8763 was sent new to Old Oak Common depot in October 1936 and remained allocated there until withdrawn from service in August 1962. Old Oak was the GWRs primary London shed supplying panniers for shunting and pilot engine duties at Paddington station (passenger and goods), the Acton marshalling yards, many of the small goods depots around the London area and for transfer goods trains to the other regions. The 57xx engines were regular engines for taking empty coaching stock into Paddington station and therefore the first vehicle passed by passengers joining the train. Several of these engines received British Railways lined black livery, keeping the engines looking very smart as they waited 'on the stops' at Paddington.
The Dapol model of the GWR 57xx class features a diecast metal chassis and running plate for excellent adhesion and a smooth running 5-pole motor geared for fine speed control when shunting. A large number of detail parts have been designed to allow body and cab variations to be replicated, including those engines modified for London Transports' Metropolitan line gauge. Between the frames is a partial representation of working inside motion while the fully detailed cab interior is found below a roof secured by small magnets, making easy access for fitting a crew and working cab doors are fitted where appropriate. Below the footplate the visible sides of the ashpan have been modelled, along with correct style of brake rods.
Features of the 57XX & 8750 panniers include:
- Die cast Chassis and footplate for excellent adhesion and pulling power
- Powerful 5 pole motor providing fine power control
- Beautifully detailed body with correct body type variations applied where relevant with many separately added details
- Partial representation of working inside motion and many other exquisite fine details
- Four cabs for original 57XX, Later 57XX, 8750 Collett cab and London Transport cab
- Sprung Buffers
- Removable roof, secured with magnets for ease of fitting engine crew
- Working cab doors, where fitted
- Flickering fire box glow
- Ash pan with correct double brake rodding
- Expertly applied livery
- Wheels conform to the new O Gauge standard, suitable for O Super Fine
- DCC Ready with a 21 pin decoder socket
- Sound fitted versions offered