Hornby LMS Duchess of Sutherland and Support Coach

The Princess Coronation Class express passenger steam locomotives were built by the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMSR) and designed by their Chief Mechanical Engineer, William Stanier (1876 and 1965). The Class was a development of the LMS Princess Royal Class. These locomotives were in their day the most powerful steam locomotives ever produced for the British railway network and produced an estimated 3300 horsepower!6233, "Duchess of Sutherland" was outshopped from the Crewe Works in July 1938 and was one of the third batch of the class. Unlike the initial batches these locomotives were unstreamlined, being liveried in LMS crimson lake and fitted with a single chimney and no smoke deflectors. The estimated cost for 6233 was approximately 14,000 pound."Duchess of Sutherland" was first allocated to Camden, London and was fitted with a double chimney in March 1941 and smoke deflectors in September 1945. A year later the crimson lake livery was over painted with the post war LMS lined black livery. After nationalisation in 1948, 6233 was allocated to Crewe North depot and later that year acquired a British Railways number -; 46233. In late 1952 the locomotive was once more repainted but this time in BR Brunswick green. Six years later in 1958 "Duchess of Sutherland" was reallocated to Carlisle Upperby.

Prior to being withdrawn in February 1964 46233 was on shed at Edge Hill.After withdrawal "Duchess of Sutherland" was purchased by the holiday camp company, Butlins and was placed on static display in October 1964 at Butlin's Heads-of-Ayr holiday camp, Scotland resplendent once more in the LMS crimson lake livery and carrying the number 6233. After several years of being left to the ravages of the Scottish weather the "Duchess of Sutherland" was eventually moved in February 1971 and transported by road, then rail and finally road once more to Bressingham Steam Museum. Work commenced on the restoration of 6233 in March 1972, which continued until October 1974. Sadly"Duchess of Sutherland" was only able to "steam" for two years as in 1976 it was found that a key firebox component needed replacement, however funds were not available so once more 6233 was destined to become a static exhibit but this time at Bressingham Museum.In February 1996 "The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust" purchased 6233 and transported the locomotive by road to the headquarters of the Trust at the Midland Railway Centre, Butterley, Derbyshire where with the help of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund the Trust commenced the long task of putting "Duchess of Sutherland" back into steam once more. The task commenced in October 1998 and was completed in the Spring of 2001. As part of the massive overhaul, 6233 was fitted with a Train Protection and Warning System, an On-Train Monitoring Recorder and an Automatic Warning System.

On 11 June 2002, "Duchess of Sutherland" became the first steam locomotive to haul the Royal Train for 35 year, transporting HM Queen Elizabeth II on a tour to North Wales as part of her Golden Jubilee celebrations..On 22 March 2005 "Duchess of Sutherland" once more pulled the Royal Train, which was the second time a steam locomotive had pulled the train in 40 years but this time transporting The Prince of Wales from Settle to Carlisle over the Settle and Carlisle Railway. This particular trip marked the 25th anniversary of the formation of the 'Friends of the Settle and Carlisle' group and during the journey the Prince of Wales spent a 15 minutes behind the controls of the locomotive.Between 2010 and 2011 the "Duchess of Sutherland" once more underwent a major overhaul and returned to service wearing the early British Railways Brunswick Green livery as represented on the model included in this pack.

Features:
- OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)
- DCC Type: DCC Ready
- Has an 8-pin socket
- Provides a perfect entry into the exciting world of railway modelling
- Attractive detailing and accurate liveries
- Ideal for both the younger enthusiast and experienced modeller
- Authentic hornby products