Exclusive Clark Railworks 'WD' progress update
Key Publishing’s exclusive Clark Railworks ‘WD’ 2-10-0 600 Gordon is in production with final amendments being confirmed during October to ensure all the details for the locomotive in its 1966 condition are correct.
Above: The decorated sample has been reviewed and a number of changes have been made prior to production including removal of the boiler bands, correction of the tender paint, lettering positions and nameplate colouring.
The model is part of the first batch of brand-new ‘WD’ 2-10-0s being made by Clark Railworks with Key Publishing’s exclusive modelling 600 Gordon as it was seen on the Longmoor Military Railway (LMR) and the Southern Region main line in 1966.
Getting all the details right for Gordon in its 1966 condition, which opens up its options for use on a layout, has been an enjoyable challenge, but also tricky as its final years at the Longmoor Military Railway saw a number of detail changes made to its lettering and numbering in the years between 1966 and 1969.
Above: The artwork for Gordon in its 1966 condition has been updated to include all the important differences in the locomotives appearance at that time when used on the Longmoor Military Railway and the BR Southern Region on specials.
The 1966 condition includes bufferbeam AD 600 letters and numbers, central cabside numbers as well as featuring black crank pins, black slide bars and crossheads and a few other small tweaks to the livery. The nameplate colour is also being changed to the correct red backing.
You will also notice two big areas on the decoration sample shown which are being changed - firstly the boiler band lining is being removed while secondly the upper section of the coal space will be finished in black as per the Gordon's presentation in 1966. These latter two changes are instantly defining differences between the locomotive in the LMR and preservation eras.
Above and below: Factory sample images of changes to the nameplate and the bufferbeam lettering on 600 Gordon for the Key Publishing exclusive model.
The production sample is currently being assembled by Clark Railworks' factory - you can see the updated parts above and below - and we are looking forward to sharing that in the near future as the model approaches the point of being ready to make its journey to the UK for final checks and then to your hands.
There are limited quantities of both DCC ready and DCC sound fitted versions available to pre-order with a £30 non-refundable deposit from the Key Model World Shop. Prices are set at £295 DCC ready and £415 DCC sound fitted – the latter featuring Ellis Clark Trains' new Nexus dual-channel sound decoder with multiple speakers installed in the locomotive. Production of this exclusive special edition is restricted to just 250 units.
Above: The updated chassis and running plate decoration is shown with the running plate edge now finished in black.
Delivery is currently expected between December 2026 and January 2027 and we will keep you posted as we have further updates on production ahead of the models arrival.
Pre-order 'WD' 2-10-0 600 Gordon in 1966 LMR blue livery here