Entering service in December 1875 55 Stepney served the LB&SCR, SR and British Railways carrying numbers LBSC 55, 655, SR B655 (B for Brighton works) 2655 and BR 32655 until 1960.
Sold in May 1960 Stepney was the first locomotive to arrive at the newly established Bluebell Railway, a preserved heritage line leasing a section of track south from Horstead Keynes to Sheffield Park in Sussex. Thus marking the beginning of Britains first standard gauge heritage railway.
Last running in 2014 Stepney requires major repairs before being returned to service, however the Bluebell Railway website reports new cylinder castings are already in hand.
Model Features
- Sprung metal buffers and coupling hook with 3-link couplings.
- Diecast running plate for extra strength and weight.
- Firebox glow and flicker effect.
- Etched plates where applicable
- Finely moulded plastic body with many separately added fine details.
- Choice of DCC Ready (21-pin decoder socket) and DCC Sound fitted models.
- Cast, profiled wheels with fine relief and appropriate colouring.
- Tungsten chassis and ll wheel pickup.
- Powerful 5 pole skew wound motor with refined slow running control.
- Accessory bag with spares and other added detail.