I must state at the outset of this review that I have an ‘interest’ in this model, inasmuch as I helped (in a very minor way) with the model’s development – I lent a kit-built locomotive and supplied photographs to the researchers/designers, and answered pertinent questions. I should also state that the excellence of this model is not because of my input – that’s down to the diligence of the researchers, designers and manufacturers.
Designed for the Great Central Railway and first built in 1911 (classified 9N), this class of ‘Coronation’ 4-6-2Ts was one of the most-handsome locomotives of its type – typically Robinson. They initially worked the heavy andout of Marylebone. A total of 20 was built up to 1917, with a further 10 added after the Grouping in 1923, all built at Gorton. This latter 10 were built with side-window cabs, which type was fitted to the originals by 1926. Such was the high regard in which the Class was held that a further 13 were built by Hawthorne, Leslie & Co, in 1925/’26. These were designed to work under lower loading gauges than the GC and had cutdown boiler fittings and a re-profiled cab roof. They were also slightly longer and were fitted with left-hand drive. There were other detail differences, and for full information, I suggest consulting the works of the RCTS, Yeadon and Isinglass, as I have done. In time, the original locomotives were classified as A5/1 and the contract-built locos A5/2. The class had a long life, working over many parts of the LNER system and BR’s Eastern and North Eastern Regions. The last to go was in 1960, at almost 50 years old. I saw them at (as was then) Manchester London Road, hauling suburban trains out to ‘exotic’ locations such as Marple, Macclesfield and Hayfield, still doing the same type of tasks for which they were designed. Sadly, none made it to preservation.
