Model company Dapol has launched a Limited Edition in OO gauge of GWR Manor Class 4-6-0 No. 7820 Dinmore Manor.

The model will be available in three versions: DCC ready, with DCC already fitted, and with sound. The sounds were recorded on the full-size preserved 7820 Dinmore Manor at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway to provide a truly authentic reproduction.

To ensure that the model is as accurate and authentic as possible, many of the original GA drawings were used during the model’s development. It benefits from many of the features used in Dapol’s Mogul, including a slide-in PCB in the boiler for tool-free DCC fitting and a sugar cube speaker enclosure for models with sound. A conductive drawbar allows pick-up from the tender wheels and connections for the high bass speaker.

All of Dapol’s usual refinements are incorporated, including a diecast compensated chassis, a detailed cab interior with screw reverse, and a sprung front pony truck that operates on a cam that allows it to negotiate R2 curves easily.

A NEXT-18 DCC decoder can be installed without the need for tools, whilst a speaker can be connected without soldering. The PCB slides through the smokebox door and connects directly to the locomotive’s motherboard.

Moulded electrical connections within the close-coupling push-fit coupling incorporated within the tender to locomotive drawbar eliminate the need for wired plugs and notoriously-unreliable wiper-style connections. Both the locomotive and tender have electrical pick-up on all driving and tender wheels.

The tender has provision for a bass reflex speaker to be fitted. An audio frequency filter integrated within the locomotive’s main PCB will ensure that each speaker reproduces sound within its ideal frequency range. On sound models, a firebox glow is synchronised with the sound.

For each model sold, Dapol will make a donation to Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited and the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. Models can be ordered direct from Dapol and will also be on sale at the Swindon Festival of Steam on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September. They will not be available anywhere else.