R30452 Hornby LNER Class A4 4-6-2 4466 Sir Ralph Wedgwood

Presented in black wartime livery, Hornby’s LNER Class A4 4466 ‘Sir Ralph Wedgwood’ joins the WWII 80th Anniversary Collection — a powerful representation of one of Gresley’s most distinctive locomotives during a unique period of its service life. This highly detailed 00 gauge model features a flickering firebox and a 21-pin DCC socket ready for digital upgrade, allowing enhanced control and sound functionality. The sleek A4 body styling, combined with its wartime finish, makes this model an eye-catching addition to any steam-era layout — a perfect blend of style, substance, and history.

Completed at Darlington Works and entering traffic on 26 January 1938, this locomotive was originally named ‘Herring Gull’. The name ‘Sir Ralph Wedgwood’ was originally carried by fellow ‘A4’ No. 4469, but that locomotive was destroyed during an enemy bombing raid at York on 29 April 1942. The name was transferred to No. 4466 on 6 January 1944, by which time it had already been painted plain black as part of wartime austerity measures. It was renumbered to 605 in January 1946 and then in May to No. 6, before being repainted into its former Garter Blue in April 1947. It was eventually retired as BR green 60006 in September 1965.