Preorder Hornby R30510 Stephenson’s Rocket

For the first time, Stephenson's Rocket is presented as a solo locomotive, with a sleek yellow livery, fixed metal buffers and chain couplings. This highly detailed, diminuitive locomotive model is a must-have model for steam collectors, due to its historical importance and incredible model engineering. 

This historically important locomotive was built in 1929 to participate in the Rainhill Trials, a competition set-up by the promoters of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway to find suitable motive power for its opening the following year. Built to the order of his father George (who was the L&MR’s principal engineer at the time), ‘Rocket’ was designed by Robert Stephenson and built at his Forth Street Works in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 

The design was the most advanced in its day and ‘Rocket’ won the Trials. The locomotive then became one of four that took part in the L&MR’s opening parade in September 1930.