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Dapol 4S-024-004

HL 0-4-0 56 Port of London Authority Blue Lined Yellow

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest

Manufacturer description

Hawthorn Leslie and Company was formed by the merger of the shipbuilder A. Leslie and Company in Hebburn with the locomotive works of R. and W. Hawthorn at St.Peter’s in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1886. The company manufactured locomotives to order for main line companies and later had a number of standard designs including 0-4-0 saddle tanks and fireless locomotives.

In 1937 Robert Stephenson of Darlington amalgamated with the locomotive works at Forth Banks to form Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns Ltd. By this time Hawthorn Leslie had built 2,783 locomotives.

The newly formed Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns became a subsidiary of the Vulcan Foundry in 1943 and Hawthorn’s 137-year connection with Forth Banks ended.

The Dapol model is based on the 0-4-0 saddle tanks built between 1899 and 1924. They were produced in large numbers and continued in a variety of industrial uses (included iron works, collieries and power stations) until the early to mid 1970s. Over 10 locomotives have made it into various states of preservation.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

^* Class names often change over the lifespan of a locomotive, so this is not necessarily the class name used by the operator in the period modelled.

The Dapol model of the Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0 Blue Lined Yellow Port of London Authority 56 steam tank locomotive is a highly detailed representation of the real thing. Built by Hawthorn, Leslie & Co. between 1899 and 1924, these locomotives were designed for industrial use and were used in iron works, collieries and power stations until the early 1970s.

The model features a finely moulded body with many separately added fine details, including cast wheels with fine relief and appropriate colouring. The die-cast compensated chassis ensures smooth running and all wheel pick up is provided for reliable operation. The model is DCC ready, with a NEXT-18 socket included and DCC fitted models also available.

Hawthorn, Leslie & Co. was formed in 1886 through the merger of A. Leslie and Company and the locomotive works of R. and W. Hawthorn. The company built over 2,700 locomotives during its time, including 0-4-0 saddle tanks like the one represented by this model. The company's locomotive works at Forth Banks in Newcastle upon Tyne was later amalgamated with Robert Stephenson in 1937, and became a subsidiary of the Vulcan Foundry in 1943.

The Dapol model is a highly detailed and accurate representation of the Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0 steam tank locomotive, and is suitable for use on layouts depicting the British Railways era, specifically the period from 1948 onwards.