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Hornby R30520TXS

RailRoad: BR - Class 09 - Duke of Gloucester - '71000' - (DCC Sound Fitted)

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 It had an operational life of just eight years, being withdrawn in 1962.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. 

This model locomotive replica of the Class 08 'Duke of Gloucester' beautifully emulates this famous machine and is pre-fitted with HM7000 sound.

Product videos

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  HM I DCC - Advanced Control System Arrives!

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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 BR Class 08 “Duke of Gloucester” (model number 71000) is supplied with the manufacturer part number R30520TXS and represents the British Railways Early Crest period.

The 00‑scale model is fitted with HM7000 DCC sound and reproduces the distinctive appearance of the Duke of Gloucester, a one‑off locomotive built at Crewe in 1954. It includes detailing such as the three‑cylinder arrangement and Caprotti rotary cam valve gear, and is ready for operation on modern digital command control systems.

The prototype Duke of Gloucester was the sole example of a Riddles‑designed Pacific intended to replace the destroyed 46202 Princess Anne. Withdrawn after eight years in service in 1962, it was rescued from scrap in 1974, restored over thirteen years and returned to main‑line steam, most recently emerging from overhaul in 2025. This model captures that unique locomotive’s history and visual characteristics.