In 2000, the Merchant Navy Class model launched Hornby's move into the world of high quality models and 35010 Blue Star is the 16th member of the class to be modelled. It has a free moving pony truck. Separately packed are the brake rods for the loco, a front coupling, imitation articulated coupling, vac pipes and front steps - none of which will be seen in the photograph.
Blue Star entered traffic in July 1942 in black wartime livery and was named five months later. It was involved in smoke clearance trials from December 1942 and fitted with hood deflectors in March 1943 - and standard deflectors four years later. It was painted in Malachite green in June 1947 and renumbered in December 1948. The following November it was painted blue and had the cab modified but it did not receive its Brunswick green livery until November 1952. The locomotive was rebuilt in January 1957 and did not receive the later BR emblems, carried by the model, until December 1961, along with the speedo cable. Blue Star survived in service until September 1966 and eventually passed into preservation. It will be found on the Colne Valley Railway.
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