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