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Hornby's affiliation with The Royal Train (now Serco Royal Train and based at Wolverton) began in early 1986 when a dedicated train set featuring 47541 'The Queen Mother' was released. This was followed very closely by the train set vehicles being individually released and R459 in this shape and form is one of these. 2905 in the Royal Train claret colours is a Mk2M Brake vehicle which is customised for Royal Train use. The 'M' in Mk2M and it's official designation AC2M denotes 'Modified' as it indeed is from an AC2A Mk2A Brake as rated as C1 Stock. I have made sure that I have distinguished R459 as the 1980s Mk2M Brake model because there has been another train set only Mk2M Brake model released since. Boxed and in good condition R459 is sought after by collectors as are the two (short base) Mk3M 1980s models released in the same fashion which feature accurately positioned door apertures but which are not of scale length being 'short base' Hornby Mk3s. 2905 has been wonderfully reproduced as a OO Gauge model by Hornby although it features a couple of 'period' features which some may find a little problematic: The first being plastic running wheels though these can be replaced by metal rimmed Silver Seal wheels with ease. But not with the more modern Hornby 'finescale' type metal wheels which are fitted to the more recent model which has been fitted with re-engineered bogies. The second will probably only be frowned upon by the uber-pernickety and that is the 'window ledges' which so many OO Gauge carriages featured back then! This model due to the windows being 'curtained' instead of clear would be a flush-glazing nightmare to perfect and so is maybe best left with the existing features. But all in all what a wonderful collectors' item owning R459 in great shape would make for the period collector especially? As one myself with R459 boxed and in almost mint condition I seriously urge those who see the same not to sit on the fence! :o)Read full review
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