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Hornby R30048TTS

RailRoad Plus BR, Class 55, Deltic, Co-Co, D9018 ‘Ballymoss’- Era 5 (Sound Fitted)

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

Prototype Eras
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)

Manufacturer description

Built in 1961 and 1962, the Class 55 Co-Co diesel locomotives were specifically designed for the high-speed express passenger services on the East Coast Main Line (ECML). The Class, built by English Electric, was powered by two 18-cylinder D18-25 series II type V Deltic engines, each rated at 1,650 hp continuous at 1500 rpm. This unique engine also powered the DP1 prototype that preceded the Class 55s, with the prototype being named 'Deltic' after its engines, hence the Class 55 also became known as 'Deltics'.

After the introduction of the HSTs, the Class 55s were deposed from many of their express duties, instead being placed on secondary services. It soon became clear that maintaining the Deltics for these secondary duties would not be economically viable meaning that the class were run with minimal maintenance until they failed, at which point they would be sent to Doncaster Works to be scrapped. Six locomotives were preserved, including 55 002 'The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry' which was selected by the National Railway Museum to join the National Collection.

After privatisation of the British railway network, the preserved Deltics became ideal candidates for mainline running due to their strong performance characteristics relative to other preserved diesels. This has included running passenger charters as well as freight services. On 29 November 2017 it was announced via the official Royal Scots Grey website that 55 022 'Royal Scots Grey' and D9016 'Gordon Highlander', plus all spares, had been sold to Locomotive Services Limited, with D9016 recently moving to LSL's facility in Margate.

Product videos

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  HM I DCC - Advanced Control System Arrives!

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  HORNBY | Introducing HM DCC - HM7000

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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.

Hornby RailRoad Plus BR model BR Class 55 Deltic (Co‑Co), running number D9018 ‘Ballymoss’, is a 5‑pole skew‑wound motor locomotive fitted with TTS DCC. It is gauge OO, finished in pristine two‑tone green, 275 mm long and capable of negotiating a minimum 2nd radius curve of 438 mm. The model uses a power‑bogie only pickup, bears the British Railways late crest livery and carries the manufacturer part number R30048TTS.

The prototype locomotive represents the British Rail Class 55 built by English Electric at Vulcan Foundry in 1961‑62. The real locomotives were powered by two 18‑cylinder Deltic engines delivering 1 650 hp each, had a Co‑Co wheel arrangement and a maximum speed of 100 mph. Only 22 were produced; six have been preserved, the most notable being 55 002 ‘The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry’ in the National Railway Museum collection. After the introduction of HSTs the class was withdrawn from express duties and later re‑entered main‑line service in preservation.

The Hornby model reflects the period represented by the British Rail Late Crest and is suitable for layouts depicting the early 1960s East Coast Main Line or later preserved‑rail operations. It was released as part of the Hornby RailRoad Plus range and includes a sound fitted version. The model’s specifications and historical background are presented in accordance with British railway heritage.