📢 Please take a minute to read this personal message from the creator of RailwayModels.uk

Dapol BL-001-014

Black Label Class A4 Dwight D. Eisenhower BR Green (Late Crest) Unvalanced 4-6-2 No.60008 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
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late 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 locomotive, model number 60008, is a highly detailed and authentic representation of a British Railways A4 locomotive in BR Green livery with a late crest. This limited edition model is exclusive to Rails of Sheffield and features a range of advanced electronic and detailing features.

The model is a diecast construction with a powerful 5-pole skew wound motor and flywheel, providing smooth and reliable operation. The locomotive has a highly detailed body, tender, and cab interior, with pick-up points on both the driving wheels and tender wheels. The livery application is exquisite, with a Zimo 21-pin decoder providing a range of operational features.

The model includes working front lamps, dynamic firebox flicker effect, and hi-fidelity sound, recorded from the Bittern locomotive. The user-configurable RealDrive system allows for a prototypical driving experience, with working brake and twin speakers in both the locomotive and tender. The smoke generator is also controlled via the decoder.

The model features a range of detailing options, including valanced and unvalanced bodies, three tender variations, and single and double chimneys. The Class A4 locomotive was a high-speed express engine introduced by Nigel Gresley in 1935, and it quickly became a popular choice for long-distance runs on the East Coast Main Line. The locomotives were designed for high-speed performance, with a streamlined body and internal components.

The A4 locomotives were an instant success, with one locomotive, 4468 Mallard, setting the world steam speed record of 126.4 mph in 1938. However, during World War II, the valances were removed to facilitate maintenance, and they remained off throughout the remainder of their operational lives. The A4 locomotives were withdrawn from service between 1962 and 1966, but six examples have been preserved, including Mallard and three others in the UK, one in the USA, and one in Canada.