Hornby Dublo LNER Class A4 2511 ‘Silver King’ – 90th Anniversary Collection

The Hornby Dublo LNER ‘A4’ Class 2511 ‘Silver King’ is a distinguished addition to the 90th Anniversary Collection, representing the elegance and engineering excellence of Sir Nigel Gresley’s iconic A4 Pacific fleet. Finished in a distinctive silver livery, this diecast model features a flickering firebox and is DCC Ready with a 21-pin socket, enabling simple digital conversion. Designed for both performance and visual appeal, the model includes a metal chassis and body, providing the strength to haul a full rake of coaches. It also comes with an accessories pack that includes detail parts and crew figures for added realism.

The original locomotive entered service in November 1935 and was allocated to London’s King’s Cross shed, commonly referred to as ‘Top Shed’. It operated on the prestigious ‘Silver Jubilee’ express service and was initially painted in silver/grey. The locomotive was repainted in LNER Garter Blue in April 1938, but during wartime austerity in April 1943, it was finished in plain black with ‘NE’ lettering on the tender, and its streamlined side skirting was removed.

After a series of depot reassignments, it received its final LNER number, 16, while stationed at Gateshead. Under British Railways, it became 60016 and was based at Aberdeen Ferryhill, where it was used for express services between Aberdeen and Glasgow. The locomotive was withdrawn from service in March 1965.