📢 Please take a minute to read this personal message from the creator of RailwayModels.uk

KR Models KRM-HUN-OO-F-79

Hunslet Bo-Bo in British Steel Yellow/White "Big Keith" No.79 Diesel Locomotive - DCC Fitted

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI 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 “Big Keith” No. 79 is a die‑cast diesel locomotive presented in British Steel yellow and white livery. The model is DCC fitted (part number KRM‑HUN‑OO‑F‑79) and represents the initial privatisation era of the Scunthorpe steelworks fleet.

The real locomotive was built by the Hunslet Engine Company between 2 July 1972 and the end of 1973, forming part of a ten‑unit series numbered 70–79 (works numbers 7281‑7290). Originally powered by two Rolls‑Royce DV8 engines, the locomotives were re‑engined in 1990 with a pair of Perkins CV12 units and later retrofitted for remote‑control operation. Number 79 was subsequently rebuilt as No. 30, renamed “Fusion”, and received a modern control system in the 2000s.

The model reflects the locomotive’s role in transporting molten iron in torpedo wagons to the Basic Oxygen Steelmaking plant, and it serves as a reminder of the ongoing overhaul programmes that began in 2015 to extend the service life of the remaining Scunthorpe units.