70 Years of Hornby 1938 – 2008 A4 “Sir Nigel Gresley” LNER Ref: R2688

A NEW 00 gauge locomotive especially developed by “Hornby Railways ” as part of their COMMEMORATIVE series. This A4 Pacific model R2688 locomotive in LNER Garter Blue livery is named “Sir Nigel Gresley” with running number 4498. A highly detailed DCC READY version which comes complete with all paperwork, limited edition certificate and a collectors presentation box!

The LNER’s Express Pacific designs were probably the most famous of the LNER locomotives. Of these Pacific’s, the A4 is probably the most famous of all: Its distinctive streamlined shape has come to be a symbol of 1930s luxury and speed. Even today, it is an A4 which holds the world speed record for any steam locomotive in the world.

Thirty-five of the class were built to haul express passenger trains on the East Coast Main Line route from London Kings Cross via York and Newcastle to Edinburgh, Scotland. They remained in service on the East Coast mainline until the early 1960s when they were replaced by Deltic diesel locomotives. Several A4’s saw out their remaining days until 1966 in Scotland, particularly on the Aberdeen – Glasgow express trains, for which they were used to improve the timing from 3.5 to 3 hours.