Classic UK Minitrix Models  -  Intrepid
Class 42

N208 is listed as a new model for Spring in the 1979 Hornby Minitrix Price List at 19.25 uk pounds. This model is a complete redesign for the Warship class, and has a brand new chassis with a different motor which is side-loaded in the same way that is described for the later class 47.  The German Minitrix model number system allocated a bran new number to the Intrepid and the same design was used for a new version of the Blue Warship.  Hornby continued to call it N206, but the difference between the early 1973 N206 and this 1979 version is easily spotted through the case lid.  Compare the two photos - the on on this page and the one obtained by clicking 'Hermes' in the right hand menu.  The Hermes is the 1973 version.

The Blue N206 is also listed in the same catalogue, but it is not identified as being new - even though it had the new chassis.  Possibly, there were old versions in N206 boxes still on the shelves at retailers.  In the price list, both of the Class 42s are nameless - identified simply as 'Warship Blue Livery' and 'Warship Green Livery'.  However, the catalogue gives the name of the new loco as 'Intrepid' and the existing blue version as retained as 'Hermes'.   The photo above shows how the skirt on the new 3rd generation of Warship is continuous, front to back and that the buffer beams are no longer part of the bogies.  However, as appears to be common practice, time must have been short to get the catalogue to the printers in time, and images of both Intrepid and Hermes are of earlier generation Warships !

The Minitrix numbers for the two new 3rd generation models now became 51-2942-00 for Hermes,  51-2943-00 for Intrepid.

Many thanks to Jeremy for the photo from his Minitrix Collection

Maintaining Classic UK Minitrix Locos
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