Aster Hobby - GWR Castle Class (Deposit)
Aster Hobby Announces the Return of the Legendary GWR Castle Class
Limited Production Scheduled for 2027
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.
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
2026 Pre-Sale Pricing
Ast-045AK Alcohol-Fired Kit Pre-sale Price $5,400, Regular Price $5,800
Ast-045AR Alcohol-Fired Read-to-Run (RTR) Pre-sale Price $6,800, Regular Price $7,200
Ast-045CK Coal-Fired Kit Pre-sale Price $6,600, Regular Price $7,000
Ast-045CR Coal-Fired Read-to-Run (RTR) Pre-sale Price $8,000, Regular Price $8,400
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
Reservation
Collectors interested in reserving an Aster Union Pacific Big Boy may secure a priority reservation with a fully refundable deposit of US$100. This deposit will guarantee the opportunity to purchase the model at the pre-sale price, which will be announced shortly.
Reservation details, including the final specifications, production quantity, pricing, and delivery schedule, will be released as the project progresses. The refundable deposit allows enthusiasts to reserve their place with no obligation should they decide not to proceed with the purchase.
