N2 LMS Tank Engine 1938-1939

In 1938, three years after Märklin started an HO range, Hornby started their OO guage railways. With the ready availability of Märklin track being exported right across Europe and Hornby Dublo just starting out, it was decided to use the German 16.5 mm guage and that has stayed with British model railways ever since. In reality, the true OO guage should be 18mm, if you wish to have exact scale.

This is my only Hornby Dublo locomotive from the 1938-39 period, I have to be careful with it and it runs only when a visitor shows interest, otherwise it stays behind glass. It has alrady lost the front coupling and this has been replaced by a post-war coupling, otherwise it is all 1938 original.

Although mine is the LMS variant, it was also built in GWR, LNER and SR liveries. I will explain in the photo captions the difference between pre-war and post-war variants.

Well battered and play worn, it has seen a lot of use

Some time in its past someone has had a go at weathering

Obvious is the pre-war lettering, post-war the letters were far more simple. Sometimes the decals used can date a locomotive

Here can be seen the rear solid disk wheels and the rear flat pre-war coupling. The coupling fits well with the 1949 Trackmaster goods wagons couplings. For more "modern" wagons there is the front HD coupling. (itis my intention to obtain an old coupling for the rear at a later date). I run this locomotive light, as I do not wish to burden the motor.

PRE-WAR MODEL: No cut out on the bufferbeam bottom, nickle plated buffers, early coupling and label in gold. (much later this is silver).

PRE-WAR MODEL: No cut out on the bufferbeam bottom, nickel plated buffers and "HORNBY" on the top of the firebox door

Clear view of the rear coupling and note that the rear wheels can slide up and down.

Left of the drive cog, the head of the split pin for the trailing wheels can be seen. The pick up shoe with the two spring loaded spoons are no different from the post-war type.

No detailed view of the locomotive would be complete without a look at the motor. Here can be seen the horseshoe magnet I have not replaced the wiring as it still seems to function and I would like to keep the locomotive as original as possible. In a few places the locomotive diecast parts have started to crumble a little, so I try not to handle it too much. This article has been its moment of fame.