Diecast Developments, Footplates and Fire

Hello and welcome to this month’s edition of the Engine Shed! Firstly, can we apologise for the delay with this month’s Engine Shed but unfortunately due to illness we missed the copy date hence the delay. However, in this issue we will be looking at in more detail the latest decoration samples of the new A1/A3 locomotive models, highlighting not only the liveries but also the diecast footplate and of course the flickering firebox.

Before we show you the development progress of the new A1/A3 model it might be worth just refreshing ourselves on the actual locomotives themselves.

Nigel Gresley’s A1 Pacific class emerged in the twilight years of the Great Northern Railway, a result of an idea that Gresley had nurtured since 1915. The First World War put his plans for new express passenger locomotives on hold but he applied his new three cylinder, conjugated valve gear designs to the O2 and K3 freight locomotives before returning to his plans for an express passenger Pacific in 1920, producing his 4-6-2 A1 design.

No.1470 ‘Great Northern’ was the first to enter service on the 11 April 1922 and Gresley confidently claimed that his A1 class would pull 600 ton trains which in September 1922, No.1471 ‘Sir Frederick Banbury’ did. Compared to the similar NER A2 design by Vincent Raven, Gresley's A1 consumed less coal and water and was considered the better design, consequently the LNER chose the A1 design over the NER A2. The original eleven engines were built to the generous loading gauge of the GNR and after Grouping in 1923 had to be modified to fit the loading gauge of the LNER with the chimney and dome both having to be reduced in height as well as having to have fitted shorter safety valves.

The A1s quickly showed their ability to haul heavy loads on the East Coast Main Line but coal and water consumption was inefficient which was highlighted during the 1925 Great Western Exchange Trials with the A1s comparing unfavourably with the GWR Castle class design. Consequent alterations to the steam lap settings and valve travel showed a reduction in coal consumption and this was adopted on all of the A1s by 1931. The piston valve rings were also replaced with Knorr type piston valves which reduced steam loss. Gresley had experimented with a different superheater to improve the A1's performance further but lacking significant results decided that he would increase the number of flues in the existing Robinson superheater. This coupled with an increase in boiler pressure led to improved performance and five of these new boilers were ordered in 1927 and fitted to No. 2544 ‘Lemberg’ and No. 4480 ‘Enterprise’ later that year. Trials on these two A1s proved successful and so between 1927 and 1947 all of the A1s were rebuilt as Class A3 with the exception of No. 4470 ‘Great Northern’, which was eventually rebuilt by Thompson in 1945 as Class A1/1. Due to the wider header on the A3 boilers the ends projected slightly through the sides of the smokebox and so cover plates were fitted to hide these projections becoming the main external distinguishing feature between the A3 and the A1 locomotives.

Fifty one A1 locomotives were rebuilt as Class A3, while twenty seven locomotives were built from new as Class A3, commencing with 2743 ‘Felstead’, in August 1928.

Smoke lifting experiments during 1932-33 using 2751 ‘Humorist’ were unsuccessful and this led to the fitting of the Kylchap double blastpipe arrangement, with a lipped double chimney but with no smoke deflectors. It was discovered that the softer blast from the Kylchap arrangement required the use of smoke deflectors and so small wing deflectors on either side of the chimney were fitted in January 1938, giving acceptable results until they were replaced in 1947 by larger Peppercorn style deflectors. Development of the class continued after Nationalisation in 1948, with the remaining right hand drive A3 locomotives being converted to left hand drive between 1952 and 1954, while from 1954, A4 boilers were fitted to some of the class. This arose not to improve performance but because A3 spares were in short supply, however approximately half of the A3 class were rebuilt with A4 boilers, which were in an un-streamlined form and had their pressure reduced to 220psi.

Between 1958 and 1959, those remaining locomotives without the modified Kylchap arrangement and double chimney were modified with, the soft blast problem being solved by using German style smoke deflectors. These small improvements to the class worked well, but British Railways modernisation programme was well advanced and the first A3 was withdrawn from service in 1959. The last, 60052 ‘Prince Palatine’, was withdrawn in January 1966 and all were scrapped, except for 4472 ‘Flying Scotsman’, which was withdrawn in January 1963 and sold into preservation.

‘Flying Scotsman’

As the first steam locomotive to achieve an official 100mph in November 1934, this high-speed steam locomotive is instantly recognisable and has become an icon of British railway engineering. A1 Class 4472 ‘Flying Scotsman’ entered traffic on the 24th February 1923, unnamed, as LNER No. 1472. Selected as the LNER‘s prestige exhibit for the then forthcoming British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, 1472 emerged from Doncaster Works on the 2nd March 1924 with the Company’s Coat-of-Arms adorning the cabside, a new number; 4472 and named as ‘Flying Scotsman’. On the 1st May 1928, and fitted with a corridor tender, ‘Flying Scotsman’ undertook the first non-stop run from London to Edinburgh.

In 1946 ‘Flying Scotsman’ was rebuilt to A3 class specification and emerged in January 1947 having been renumbered by LNER as No. 103. In December 1948 ‘Flying Scotsman’ was once again renumbered as a result of Nationalisation becoming No. 60103. BR painted the locomotive in a stunning BR Express Blue livery which was retained until 1954. After that the locomotive was painted in BR Green, a livery it retained until withdrawal in 1963.                                                        

In the September Engine Shed we included detailed images featuring the engineering samples of the new A1/A3 models that clearly highlighted the new diecast footplate. The following images are pre-production decorated samples of both the A1 and A3 models.

First decorated sample of R3990 ‘Doncaster’. There are one or two small errors but for a first sample this decoration does look superb. Close detail of R3990 ‘Doncaster’.

No. 45 ‘Lemburg’ shown in the more austere LNER black livery.

A close look at the fallplate and cab interior:

Classic side view of ‘Flying Scotsman’

Several Hornby models are now fitted with a flickering firebox feature and the effect gives off a truly authentic sight.

The new Hornby A1 and A3 collection of models, all of which include a diecast running plate and flickering firebox are virtually engineering masterpieces in their own right and should he still be alive today would surely receive the seal of approval from Sir Nigel Gresley himself.

Message from Montana:

Hornby Collector Club

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If you’re looking for an ideal Christmas gift for a friend or family member who has a passion for model railways, then look no further. From just £30 for a year’s subscription members of the Hornby Collector Club will receive:

• X4 Collector Club Magazines
• Membership Card
• The Collector 2022 Pin Badge
• Hornby Club Lanyard and Badge Holder
• The opportunity to purchase exclusive Club models, including modelling tools and accessories at special prices

10% off orders at Hornby.com*

We are pleased to be offering all Hornby Collector Club members a 10% discount off all orders on the Hornby website until 31^st December 2021! For your chance to make the most of this offer or to gift it to a friend, sign up today!

All details can be found here!

* Discount will be automatically applied at basket for Club Members only. Code cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts.

** Membership Fee: £30 UK, £35 Rest Of World.

Hornby: A Model World

Head of Brand, Montana hopes to persuade boss Simon to invest in a new product designed to attract the next generation of customers with a range called Playtrains! Designer Tom creates a new model of the record-breaking British jet, the 'Vampire' with its unusual space age look. Illustrator Adam comes in to create an iconic box front image which will really excite potential buyers and two railway enthusiasts work together to extend a steam locomotive layout who are so passionate about detail that every brick and blade of grass needs to look just right! Get set for another action-packed episode – tonight at 9pm on Yesterday Channel!

Can’t wait until tonight? Check out some teaser clips here!

Model Shot of the Year

If you were following the Model Shot of the Year project you’ll now that a few weeks ago we announced the winner for 202! The whole project was fantastic and every single photo received was impressive, making it very difficult for us to shortlist. Following the social media vote for the top 5, the winner very quickly lead the way and we are pleased to share his image here. Congratulations again to Glen Dixton with his nighttime themed image.

Again, well done to everyone who participated and we look forward to seeing more model shots in 2022!

Hornby Advent Calendar

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As of 1^st December the Hornby Advent Calendar will go live and although there is no chocolate involved there will be a GIVEAWAY A DAY behind each door, featuring a wide variety of not only models but lots more! That’s all we’ll say for now, so be sure to check out the calendar every day and keep up to date with all the latest giveaways via our social media channels.

Gingerbread City 2021

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Expect the unconventional and mesmerizing from the mini edible city that is The Gingerbread City! We are thrilled to be a part of the Gingerbread City again this year, which is an annual exhibition where architects, designers and engineers create an entire city made of gingerbread. Throughout the entire Gingerbread City there will be various Hornby train running bringing even more life to the fascinating design.

The aim of the exhibition is to connect the public with architecture through an innovative display designed for the holiday season. The exhibition raises money to support the Museum of Architecture as a charity and helps to create programming, exhibitions and events.

For more information about the gingerbread City. Click Here

Hornby 2022 Range Launch – SAVE THE DATE!

The countdown is really on now – not only to Christmas and New Year but to the 2022 Hornby range launch! Monday 10^th January on the Hornby website.Throughout the course of the range launch day we’ll be sharing and posting details via all of our social channels, including YouTube where you’ll be able to check out some behind the scenes action with all things relating to the 2022 range!

Be sure to follow Hornby on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram to be kept up to date on all the latest news and product updates. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Hornby YouTube channel too!

Happy Modelling!

The Engine Shed Team

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