Hornby Dublo R30264 A4 Class 4464 Bittern Great Gathering 10th Anniversary

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 thatthey had 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, although 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’ steamcircuit, 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 up draught 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.4464 Bittern was rolled out of the Doncaster shed it wasbuilt in on the 18th December 1937 and entered LNER service shortly after. Thelocomotive would be renumbered to 60019 by BR, after its renumbering to 19under the 1946 LNER renumbering scheme. Bittern was withdrawn on the 5thSeptember 1966 and was destined for the scrapyard however was chosen forpreservation after 60024 Kingfisher, originally selected, was found to havefirebox problems. Bittern officially entered preservation on the 12thSeptember 1966. Bittern is currently at the One:One collection in Margate,awaiting overhaul which will take place once 60532 and 70000 are back on themainline. In running preservation Bittern has carried the identities of somescrapped classmates such as 2509 Silver Link and 4492 Dominion of New Zealand.Hornby Dublo A4 models feature a diecast body, just as theiroriginal Hornby Dublo counter parts would have been 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.