Fleets and Footplates

Hello, and welcome to the latest edition of the Engine Shed, the development blog that takes a look behind the scenes at Hornby’s latest developments. This month we are inspecting a number of our colourful RailRoad Plus Class 47s, and the new diecast footplate for the A1/A3.

Class 47s

This year’s selection of the Hornby RailRoad range of Class 47s has a number of aesthetic improvements as the following images will illustrate, with the caveat that the models shown are decoration samples. Featured below are seven of these 47s, each with their own striking livery:

Bold, with the blue, white and yellow livery emblazoned with a very distinctive variant of the British Rail Double Arrow logo, ‘County of Hertfordshire’ is the first model presented. The locomotive received the name 'County of Hertfordshire' in 1979 before being reclassified as a class 47/4 and renumbered 47583 in November 1980. In 1981 the livery of the locomotive was updated to mark the wedding of HRH Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, and featured a large BR arrow uniquely lined in Red and Blue.

And slightly ‘closer’ for you…

The striking circuitry pattern on ‘Jack Frost’, really does stand out against the rich blue and detail of the locomotive’s sides.

And here shown at an angle showing front and along the chassis. No. 47813 has operated under BR, First Great Western, Cotswold Rail, Rail Operations Group (ROG) and most recently Direct Rail Services. This model depicts the locomotive during its ROG tenure.

Liveried as 57305‘s this Network Rail model is certainly eye catching with its lemon body work and highlighted red bogie springs embellishments. Network Rail leased six Class 57s fitted with either tightlock couplings or Dellner couplers which enabled them to be used as rescue engines for EMUs in the south of England, with the locomotives having fulfilled a similar function as Virgin Train Thunderbirds on the ECML.

This photograph details a little more of the (non-functioning) front lights for you to see.

Stylishly divided into front and aft sections by its livery, 47749 ‘City of Turo’ really does show off its classic lines with such a colour scheme.

Another angle of the Colas Rail Freight loco, and more of its design. In 2007 newly formed Colas Rail unveiled four newly liveried Class 47 locomotives, having previously relied on hired Class 57s to fulfil its timber hauling contracts. This was early evidence of the ambition Colas Rail had to obtain and grow its own fleet of freight locomotives. The first two locomotives to be overhauled ready for service were No. 47727 ‘Rebecca’ and No. 47749 ‘Demelza’. In April 2016 locomotive No. 47749 had its original name 'City of Truro' restored. 

And when it comes to unique liveries 47812 provides us a fantastic opportunity to show off the spectacular livery of the Rail Operations Group. Between 2016 and 2017, ROG purchased a total of five Class 47 locomotives from Riviera Trains and Direct Rail Services to complement their Class 37s. The first Class 47 obtained was No. 47812 which was modified at Arlington Fleet Services’ Eastleigh Works, including the fitting of Dellner couplings to enable the haulage of EMUs.  The locomotive was built in 1965 and had previously served with Virgin Trains and Riviera Trains.

The livery for the 47812 model was certainly a challenge to create, but well worth the effort.

‘Lady Diana Spencer’ features the straightforward and crisp decoration of a ScotRail liveried Class 47 locomotive. D1948 was built in August 1966 and later became No. 47712 under the TOPS system. In April 1981 the locomotive was named 'Lady Diana Spencer' and kept this name until April 1995. The locomotive later carried the names 'Dick Whittington', 'Artemis' and 'Pride of Carlisle' before once again becoming 'Lady Diana Spencer' in July 2016.

Another angle of ‘Lady Diana Spencer’.

And last but certainly not least of our 47s cavalcade, Galloway Princess with its large arrow branding plus the familiar Scotty dog illustration.

Locomotive 47593 entered service in November 1965, running under the pre-TOPS number D1973. The advent of TOPS classification resulted in the locomotive receiving the number 47272 which it kept until 1983 when it was first named 'Galloway Princess' and re-numbered 47593. The locomotive's nameplates were removed in 1994 followed by the locomotive being re-numbered to 47790. In the summer of 2020, now under LSL ownership and having regained the ‘Galloway Princess’ name, the locomotive operated many of the First Class Rail Charter Services on the Settle to Carlisle line.

A1/A3 Tooling

This month we also have detailed images of the A1/A3 modification.

The Hornby A1/A3 tooling in the past has featured a plastic footplate, which has now been replaced with one produced in diecast metal. The images illustrate the new metal footplate which will not only provide more weight but by its very nature improve pulling lower.

A particularly sharp image of the new footplate.

Coming Soon...

R3995 BR, 'Clan' Standard 6MT, 4-6-2, 72004 'Clan MacDonald' - Era 4

Based upon the ‘Britannia Class’ locomotives, the BR Standard Class 6 ‘Clan’ Class was a 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive designed by Robert Riddles to operate mixed traffic with an increased route availability. Changes included a smaller boiler, smaller cylinders and various other weight saving measures. Only 10 of the class were ever built due to a shortage of steel. The class were not hugely popular due to them being less capable in comparison to the visually similar BR Standard ‘Britannia’ Class 7 locomotives they were based upon. 72009 'Clan Stewart' was the final 'Clan’ Class locomotive, being built at Crewe in 1952 and assigned to the Carlisle Kingmoor shed until being withdrawn at the end of 1965.

R3996 BR, 'Clan' Standard 6MT, 4-6-2, 72009 'Clan Stewart' - Era 5

The second ‘Clan’ Class release, and the final one of its kind is 72009 ‘Clan Stewart'. Built at Crewe in 1952 the locomotive was assigned to the Carlisle Kingmoor shed until being withdrawn at the end of 1965.

R7267 William Warne Jewellers            

The Hornby ‘William Warne Jewellers’ model resembles a small independent Jewellers shop, typical of that found in the market towns of the English Cotswolds, and is ideal as an addition to a small model village or town.

R7270 Tin Tabernacle

This Tin Tabernacle chapel replica, typical of the type, was based on the former Cuxton Chapel that is now at the Kent Life Museum. Measuring at 184mm in length, the chapel adds an air of theological authenticity to a layout.

Message from Montana

Model Shot of the Year

Next Friday we will be launching something exciting and we invite everyone to get involved!

Model Shot of the Year 2021 – COMING SOON! Keep an eye out on our social media channels, website and newsletter next Friday!

Clan Line visits Margate!

In 2020 we released a gold plated 'Clan Line' locomotive as part of Hornby’s Centenary collection and last week we were able to present the model to the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society as 'Clan Line' travelled from London to Margate as part of the ‘Man of Kent’ trip. Having the Hornby model on display against the full size engine was the perfect photo opportunity for guests, visitors and us!

The locomotive also carried an extra special meaning during its travels as a unique headboard lead the way in memory of the late chief engineer, Andy Davies, who sadly passed away earlier this year from COVID-19.

More details regarding the stunning model can be found here – if it’s not part of your collection already, it still can be, but stock is running low!

Great Electric Train Show

The Great Electric Train Show is back and it’s next weekend! With a stunning line up of more than 30 layouts, over 40 trade stands plus demonstrations, refreshments, free onsite parking, a free shuttle bus from Milton Keynes Central railway station to the event and more.

Highlights include the only planned exhibition appearance after Chester Cathedral for Pete Waterman’s stunning 74ft long ‘Making Tracks’ West Coast Main Line layout, the debut of Hornby Magazine’s latest ‘OO’ gauge project layout, new layouts never before seen in public and the chance to see the team behind Hornby Magazine.

Advanced tickets are on sale and full details of the event can be found here.

Hornby Collector Club Magazine

To all Hornby Collector Club Members - the autumn edition of the magazine will be landing on your doorstep in two weeks and it’s another issue filled to the brim with exclusive articles and features, product news and updates, latest partnership details, an interview with none other than Jacqueline Wilson regarding her new railway book and so much more! It’s hard to believe this is the last magazine of 2021 – the next magazine, which will arrive in January will be all about the 2022 Hornby range! If you are considering joining the Club and require further information please click here.

Made for Mum's Awards

We were pleased to recently find out that the Playtrains, Flash the Local Express Train Set has been shortlisted in the 2021 MadeForMums Toy Awards! The winners are due to be announced in Mid-October so we’ll keep you posted!

With the train set now be readily available via the Hornby website and stockists, we are thrilled to see so many children setting off on a special Playtrains adventure! For more details regarding the set and the full range, visit the Playtrains Portal, which also features fun activity sheets, educational information, character stories and so much more!

If you’re looking for a Christmas gift or birthday present for a little one, look no further!

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!

Finally...

We hope you enjoyed September’s article, and look forward to meeting again next month.

Happy Modelling!

The Engine Shed Team

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