Fans of traditional O Gauge modelling have plenty to celebrate as the latest Ace Trains releases have now arrived at Rails of Sheffield!

Representing two of the Great Western Railway's most distinctive locomotive classes, the new GWR Duke and GWR Dukedog 4-4-0 steam locomotives are now available in stock, with an impressive selection of 11 different variants to choose from.

Ace Trains has produced a superb range that captures the long and varied careers of these elegant locomotives, with liveries spanning the earliest days of the Great Western Railway through to the British Railways era. Whether your preference is for the rich, characterful finishes of the Victorian and Edwardian GWR, the classic Great Western green of later years, or the familiar BR liveries of the final years of steam, there's a model to suit almost every period of operation.

Designed for Coarse O Scale, these locomotives perfectly embody Ace Trains' renowned blend of traditional craftsmanship and dependable running qualities. With their timeless construction, impressive presence and classic styling, they're ideal for collectors and operators alike. Prices start from £525 each.

For collectors looking for something truly special, Ace Trains has also produced a selection of twin packs, presented in beautifully crafted wooden presentation boxes. These deluxe sets make an eye-catching display piece while celebrating the heritage of two of the Great Western's most elegant locomotive designs.

All 11 variants are now available to order from stock, but with Ace Trains models typically produced in limited quantities, we recommend securing your preferred version sooner rather than later.

The Great Western Railway 3252 or the "Duke" Class were 4-4-0 steam locomotives with outside frames and parallel domed boilers. They were built in five batches between 1895 and 1899 for the express passenger train work of Devon and Cornwall. William Dean was their designer, possibly with the collaboration of his assistant, George Jackson Churchward. The class led a long lifespan, remaining in use with the GWR into the 1930s where they were relegated onto the ex-Cambrian Railways mainline, which debarred the use of the heavier locomotives. Then passed into BR ownership, and were eventually all
scrapped by the end of 1951.

The Great Western Railway 3200 Class (or 'Earl' Class) was a design of 4-4-0 steam locomotive for passenger train work. The nickname for this class, almost universally used at the time these engines were in service was Dukedog since the locomotives were composed of former Duke Class boilers on Bulldog Class frames. As such they were one of the last standard gauge steam locomotive classes to retain outside frames. The GWR's ex-Cambrian main line debarred the use of heavier locomotives and many of their Duke and Bulldog Class engines were life expired. To solve this, the GWR rebuilt locomotives using a combination of parts from these two redundant classes to produce 'new' Dukedog locomotives. Many of the class remained in BR service, due to them being one of the few classes light enough to be permitted onto the wooden Barmouth bridge. All were withdrawn by 1960 and one has been preserved at the Bluebell Railway.