Have you ever wanted to own a world famous steam locomotive?  Well, maybe not all of a locomotive, but here is your chance to own part of GWR legend 4079 Pendennis Castle's history!  What's more, you'll also be contributing directly towards keeping this famous loco going - or at least stopping - in the future... 

As part of Pendennis Castle's 100th birthday celebrations on the 2nd and 3rd of March this year, we are selling the first set of brake blocks the engine used on its return to steam. The blocks, in operation on the engine from 2022, were removed in early 2024 as they had worn to the point of replacement.  We've cleaned them up, prepared them, and now offer them for sale as a unique memento of GWR heritage. Blocks from both the engine and the tender are available, priced at £130 for the engine and £110 for the tender.  Pre-orders here - with only twelve blocks available in total it may be worth getting ahead of the crowd!  

We have agreed that all the funds from the sale of the old blocks will go straight back to the Locomotive Department, and will be used to keep our historic engines running into the future.  Did you know that each new brake block on Pendennis Castle costs over £180!? That means it costs well over £2000 to reblock this legend, and make sure she is capable of pulling and stopping trains at heritage railways all over the country.  Buying a used brake block will help us significantly with this on-going cost, and give you a pretty unique door-stop/boot-scraper/toe-stubber/talking-point!

The blocks have been cleaned of grease and running grime, but still retain their unique patina of use. In particular the wear patterns on the braking face have been left untouched. Each block has been discreetly but permanently marked to identify it as being from 4079 Pendennis Castle. To make them easier to handle, the sharp edges have been filed off, and the blocks have been coated in a museum grade preservation wax. This should help maintain their appearance, whilst also giving a robust and clean surface for handling -- though you might not want to put them on your finest Axminster! Several of the blocks are available with spliced rope handles, which does make moving the blocks quite a bit easier.  Each block also comes with a certificate of authenticy, signed by the GWS locomotive manager. 

NB - though worn beyond use, the blocks are still very significant lumps of cast iron! The blocks weigh typically 15-20kg (35-45lb) each.  We can help you take them to your car - but you probably don't want to take one home on the bus! 

Collection from Didcot Railway Centre only. We cannot post these due to the weight.