Hornby Commemorative BRc Black 5s

This has been a year of many commemorations and Hornby has not missed the chances offered. Perhaps the most familiar to railway enthusiasts has been the 40th Anniversary of the official end of steam locomotion on the British rail network. Hornby have chosen to celebrate this with models of the two 'Black 5' locomotives that took part in the end-of-steam special run. These were 44781 and 44871. I understand that the similarity of the running numbers was purely accidental. The models are of the 2002 super-detailed version of the 'Black 5' and the structural differences between the two real locomotives have been copied. Thus, the model of 44781 (R2686B) has a forward top feed on the boiler and a riveted tender while the 44871 (R2686A) model has a top feed near to the dome and a tender with smooth-sides. Both models are in pristine condition and, of course, carry the late BR insignia on the tender sides.