Hornby Dublo R30262 A4 4489 Dominion of Canada Great Gathering 10th Anniversa

Tech SpecsItem Scale 1:76 Scale 00 GaugeFinish PaintedColour BlueGauge OODCC Status DCC Ready 8 pin socket (This is NOT DCCfitted)Operator LNERDesigner Sir Nigel GresleyWheel Configuration 4-6-2Livery LNER Garter BlueMinimum Curve (mm) Radius 2Class A4 ClassBuffer Type Sprung Metal BuffersCoupling Type NEM Tension Lock  Product InfoThe LNER Gresley A4 is one of the most iconic expresslocomotives in Great Britain, with its streamlined casing a classic symbol ofthe attitude towards speed and design in the 1930s, which saw increasedcompetition to the railways from road and air travel. The LNER Board knew theyhad to make travel between the major cities faster, more comfortable and morereliable.Nigel Gresley, the LNER’s Chief Mechanical Officer,travelled on the Fliegende Hamburger diesel locomotive in Germany and wasimpressed by its streamlining. However, he realized it was only efficient athigh speeds. Gresley was certain that a modified A3 Pacific, with streamlining,could haul greater loads than other locomotives at the same speed or faster anda series of trials were conducted to confirm the A3’s suitability.With the trials successfully completed, the LNER Board gaveGresley the go-ahead to create the "Silver Jubilee" streamlinedtrains, the first of the new streamlined A4s. The streamlining of the A4s’steam circuit, higher boiler pressure and extension of the firebox to create acombustion chamber made them more efficient than the A3 as they consumed lesscoal and water- especially later on when they were also fitted with a Kylchapdouble chimney. This improved their free steaming capabilities further. Their streamlined design not only made them capable of highspeeds but created an updraught of smoke, obscuring the driver’s vision, amajor problem on the new Class A4 engines. The story goes that during windtunnel testing, after several unsuccessful efforts to get the smoke to liftclear, a thumbprint was inadvertently left on the clay model just behind thechimney. This succeeded in clearing the smoke and was incorporated into thefinal design.Dominion of Canada was one of the LNER A4s designated tohaul the Coronation train in 1937 in the special Garter Blue with red wheelslivery which would go on to become the standard livery of the Class. The fivelocomotives designated for this service also had enhanced silver trim on partsof the running board. Dominion of Canada was introduced on the 4th May 1937 asWoodcock, before having its name changed to the British Empire derived Dominionof Canada in June, again due to its role as a powerplant behind the Coronationtrain. After a long service life, the locomotive was withdrawn onthe 29th May 1965, becoming one of six A4 locomotives to be preserved. Thelocomotive is preserved in the Canadian Railway Museum where it is fitted withits unique Canadian Pacific Railroad bell. The locomotive returned to the UKfor two years as part of the Great Gathering celebrations and has since beenshipped back to Canada where it remains preserved.Hornby Dublo A4 models feature a diecast body, just as theiroriginal Hornby Dublo counterparts would have seen. This is coupled withenchanted decoration which when paired with the diecast of the boiler providesa realistic finish to the body. The models contain a 5 pole motor with flywheeland are DCC ready with an 8 pin socket. These models will also contain a detailbag containing etched nameplates and headboards, allowing the model to bedisplayed as it would have appeared at the Great Gathering.