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Hornby R30379

RailRoad: Southern Rail - Class B4 - No.96 'Normandy'

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

This newly tooled RailRoad B4 Class steam shunter is the ideal little tank engine for a model railway layout. Whether running a short train around a layout or shunting wagons in a goods yard, it is the perfect little steam engine for getting things moved!

The B4 Class were first introduced in the 1890’s with their original purpose being for station piloting and shunting freight wagons in docks. They were designed by London and South Western Railway (LSWR). The close wheel configuration made them ideal for shunting around tight radius curves that were common in docks and works yards with limited space. 

Two examples of these fine locomotives are still preserved today, including the one we've replicated here, ‘Normandy’, which still serves at the Bluebell Preserved Railway in the South East.

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 Hornby RailRoad Southern Rail Class B4 No 96 'Normandy' is a model locomotive from the 2025 range. It is finished in Southern Railways livery and is painted black. The model is designed for OO gauge layouts and has a minimum radius curve requirement of 1st radius, which is 371mm.

The B4 Class steam shunter is a suitable choice for model railway layouts where a small, versatile locomotive is required. It can be used to operate short trains or shunt wagons in a goods yard. The B4 Class was originally introduced in the 1890s by the London and South Western Railway, designed for station piloting and shunting freight wagons in docks.

The close-coupled wheel arrangement of the B4 Class made it ideal for navigating tight curves, which were common in docks and works yards with limited space. Two examples of these locomotives have been preserved, including the modelled 'Normandy', which is still in operation at the Bluebell Preserved Railway in the South East.