

Each model will boast a detailed cab interior, and every closed‑cab version will have a removable roof that can be secured with magnets.

The suggested retail prices are £140 for DCC‑ready units, £175 for those with DCC installed, and £250 for the full DCC and sound package.

Dapol announces OO Gauge GWR Class 517 0‑4‑2T tank engines

More News