I purchased The Rocket set when it was last released in the 1980's. When it arrived the box was damaged, and so Hornby kindly sent a replacement, The Rocket box has never been opened, neither has the replacement box, so both are still "Mint". I stll have all the Hornby catalogues from 1979 on, when my interest was rekindled after about a 15 year absence when girls and other things took up my time. One year was designated "The Year of the Locomotive", and Hornby released new locomotives at an alarming rate. Many of these locomotives I would buy two, 1 to run, 1 to collect. The"collect" locos are stil mint boxed to this day. I also have a fair collection of used and mint Airfix too!
