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Hornby R30498

GWR - Saint Class - 2945 'Hillingdon Court'

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

Prototype Era
Era 3 (1923 to 1947) The Big Four (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR)

Manufacturer description

We are delighted to present the next run of OO Gauge GWR Saint Class locomotives in this months range launch, with this particular example being No. 2945 ‘Hillingdon Court’ in Great Western lined green. Utilising the same highly acclaimed tooling used on the first run of Saints last year, this latest release takes the model one step further by the inclusion of a revised cab footplate for improved running, as well as being DCC ready via a 21-pin decoder socket, perfect for the HM7000 system.

Model Specification:

• High detail OO Gauge model based on extensive research and original works drawings
• Die-cast Chassis and Running Plate. Model Weight is 341 grams
• High detail cab and fully decorated backhead with decorated instrument dials
• Etched metal nameplates
• Powerful 5 Pole Skew wound motor
• Quick release locomotive to tender connector
• Pogo pin wheel pickup arrangement for easy pickup servicing
• Electrical pickups on main drive wheels and tender wheels
• Die-cast Piston Rods & valve gear
• Fully decorated crew figures
• Prototypical size metal handrails with brass stanchions
• Brass main drive bearings
• Sprung metal buffers
• Front and Rear NEM coupling pocket
• Separately fitted lamps. Lamp code can be changed
• Separately fitted simulated coal load
• Improved cab footplate design

Electronics:

• HM7000 21-Pin DCC decoder compatible
• HM7000 Power Bank compatible
• Illuminated flickering firebox

Tooling:

• Tall Chimney
• Safety valve with top feeds
• Later curved footplate
• Fluted piston rods
• Early boiler
• Churchward tender

Livery:

• GWR Lined Green
• Great Western tender lettering
• Accurate colours and fonts
• Era 3

History

Built at Swindon as one of 77 ‘2900’ Class 4-6-0s, No. 2945 belongs to the final group of 25 ‘Saints’ built between 1911 and 1913, known as the ‘Court’ series, named after famous mansion houses that were named as Courts. ‘Hillingdon Court’ was from the second batch of three lots, emerging from Swindon in June 1912. 

Its only physical alteration, other than routine boiler swaps and replacement parts, was the fitting of outside steam pipes in January 1938. It lasted in service for over 41 years, not withdrawn until June 1953 from its final shed under BR, Cardiff Canton.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

Hornby GWR Saint Class 2945 “Hillingdon Court” is an OO gauge model locomotive, representing the Great Western Railway 2900 Class built between 1911 and 1913. The model is DCC ready with a 21‑pin decoder socket compatible with the HM7000 system and includes a 5‑pole skew‑wound motor.

Key specifications include a length of 254 mm, metal sprung buffers, NEM coupling pockets, a die‑cast chassis and running plate, and a minimum curve radius of 438 mm (2nd radius). The locomotive is finished in GWR lined green livery with accurate colours, fonts and Great Western tender lettering. It features die‑cast piston rods, brass main drive bearings, etched metal nameplates, fully decorated crew figures, and separately fitted lamps and simulated coal load.

The model incorporates a revised cab footplate for improved running, a tall chimney, safety valve with top feeds, fluted piston rods and a Churchward tender. Electrical pickups are provided on the main drive wheels and tender wheels, with a pogo‑pin wheel pickup arrangement for easy servicing.

Historically, the prototype No 2945 “Hillingdon Court” was built at Swindon in June 1912 as part of the final batch of “Court” series Saints. Apart from routine boiler swaps it received outside steam pipes in January 1938, and it remained in service for over 41 years before being withdrawn on 6 June 1953 from Cardiff Canton shed under British Railways.