Since the full-size engine returned to the mainline after many years incarseration at Bressingham I have some enjoyable trips behind it particularly to Norwich where it sent brand new in 1951. Because of this I wanted the Hornby model, not realising what a problem that was going to be. Hornby couldn't help, saying it was a limited edition that was unlikely to be repeated and the NRM had no stock.
Finally,having rang numerous dealers with no joy, I went to a Toy Fair in Ipswich and spoke to a trader who had brought a lot of new Hornby stock across from Holland. He said he thought he had a Cromwell back at his shop in Eindhoven. A quick phone call in Dutch confirmed this and he would post to me if I cared to pay for it there and then. Parting with £105.00 seamed risky but sure enough, the loco arrived soon after. As to the model, it's marvellous compared to the orginal Triang Britannia of yore!
Submitted By: Len Matthews |
9/10
