Hornby Railways 4-4-0 Class D16/3 BR Black 62581 DCC READY R3303

Affording the discerning collector a brand new Hornby Model Railways 4-4-0 Class D16/3. This locomotive is produced in BR Black livery with its tender supporting British Rail Early Crest running number 62581. This locomotive was introduced by Hornby as part of their highly detailed DCC ready range of locomotives.

The Class D16/3 locomotives were a derivative of a locomotive reputedly designed by James Holden, CME of the GER but commonly believed to be the work of his Chief Draughtsman at the Stratford Works, Frederick V. Russell. The original locomotive was numbered 1900 after the year that it was built and named “Claud Hamilton”. The “Claud Hamilton” was exhibited at the 1900 Paris Exhibition and was awarded a gold medal.

The withdrawal of the D16/3s actually commenced in 1945 but during this time the Clauds were still being used quite extensively on the Eastern region. In 1949 eight Clauds were allocated to the Cheshire Lines where ex LNER preferred the familiar workings of this type of locomotive than the less familiar LMS engines.