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Hornby R3412

BR, S15 Class, 4-6-0, 30842 - Era 4

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

Prototype Era
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest

Manufacturer description

The third of Robert Urie's 4-6-0 designs for the LSWR and similar in appearance to the N15 class, the S15 shared many of its two predecessor's components, such as in the boiler, cylinder, valve gear and tender designs. The only major difference in design for the S15 came in the smaller diameter of the driving wheels, this gave better traction, which was essential for the S15's anticipated heavy freight workings to the south coast ports.

By May 1921, sixteen engines had entered service, mostly in the London area, but the 1923 Grouping of Railway Companies coincided with Urie's retirement and further orders of the S15 were delayed as the new CME, Richard Maunsell, sought to improve the design, establishing trials to analyze water/coal consumption of the engines, along with their ability to run to a precise schedule. When these trials showed that the S15 was the best available all-round freight locomotive, Maunsell ordered a further fifteen locomotives from the workshops at Eastleigh, the finished locomotives emerging throughout 1927 and 1928.

Maunsell's modifications to the S15 included increasing the boiler pressure and the reduction of the cylinder bore. The footplate was also modified and featured the Ashford style cab, constructed entirely from steel, as previously fitted to LBSCR locomotives. The roof was flush with the cab sides and variants of this became standard for all new Southern Railway locomotives and converted tank engines. Other modifications included lengthening the valve travel and fitting larger outside steam pipes to streamline the flow of steam into the cylinders.

A third batch, ordered in 1931, coincided with a downturn in the volume of freight owing to the economic depression which meant that the last of the S15 class was not completed until 1936. These showed some weight saving modifications, as well as the application of smoke deflectors to improve visibility from the footplate when travelling at speed. The S15 proved to be an adaptable class and were capable of putting up a creditable performance when pressed into passenger service during peak holiday periods. They just outlived the N15 class, the first withdrawals coming in 1962, the last being in 1966.

Locomotive 30842 was one of the last batch of S15s, being built at Eastleigh works during August 1936 and spent alternating periods at 70B Feltham shed and 70D Eastleigh shed before disposal in November 1965.

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.

Hornby BR S15 Class locomotive 30842 is a 4‑6‑0 OO‑scale model in black livery with the Early British Railways emblem. It is painted, measures 266 mm in length and runs on a 5‑pole skew‑wound motor. The model features DCC readiness with an eight‑pin socket and picks up power through both driving and tender wheels. Coupling is supplied via NEM and tension‑lock standards.

The model represents British Railways number 30842, built in August 1936 at the LSWR/SR Eastleigh Works. It carries the manufacturer part number R3412 and is listed under the Era 4 range. The prototype S15 class was designed by Richard Maunsell, with a 4‑6‑0 wheel arrangement, and operated as a steam freight locomotive from 1920 to 1936. A total of 45 were produced; the class remained in service until withdrawals between 1962 and 1966.

Historically, the S15 was the third design by Robert Urie for the LSWR, sharing many components with the earlier N15 class but with smaller driving wheels for improved traction on heavy freight routes to the south‑coast ports. After the 1923 grouping, Maunsell refined the design, increasing boiler pressure, reducing cylinder bore and fitting an all‑steel Ashford cab. A final batch, including 30842, incorporated weight‑saving measures and smoke deflectors. The locomotive spent its working life at Feltham (shed 70B) and Eastleigh (shed 70D) before being withdrawn in November 1965.