Hornby have just announced the latest addition to their growing range of DCC Sound & Steam Generator fitted steam locomotives in OO Gauge!Ā
The iconic SR 'Merchant Navy' is set to receive the fully enhanced digital treatment, with these exciting new features. This new edition depicts Ā 21C1 'Channel Packet' in the iconic Southern Railway lined malachite green colour scheme. 'Channel Packet' was the first of the Merchant Navy Class, entering service in 1941 at Salisbury, before moving to Exmouth Junction in 1942.
Ā Pre-order now!Ā We expect this new model to arrive during February 2026.Ā
Pre-Order Now
Product Features
Highly detailed model with separately fitted parts including handrails, lamp irons, brake gear, locomotive nameplates/ numberplates etc and more
DCC Sound pre-fitted from factory (decoder/ speaker located in tender)
Steam Generator system pre-fitted
5-pole skew-wound motor with flywheel with 6-wheel drive and driving/ tender pickups
Fully detailed and decorated cab interior
NEM tension lock couplings
HOW DOES THE STEAM GENERATOR WORK?
Hornby steam generators are ultrasonic devices that create a mist of cold water vapor to make it look like a locomotive is emitting steam.
HOW IT WORKS
The steam generator is located in the locomotive's boiler. To fill the generator, you can use the pipette that comes with the model to add up to 5 milliliters of water into the small hole behind the smokebox door. When the sound function is turned on, the steam generator produces steam.
HOW IT'S CONTROLLED
The steam output is controlled by a decoder, such as the HM7000 decoder, which can be synced with the locomotive's wheel speed and piston action. This ensures that the steam and sound effects happen in time with the locomotive's movements.
HOW IT LOOKS
When the locomotive is stationary, it emits wisps of steam from the chimney. When the locomotive is moving, the steam billows in time with the onboard sounds.
Other Hornby DCC Sound & Steam Locos
Aside from the new 'Merchant Navy', Hornby have produced a selection of other DCC Sound & Steam Generator fitted locomotives catering for many iconic legends of steam!
Prototype Information
The SR Merchant Navy class (originally known as the 21C1 class, and later informally known as Bulleid Pacifics, Spam Cans ā which name was also applied to the Light Pacifics ā or Packets) is a class of air-smoothed 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotives designed for the Southern Railway by Oliver Bulleid. The first members of the class were constructed during the Second World War, and the last of the 30 locomotives in 1949. Incorporating a number of new developments in British steam locomotive technology, the design of the Merchant Navy class was among the first to use welding in the construction process; this enabled easier fabrication of components during the austerity of the war and post-war economies.
In addition, the locomotives featured thermic syphons in their boilers and the controversial Bulleid chain-driven valve gear. The class members were named after the Merchant Navy shipping lines involved in the Battle of the Atlantic, and latterly those which used Southampton Docks: a publicity masterstroke by the Southern Railway, which operated Southampton Docks during the period.Ā
Due to problems with some of the more novel features of Bulleid's design, all members of the class were modified by British Railways during the late 1950s, losing their air-smoothed casings in the process.