LSWR ‘B4’ IN ‘O’ GAUGE FROM DAPOL

Just before we closed for press, Dapol announced a new ‘O’ gauge steam locomotive – the LSWR ‘B’ 0-4-0 ‘Dock Tank’. Launched at the Gauge O Guild virtual show, the Welsh company revealed a range of CAD images and indicated that tooling will soon be getting under way. The diminutive 0-4-0T is another ideal steam locomotive for 7mm scale layouts, especially for those of us with limited space.

A small fleet of ‘B4s’ was built at Nine Elms Works in the 1890s, with the short wheelbase making the 0-4-0Ts particularly suitable for the tight curvature of docksides and smaller goods yards across the territories of the LSWR – and later the Southern. Prototypes worked at locations such as Southampton and Plymouth docks, while nearly half of the 25-strong fleet lasted into the late 1950s. The last two were withdrawn at Winchester in 1963.

Like Dapol’s existing ‘OO’ gauge ‘B4’, the 7mm scale version looks like it will be a very attractive model. Four different cab versions are to be offered, along with two different boiler and chimney combinations.

The specification includes: High-torque five-pole, skew-wound motor, compensated chassis, highly detailed exterior and cab interior, firebox glow effect and removable cab roof. Dcc-ready (21pin), Dcc-fitted and Dcc-sound-fitted versions will be available.

Six different versions will be produced initially, and pre-orders can be made at Dapol stockists now. Delivery is expected in early 2022. With a RRP of less than £250 for a Dcc-ready ‘B4’, they look like they’ll be great value too.

Prices: £230 (Dcc-ready), £260 (Dcc-fitted), £360 (Dcc-sound-fitted)

Web: www.dapol.co.uk