Does this old timer still stack up? Hornby R143 Class 2800 Steam Locomotive Model Railway Review

In this video we take a look at a Hornby steam locomotive model made between 1994 and 1997.
It is a BR Class 2800 steam locomotive with the running number 2857. It features real steam and a smoke box glow effect.
I'll show you how this is packaged, review the model in detail, see if we can get it working and then recommend if you should consider this model for your collection or not.
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The 2-8-0 Class prototype, known as number 2800, was built at Swindon Locomotive Works in 1903. This design featured two cylinders located externally and small driving wheels, which were intended for slow speed operations and had a high tractive effort. These characteristics made it ideal for the heavy freight usage it was designed for.
After a thorough two-year trial period, various issues were addressed and improvements were made, resulting in a highly successful and long-lasting freight locomotive design. Between 1905 and 1919, an additional 83 locomotives of the same class were constructed. The positive reception from management and crews was so overwhelming that in 1938, Collett built another 83 locomotives with a similar design. These later units were designated as Class 2884, with the main distinguishing feature being a modernised cab.
Once the class reached production, there were only a few significant changes made apart from the addition of super-heating. An experimentation with oil firing took place from 1945 to 1947 but was eventually abandoned due to increased operational and maintenance costs.
By 1948, trials were conducted to compare the 28XX design with contemporary 8F power class designs. Despite being nearly 50 years old, the 2-8-0 design remained the preferred long-distance heavy freight locomotive on the Western Region. It wasn't until the arrival of Standard 9F 2-10-0 locomotives that the class was gradually replaced in its role, leading to their eventual withdrawals.
Under Great Western Railways ownership, the class was typically seen in unlined green livery. After nationalisation, the class was repainted in unlined black British Railways livery.
Withdrawals of the class began in 1958, with the last locomotive being taken out of service in 1965. Several members of the class surpassed 1.5 million miles and served for sixty years, which is a testament to their overall success. Seven locomotives have been preserved, but currently only one, number 2807, is operational at the time of writing. Another locomotive, number 2857, which was previously operational in preservation, is currently undergoing restoration and is expected to return to operational status soon.