4mm RTR locos
Another 48xx/14xx is perhaps not surprising, but a 517 is both unexpected and brave. Dapol has taken up the challenge. Further details here (for 517) and here (for 48xx/14xx). (image courtesy Dapol)
Accurascale has announced a 57xx/8750 Pannier family, with a full range of variations and liveries. Expected, hopefully, Q1 2025. Further details. (image courtesy Accurascale)
Accurascale has set a new RTR quality bar with its Manor
Dapol is soon to release a second series of large Prairies featuring straight-drop front frames and different cab roof profiles. Further details.
This list shows most GWR 4mm ready-to-run locos produced since the 1970s. The list is arranged by year of introduction on the GWR, and indicates current and previous manufacturers, although this has been simplified.
The list also indicates whether the models have been recently marketed, i.e. within the past 8 years or so, but please note manufacturers do upgrades to body and/or chassis designs from time to time. Discontinued models are often still available secondhand, or can be purchased at shows or found on ebay. NYA = not yet available.
Golden Age Models is planning to produce OO models of Star, Castle and King locos, plus Super Saloons, Cornish Riviera Centenary and some Collett large-window Sunshine coaches.
Class |
Wheels |
Introduced |
Manufactuer |
Previous manufacturer |
Comments |
517 |
0-4-2T |
1870–1885 |
Dapol |
- |
NYA |
Dean Goods |
0-6-0 |
1883 |
Oxford Rail |
- |
numerous loco body accuracy issues, but 2500g tender is excellent |
Dean Goods |
0-6-0 |
1883 |
Hornby |
Airfix/Dapol/ Mainline |
Good body, poor chassis |
Achilles |
4-2-2 |
1894 |
Hornby |
Triang/Hornby |
Highly compromised, poor bogie, 2007 version fair runner |
2721 |
0-6-0PT |
1897 |
Hornby |
- |
Body too high and too long, inaccurate chassis |
Saint |
4-6-0 |
1902 |
Hornby |
- |
Wrong body dimensions |
No. 101 |
0-4-0T |
1902 |
Hornby |
- |
Chassis is fictional |
City |
4-4-0 |
1902 |
Bachmann |
- |
Good |
28xx/2884 |
2-8-0 |
1903 |
Dapol |
- |
NYA. Details. |
28xx |
2-8-0 |
1903 |
Hornby |
- |
Newer revised version is good |
County 38xx |
4-4-0 |
1904 |
Hornby |
- |
Fair, especially body |
Steam Railmotor |
|
1905 |
Kernow |
- |
diagrams O & R |
4400 |
2-6-2T |
1906 |
Rapido |
- |
NYA |
4500 |
2-6-2T |
1906 |
Rapido |
- |
NYA |
4500 |
2-6-2T |
1906 |
Bachmann |
- |
Good |
40xx (Star) |
4-6-0 |
1907 |
Hornby |
- |
Good |
1361 |
0-6-0ST |
1910 |
Kernow |
- |
Some inaccuracies |
1361 |
0-6-0ST |
1910 |
Heljan |
- |
- |
42xx |
2-8-0T |
1910 |
Hornby |
- |
Footplate prone to warping |
Mogul |
2-6-0 |
1911 |
Dapol |
- |
Available in a variety of eras and styles. Disappointing slidebars and gear ratio on the 1st batch, but these are now being revised on the 2nd batch. |
43xx |
2-6-0 |
1911 |
Bachmann |
Mainline |
Compromised body, reasonable running |
47xx |
2-8-0 |
1919 |
Heljan |
- |
- |
30xx (ROD) |
2-8-0 |
1919 |
Bachmann |
- |
GWR version of LNER Class 04 |
52xx |
2-8-0T |
1923 |
Hornby |
- |
straight footplate and raised footplate versions produced |
Castle |
4-6-0 |
1923 |
Hornby |
- |
The latest version, issued in 2010, is very good. (There were previous editions, see here. The last of the ex-Airfix versions was Hogwarts Castle.) |
Castle |
4-6-0 |
1923 |
Dapol |
Loco was ex-Airfix. Issued with a Hawksworth tender. |
No longer available |
Castle |
4-6-0 |
1923 |
Wrenn |
Hornby Dublo |
Poor body, fair running |
Castle |
4-6-0 |
1923 |
Fulgurex |
|
Japanese brass import |
56xx |
0-6-2T |
1924 |
Bachmann |
Mainline |
Good |
4575 |
2-6-2T |
1927 |
Rapido |
- |
NYA |
4575 |
2-6-2T |
1927 |
Lima |
- |
Poor, especially chassis |
4575 |
2-6-2T |
1927 |
Bachmann |
- |
Good |
King |
4-6-0 |
1927 |
Lima |
- |
Poor chassis |
King |
4-6-0 |
1927 |
Hornby |
- |
Latest tooling (2010) is good. Several previous versions of lesser quality were produced at various times, including 1980 and 1978. |
King |
4-6-0 |
1927 |
Farish |
- |
Crude by modern standards. Thought to have originated in 1951. |
King |
4-6-0 |
1927 |
Fulgurex |
|
Japanese brass import |
Hall |
4-6-0 |
1928 |
Hornby |
Triang |
Wrong dimensions and poor running – replaced by newer (2015) version, see below |
Hall |
4-6-0 |
1928 |
Hornby |
- |
Good |
Hall |
4-6-0 |
1928 |
Bachmann |
- |
Good |
57xx/8750 |
0-6-0PT |
1929 |
Accurascale |
- |
NYA. Many variations. Expected Q1 2025 |
57xx |
0-6-0PT |
1929 |
Bachmann |
Mainline/ Replica |
Good body, good running |
41xx/61xx |
2-6-2T |
1929 |
Hornby |
- |
new tooling 2019 |
41xx/51xx/61xx |
2-6-2T |
1929 |
Dapol |
- |
new tooling 2021, many different versions |
Collett Goods |
0-6-0 |
1930 |
Bachmann |
Mainline/ Replica |
Reasonable body, some accuracy issues, good running. Available with various tender types. |
61xx |
2-6-2T |
1931 |
Hornby |
Mainline/ Dapol |
Good, especially body – replaced by 2019 new tooling, see above |
93xx |
2-6-0 |
1932 |
Bachmann |
- |
Fair |
64xx |
0-6-0PT |
1932 |
Bachmann |
- |
Very good |
48xx/ 14xx/ 58xx |
0-4-2T |
1932 |
Dapol |
- |
NYA |
48xx/ 14xx/ 58xx |
0-4-2T |
1932 |
Hattons |
- |
Very good body, poor chassis design and performance. Post-WWII condition |
48xx/14xx |
0-4-2T |
1932 |
Hornby |
Airfix/Dapol |
Reasonable body. Newer Hornby chassis is not a good runner |
8750 |
0-6-0PT |
1933 |
Bachmann |
- |
Very good, much detail |
8750 |
0-6-0PT |
1933 |
Hornby |
Triang |
Poor |
72xx |
2-8-2T |
1934 |
Hornby |
- |
straight footplate and raised footplate versions produced |
1366 |
0-6-0PT |
1934 |
Heljan |
- |
- |
Railcar 'Flying Banana' |
|
1935 |
Dapol |
- |
Nos 5–16 |
Railcar (Express Parcels) |
|
1935 |
Dapol |
- |
No 17 |
Grange |
4-6-0 |
1936 |
Hornby |
- |
Good different tenders available |
Dukedog |
4-4-0 |
1936 |
Bachmann |
- |
Very good |
Manor |
4-6-0 |
1938 |
Accurascale |
- |
|
Manor |
4-6-0 |
1938 |
Dapol |
- |
|
Manor |
4-6-0 |
1938 |
Bachmann |
Mainline |
Poor body, reasonable running |
2884 |
2-8-0 |
1938 |
Hornby |
- |
Good, especially running |
Railcar |
|
1940 |
Heljan |
- |
|
Railcar |
|
1940 |
Hornby |
Lima |
Fair |
Ex-LBSC/ WC&PR Terrier |
0-6-0T |
1940 |
Hornby |
Dapol |
Good |
Railcar (Express Parcels) |
|
1941 |
Heljan |
- |
|
Railcar (Express Parcels) |
|
1941 |
Lima |
- |
Fair |
Railcar (Express Parcels) |
|
1941 |
Hornby |
Lima |
Fair |
Modified Hall |
4-6-0 |
1944 |
Bachmann |
previous version originally made by Replica |
retooled 2021 – good, especially running |
County 10xx |
4-6-0 |
1945 |
Hornby |
Dapol |
|
County 10xx |
4-6-0 |
1945 |
Dapol |
Originally planned but never released by Airfix |
Single- and double-chimney versions produced. No longer available, loco body used subsequently by Hornby. |
94xx |
0-6-0PT |
1947 |
Bachmann |
- |
|
94xx |
0-6-0PT |
1947 |
Lima |
- |
Poor, especially chassis |
15xx (Hawksworth) |
0-6-0PT |
1949 |
Rapido |
- |
(This is not a GWR loco in the strict sense.) |
16xx |
0-6-0PT |
1949 |
Model Rail/Rapido |
- |
(This is not a GWR loco in the strict sense.) |
|