Hornby BR 4-6-2 'Earl Haig' Britannia Class R3295
Hornby BR 4-6-2 'Earl Haig' Britannia Class R3295
After the UK railways were nationalised in 1948 a British Railways team was created, headed by Robert Riddles to design a series of modern and versatile ‘standard’ locomotive Classes with the result that the Class 7MT Britannia Pacific was the first to appear. A total of 55 of the Class were built at British Railways Crewe Works between 1951 and 1954. Originally designed for mixed traffic duties they were however used mainly on express passenger services.
The first 25 of the Britannia Class numbers 70000 – 70024 were allocated to the BR Eastern Region where more powerful locomotives were required for the London to Norwich services. Later on several of the Class were allocated to both the Western and Southern Regions of British Railways. Two locomotives, Nos. 70004 ‘William Shakespeare’ and 70014 ‘Iron Duke’ were allocated to Stewarts Lane, London to work the heavy ‘Golden Arrow’ trains between London and Dover.
The Class was fitted with 6’2” driving wheels, 3’ bogie wheels, two 20” x 28” outside cylinders and a boiler pressure of 250 lbs / psi they were a powerful and reliable locomotive liked by their crew.
Despite an all up weight of over 90 tons, the Britannia’s had a wide and extensive route availability due to their axle loading of just over 20 tons, however the 4-6-0 locomotive required a sensitive hand on the regulator to avoid wheel slip when pulling away. 58’3” wheelbase meant that they could be accommodated on a 60’ turntable.
By 1966 diesels had replaced the Britannias on both the Eastern and Western BR regions with the remaining members of the Class being concentrated on the London Midland Region and relegated to freight and parcels service in and around the North West of England. All but seven of the Class ended their days at Kingmoor Depot, Carlisle.
The withdrawal of the Class commenced with two in 1965, eleven in 1966 and forty seven in 1967. Only two of the Class have survived, No. 70000, ‘Britannia’ and No. 70013, ‘Oliver Cromwell’ which is part of the National Collection and is normally based at York. For many years the cab roof on ‘Britannia’ was painted white which was applied when the locomotive was used to pull King George VI’s funeral train from Norfolk to London in February 1952.
Locomotive 70044, ‘Earl Haig’ and was outshopped from the BR Crewe Locomotive Works on the 4th June 1953. ‘Earl Haig’ was withdrawn from service on the 24th October 1966 and was eventually cut up by T. W. Ward of Beighton, Sheffield on the 20th February 1967.
Suitable rolling stock: R4620, R4188C, R4619, R4606
Brand:
Hornby
MPN:
R3295
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