The new Darstaed Pannier is magnificent, and deserves to be known on the tinplate and O gauge forums.

Dave, this is a beautiful engine!

I saw the Darstaed Pannier up close and personal at York, and it truly is a very nice piece of motive power.  Heavy as the dickens, too!

Might even see one of those beauties, with some appropriate rolling stock, appearing on my layout at some point in the not-too-distant future.  It really is a winner!

Wow Dave, as Pa Kettle used to say "She's a beauty!" Don

My guess is it is period with Dickens.  Charles Dickens!

I may provide for one as a Banker for the future.

It is good to look forward to quality power that does not seem to cost as much as some of the US Offerings. I think that would be a attraction for me.

I used British Intercity to and from London in the late 80's They had a big Class 33 or Deltec type locomotive providing good smooth 100 mph service. How smooth? Have your tea or coffee on the table without worrying about it spilling. You learned quickly when the engine will slow for the points (Switches)

OK , can this thing do O-31?  Perfect switcher for the Potter train.

It sure likes like all three drivers on each side have flanges (in the photo Dave posted), so I'm not sure it would go that tight. I went to Hoover's page and it lists the Darstead specs and it says "all radii down to two feet."  So that means it runs on O-48.

Its not that expensive at $425, either.  I was expecting a higher price.   Sure is pretty. 

It is specified to run on 2 foot radius (048), but I haven't tried it on less, but I will today and report back.

You are correct Lee, the centre drive wheels are flanged. It is not a huge flange, on our club layout yesterday, it ran on the handmade finescale track and the newer Atlas flexible track. As with other Darstaed locos, they all perform well on Lionel Fastrack, (I think that is what you use) as do I. They, of course run on any 0 and 027 track I have ever tried.

It did not run in the times of Dickens (d1870), they were built from 1929 and some still survive. It would probably weigh the same as a number of his popular tomes. I think it weighs about 6lb. It is very heavy for a small tank loco, feels like lead. It has a custom made Mabuchi motor (Japanese), which is known for their very high quality.

These locos will see us all out, and I bet will be still running into the 22nd century.

Great looking locomotive! Saw one like it at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden last fall.  Engines like this took men with a lot of  determination to operate, what with the smoke and cinders, some ran in the Underground.  They are something to see. This model is very attractive, I may have to think about getting one. Fred

I know I sound ethnocentric, but European locos never grabbed me. But for those who like locos like Thomas and his friends, more power to you.

Lee, I am not that far behind you. Just a little slower on the funds. What with the stuff on ebay should be able to make it happen. I don't know yet just which engine class it will be. The LMS red with gold lines seem to be a good choice.

It's a shame the Green MTH Duchess is prices at twice that amount. It puts some of us out of the market. I may opt for one of the A3's instead.

Lee, Darstaed is doing an A3 this year. If you have not already done so, subscribe to their newsletter, email Dave Upton. upton@darstaed.com

That goes for anyone who would like to be kept up to date on a monthly basis, on exactly what is being made and when it will be available.

Dave - I will have to get one.  Anything by Gresley is special as far as i am concerned, but the A3 is extra special.  

Did you ever see this?  A "track test" of an A3 done by Road and Track magazine, as they pointed out, its in their name, so they do "track" -  for its April fool's issue in 1966.  They actually tested a real A3 in the UK.  I was 17 at the time and fell for the blurb on the cover 'We test the most powerful vehicle we have ever driven."  Have loved A3s ever since.  

http://www.trainweb.org/lunarl.../Gresley/Gresley.htm