Hornby R30030 BR Class 87 Bo-Bo 87006 City of Glasgow Electric Locomotive - Era 8

Recreate the golden age of British Rail's high-speed electric passenger services with the Hornby R30030 BR Class 87 'City of Glasgow' No. 87006 Electric Locomotive. Beautifully reproduced in OO Gauge (1:76 scale), this highly detailed Bo-Bo locomotive captures the distinctive appearance of one of British Rail's most powerful and recognisable electric locomotives.

Featuring authentic British Rail detailing, a powerful 5-pole skew-wound motor and a 21-pin DCC-ready socket, this impressive model is ideal for railway enthusiasts and collectors recreating the West Coast Main Line during the British Rail sectorisation era.

A Powerful Locomotive with a Rich Railway History

The British Rail Class 87 was developed during the early 1970s to meet the growing demand for more powerful electric locomotives capable of handling the challenging gradients of the West Coast Main Line between Weaver Junction and Glasgow.

Following the authorisation of electrification north of Weaver Junction in 1970, British Rail required a locomotive that could operate faster and haul heavier trains than the existing Class 86 fleet.

British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at Crewe was commissioned to construct the new locomotives, with GEC Traction supplying the electrical equipment. Originally planned as a fleet of 34 locomotives, the order was later increased to 36.

Although visually similar to the Class 86, the Class 87 incorporated significant mechanical improvements, including redesigned BP9 bogies with Flexicoil suspension, multiple-unit control equipment and distinctive twin-windscreen cabs.

With an impressive power output of 5,000 horsepower and a maximum operating speed of 110 mph (177 km/h), the Class 87 was capable of hauling passenger trains weighing up to 450 tonnes or freight trains weighing up to 750 tonnes.

The introduction of the famous West Coast 'Electric Scot' service on 22 April 1974 demonstrated the class's capabilities, reducing journey times between London and Glasgow to approximately five hours.

The History of No. 87006 'City of Glasgow'

Locomotive No. 87006 entered British Rail service in November 1973 and became one of the most recognisable members of the Class 87 fleet.

In December 1977, the locomotive received the name 'City of Glasgow', which it carried until 1987. It was subsequently renamed 'Glasgow Garden Festival' before returning to the name 'City of Glasgow' in 1989, retaining it until 1997.

In 1984, No. 87006 was selected alongside No. 87012 to trial experimental liveries ahead of improved 110 mph services on the West Coast Main Line.

No. 87006 received a distinctive variation of the British Rail large-logo livery, featuring a dark grey base colour instead of the traditional Rail Blue. Meanwhile, No. 87012 received an experimental livery that became known as InterCity Executive.

Following the introduction of modern Pendolino electric multiple units, the Class 87 fleet was gradually withdrawn from regular West Coast Main Line passenger services.

In 2009, No. 87006 was among the Class 87 locomotives exported to Bulgaria for continued operation with the Bulgarian Railway Company.

Authentic Detail and Reliable Performance

The Hornby R30030 faithfully recreates the distinctive appearance of this historic British Rail electric locomotive, making it an excellent addition to any OO Gauge railway layout.

Powered by a precision-engineered 5-pole skew-wound motor, the model is designed to provide smooth and reliable operation.

A factory-installed 21-pin DCC-ready socket allows digital command control conversion with a compatible decoder, providing flexibility for modellers wishing to upgrade their railway layout to DCC operation.

The model also includes a detailed accessory pack containing etched nameplates, jumper cables, a coupling hook and bar for additional realism.

Key Features

• Brand: Hornby

• Product Code: R30030

• Locomotive: Class 87 'City of Glasgow' No. 87006

• Operator: British Rail

• Era: 8 – British Rail Sectorisation

• Scale: 1:76 – OO Gauge

• Wheel Configuration: Bo-Bo

• Locomotive Type: Electric

• Motor: 5-pole skew-wound motor

• DCC Status: DCC Ready

• DCC Interface: 21-pin decoder socket

• Minimum Curve: Radius 2

• Original Manufacturer: British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL)

• Recommended Age: 14 years and over

Technical Specifications

• Length: 243 mm

• Width: 35 mm

• Height: 50 mm

• Weight: 0.57 kg

• Scale: 1:76

• Gauge: OO Gauge

• Locomotive Class: Class 87

• Motor Type: 5-pole skew-wound

• DCC Compatibility: 21-pin DCC-ready socket

• Minimum Track Radius: Radius 2

• Era: 8

What's Included?

• 1 × Hornby BR Class 87 'City of Glasgow' No. 87006 Electric Locomotive

• 1 × Accessory Pack (etched nameplates, jumper cables, coupling hook and bar)

• 1 × Instruction Manual

A Classic British Electric Locomotive for Your Collection

The Hornby Class 87 'City of Glasgow' is an excellent choice for enthusiasts recreating the iconic West Coast Main Line passenger services of the British Rail era.

Combining historical significance, authentic detailing and dependable motor performance, this impressive electric locomotive makes a valuable addition to any British railway collection.

Whether displayed as a collector's model or operated on an OO Gauge railway layout, the Hornby R30030 captures the power and character of one of Britain's most successful mainline electric locomotive classes.

Recommended for railway modellers and collectors aged 14 years and over.

Please Note: This locomotive is DCC Ready and