LJC16. Great Western Railway Churchward 'Saint' 4-6-0 and Tender No. 2971 'Albion'. In lined GWR green with garter crest as used circa 1906 to 1927/28. This is by S.J. Models of Korea for Masterpiece Models in 2013, number 11 of a Limited Edition of 53 'Saints'. It comes with all the usual Masterpiece refinements including fully working inside motion, superb cab detail and opening smokebox door with internal detail. Cab crew and coal have been added. Additionally fitted with DCC and Sound using an ESU Loksound decoder (address 2971) but switchable between DCC and DC using a switch inside the tender water filler. The model is lightly used and is supplied in its original box with Limited Edition certificate. The prototype had an interesting history being built as No. 171 in 1903 as the third prototype of the 'Saint' series and the forerunner of the main production 'Saints' for which building started in 1905. As the forerunner it was used somewhat as a test bed. It was named 'Albion' in February 1904. It was then rebuilt as a 4-4-2 'Atlantic' in October 1904 for trials against the GWR 'La France'. For some obscure reason it was renamed 'The Pirate' in March 1907, still carrying the number 171. Next it was rebuilt back to a 4-6-0 in July 1907 and renamed back to 'Albion', still as No. 171. Finally it was renumbered to No. 2971 in 1913. Withdrawal came in January 1946 from Swindon shed. £2995.
