Hornby reveals new Collector Club exclusive

The 'S&DR, 0-4-0, Locomotion No. 1 Era 1 (R30345) is available to Collector Club members only and is limited to 730 units. Available via Hornby’s website only, the new model will be arriving next month.

This OO model represents the seminal locomotive as it would have been displayed at Darlington North Road Station in 1857 and comes DCC Ready, priced at £184.99.

Memberships cost from £30 and, as a Collector Club Member, you will receive a Collector Club magazine every season, as well as a host of other benefits, including free entry to The WonderWorks, a Collector Club membership card, lanyard, and pin badge as well as access to purchase exclusive Club products and advance notice of new products.

About the prototype

Locomotion' No. 1 made its historic debut on 27 September 1825 for the opening of the first public railway, the Stockton & Darlington Railway. The locomotive was driven by George Stephenson and hauled many wagons filled with coal, flour and passengers. 

A passenger carriage called ‘Experiment’ was also present and carried the railway’s directors. 300 passenger tickets were sold officially. 

However, a total amount of nearly 700 passengers were crammed into the wagons and the total load on that day was about 80 tons! Discussions took place as early as March 1856 to preserve and display the iconic locomotive for future generations.

At the ‘Power Committee’ of the S&DR meeting on 24 March, there were inquiries as to the whereabouts and condition of No. 1. Following the meeting, William Bouch, the S&DR’s Locomotive Superintendent, responded on 26 April that the locomotive had been used as a stationary pumping engine at Pease’s West Colliery and was still in its modified form. 

Restoring the locomotive fully would cost £50. After his response, the work took several months to complete. A foundation stone was laid down for the locomotive to rest upon. The foundation stone was then carved with the legend “S. &. D. R. No 1. 1825.” and on Saturday, June 6th, 1857, eighty people were invited to a ceremony to mark the occasion. 

No. 1 was placed upon a pedestal atop the stone for display outside Darlington North Road station.