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Hornby R30520

RailRoad: BR - Class 09 - 'Duke of Gloucester' - 71000

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

Prototype Eras
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest

Manufacturer description

Built as the replacement for ‘Princess Royal’ Class 4-6-2 46202 ‘Princess Anne’, which was destroyed in the Harrow and Wealdstone rail disaster of 1952, the Riddles-designed ‘Pacific’ was intended as the first of a new batch of modern locomotives that would serve BR for many years to come. 

Completed at Crewe in 1954, plans to build more were turned down by the Railway Executive because the design was too expensive and complex. As a result, ‘Duke of Gloucester’ remained unique, with its three-cylinder configuration and Caprotti rotary cam-driven valve gear. It had an operational life of just eight years, being withdrawn in 1962. One of its cylinders was saved for display in the National Railway Museum, while the other was removed to balance the locomotive before going for scrap in South Wales. 

It was, however, saved in 1974 and a restoration lasting 13 years ensued, including building new cylinders from scratch. When it returned to steam it became a regular on the main line and during 2025 returned from its latest overhaul, once again hauling steam specials to the delight of enthusiasts. 

Bring the spirit of 'Duke of Gloucester' back to life with this OO gauge Class 09 RailRoad model locomotive.

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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 model of the British Rail Class 09 locomotive, number 71000 “Duke of Gloucester”, is supplied with part number R30520. It is presented in OO gauge and represents the British Railways Early Crest period.

The real locomotive was built at Crewe in 1954 as a replacement for the destroyed Princess Royal Class engine 46202 “Princess Anne”. Designed by Riddles, it featured a three‑cylinder layout and Caprotti rotary cam‑driven valve gear. Only one was constructed because the Railway Executive rejected further orders as too expensive and complex. The engine was withdrawn from service in 1962; one cylinder was retained for display at the National Railway Museum and the remaining cylinder was removed before the locomotive was scrapped in South Wales.

The locomotive was rescued from the scrapyard in 1974 and underwent a thirteen‑year restoration that included the construction of new cylinders. After returning to steam it operated regularly on the main line and, following a further overhaul, re-entered service in 2025 to haul steam specials for railway enthusiasts. This model allows owners to recreate the appearance of the historic “Duke of Gloucester” in a miniature format.