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Hornby R3527

SR, N15 'King Arthur' Class, 4-6-0, 742 'Camelot' - Era 3

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

Prototype Era
Era 3 (1923 to 1947) The Big Four (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR)

Manufacturer description

The N15 Class, introduced in 1918 from a design by Robert Urie, was also known as the King Arthur Class, being named after people and places associated with the legend of King Arthur and the Round Table. This class of two cylinder 4-6-0 passenger steam locomotives proved to be one of the most successful during the post-grouping era of 1928-1948, with seventy four locomotives being built during this time. The whole class was built in a total of six batches, with the first two batches being built at the London & South Western Railway's Eastleigh Works between 1918-1919 and 1922-1923.

Carrying the characteristics of Urie's stove pipe chimney, Drummond style of cab and inspired by the shape of the H15, the first batches of locomotives became known as Urie Arthurs. Upon assuming the position of Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Southern Railway, Richard Maunsell built a third batch of ten locomotives at the Eastleigh Works and these became known as the 'Eastleigh Arthurs'. Maunsell's batch incorporated a small number of significant modifications including changes in the draft, to the valve gear, cylinders, chimney, blastpipe and an overall increase in boiler pressure that significantly improved the performance.

In 1924 two more batches were ordered from the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow. These thirty locomotives, referred to as 'Scotch Arthurs' were built to the Southern Railway's new composite loading gauge and were connected to eight wheel bogie tenders, which had a 5,000 imperial gallon capacity. The last batch of fourteen locomotives, the 'Brighton Arthurs', were built at Eastleigh between 1926 and 1927 and adopted a six wheel 3,500 imperial gallon tender. The order had initially been for twenty five locomotives, but the batch was never completed, the last eleven locomotives being replaced by the introduction of the Lord Nelson Class of locomotives. The 'Urie Arthurs' were eventually modified to Maunsell's standards as they entered the workshops for their regular visits and as the class became more unified, the Southern found they had a free steaming, sure footed and economical workhorse of a locomotive. Staff, from footplate to traffic department, welcomed the locomotive, especially when it came to working the gradients of both the South Downs and the West Country.

Having proved to be one of the most versatile designs of its day, the King Arthur Class combined reliability with impressive performance. However, the introduction of electrification, the Lord Nelson Class and ultimately, the Bulleid Pacific locomotives, all hastened the N15's departure, with the entire class being withdrawn by 1962. Only one, 30777 Sir Lamiel, is preserved and is part of the National Collection, under the care of the 5305 Locomotive Association, based at the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire. Locomotive No.742 Camelot was built at Eastleigh Works, being one of the 'Urie Arthurs' and entered traffic in June 1919, although the naming ceremony did not take place until December 1925. Smoke deflectors were fitted in June 1928 and the Maunsell first fitted in September 1932. Camelot was finally withdrawn from service whilst at Bournemouth Shed, February 9, 1957.

Maximum curve Hornby 2nd radius + / 438mm+.

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 3‑scale (OO gauge) model of Southern Railway N15 “King Arthur” class locomotive No 742 “Camelot”. The model is painted in black livery, carries the running number 742 and the name “Camelot”, and is supplied with a 5‑pole skew‑wound motor. It features a DCC‑ready 8‑pin socket, NEM couplings, and power is collected only from the driving wheels. The model measures 270 mm in length and is able to negotiate a minimum curve of 438 mm (Hornby 2nd radius).

The N15 class was designed by Robert Urie and built between 1918 and 1926. Seventy‑four locomotives were produced in six batches, known alternately as “Urie Arthurs”, “Eastleigh Arthurs”, “Scotch Arthurs” and “Brighton Arthurs”. They operated for the Southern Railway during the post‑grouping era and were noted for their free‑steaming, sure‑footed performance on the South Downs and West Country routes. The class was withdrawn by 1962, with only No 30777 “Sir Lamiel” preserved.

Locomotive No 742 “Camelot” was constructed at Eastleigh Works as part of the original “Urie Arthurs” batch and entered service in June 1919. The naming ceremony took place in December 1925, smoke deflectors were fitted in June 1928 and Maunsell’s modifications were added in September 1932. The locomotive was withdrawn from Bournemouth Shed on 9 February 1957.