‘Flying Scotsman’, having only been saved from being scrapped some six years earlier, embarked on an overseas tour of the United States and Canada in the autumn of 1969. This tour would, in effect, be two different tours, with an additional third part of the journey not really being considered part of the tour plans.

Before departing to North America from the Liverpool Docks aboard the ‘Saxonia’, the locomotive was equipped with some specific embellishments so that it could be run on US rails such as a cow catcher, bell, alternative whistle and air brakes. Also added to ‘Flying Scotsman’ for the tour was a second water tender, not immediately required but a welcome addition due to the sometimes large distances between stops. It would not be until landing in the US that the high intensity headlamp, borrowed from the US based Southern Railway would be fitted at an American Army facility in Boston where the locomotive was disembarked.

On October the 3^rd the locomotive made its first trip in the United States from Boston, Massachusetts to New London, Connecticut before beginning the actual tour. While sections of the tour were undoubtedly a success, other parts were not. Being considered as an antiquated technology, steam was banned in some metropolitan states due to the risk of lineside fires, leading to the locomotive accruing unaccounted towing fees. These costs, plus a change of government in the UK led to funding being unexpectedly limited as such the tour was eventually cancelled. This led ‘Flying Scotsman’ to be stranded on the San Francisco dockyard from where it was eventually rescued and shipped back to the UK thanks to the benevolence of Sir William McAlpine.

In October, Hornby announced a range of Hornby Dublo models to celebrate Flying Scotsman’s centenary in association with the National Railway Museum. For many, the jewel in the crown will undoubtedly be the USA Tour model complete with all the additional attachments that had been added to the locomotive for its USA trip and this will include for the first time a working top headlamp.

Making a Connection

Also being featured on the Hornby Dublo Flying Scotsman models, as well as others is a feature which will become the norm going forwards, a new locomotive to tender connection. Seen below, this connection is a lot less intrusive than the fixed drawbar and wire assembly that has become the norm over the last 15 years or so. This connection contains a PCB connector internally, playing the role of the wires in a more robust and less conspicuous manner.

This connection also allows for the locomotive and tender to be coupled closer using kinematics and easily disconnected should you wish to do so. Although the locomotives cannot run with the two disconnected, this does allow for the appreciation of the cab detail and posing of locomotives in works, as well as providing easier servicing and possibilities with the packaging. Also visible in the below image from the CAD, is the LED for the flickering firebox present on all Hornby Dublo Flying Scotsman models.

New Arrivals & Coming Soon

Want to build or begin your Hornby Dublo collection? Add a pop of blue to your layout with this eye-catching Princess Coronation.

R30109 Hornby Dublo: BR, Princess Coronation Class, 4-6-2, 46250 'City of Lichfield' - Era 5

R30157 BR, Class 60, Co-Co, 60002 'Capability Brown' - Era 8

For those looking for a strong performer this Christmas, look no further than the Class 60 ‘Capability Brown’. With a strong five pole motor, dual flywheels and dual bogie drive, this model is guaranteed to tackle any challenge thrown its way. The model also has directional lights that operate on DC and DCC, with an installed decoder allowing for more refined control of the lights.

Extend your collections with these brand new RCS, Mk3 coaches! Rail Charter Services has been offering rail tours aboard some of their Mk3 fleet, hauled by heritage traction for much of 2022. These coaches can often be found hauled by Class 37 and 47 locomotives on the Settle to Carlisle line.

Brighten up the day with these stunning Avanti West Coast coaches, which create a vibrant train when factored in the Class 390 Pendolino Train Pack ‘Progress’.

Find that perfect little gift with our much-loved range of festive stocking fillers! Order now in time for Christmas!

R60083 Christmas Tree Carrier

And finally, a perfect Christmas gift for any model railway enthusiast. Intended as a bit of fun and interest, this Christmas tree carrier will be sure to stand out on any layout. Based on the SAA Steel Carrier, this wagon has been repurposed to carry two Christmas trees, one each way around. With poseable side bolsters, this wagon is sure to catch eyes on your railway.

Message from the team

Winner of The Model Shot of the Year 2022!

Following the ever-popular Model Shot of the Year for 2022, we were pleased to crown the winner last week and would like to again congratulate Chris France with his wonderful layout ‘Teasel Bay’! His model shot really does speak a thousand words and it’s here for you to admire and enjoy!

Thank you to everyone who entered the competition this year. It’s been a real pleasure seeing all of your amazing images. We will be sure to share as many of the eye-catching entries throughout the year on our social channels, so do keep a look out!

LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR TICKETS!

This weekend we will be at Warley National Model Railway Exhibition in Birmingham and we are looking forward to welcoming customers to the Hornby stand!

Visit us on stand A21 to check out the latest and new development samples, meet the team who will be there to answer any questions you may have, enter our exclusive Warley competition, view our TT:120 models and layout, plus a whole host more, including ‘Margate Warren’ – a layout made especially for the 2022 show by the event organisers! Check out the images below for a sneak peak!

For all the finer details or to purchase your tickets, please visit: https://thewarleyshow.co.uk/

Dad’s Choice Awards 2022 WINNER!

We’re delighted to be crowned a winner in the 2022 Dad’s Choice Awards with Playtrains - Flash the Local Express Remote Controlled Battery Train Set!

This set is great for children aged 3-6 and makes the perfect Christmas gift, keeping little ones entertained for hours! With many other Playtrains models available children can expand their model railway world to create a fully fledged layout!

Purchase yours here:  https://uk.hornby.com/products/playtrains-flash-local-express-remote-controlled-battery-train-set-r9332mm

We have also been announced as a highly commended winner in the 2022 awards with the iTraveller 6000 Train Set!

With cutting edge technology, this set is perfect for those getting started in the world of model railways!

To find out more or to purchase this set, please visit:  https://uk.hornby.com/products/itraveller-6000-train-set-r1271m

Christmas Delivery Dates

For any Remote UK web orders, please order by midnight 20^th December 2022. For Mainland UK web orders, place your order by midnight 21^st December 2022. For any web orders that are non-UK, please order by Midnight 11^th to avoid disappointment!

And with that, we reach the end of the line for this edition of Engine Shed, I hope you have found it interesting. If you would like Engine Shed to cover a specific subject in a future blog or if you have any images of your locomotives and coaching stock in action, or maybe you have a suggestion of a particular model that you think we should produce in the future, please do let us know. We are always keen to receive all feedback.

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 and tune in to our Beyond the Buffers Podcast.

Happy Modelling!

The Engine Shed Team

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