The opportunity to support our proposal to produce either the unique Brush Class 89 or the General Manger’s Saloon Caroline – or both! – ends in just over 24 hours.
We’d love to make these models but we can’t proceed unless we believe there is a realistic demand for them.
To help us decide whether the models are viable we are seeking expressions of interest only, with no financial commitment, and the deadline is midnight on Friday July 31st.
If at that point, we are not at the minimum threshold we need to launch the models, then they will not proceed.
The unique Class 89 89001 operated on test trains on both the WCML and ECML in the late 1980s and was also hired to GNER in the early 2000s.
Nicknamed “Badger” 89001 is now owned by the AC Locomotive Group and recently received a major refurbishment and repaint into Inter City Swallow livery, for a new lease of life operating charter trains.
Caroline remains in service and while usually associated with DRS liveried Class 37 locomotives has also recently been in use with Colas liveried 37421.
We are producing the model in 00, and converting to N would be relatively straightforward providing there is demand.
If it goes ahead the model will feature working directional lights, era-specific details and switchable saloon interior lighting.
If there are enough votes to make Caroline viable then we will open the order book very quickly, and anyone ordering before 31st August 2020 will be entered into the draw to win a very rare chance to travel on board by joining our free “Sweet Caroline” railtour next year.