THIS ITEM IS NOW DISCONTINUED FROM THE HORNBY RANGE

BR Co-Co Diesel Electric Class 50 'Illustrious' No:50037

In 1966, BR ordered 50 of these 2700hp Co-Co diesel locomotives for use on the West Coast Main Line to replace electric traction at Crewe and take trains to Glasgow and Edinburgh. This was meant to be a temporary solution until the upgrade of the line. Indeed, in 1972, the 50s were moved to the Western Region for London Paddington to the South West services, and then on to the Southern's London Waterloo to Exeter route, with some services to Birmingham from London Paddington and Bristol. Their increasing unreliability became the class' eventual downfall, with locomotives in the class being withdrawn from February 1987 to March 1994.

MODEL SPECIFICATION

Length: 275mm; Running number: 50037 'Illustrious'; Livery: BR blue; Period: Early 1970s; Features: Extensive detail, twin bogie drive, pickups on all wheels, DCC ready, NEM couplings; Finish: Pristine; Motor: 5 pole skew wound; Suitable rolling stock: Freight and passenger stock of the period.

PROTOTYPE HISTORY

Built: 1967 - 1968 by English Electric at Vulcan Foundry, Newton le Willows; Dimensions: 20.88m x 2.78m x 3.96m; Weight: 116.9t; Wheel Diameter: 1092mm; Design/Maximum Speed: 105mph/90mph.