General Discussion

This second limited edition will be based on the Hornby live steam A4 pacific. There will a maximum of 35 locos, in keeping with the number of A4’s built.

​As you may know the first four built were out-shopped in three contrasting shades of grey, especially for the Silver Jubilee service.

Following their success, it was decided to order a further seventeen locomotives.

As they would work a range of passenger services the silver livery was deemed inappropriate and would therefore revert to green with white and black lining, which all previous passenger locomotives of the LNER had been painted, with one exception No 10000. It was felt they would fit better with the teak coaching stock.

The first loco, 4482, in this livery appeared in December 1936. The parabolic curve of the junction between green and black paint at the front was used again. However there was a concern that the green paint would not withstand the heat on the sides of the smokebox. So on locos 4483-4487 the parabolic curve was discarded and the black paint was solid and carried to the first boiler cleading band. This, at best did not fit with the lines of the engine, only three more locos of this batch were painted in green, all with the parabolic curve.

The nine are as follows:

4482 Golden Eagle (parabolic curve)

4483 Kingfisher (solid black front)

4484 Falcon (solid black front)

4485 Kestrel (solid black front)

4486 Merlin (solid black front)

4487 Sea Eagle (solid black front)

4493 Woodcock (parabolic curve)

4494 Osprey (parabolic curve)

4495 Great Snipe (parabolic curve)

So how will it work?

We have engaged Warren Haywood again to paint, number and letter the loco and tender bodies; Warren has been building and painting models for over 30 years and produces work of excellent quality. Should you wish to have one of these unique models, you will need to donate a loco, ideally a Mallard, as a body with valances is needed,

In addition to the livery change, each loco will be fitted with green-coupled wheels, green wheeled bogie and green pony truck wheels; also a black single chimney will replace the double chimney of the donor loco. Please note that as there are no green wheeled pony trucks available Warren will paint the pony truck wheels of the donor loco. Each loco comes with a coloured cardboard storage box with a numbered limited edition certificate authenticated by Richard Hallam our club president and inventor of the OO live steam system.

All you need to do is decide which name you would like and provide a donor loco, if you don’t have one, we have acquired some Mallard donor locos over the past few months, all have been checked and serviced including replacing piston seals, they also come with the club three month warranty.

As far as cost is concerned we want to keep the price in line with the the previous limited edition, you’ll appreciate the cost is higher due to the change/painting of the wheels and the cost of the single chimney. This we have been able to do by offering the display case as an optional extra.

Cost of this limited edition £295 plus postage

Glass display case £30 plus postage

Mallard donor loco only £295 plus postage

Mallard set with marked box £375 plus postage

Mallard set with good box £395 plus postage

A deposit of £150 is required at time of order.

I’m more than happy to answer any questions and give any help needed. To make a purchase please contact me in the first instance to discuss your requirements. My contact details are:

Maurice Rourke   - Tel: 07787 565565

e mail mr@rourkesdrift.com