The 16xx Loco: BR black early emblem weathered, Busby chimney No. 1661’ is currently on sale at the price of £130. These models are produced exclusively for Model Rail by Rapido.
A regular in the West Midlands, No. 1661 was new to Kidderminster in March 1955 and went to Worcester shed from November 1957. There it became the final wearer of the ‘Busby’ spark arrestor chimney for working the Cleobury Mortimer & Ditton Priors Light Railway. However, with operations on that line being infrequent, it was better known for activity on the ‘Vinegar branch’ to the Hill Evans vinegar works. Towards the end of its career it received the chalked nickname ‘Vinegar Castle’ at the time that Worcester shed had the last significant allocation of ‘Castle’ class 4‑6‑0s. Model Rail’s No. 1661 is depicted with the ‘Busby’ spark arrestor, in weathered BR black with the early crest and carrying the full complement of chalked ‘Vinegar Castle’ names.