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KR Models KRM-HUN-OO-F-71

Hunslet Bo-Bo in British Steel Blue No.71 Diesel Locomotive - DCC Fitted

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

Prototype Era
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation

Manufacturer description

The Scunthorpe Hunslet Bo-Bo

In the 1960s British Steel planned the multi-million-pound refurbishment of the Scunthorpe steelworks site known as the Anchor Project, of which work began in the 1970s. Part of the project was a fleet of new locomotives to take molten iron in “torpedo” wagons to the BOS (Basic Oxygen Steelmaking plant), These powerful locomotives were to be designed and built by the Hunslet engine company.

Work began on the 10 locomotives in 1972 and was completed by the end of 1973, numbered 70-79 (Works numbers 7281-7290) with one more joining them, number 80 (WN 7474) in 1977. Built with two Rolls DV8 engines, these locomotives became the iron hauliers of Scunthorpe. In 1990 they were re-engined with two Perkins CV12s and fitted with remote control operation as part of the project to continuously improve the site. In more recent years, two locomotives (No.77 and 78) have been scrapped.

Number 79 was later rebuilt as number 30 and fitted with a new style control system in the 2000s and named “Fusion”. Most recently a new overhaul project began in 2015 with 72 and 73 the first to receive this treatment to assure the fleets’ use in years to come.

Written by Andrew Plumtree, Publicity
Officer, Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

KR Models Hunslet Bo‑Bo in British Steel Blue No. 71 Diesel Locomotive – DCC fitted. The model carries the manufacturer part number KRM‑HUN‑OO‑F‑71 and represents the locomotive as it appeared during the initial privatisation era. It is fitted with digital command control (DCC).

The prototype locomotives were built by Hunslet for the Scunthorpe steelworks as part of the Anchor Project, a multi‑million‑pound refurbishment that began in the 1970s. Ten units (numbers 70‑79, works numbers 7281‑7290) were constructed between 1972 and the end of 1973, with a further unit (number 80, WN 7474) added in 1977. Each originally housed two Rolls DV8 engines for hauling molten‑iron torpedo wagons to the basic oxygen steelmaking plant. In 1990 the fleet was re‑engined with two Perkins CV12 engines and equipped with remote‑control operation. Two members of the class (numbers 77 and 78) have since been scrapped.

Subsequent modifications include the 2000s rebuild of number 79 as number 30, fitted with a new control system and named “Fusion”. An overhaul programme commenced in 2015, with locomotives 72 and 73 the first to receive refurbishment, extending the operational life of the fleet.