Hornby R2215 LMS Princess Elizabeth

The price of Gold is at an all time high so it will probably be melted down.

The fact that 5000 examples of this all sold when produced must give you some indication of the size of the collector market. These are unlikely to have seen track time even though the loco will have improved pick up as a result of the gold wheels.

Its not too clear what the next Hornby gold model will be as production is normally linked to some anniversary.

They could do a gold Evening Star in 2010 (50 years).

And there is the diamond jubilee of the formation of British Railways coming up next year.

There have been a number of Hornby/Triang gold models.

Happy modelling
Gary

QUOTE (neil_s_wood @ 21 Mar 2007, 21:58) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I spotted this rare item up for sale on Ebay. It's a LMS Princess Elizabeth with metal parts in 18 carat gold plate. This was a special edition released for the Queens Golden Jubilee and was a limited run of 5000. It is a bit opf a stunner and has never been used. This would be a crowning addition to any collection.

Yes that model of "Lizzie" is realy nice! I am lucky enough to have been bought one by my wife for my birthday in 2002 which was indeed the Queen's golden jubilee.
It holds another significence to me as I was a member of the Princess Elizabeth Locomotive Society and have actually worked on the locomotive and had the pleasure of both firing and driving her when the engine was based at hereford back in the late 70's

Regards
Frank

QUOTE (dwb @ 22 Mar 2007, 20:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>>had the pleasure of both firing and driving her when the engine was based at hereford back in the late 70's
Were you on the footplate for the Silver Jubilee rail tour in the early summer of 1977?

David
Hi David, No, is the short answer. In those days under BR the locomotive would have to be driven and fired by BR drivers and firemen.
By this time of course the number of experienced footplate men still employed by BR were few and far between!
As members we were only allowed to drive and fire ourselves on site at Bulmer's cider factory where there was about half a mile of track we could use.
As well as working on the engine I used to assist on the society's sales stand helping raise funds to keep Lizzie going so it is possible you may have seen me on one of the railtours behind the sales stand.
Regards
Frank

I have a fifteith anniversary edition of the black Princess and I'm still tossing up wether I should install a decoder or not as it would have to be hard wired. Not a problem really but should I or shouldn't I that is the question

Ozzie21

QUOTE (Gary @ 25 Mar 2007, 05:46) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I wonder if anybody has fitted a decoder to an example and operated it with DCC?

After all surely all 5000 are not destined for display only or are they?

There is bound to be some rich billionaire who has one who is not too bothered about the gold wearing off the wheels.

Would that billionaire please own up so that I can get the begging letters in!

Happy modelling
Gary

QUOTE (Ozzie21 @ 25 Mar 2007, 08:48) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I have a fifteith anniversary edition of the black Princess and I'm still tossing up wether I should install a decoder or not as it would have to be hard wired. Not a problem really but should I or shouldn't I that is the question
Ozzie21

That's alway's going to be a problem question.

As soon as it's even out of the box that takes some value off it.
As soon as you run it it takes a bit more value off it.
As soon as you modify it it take a little more & so on.
As far as the real die-hard collectors are concerned.

If you can fit the decoder & be able to return it to original then go ahead if it has been run anyway. Maybe if you carefully unsolder the existing wiring from the pick up to the insulated motor brush complete with the suppressor & store it in the box for possible re-fitting later the idea will work & you can return it to original condition.

At the end of the day it's your choice - if it were me I'd do it anyway.

As an aside I have a complete LGB Fire Set & am thinking about converting that to DCC & have the blue flashing lights, siren, seachlight & water pump working - but it will be done to enable me to return it to original condition. It seems to be worth quite a lot already. It generally only comes out when the weather is good & I can make sure the cats keep away from it.

This is a very good discussion for the collector area of the board.

What a collector dilema....

Do you or don't you?

With anything other than Hornby I generally do.

Hornby limited editions are a very rare breed however and they are considered something special by the Hornby faithful.

I am glad I do not have to make that decision as my policy is not to tamper with Hornby limited editions although they do get a run.

What you have to do is ask yourself why you bought it and would you feel worse not tampering with it or tampering with it.

Whichever makes you feel bad the most is what you don't do!

Happy modelling
Gary