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Dapol BL-001-013

Black Label Class A4 Union of South Africa BR Green (Early Crest) Unvalanced 4-6-2 No.60009 Steam Locomotive - DCC Sound & Smoke

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 3 (1923 to 1947) The Big Four (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR)
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest

Manufacturer description

Exclusive to Rails of Sheffield

Main Features

• All Diecast Model
• Dapol’s Innovative Loco to tender easy coupling
• NEM Coupling pockets
• Powerful and Smooth 5 Pole skew wound motor with flywheel
• Highly detailed Body, Tender and cab interior
• Loco driving wheels and tender wheels pick up
• Exquisite livery application
• Zimo 21-pin decoder

Electronic Features

• Working front lamps
• Dynamic firebox flicker effect
• Hi-fidelity sound project recorded from Bittern
• Chuff sounds also operate in DC mode
• User-configurable RealDrive with working brake for prototypical driving experience.
• Twin Speakers (tender and Locomotive)
• Smoke generator controlled via decoder

Details Features

• Valanced and unvalanced bodies
• Three tender variations
• Single and double chimneys

Following on from the success of the A3, and at the insistance of the LNER publicity Department, Nigel Gresley revealed his next class of high speed express engine in 1935. They were introduced, like the A3's, for the long distance, high speed, runs on the ECML to which they settled in very quickly. 

They were an almost instant success, building on the foundations laid by the A1 and A3 classes with the added streamlining both of the outer casing of the engine and a lot of internal components. In 1938 Class A4 4468 'Mallard' set the world steam speed record of 126.4 mph on Stoke Bank south of Grantham while running on a trial service with a dynamometer car (for recording speed etc) and 6 standard coaches. 

During the war years it was found that the valances covering the main running gear was hampering quick maintenance that on other classes would be relatively easy. The decision was taken to remove the valances completely to aid general servicing with the intention of restoring them at the end of hostilities, however this never happened and for the rest of their lives they ran without them. 

The only other major change to the look of the locos came with the fitting of double chimneys, although with the abundant streamlining this was less obvious than on other classes. The A4 locomotives started to be withdrawn in 1962 with the final members lasting until 1966. Luckily 6 have been preserved, including Mallard and 3 others in the UK, 1 in the USA and 1 in Canada.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

^* Class names often change over the lifespan of a locomotive, so this is not necessarily the class name used by the operator in the period modelled.

The Dapol Black Label Class A4 Union of South Africa BR Green (Early Crest) Unvalanced 4-6-2 No.60009 Steam Locomotive is a limited edition model available exclusively from Rails of Sheffield. This model represents the iconic A4 class of locomotives, which was introduced in 1935 by Nigel Gresley for the London and North Eastern Railway. The A4 class was designed for high-speed express services on the East Coast Main Line and achieved a world speed record of 126.4 mph in 1938.

The model features a highly detailed body, tender, and cab interior, with loco driving wheels and tender wheels that pick up electricity. The model has a powerful and smooth 5-pole skew wound motor with flywheel, and comes with a Zimo 21-pin decoder. The livery application is exquisite, with working front lamps and a dynamic firebox flicker effect. The model also features twin speakers and a smoke generator controlled via the decoder.

The model is available in three tender variations, including single and double chimneys, and both valanced and unvalanced bodies. The A4 class was a significant development in locomotive design, building on the foundations laid by the A1 and A3 classes. The class was introduced in response to the LNER publicity department's request for a high-speed express engine, and went on to achieve great success.

The A4 class was operational from 1935 to 1966, with six members preserved to this day, including the famous Mallard. The model's DCC sound system is highly detailed, with chuff sounds that operate in both DCC and DC modes. The RealDrive system allows for user-configurable driving experiences, including a working brake.