KR Models has announced the release of its largest-ever steam locomotive with the introduction of a model of former War Department (WD) Austerity 2-10-0 No. 600 Gordon that originally ran on the Longmoor Military Railway.

Full-size WD 2-10-0 No. 600 Gordon is currently at the Severn Valley Railway, and during the model’s development staff from the railway provided invaluable help to KR Models.

WD 2-10-0s heavy freight locomotives introduced during the Second World War in 1943, and was based on the similar Austerity 2-8-0, and was designed by R.A. Riddles to have interchangeable parts. It had the same power output as the 2-8-0 but had a lighter axle load to allow it to run on secondary lines. In total 150 were built, with 100 of these for the war effort.

The new model of Gordon has some innovative features, including a synchronised sound option using ESU Loksound V5 decoders, and a new synchronised smoke unit that uses a specially developed smoke fluid, which is not oil based and is safe to use for long periods..

Among the model’s features are:

• Pickup from all drive wheels and tender;
• Firebox flicker;
• 21-pin DCC socket in tender;
• Detail differences to cater for different prototype variants;
• With or without Westinghouse air pump;
• Full sound option with synchronised chuffs;
• optional synchronised non-oil based smoke unit for sound-fitted models.

Livery options include:

• Longmoor Military Railway blue/red;
• Olive Drab;
• Khaki Sand;
• BR Early Crest Black.

Prices for the new models are:

• DCC ready £240
• DCC sound fitted £340
• DCC sound fitted plus smoke unit £370

As well as payment in full when ordering, KR Models is also offering a payment plan of £50 with the rest payable at bi-monthly intervals over six months.