Hornby Railroad BR Duke of Gloucester Early BR 71000 -

New release - pre-orders invited - expected during 4th Quarter 2026.

Built as the replacement for ‘Princess Royal’ Class 4-6-2 46202 ‘Princess Anne’, which was destroyed in the Harrow and Wealdstone rail disaster of 1952, the Riddles-designed ‘Pacific’ was intended as the first of a new batch of modern locomotives that would serve BR for many years to come.

Completed at Crewe in 1954, plans to build more were turned down by the Railway Executive because the design was too expensive and complex. As a result, ‘Duke of Gloucester’ remained unique, with its three-cylinder configuration and Caprotti rotary cam-driven valve gear. It had an operational life of just eight years, being withdrawn in 1962.

One of its cylinders was saved for display in the National Railway Museum, while the other was removed to balance the locomotive before going for scrap in South Wales. It was, however, saved in 1974 and a restoration lasting 13 years ensued, including building new cylinders from scratch. When it returned to steam it became a regular on the main line and, during 2025, returned from its latest overhaul, once again hauling steam specials to the delight of enthusiasts.

This model locomotive replica of the Class 08 'Duke of Gloucester' beautifully emulates this famous machine and is pre-fitted with HM7000 sound.