Astler

Astler, (commonly referred to as Jasper Hall, formerly known as Northwick Hall, and originally known as Winston and Hal), is a 4-6-0 tender engine. He has appeared in all of the Taleland Railway games, as he was the first engine created for the game. He is found at Jasper Sheds alongside Lucinda, Puddingham, and Abigail (temporarily).

Lore
Astler was originally built in 1929, at Swindon Works, as GWR 4900 Class #4948 "Northwick Hall". In 1934, he was transferred to the South Western & Taleland Joint Railway (SWTJR), to help construct the northern section of the main line. In 1935, after the creation of the Taleland Railway, he was renamed to "Jasper Hall", and was relocated to Jasper Sheds. In 1949, he was rebuilt into a GWR 6959 Class, but still maintained his original number.

Taleland Railway 1
In Taleland Railway 1, Astler spawned in 2 locations. The first being at Jasper Sheds, and also as a one-time spawn at Parith. During this time, he was temporarily given the name 'Hal' by developer Oceanyx.

Taleland Railway 2
In Taleland Railway 2, Astler is located at Jasper Sheds, alongside Lucinda and Puddingham.

Taleland Railway 2.1
In Taleland Railway 2.1, Astler can still be found at Jasper Sheds.

Basis
Astler's Generation 1 and 2 models were both based on the GWR 4900 "Hall" class, designed by Charles Collett. However, starting with his Generation 3 model, he would be based on Frederick Hawksworth's GWR 6959 "Modified Hall" Class.

Generation 1
Astler's Generation 1 model was designed by WH_10. As this was his 1st model, the engine was considered problematic, due to its light weight and use of surface hinges.

Generation 2
Astler's Generation 2 model was designed by Oceanyx, in an attempt to fix the scaling issues present with the previous model. The model was planned to appear in Taleland Railway 2, but was put into Taleland Railway 1, as a teaser for the new game. Generation 2 Astler had the nameplate "Hal" on the side of his smokebox, and had the letters TLR on the tender.

Generation 3
The Generation 3 model of Astler was built by WH_10, a few weeks before the release of Taleland Railway 2, as the original plans were to have Astler appear in update. Eventually, they decided to make a new model of Astler for the game. Astler would also be fitted with the headcode for an express passenger service.

Generation 4
Astler's Generation 4 model was designed by WH_10, for Taleland Railway 2.1. This is the first model of Astler that has a GWR Hawksworth 4,000 gallon tender, instead of the GWR Churchwood 3,500 gallon tender that the other models use. To keep the continuity that the GWR reuses locomotive parts on other engines, Generation 4 Astler shares parts with Generation 2 Lucinda and Generation 3 Louise.

Trivia

 * During the development of Taleland Railway 1, Astler was originally named Winston.
 * Currently, the model of Generation 1 Astler is free to use
 * Astler is partially based on the real GWR 4948 "Northwick Hall", who in canon, is the same engine.