RailRoad GWR County Class 1023 County of Oxford Steam Loco

RailRoad GWR County Class 1023 County of Oxford Steam Loco

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

Add classic Great Western power to your layout with the Hornby RailRoad GWR County Class No. 1023 ‘County of Oxford’, finished in elegant GWR lined green with the Great Western tender crest. As the final development of the GWR’s two-cylinder 4-6-0 express and mixed-traffic design, the County Class represents the peak of Swindon engineering under Chief Mechanical Engineer Frederick Hawksworth.

Part of the dependable Hornby RailRoad range, this OO gauge model combines robust construction with accurate detailing and smooth running performance. Designed for reliable operation on both main line and branch layouts, it captures the distinctive proportions and presence of the final generation of GWR express locomotives.

A versatile performer in model form as in reality, the County Class is equally suited to passenger and freight duties, making it a strong addition to any GWR or early BR-era collection.

Built for dependable everyday operation, this RailRoad County Class model features a durable bodyshell with finely applied GWR lining and lettering. The working running gear provides smooth motion on the layout, while its solid construction ensures long-lasting reliability for both display and regular use.

A 21-pin DCC decoder socket allows easy upgrade to digital operation using the Hornby HM7000 system, giving modellers the flexibility to enhance their layout as required. An accessory pack is included, and the model is suitable for layouts with 2nd radius curves and above.

Features:

• 1:76 Scale Model
• Analogue DC Model
• This model mainly operates in Britain
• Decorated in GWR company markings
• Best suited to 438mm radius curves
• Authentic Great Western lined green livery with GW tender crest
• RailRoad specification model with moulded detailing
• Working valve gear and smooth-running motion
• NEM coupling sockets for OO gauge compatibility
• 21-pin DCC decoder socket compatible with HM7000 system

Historical Background

The GWR County Class was the final expression of the Great Western Railway’s two-cylinder 4-6-0 design philosophy, developed under Frederick Hawksworth. Built at Swindon between 1945 and 1947, a total of 30 locomotives were constructed for mixed-traffic duties, combining express passenger capability with freight versatility.

No. 1023 ‘County of Oxford’ entered service in January 1947 and quickly became a familiar sight across the West Country. Allocated to depots including Truro, Exeter, Plymouth Laira and Penzance, it worked a variety of passenger and freight services during the final years of the Great Western Railway.

Following nationalisation in 1948, the locomotive continued in service with British Railways for a further 15 years. Its final allocation was Shrewsbury, from where it was withdrawn in March 1963. Like all members of the class, it was scrapped, meaning none of the Hawksworth Counties survived into preservation, making accurate scale representations especially valuable to collectors and enthusiasts today.