Hornby: Early BR 4–6–0 ‘75053’ Standard 4MT
When the London Midland Scottish Railway came up with its initial, standard designs in 1947, it was considered that there was no call for a mixed traffic Class 4 2–6–0 locomotive. The duties for which a 4–6–0 design were suited to were considered to be amply covered by either the Class 4 4–6–2 tank engines, or the Class 4 2–6–0 locomotives and it wasn’t until Nationalisation, in 1948, that the Western Region of British Rail felt that this type of locomotive was required for use on its former Cambrian lines.
The restricted axle loading for the coastal routes to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, as well as that for the former LNWR central Wales line to Swansea, precluded the use of the heavier Standard Class 5. An update on the GWR Manor design was not feasible because of gauging issues on the other British Rail regions, who were also looking to replace their ageing locomotive stock and so Robert Riddles, British Rail’s Head of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, set about designing a new locomotive, principally from BR’s Brighton Works.
Specifics:
- Gauge: 00
- Length: 231mm
- DCC Type: DCC Ready
- Designer: Robert Riddles
- Livery: BR (Early)
- Entered Service: 1930s
- Motor: 5 Pole Skew Wound. Loco Drive
- Wheel Configuration: 4–6–0
- Features: NEM Couplings
Hornby is a household name and is famous as the UK brand leader in the model railway hobby