{"product_id":"oo-lner-class-a1-462-4478-hermit-big-four-centenary-collection-era-3","title":"OO LNER, Class A1, 4-6-2, 4478 'Hermit': Big Four Centenary Collection - Era 3","description":"\u003cp\u003eNigel Gresley's A1 Pacific class emerged in the twilight years of the Great Northern Railway, a result of an idea that Gresley had nurtured since 1915. The First World War put his plans for new express passenger locomotives on hold but he applied his new three-cylinder, conjugated valve gear designs to the O2 and K3 freight locomotives before returning to his plans for an express passenger Pacific in 1920, producing his 4-6-2 A1 design.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo.1470 'Great Northern' was the first to enter service on 11 April 1922 and Gresley confidently claimed that his A1 class could pull 600 ton trains which in September 1922 no.1471 'Sir Frederick Banbury' did. Compared to the similar LNER design by Vincent Raven, Gresley's A1 consumed less coal and water and was considered the better design, consequently the LNER chose the A1 design over the LNER A2. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original eleven engines were built to the generous loading gauge of the GNR and after grouping in 1923 had to be modified to fit the loading gauge of the LNER with the chimney and dome both being reduced in height, plus the fitting of shorter safety valves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe A1s quickly showed their ability to haul heavy loads on the East Coast Main Line but coal and water consumption was inefficient which was highlighted during the 1925 Great Western Exchange Trains with the A1s comparing unfavourably with the Castle class design. Consequent alterations to the steam lap settings and valve travel showed a reduction in coal consumption and this was adopted on all of the A1s by 1931. The piston valve rings were also replaced by the Knorr-type piston valves which reduced steam loss.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGresley had experimented with a different superheater to improve the A1s performance further but lacking significant results decided that he would increase the number of flues in the existing Robinson superheater. This coupled with an increase in boiler pressure led to improved performance and five of these new boilers were ordered in 1927 and were fitted to No.2544 'Lemberg' and No.4480 'Enterprise' later that year.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrials on these two A1s proved successful and so between 1927 and 1947 all of the A1s were rebuilt as Class A3 with the exception of No.4470 'Great Northern' which was eventually rebuilt by Thompson in 1945 as Class A1\/1. Due to the wider header on the A3 boilers the ends projected slightly through the side of the smokebox and so cover plates were fitted to hide these projections becoming the main external distinguishing feature between the A3 and A1 locomotives.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e4478 Hermit was among the first 10 of the class to be built, rolling out of Doncaster works in July 1923 and into revenue-earning service with the LNER. Just over halfway through its service life the locomotive would be rebuilt into the improved A3 Class with the conversion being undertaken in November of 1943. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithdrawal for the locomotive would take place in 1962, with all members of the class bar one being scrapped. Hermit, then 40109, was not the preserved example, with Flying Scotsman being saved and passing into railway legend due to its post-service career.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis Hornby model of 'Hermit' not only boasts a five-pole skew-wound motor but also a diecast running plate which adds increased weight for improved traction. Also worthy of note is the addition of a flickering firebox which illuminates the fully detailed cab.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat's Inside: 1x Steam Locomotive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItem Length - Without Packaging (cm)\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e29.1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItem Height - Without Packaging (cm)\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItem Width - Without Packaging (cm)\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e3.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItem Weight - Without Packaging\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e0.39\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItem Scale\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e1:76 Scale 00 Gauge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinish\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003ePainted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColour\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003eGreen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGauge\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003eOO\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDCC Status\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003eDCC Ready 21 pin socket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOperator\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003eLNER\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesigner\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003eSir Nigel Gresley\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWheel Configuration\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e4-6-2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLivery\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003eLNER Apple Green\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinimum Curve (mm)\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003eRadius 2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMotor\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e5 Pole Skew wound\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNumber of Parts\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClass\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003eClass A1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuffer Type\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003eSprung Metal Buffers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoupling Type\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003eNEM Tension Lock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHornby Decoder Compatibility Primary\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003eHM7000-8TXS: Bluetooth® \u0026amp; DCC Sound Decoder (8-pin)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Hornby","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42714129825948,"sku":"R30270","price":439.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0585\/9095\/3628\/files\/R30270.jpg?v=1727371639","url":"https:\/\/www.harveynorman.lol\/products\/oo-lner-class-a1-462-4478-hermit-big-four-centenary-collection-era-3","provider":"Hobbyco","version":"1.0","type":"link"}