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Hornby R3614

LMS, Patriot Class, 4-6-0, 5521 ‘Rhyl’ - 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

Based on the chassis of the Royal Scot class, with the boiler from the large Claughton class, the 'Patriot' class of locomotives was the London Midland and Scottish Railway's approach to building a 'Second Division' 5X designation locomotive at the beginning of the 1930s, a role that would later be mainly fulfilled by the Jubilee class.

In October 1930, the Locomotive Committee of the LMS gave the go-ahead to Sir Henry Fowler for the rebuilding of two Claughton locomotives, Nos.5971 and 5902, into a new class by utilizing new frames, spare tenders and an existing type of boiler. 'Rebuilding' was an LMS accounting term that avoided having to class the locomotive building under capital expenditure and of the fifty-two Patriots built, only the last ten were classed as new builds. In November, the two re-built engines emerged from the works at Derby with a 5XP classification and due to their similarities and secondary roles in traffic they were immediately dubbed as 'Baby Scots'.

A further forty of these 'complete renewals' were built in four lots, mainly at Crewe, between 1932 and 1934, with a final ten "new" locomotives, to Lot 96, being built at Crewe in 1934. In tests, the 'Baby Scots' proved themselves to be very good engines, with a tidy coal consumption. Because the re-built locomotives kept the numbers of the Claughtons that they replaced, the numbering system was messy and it was not until 1934 that the LMS renumbered the class in the 55xx range. Two of the original Claughton class bore the name 'Patriot', with its deep symbolism and in 1937, with public and private support, the LMS decided that locomotive 5500 should have the name passed to it, allowing the class to be referred to as 'the Patriots'.

In August 1945, the LMS authorized the rebuilding of eighteen Patriots to 6P classification to meet the post-war needs of accelerated express passenger services. This was achieved by the fitting of 2A taper boilers and necessitated the replacement of the 3,500 gallon Fowler tender with a 4,000 gallon type. The opportunity was also taken to replace the rather narrow cab with a wider Stanier type. In all, fifty-two examples were built and whilst there were changes and improvements during the latter Stanier period and into the Ivatt, the introduction of BR Standard types was to force the classes withdrawal, particularly where the unconverted Patriots were concerned. Withdrawal commenced in September 1960 with 45502 Royal Naval Division, the last of the class, 45530 Sir Frank Ree, being withdrawn in December 1965.

None were saved for preservation.5521 Rhyl was rebuilt at Derby in March 1933 and re-entered traffic at Kentish Town later that month. Allocations to Edge Hill, Bushbury, Crewe North and Rugby followed, before the 6P conversion with the 2A tapered boiler came in October 1946, the second Patriot to be converted. Now numbered 45521, Rhyl was withdrawn from Springs Branch in September 1963 and scrapped at Crewe that November.

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 LMS Patriot Class 4‑6‑0, locomotive number 5521 “Rhyl”, is an OO gauge model measuring 260 mm in length. The finish is described as pristine and the livery is lined black. The model bears the running number 5521 and the name “Rhyl”, and its manufacturer part number is R3614.

The locomotive is equipped with a five‑pole skew‑wound motor and DCC ready, incorporating an 8‑pin socket. Power is collected from both the driving wheels and the tender wheels. Couplings are of the NEM type with a tension‑lock feature, and the model uses NEM standard couplings throughout.

The real‑life Patriot class was introduced by the London, Midland & Scottish Railway between 1930 and 1934, with a total of 52 examples built. The class was based on the chassis of the Royal Scot class and used a boiler derived from the large Claughton class. Locomotive 5521 was rebuilt at Derby in March 1933, received a 6P conversion with a 2A taper boiler in October 1946, and was renumbered 45521. It was withdrawn from service in September 1963 and scrapped at Crewe in November 1963.

The model represents the “Big Four” era of British railways and is suitable for use on minimum‑radius 2nd radius (438 mm) curves. It is supplied with NEM couplings, a tension‑lock system, and is ready for digital command control operation.