Hornby Dublo BR Blue Merchant Navy 35019 'French Line CGT'

Hornby Dublo BR Blue Merchant Navy 35019 'French Line CGT'

1:76 scale model produced by Hornby. This model is ready-to-run straight out of the box and would make a excellent addition to any model railway collection.

Details

Celebrate one of Southern Railway's most iconic express locomotives with the Hornby Dublo Merchant Navy Class No. 35019 'French Line CGT', beautifully finished in British Railways Lined Express Blue with the early Cycling Lion emblem. Part of the highly collectable Hornby Dublo die-cast range, this premium OO gauge model combines classic Dublo construction with modern levels of detail and performance.

Faithfully recreated from extensive research and original works drawings, this impressive model captures the distinctive appearance of Oliver Bulleid's famous Merchant Navy Pacifics, affectionately known as the "Spam Cans". Featuring a fully die-cast body and chassis, etched nameplates, detailed cab interior and numerous separately fitted parts, No. 35019 French Line CGT is a standout addition for collectors of Southern Region locomotives and Hornby Dublo models alike.

Finished in the striking BR Express Blue livery carried during the early British Railways era, this locomotive offers exceptional realism and durability while delivering smooth and reliable operation on OO gauge layouts.

This highly detailed model features a fully decorated cab interior with instrument dials, a separately fitted simulated coal load, and a fully detailed tender bunker. Electrical pick-ups are fitted to both the locomotive and tender wheels and are connected via an 8-way locomotive-to-tender drawbar with integrated electrical connections for dependable operation and easy coupling.

Additional features include brass main drive bearings, sprung metal buffers, front and rear NEM coupling pockets, pogo-pin wheel pick-up arrangements for simplified maintenance, and an accessory pack containing additional detailing components. The locomotive is designed to operate on layouts with 2nd radius curves and above.

Features:

• 1:76 Scale Model
• Analogue DC Model
• This model mainly operates in Britain
• Decorated in BR company markings
• Best suited to 438mm radius curves
• Fully die-cast construction including body, chassis, connecting rods and valve gear
• BR Lined Express Blue livery with early Cycling Lion tender emblem
• Etched 'French Line CGT' nameplates and accessory 'RF' headboard included
• 21-pin HM7000 decoder socket and HM7000 Power Bank compatibility
• Powerful 5-pole skew-wound motor with locomotive and tender wheel pick-ups

Historical Background

The Merchant Navy Class was designed by Oliver Bulleid for the Southern Railway to haul the heaviest express passenger services across the Southern network. Thirty locomotives were constructed at Eastleigh Works between 1941 and 1949, each named after shipping companies associated with Southampton Docks.

No. 21C19 'French Line CGT' entered service in June 1945, carrying Southern Railway malachite green livery. Its name honoured the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (CGT), the famous French shipping company more commonly known as the French Line. Following nationalisation in 1948, the locomotive became British Railways No. 35019 and was fitted with the later wedge-shaped cab design while receiving the attractive BR Express Blue livery.

Like the rest of the class, the locomotive was later rebuilt in 1959, emerging in BR lined green livery. It continued hauling prestigious Southern Region express services until its withdrawal from Weymouth shed in September 1965. Today, French Line CGT remains a popular member of the Merchant Navy class among railway historians and Southern Region enthusiasts.