R30264 Hornby Dublo: LNER, Class A4, 4-6-2, 4464 'Bittern': Great Gathering 10th Anniversary - Era 10
Product Info
The LNER Gresley A4 is one of the most iconic express locomotives in Great Britain, with its streamlined casing a classic symbol of the attitude towards speed and design in the 1930s, which saw increased competition to the railways from road and air travel. The LNER Board knew that they had to make travel between the major cities faster, comfortable and more reliable.
Nigel Gresley, the LNER's Chief Mechanical Officer, travelled on the Fliegende Hamburger diesel locomotive in Germany and was impressed by its streamlining, although he realized it was only efficient at high speeds. Gresley was certain that a modified A3 Pacific, with streamlining, could haul greater loads than other locomotives at the same speed or faster and a series of trials were conducted to confirm the A3's suitability.
With the trials successfully completed, the LNER Board gave Gresley the go-ahead to create the "Silver Jubilee" streamlined trains, the first of the new streamlined A4s.The streamlining of the A4s' steam circuit, higher boiler pressure and extension of the firebox to create a combustion chamber made them more efficient than the A3 as they consumed less coal and water- especially later on when they were also fitted with a Kylchap double chimney. This improved their free steaming capabilities further.
Their streamlined design not only made them capable of high speeds, but created an up draught of smoke, obscuring the driver's vision, a major problem on the new Class A4 engines. The story goes that during wind tunnel testing, after several unsuccessful efforts to get the smoke to lift clear, a thumbprint was inadvertently left on the clay model just behind the chimney. This succeeded in clearing the smoke and was incorporated into the final design.
4464 Bittern was rolled out of the Doncaster shed it was built in on the 18th December 1937 and entered LNER service shortly after. The locomotive would be renumbered to 60019 by BR, after its renumbering to 19 under the 1946 LNER renumbering scheme. Bittern was withdrawn on the 5th September 1966 and was destined for the scrapyard however was chosen for preservation after 60024 Kingfisher, originally selected, was found to have firebox problems.
Bittern officially entered preservation on the 12th September 1966. Bittern is currently at the One:One collection in Margate, awaiting overhaul which will take place once 60532 and 70000 are back on the mainline. In running preservation Bittern has carried the identities of some scrapped classmates such as 2509 Silver Link and 4492 Dominion of New Zealand.
Hornby Dublo A4 models feature a diecast body, just as their original Hornby Dublo counter parts would have been seen. This is coupled with enchanted decoration which when paired with the diecast of the boiler provides a realistic finish to the body. The models contain a 5 pole motor with flywheel and are DCC ready with an 8 pin socket.
Welcome to the HM7000 Control System
HM7000 is an innovative way of controlling and operating model railways. Combining Bluetooth® technology and app-based control, the HM7000 Control System has been designed to revolutionise the controlling of a model railway.
Learn more- Bluetooth® Connectivity
- Free Sounds
- Quick CV Editing
- Multiple Control Options
- 40+ Profile Settings
- Other Options
Upgrade Paths
Previous Control Systems can be upgraded to HM7000, see below for the options and upgrade paths available.
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Train Set > HM7000
Already have a locomotive but want to go digital? Click here to discover how.
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HM6000 > HM7000
The HM6000 system is only a short step away from having HM7000. Click here to discover how.
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HM|DC > HM7000
New to the hobby? HM7000 is just a short step away. Click here to discover how.
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DCC > HM7000
Already operating a layout using DCC? HM7000 is just a short step away. Click here to discover how.
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Conventional DCC Controller > HM7000
Locomotives fitted with either a Hornby HM7000 or conventional decoders can be operated using the HM|DCC Bluetooth® system - click here to learn how.
HM7000 Products
The following points must be considered below when purchasing. HM | DCC and the HM7000 decoders have been extensively tested up to a range of 45 metres in plastic bodied locomotives and up to 12 metres in die-cast bodied locomotives. HM | DCC and the HM7000 decoders have been extensively tested up to a max of 14 non-stationary, running locomotives. HM | DCC and the HM7000 decoders have been extensively tested on iOS devices dating as far back as 5 years from today's date. Any devices older than this cannot be commented on for proper function by Hornby Hobbies. Please ensure that the incompatibility list is considered prior to any purchase.
What's Inside
Recommended For You
Tech Specs
- Item Length - Without Packaging (cm)
- 29.1
- Item Height - Without Packaging (cm)
- 5
- Item Width - Without Packaging (cm)
- 3.5
- Item Weight - Without Packaging
- 0.6
- Item Scale
- 1:76 Scale 00 Gauge
- License
- Yes
- License line
- Produced under licence for SCMG Enterprises Ltd. © SCMGE. Every purchase supports the museum.
- Finish
- Painted
- Colour
- Blue
- Gauge
- OO
- DCC Status
- DCC Ready 21 pin socket
- Operator
- LNER
- Designer
- Sir Nigel Gresley
- Wheel Configuration
- 4-6-2
- Livery
- LNER Garter Blue
- Minimum Curve (mm)
- Radius 2
- Motor
- 5 Pole Skew wound
- Number of Parts
- 1
- Class
- A4 Class
- Buffer Type
- Sprung Metal Buffers
- Coupling Type
- NEM Tension Lock
- Hornby Decoder Compatibility Primary
- HM7000-8TXS: Bluetooth® & DCC Sound Decoder (21-pin)
Detailed scale model. Not suitable for children under 14 years. Please refer to safety notes in enclosed instruction leaflet. Colours and contents may differ from those illustrated. Please retain these details and the address for future reference.