In the February 2010 issue of British Railway Modelling I reviewed the (then) new 64xx 0-6-0PT from Lionheart Trains. Since then Lionheart have gone from strength to strength, building a growing range of quality O gauge models including the 59ft 6in GWR Diagram N auto coach, BR 16 Ton mineral wagons, 1923 RCH seven plank wagons, and eight-plank coal and coke wagons.

Visitors to my Gifford Street layout will have seen the 40 wagon train of Lionheart 16 tonners that we regularly run on the layout. This can catch out the unwary driver as they are so free running that without careful driving the train is liable to 'bunch up' on the tender, compressing the buffers then rebound back again causing the loco to surge along in a series of kangaroo like hops - 'troublesome trucks' indeed, and most realistic too, but expect a few choice words from the Guard afterwards.

In conversation Richard Webster is reluctant to describe his products as 'museum standard models', although they most certainly do represent ready-to-run models of an outstanding quality. Their robust construction reflects the great amount of thought, research and development put into each one. The RTR locomotives are produced only as small batches, each incorporating detail and livery differences that occurred on the prototype throughout their lifetime.

To illustrate this there are over 50 detail differences in the various 45xx series models covering the period 1914-1965, so there is a wide choice of build/period options to satisfy the most fastidious GWR or BR(WR) modeller. Best make your choice quickly though as Lionheart models tend to sell fast.

Two new locomotive types have now been added to the range, the Great Western Railway 45xx and 4575 'Small' Prairie tanks. All of Lionheart's model locomotives are available either DCC ready or with their innovative factory-fitted DCC sound - even the GWR autocoach can be purchased with on-board digital sound. A small number of locos are also available RTR to Scaleseven standards, surely a first from any 7mm manufacturer. A sample of their fast selling 45xx recently arrived on the workbench and the opportunity was taken to look at this superb model in detail. In fact I was reluctant to send it back as it oozes quality, even when just sitting on a length of unpowered track.

A small history

The 45xx 2-6-2Ts were a development of the earlier 44xx class, having 4ft 7½in driving wheels for better fast running. Twenty locomotives (2161-2180) were built at Wolverhampton in 1906-8 and ten more (2181-2190) at Swindon in 1909-10. Two struts were added to support the front frame extension from 1909, and from December 1912 the class was renumbered in the 45xx series (4500-4529). All of these engines had straight (square) front framing.

A further 45 engines (4530-74) were built at Swindon from 1913- 1924, with curved front framing. Outside steam pipes, extended rear frames and larger bunker were fitted from 4555 onwards with some, but not all, of the earlier engines also later being modified. Nos.4575-99 and 5500-74 built between 1927 and 1929 had larger capacity slope top side tanks, being referred to as the 4575 Class. Many details changed over the years including buffers, cab rain strip, chimney, safety valve and various handrails.

The first of the 'Small Prairies' was withdrawn in December 1949, with the last members of the 4575 class hanging on until December 1964. A total of 14 escaped into preservation: Nos.4555/61/66 (45xx) and 4588/5521/26/32/38/39/41/42/52/53/72 (4575).

Sounds good

The sample model represents a locomotive from the 1924-built batch (Lot 226, Nos.4555-4575) with tall safety valve bonnet, larger bunker, Collett buffers, and circular cab front windows plated over. Other notable features include sliding cab roof ventilator, sliding cab side shutters, sprung buffers, fully coaled bunker and specially sculpted loco crew. The cab roof is removable, being neatly retained by two concealed miniature rare earth magnets, revealing a fully detailed cab interior with all fittings accurately reproduced.

The robust all brass construction features diecast side tanks and running plate with accurately assembled brass body and other metalwork. The model is dimensionally accurate and, as mentioned earlier, all detail appropriate to period is included. The motion is pleasingly chunky too - so often otherwise accurately produced model locomotives are let down by coupling and connecting rods of a grossly under scale section that would surely snap or bend in two given the stresses produced by full sized steam traction.

The quality of the paint finish and lettering is exceptional, just as you would expect from a high quality model. The sample loco inspected wore 1930s livery with 'Great Western' lettered in full on the tank sides. Other livery options include early and late BR black or lined green.

The model was tested first using a Digitrax DCC system with the digital sound disabled (F1 off). The powerful skew-wound motor produced running that was both exceptionally responsive, smooth and quiet - this loco should adequately cope with the demands of traffic on your branch line, just as the prototypes were designed to do, and it has a good turn of speed too.

But the fun bit was yet to come. A pleasant afternoon was spent exploring the various digital sounds, first without the loco moving, then a spot of sound assisted shunting, before full scale running with a typical branch line train of Collett coaches and bogie 'Siphon G'. The digital sound is without doubt some of the best I've yet heard on a DCC fitted locomotive in any scale - complete with the beat of that distinctive Great Western vacuum pump.

Looking at Lionheart's website reveals that the sounds were recorded at the Gloucestershire, Warwickshire Railway on a sunny day in July 2012, using 'Small Prairie' 5542 which had just completed a major overhaul at Buckfastleigh. A quick glance through the list of digital sound functions shows the following sound effects are available to the driver or operator:

• Sound on/off (F1);
• Fireman's shovel on/off (F2);
• Injectors on/off (F3);
• Ejector on/off (F4);
• Whistle (short) on/off (F5);
• Whistle (long) on/off (F6);
• Vacuum brake on/off (F7);
• Buffer crash and coupling link on/off (F8);
• Firebox doors open and close (F9);
• Flange squeal on/off (F10).

The sounds are exceptionally 'clean' with no audible background noise - the long whistle (F6) is particularly effective ending in a lovely and typical strangulated 'wet' sound. A neat touch is the Auto Function (F11) that simulates the sounds of the fireman setting the injectors, opening the firebox doors, putting a couple of rounds of coal in the 'box, then closing the firebox doors, saving the operator having to push several different function buttons and leaving him or her to concentrate on running the loco. The drain cocks will also automatically sound for around five seconds as the loco moves off after having been at a stand for any length of time over 25 seconds or so.

The sound functions undoubtedly add a further dimension to what is already a high specification model and it is not surprising to hear from Richard Webster that the 45xx is virtually sold out. However, there is still time to order the 4575 slope-sided tank version, available in 12 different GWR and BR versions. Prices are £1,095.00 (DCC ready) and £1,248.00 with full DCC sound. No GWR or BR (WR) branch line should be without one and a deposit of £200 will secure your model - I've already made my choice.

Next up from Lionheart are the seven and eight-plank private owner coke wagons which look exceptionally nice with some exquisite livery application. The coke raves, like the prototype, are removable. Work is also progressing well on the next Lionheart loco, the 43xx 2-6-0 Mogul. This will not only feature DCC sound with loudspeakers in the loco and tender, but also a realistic 'puffing' smoke unit with the switch hidden behind the opening smokebox door, and working LED loco lamps. A development model was on show at GUILDEX event at Telford in September. Further details are in the TradeNews section of this issue