The streamlined casing of the Gresley ‘A4’ took the world by storm when the first of the new breed rolled out of Doncaster Works in 1935. Can Hattons brand-new ‘O’ gauge model of the high-speed ‘Pacifics’ do the same for 7mm scale? MIKE WILD puts this new arrival through its paces.
GRESLEY’S ‘Pacifics’ are ‘A4’ the CLASS ultimate icons of steam and speed. Introduced in 1935, the new design captured the full attention of the world with its streamlined casing, record breaking feats and prestigious named train workings.
Just 35 were built, but that was plenty for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) to catapult itself firmly into the record books. In 1935 2509 Silver Link achieved 112.5mph during a test run and three years later that was eclipsed when 4468 Mallard hit 126.5mph on Stoke bank – that world speed record for steam traction still stands today.
Such a high-profile class has been the subject of many ready-to-run models over the years for ‘OO’, ‘N’ and ‘O’ gauge. In ‘O’ gauge previous models have been high-end, high priced short run products which commanded £2,500 and higher price tags. Kits too have been readily available for the scale, but even then, the price could reach the high hundreds once wheels, motor and …
