This is a brand new Hornby R30394 model of ex LNER Thompson A2/3 number 60521 Watling Street portrayed in the iconic BR Green livery with the late crest.
The A2/3 Class were designed by Edward Thompson as
standard express passenger locomotives. After Sir Nigel Gresleys death in April 1941, Edward Thompson desired to standardise
the locomotives of the LNER. This process involved rebuilding
locomotives using standard components such as wheel sizes and boiler
designs. The A2/3 Class were new built to a similar specification to the
A2/2 rebuilds, differing in cylinder sizes and boiler pressure.
Thompson advocated divided drive, a system in which the middle cylinder
drove the forward two of the six driving wheels whilst the outside
cylinders drove the middle two. Due to his quest for standardisation and keeping the connecting rods the same length,
this arrangement necessitated the middle cylinder being placed further
forward than normal and the outside cylinders further back, behind the
leading bogie, so that standard connecting rods could be used for all
cylinders.
No. 60521 entered service as No. 521 ‘Watling Street’ at Gateshead in May 1947 and was withdrawn by BR at Tweedmouth in November 1962.
The model is brand new form the manufacturer and is being sold to raise funds towards the restoration of BR Class 50 50030 Repulse, based at Peak Rail.
We do offer combined postage but due to ebays "simple postage" system, please either place the items into a basket and buy as one order, or let me know what you would like, and I will do a dedicated combined listing for you.