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KR Models KRM-HUN-OO-R-72

Hunslet Bo-Bo in British Steel Yellow/Blue No.72 Diesel Locomotive

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

Prototype Eras
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation
Era 10 (2005 to 2015) Rebuilding of the Railways
Era 11 (2016 to 2026) The Last Days of 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 No 72 Diesel Locomotive – British Steel Yellow/Blue livery. DCC status is DCC 21. Manufacturer part number KRM‑HUN‑OO‑R‑72. The model represents the British Rail sectorisation era.

The prototype locomotives were built for the British Steel Anchor Project at Scunthorpe. Work on the first ten machines began in 1972 and was completed by the end of 1973; they were numbered 70 to 79 (works numbers 7281‑7290). A further unit, number 80 (works number 7474), entered service in 1977.

Originally powered by two Rolls DV8 engines, the fleet were re‑engined in 1990 with two Perkins CV12 units and fitted with remote‑control operation. Two members of the class (numbers 77 and 78) have since been scrapped. Number 79 was later rebuilt as number 30, received a new control system in the 2000s and was named “Fusion”.

An overhaul programme started in 2015, with locomotives 72 and 73 being the first to undergo the work to extend the fleet’s operational life. The model reproduces the locomotive’s original British Steel yellow and blue colour scheme and its Bo‑Bo wheel arrangement.