Hornby OO Gauge BR, Class B17/51 4-6-0, 61659 ‘East Anglian’ – Era 4 R30136

The 4-6-0 B17 was one of the underrated workhorses of the LNER. In a company with such heavy hitters as the A3 and A4 locomotives it is easy to see why some less visually impressive locomotives may be overlooked, but the importance of some of these other models should not be understated. 

The B17 was born out of necessity, the Great Eastern Main Line between London and Norfolk had weight restrictions littered across the route that the larger pacifics exceeded, while the B12 class of locomotives that worked the route were struggling to keep up with the demand for longer and more intense services. 

In total 73 examples of the class were built and 73 examples were scrapped. As of 2023, there is a project being undertaken to complete a new built B17, 61673 Spirit of Sandringham.

In September 1937 the LNER introduced their East Anglian service, with the first train departing on the 27th. To celebrate this service, and to bring the locomotives more in line with several other recent LNER services which were all hauled by A4 locomotives two examples of the class were fitted with A4 style streamlining. These were designated the B17/5s.

‘East Anglian’ started out life as 2859 Norwich City, before gaining its streamlining under the LNER in 1937. The locomotive retained this streamlined shell into BR ownership until 1949 when the locomotive was rebuilt as a B17/6 in line with much of its classmates. The locomotive would go on to be withdrawn in March 1960 wearing the BR number of 61659 and was not preserved.

This model of the B17 includes a newly tooled body with full ‘clothing’ and cab detail. The locomotive features a 5 pole motor with flywheel and couples to rolling stock via NEM couplings front and rear.