Y14-1 1897 'Duke of Connaught' Loco

This G.W.R. locomotive distinguished itself in 1903 with an extremely fast run from Bristol to London, maintaining an average speed of 71½ m.p.h. The 'Duke of Connaught' was built in 1897 and was number 3065, one of eighty numbered 3001-3080, built between 1891 and 1899.

Like the Santa Fe, the Yesteryear model is spoilt slightly by the lack of rolling stock. The provision of a tender would have produced a much more balanced model. The model always appeared with a dark green body and a brown chassis.

The picture shows the first issue which has full gold trim, including gold walkway boxes. This issue can generally be seen for sale between £100 and £130 ( I purchased mine for £40!). Other issues can usually be obtained for between £60 and £80. The amount of gold trim was reduced throughout the life of the model. I also have an extreme example of this and is in fact a negative variation. No gold trim has been applied at all! Quite a scarce variation has a silver boiler door rather than the more usual gold version. This issue, the last to be produced, is usually priced more than £100.