If like me you grew up and actually saw these A class locos running on our railway network then its an absolute must have model for your collection. I bought a replica A class from marks models over 20 years ago, it was the nearest thing to the real engine that was available but it was never exact and was just a cheap substitute !!!!
So when the opportunity came about to purchase a real replica I decided on the special silver edition complete with wooden box , lets do things back to front here and start with the box , the minute you see and touch the box you know their is something very special inside , akin to a very special collectors whiskey
or a jewlery box housing the family jewels. Theirs is a plaque on the front of the box METROPOLITAIN VICKERS 1955 and you really feel like this is not only a special model but a piece of history , cardbord boxes over time become frayed damaged , colours fade, this box never will , its the special packaging for this model that will protect your A Clas jewel well into the next century !!!!! and given the fact its a very limited run of just 250 pieces you just know its a guilt edge investment probaly fetching twice its value on ebay in 5 to 10 years time.
Now the model itself , well their are loads of reviews on thes A class's , the only thing I can add is they are all true it really is a spectacular replica , if Murphy Models had ever decided to produce one I really dont think it could have been bettered , So well done to the guys in IRM , I really can not wait to see what their next locomotive will be , hopefully one thats never been massed produced
before (and their are still many to chose from E Class, NIR Hunslet , Dart etc)
in the mean time if this loco is very special, well you must have it no other way than the special collectors edition it just feels like your holding real history