Models of Great Western broad gauge locomotives are quite thin on the ground. We can only think of one published design.

So it was a real pleasure to see this model of an Iron Duke 4-2-2 at the last Harrogate show, built by Eric Wright in 7 1/4in. gauge. it was designed and built by Eric in just two years, and was completed in time for the 2010 show. The entire loco is made from fabrications, no castings, including the wheels and cylinders. Scale is 1.03 inches to the foot.

The prototype of the class was the first engine to be completely built at Swindon, originally as a 2-2-2, named Great Western, in 1846, but was soon converted to 4-2-2. A further 29 were built between 1847 and 1855. In 1865 the name was changed to Alma class.

These were excellent and fast locomotives with a top speed of 80mph. They were used to pull the ‘Flying Dutchman’, the fastest train for some decades. Average speed from Paddington to Exeter was 53mph. Designed by the great Daniel Gooch, the driving wheels were 8ft diameter.

Three of the class were modified to create the Rover class, the remainder were scrapped by the end of broad gauge in1884. One, Lord of the Isles, was preserved at Swindon, but was scrapped in 1906 due to lack of space.

A working replica was constructed in 1985 using parts from Hunslet Austerity tank locos for  the Great Western 150 celebration. Later it ran on the short section of broad gauge line at Didcot, but the boiler certificate expired and it is now in the National Collection.