LSTH04. BR ex- LMS Stanier ‘Duchess’ Pacific 4-6-2 and Tender No. 46233 ‘Duchess of Sutherland’. In lined BR green livery with late crest and shedplate 8A Edge Hill (Liverpool), but without Automatic Warning System equipment or electrification flashes fitted. It has a 'The Caledonian' headboard fitted. Paired with a non-streamlined tender which it received when new and retained until withdrawal. This represents one of the original batch of five non-streamlined LMS Duchesses having the continuous running plate (Buccleuch, Atholl, Montrose, Sutherland, Abercorn). The model is by Sancheng for Finescale Brass and has all the the usual Sancheng detailing such as opening smokebox door and tender filler cap, compensated chassis and excellent cab detail. The model has been used as a 'display case' model only plus lubrication and light testing by ourselves. It is supplied in an original Finescale Brass 'Duchess' box (but not the one originally supplied with this model). The prototype was into service from Crewe Works in July 1938 going first to Camden (as they all seemed to do) and moving between there, Crewe North and Carlisle Upperby until September 1960. It then went to Edge Hill staying there until withdrawal in February 1964. It had a double chimney fitted in March 1941 and smoke deflectors in September 1946. It carried this BR green livery with late crest from February 1961 until withdrawal. It was subsequently, and thankfully, preserved by Billie Butlin for display at his holiday camp at Ayr and who unknowingly was one of the pioneers of private steam preservation. £2200.
