Hornby R30264 Dublo LNER A4 Class 4-6-2 4464 Steam Loco Bittern Great Gathering 10th Anniversary - Era 10

The LNER Gresley A4 is one of the most iconic express locomotives in Great Britain, with its streamlined casing a classic symbol of the attitude towards speed and design in the 1930s, which saw increased competition to the railways from road and air travel. The LNER Board knew that they had to make travel between the major cities faster, comfortable and more reliable.

4464 Bittern was rolled out of the Doncaster shed it was built in on the 18th December 1937 and entered LNER service shortly after. The locomotive would be renumbered to 60019 by BR, after its renumbering to 19 under the 1946 LNER renumbering scheme. Bittern was withdrawn on the 5th September 1966 and was destined for the scrapyard however was chosen for preservation after 60024 Kingfisher, originally selected, was found to have firebox problems. 

Bittern officially entered preservation on the 12th September 1966. Bittern is currently at the One:One collection in Margate, awaiting overhaul which will take place once 60532 and 70000 are back on the mainline. In running preservation Bittern has carried the identities of some scrapped classmates such as 2509 Silver Link and 4492 Dominion of New Zealand.

Hornby Dublo A4 models feature a diecast body, just as their original Hornby Dublo counter parts would have been seen. This is coupled with enchanted decoration which when paired with the diecast of the boiler provides a realistic finish to the body. The models contain a 5 pole motor with flywheel and are DCC ready with an 8 pin socket.