In stock now are Dapol's latest batches of LNER Class A3 and Class A4 4-6-2 steam locomotives in N Gauge - including some new livery variations not seen previously!
A wide range of models are available to order now in a selection of LNER and British Railways colour schemes. What's more, several of these are available as train packs - complete with applicably LNER Gresley Teak coaches, providing you with an easy-to-run and eye catching train in one box.
Digital fitted variations of these new locomotives are also available - but some are still on the way from Dapol - due soon!
Explore the Range - Class A3 4-6-2
In Stock Now - Class A4 4-6-2
Product Features
Finely moulded body and tender with many separately added fine details
Highly Detailed Finish
Models include tender & chimney variations
Cast wheels with fine relief & appropriate colouring
Dapol’s tender drive system that delivers power to the locomotive wheels
Heavy chassis and 14 wheel pick ups
Super Creep Motor for controlled pulling power with fine slow speed control
Finely etched name plates
Accessory bag with spares
Digital capability - 6-pin socket
Prototype Information - Class A3
The London and North Eastern Railway LNER Gresley Classes A1 and A3 locomotives represented two distinct stages in the history of the British 4-6-2 "Pacific" steam locomotives designed by Nigel Gresley. They were designed for main line passenger services, initially on the Great Northern Railway (GNR), a constituent company of the London and North Eastern Railway after the amalgamation of 1923, for which they became a standard design.
The change in class designation to A3 reflected the fitting to the same chassis of a higher pressure boiler with a greater superheating surface and a small reduction in cylinder diameter, leading to an increase in locomotive weight. Eventually all of the A1 locomotives were rebuilt, most to A3 specifications, but no. 4470 was completely rebuilt as Class A1/1. The names for the locomotives came from a variety of sources. The first, Great Northern, was named after its parent company. Others were given the names of high-ranking railway officials, but most were given the names of famous racehorses.
One was named after the company's most famous long-distance passenger train, the Flying Scotsman. Flying Scotsman is the sole survivor of the class to be preserved.
Prototype Information - Class A4
Following on from the success of the A3, and at the insistance of the LNER publicity Department, Nigel Gresley revealed his next class of high speed express engine in 1935. They were introduced, like the A3's, for the long distance, high speed, runs on the ECML to which they settled in very quickly. They were an almost instant success, building on the foundations laid by the A1 and A3 classes with the added streamlining both of the outer casing of the engine and a lot of internal components.
In 1938 Class A4 4468 'Mallard' set the world steam speed record of 126.4 mph on Stoke Bank south of Grantham while running on a trial service with a dynamometer car (for recording speed etc) and 6 standard coaches. During the war years it was found that the valances covering the main running gear was hampering quick maintenance that on other classes would be relatively easy. The decision was taken to remove the valances completely to aid general servicing with the intention of restoring them at the end of hostilities, however this never happened and for the rest of their lives they ran without them. The only other major change to the look of the locos came with the fitting of double chimneys, although with the abundant streamlining this was less obvious than on other classes.
The A4 locomotives started to be withdrawn in 1962 with the final members lasting until 1966. Luckily 6 have been preserved, including Mallard and 3 others in the UK, 1 in the USA and 1 in Canada.