J N Maskelyne described the original Dean Single class of Great Western locomotives as “almost sacred” to  him when a boy.

“They stood apart from all other engines, and they achieved the summit of beauty in locomotive design.

“I will not argue on this matter; my opinion was formed just 62 years ago and has remained  unaltered ever since - against the test of time and an ever-growing appreciation of the finer details of locomotive anatomy.”

No doubt the great man would have admired the 7.25” gauge version by D Rowe, displayed at the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition in 2012. His model is of North Star, No 3072. All the Singles were built between 1895 and 1899 in a class of 80 locomotives, 30 converted from 2-2-2s built earlier in the 1890s. They were very good engines, although some found them difficult to get going due to wheel slip. Others had no problems at all. There is a record of a run by the Duke of Connaught in 1904, covering 118.5 miles into Paddington in 99 min. 46 sec. hauling a 120 ton Ocean Mails Special.

The Singles had driving wheels of 7ft 9in. dia, and cylinders 19in dia by 24in. stroke. The tender was a standard 3000 gallon design, which matched the engine perfectly.

North Star was built in June 1989, but its name was changed in 1906 to Bulkeley. It was withdrawn in 1912. None survived beyond 1915.

Sadly none were preserved. However, with the current programme of building new steam locos now quite busy, it would be wonderful to see a new Dean Single, or Dean Armstrong, built.