Description

Aster Hobby Announces the Return of the Legendary GWR Castle Class

Limited Production Scheduled for 2027 – Pre Sale Pricing ends December 2026

Aster Hobby is pleased to announce the return of one of Britain’s most celebrated express steam locomotives—the magnificent Great Western Railway Castle Class—in 1:32 scale live steam.

Recognized as one of the finest express passenger locomotives ever built in the United Kingdom, the Castle Class combined elegance, power, and reliability, earning an enduring reputation among railway enthusiasts worldwide. With its distinctive GWR styling and outstanding performance, the Castle Class remains one of the most desirable British steam locomotives to reproduce in live steam.

The new Aster Castle Class will be manufactured in Japan to Aster’s renowned standards of precision engineering and craftsmanship. Building upon the success of previous productions, this new batch will incorporate a number of refinements and engineering improvements to further enhance performance, reliability, and ease of operation. In response to customer requests, a coal-fired version will also be offered, providing enthusiasts with an even more authentic live steam experience.

The return of the Castle Class continues Aster Hobby’s long tradition of producing the world’s finest live steam locomotives. Combining historical accuracy, exceptional mechanical engineering, and outstanding running characteristics, the Castle Class is expected to become one of the most desirable British Gauge One live steam models ever produced.

Collectors and live steam enthusiasts are encouraged to reserve early, as this will be a limited production model and demand is expected to be strong worldwide.

Aster Hobby

“The World’s Finest Live Steam Models Since 1971.”

  • Specifications

    • Model: GWR Castle Class
    • Scale: 1:32 (Gauge One)
    • Power: Live Steam (Alcohol or Coal)
    • Manufacturer: Aster Hobby
    • Estimated Delivery: 2027

Production will be strictly limited, with delivery scheduled for 2027. Due to the complexity of the model and Aster’s commitment to quality, production quantities will be limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Available Road Names

  • 4073 – Caerphilly Castle
  • 4079 – Pendennis Castle
  • 5051 – Earl Bathurst