Corgi ST97701 BR 4-6-2 Britannia Class 70000 'Britannia' circa 2012.

The British Rail Standard Class 7, otherwise known as the ‘Britannia Class’ were designed by Robert Riddles for mixed traffic duties. In all there was fifty-five of the Class built at the BR Crewe Works between January 1951 and September 1954. The BR Standard 7 Class took their names from Great Britons, Scottish Firths and former Star Class locomotives. The first to enter service was British Rail (BR) 70000 and was named ‘Britannia’ at a naming ceremony at Marylebone Station. Britannia was withdrawn from service in May 1966. After a series of moves, Britannia remained operational on preserved railways until 1991 when it returned to main line duties running special excursions. Britannia is modelled here in BR Brunswick Green carrying an early BR Crest, earlier this year Britannia served royalty by hauling the Royal Train with Prince Charles on board.