Hornby Dublo R30263 A4 60009 Union of South Africa Great Gathering 10th Anniv

Tech SpecsItem Scale 1:76 Scale 00 GaugeFinish PaintedColour GreenGauge OODCC Status DCC Ready 21 pin socket (This is NOT DCCfitted)Operator BRDesigner Sir Nigel GresleyWheel Configuration 4-6-2Livery BR GreenMinimum 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, 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 aKylchap double chimney. This improved their free steaming capabilitiesfurther. 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.Union of South Africa was one of five LNER A4 locomotivesdesignated to haul the Coronation train, such locomotives can be identifiedfrom the British Empire derived names. The locomotive was introduced as 4488 onthe 29th June 1937, with the name Osprey originally allocated to the locomotivebut not assigned. The locomotive would be withdrawn from the BR service inJune 1966 and has gone on to be preserved. During preservation, the locomotivewould carry its originally assigned Osprey name for political reasons. Thetender connected to 60009 Union of South Africa in preservation is thatoriginally connected to LNER 10000, the W1 Hush Hush, one of the onlymanifestations of the experimental engines remaining.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.