There has been a Britannia model in the company's catalogues for
most of the last 48 years. The current model is the fifth and most accurate and there have
already been 10 versions of it. 70050 Firth of Clyde (R2718) is correctly paired
with a BR1D tender and has early emblems on the tender side. The tender has a low level of
coal and thus the steam-operated coal pusher is visible. The interior of the cab is also
incredibly well detailed and the cab roof has a sliding hatch. Not seen in the photograph
is the detail that comes in a separate bag for the purchaser to fit. This includes brake
rods for the loco and tender, a front coupling, imitation articulated coupling, vac pipes,
cylinder drain-cocks and replacement wheels for the fixed pony truck. There is also a bag
of loose plastic coal for filling the tender.
Firth of Clyde was built in 1954, was fitted from new with a speedometer and received AWS equipment in 1963. The tender lining on the model is that carried prior to the early '60s, when it was changed. It was withdrawn from service in August 1966 and scrapped by Cambell's Airdrie.
Also released is 70015 Apollo (R2717) which has late insignia on its BR1/1A type tender. The tender, and consequently the rear of the cab, is therefore different from that of Firth of Clyde and the smoke deflectors also show another variation. These have no handrails but cut-out rectangular holes edged with brass paint. Unlike the illustration in the catalogue, the model correctly has a red background to the brass nameplates.
Apollo was built in June 1951 with fluted coupling rods and was never fitted with AWS - but did have a speedometer fitted (not seen on the model). It outlived 70050, being withdrawn from service in August 1967. Both models have fixed pony trucks and are additionally supplied with alternative wheels for fitting if the model is for display purposes only.
Model Railway Express
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