LNER Sample Artwork

Eddy has provided us with the second sample. This is just a sample, and the detail variants will follow later (such as the F5 cab, chimney variants etc), but I hope you would all agree it does look very smart.

The First Artwork

The Holden F5 Steam Locomotive Trust's very talented artist Eddy Dodwell has accepted the task of creating the artwork that will show what each model would look like in terms of livery and detail.

He has provided his "master" copy here, demonstrating GER 789 in Prussian Blue. It is the first copy, and there will be some modifications to make on this and future ones, but this should hopefully give a rough idea of what we are trying to achieve.

A belated Merry Christmas to all, and best wishes for the new year too.

Coaching Stock

One point that is made several times on the survey is the lack of suitable coaching stock, including a GER Push-Pull set.
This has crossed my mind a few times whilst researching. Whilst there are images of these locos with LNER compartment stock and the standard Gresley corridor stock (both as made by Hornby), it would seem that an accompanying coach pack might be worthwhile investigating also.

My priority currently lies with the F5 loco; however I will say I hope to look into relevant coaching stock soon. If anyone can point me in the direction of correct drawings or information about what was used for push-pull services with these locos, it would be of great assistance. Please drop me an e-mail here if you have such information.

Owen Hayward

F5 Models: Propositions

Based on the results gathered so far from the survey, there is scope for several variations.

As always, what can be offered will depend on demand and the costings involved. However, I am considering these options:

1. GER 789 in Royal Blue with vermilion lining; this would represent the completed new build, albeit with an F5 cab as it was originally built with; because only two were built with the F6 cab (at a much later date), tooling would most likely prevent this modification. That said, it has not been ruled out. It would have the large Westinghouse pump as depicted in the works of Eddy Dodwell.
2. BR Lined Black, Early Crest. No number presently decided on, however, given the association with the Ongar Branch, 67200 may be opted for, with cut-down stove pipe chimney and Westinghouse also. An alternate example may be a number that resided at Lowestoft, that also had the cut-down stove pipe chimney.
3. LNER. Images of the class from this day are few. In those I have seen personally, the vermilion lining on the tanks is hard to make out, if it is indeed present. I would again like to release a version in this livery, but with condensers. No number yet selected.

I cannot stress how important demand is. Priority lies with option 1, given that is the loco that will appear. At present, the survey shows that as the more popular choice, with BR Lined Black with Early Crest following closely behind.

As far as additional details go, the destination boards, that were displayed on the smokebox and bunker, would accompany; I am attempting to research what destinations were offered on there. Lamps would also accompany, with a small selection of fire irons. There have been a few requests for crew figures, which I will investigate also.

Despite some criticisms, interest is picking up. Can we make it happen?

Owen Hayward

F5 Models: An Overview

First off - thanks for clicking onto this blog. I am hoping that this means you have some interest - be that simple curiosity or a true yearning - for a ready-to-run model of the Holden F5 Class.

This blog will simply be for researching interest for such models and updates should it go ahead.

First off; I am working on behalf of the Holden F5 Trust, who are building an example of this class which didn't make it to preservation. The F5 class were an improvement of  a Thomas William Wordsell class - the F4 - originally designated as M15 by the GER. These had Joy valve gear, which was notoriously difficult to set up, which resulted in the locomotives being poor performers with heavy coal consumption. This inevitably lead to their nickname - "Gobblers."

Between 1911 and 1915, thirty M15s from the 1903 - 1909 batch were rebuilt with G69 (F6) boilers. These rebuilt examples were classed as F5 by the LNER. Two of these, GER 789 and 790, were later to receive F6 cabs. 789 (BR 67218) is the subject of the F5 Trust.

Artist impression of the completed new-build. © Eddy Dodwell / Holden F5 Trust

The class were latterly associated with the Epping to Ongar branch, running steam shuttles between Epping, North Weald, Blake Hall and Ongar stations, before London Underground extended their electrified operations to, what is still to this day, the 0.0km mark at Ongar.

The primary aim of the release of an F5 model, is to raise some funds toward the completion of the new-build.

Because there is currently no available ready to run model, a whole new tooling would need to be made. This is a costly process, and it may well be that we fall to crowd sourcing to bring such a model to the market. I have devised a very quick survey, which asks about livery preferences and shed allocations, amongst other things, which will help decide whether such a commission is feasible.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YRKGHS3

There are not many examples of small LNER locomotives currently available ready to run from any of the big manufacturers; I personally would hope that, should this project be successful, this could pave the way for similar types and classes of engines.

A gap in the market? What an F5 might have looked like as a model. © Eddy Dodwell / Holden F5 Trust

I have sent drawings and images off to DJ Models, who I feel will be the best manufacturer to choose at the current time, and am awaiting a quote, which will further determine the feasibility of the project.

Whilst updates may be infrequent, they will, hopefully, be positive. If anyone wishes to get in touch with me, please either comment on this post, or e-mail me at F5ModelProject@gmail.com

Owen Hayward