The striking gold models just released by Hornby celebrate a major milestone in the history of Britain’s largest power station and its rail freight operations.

R30461 Hornby OO Gauge RailRoad GB Railfreight Class 66 Co-Co Drax 50th Anniversary Gold 66301 Drax Power Station 50 RRP: £94.99 Our price: £85.49. Add to basket.

 

R60322 Hornby OO Gauge Drax - Biomass - Wagon - Gold Livery (Drax 50th Anniversary) RRP: £44.99 Our price: £40.49. Add to basket.

 

A decade of biomass at Drax

In 2023, Drax Group marked 10 years since converting its first generating unit from coal to biomass at the vast Drax Power Station. This transformation was one of the most significant changes in UK power generation, turning what was once the country’s largest coal-fired station into the world’s biggest biomass power station.

To commemorate the anniversary, a special gold-liveried biomass hopper wagon was unveiled on the rail network. The wagon forms part of the fleet that transports compressed wood pellets from ports such as Immingham to the Power Station.

 

The role of the Class 66

The biomass trains are hauled by British Rail Class 66 locomotives operated by GB Railfreight, which run long, heavy trains carrying the pellets used as fuel at the power station.

To celebrate the anniversary, a matching gold-liveried Class 66 locomotive was also introduced, creating one of the most eye-catching freight combinations currently operating on the UK rail network.

 

Hornby’s commemorative models

Hornby has recreated this unique moment in modern railway history with highly detailed 'OO' models of both the gold Drax biomass hopper wagon and the Class 66 locomotive. Together they represent a real-life commemorative livery that celebrates a decade of change in Britain’s energy and freight industries.

For modern-image modellers, these models offer something a little different: a striking, limited-edition tribute to one of the UK rail network’s most distinctive freight operations.

Get yours here while stocks last.