Locomotion Models and Rails of Sheffield reveal LNWR 'Jumbo' for 'OO'

Locomotion Models and Rails of Sheffield have announced a new model commission from Bachmann Europe Plc. The latest partnership will see a new OO scale locomotive of the London & North Western Railway 'Improved Precedent' Class 2-4-0 locomotive. Currently at livery approval stage, deliveries are expected next Summer. 

Incorporating a die-cast body and chassis with a set of optional traction tyre-fitted driving wheels for increased haulage capacity, the model features a coreless motor, with power pick up via locomotive and tender wheels. Mounted inside the tender is a 21-pin DCC decoder socket and a 11mm x 15mm ‘sugar cube’ speaker. Crankpin tools and spare traction tyres will be available via Bachmann stockists. 

All versions are to feature a detailed back-head while there are numerous tooling options enabling the accurate portrayal of specific locomotives during the chosen time period. Two boiler types are modelled, either with or without wash-out plugs, and both cowled Ramsbottom safety valves and Ross Pop safety valves have been catered for.
There is a representation of the inside motion, while the front driving wheels can be modelled with either leaf or coil springing as the prototype dictates. Options are also available for plain or fluted coupling rods. Two whistle variants can be seen covering a single whistle on the roof, or two whistles on locomotives where alarm gear is fitted.
A working fall plate between locomotive and tender is provided, while the locomotive can have either Webb or Cook style buffers and two types of lamp bracket are modelled – LNWR lamp sockets or the LMS style lamp irons.

Technological improvements prompted the LNWR‘s CME F. W. Webb to replace 96 of the 6ft 6in Curved Link ‘Newtons’ and 62 of the 6ft 6in Straight Link ‘Precedents’ with locomotives featuring thicker frames and 150 PSI boilers. These emerged between 1887 and 1901 and became known as ‘Improved Precedents’. Though new, an accountancy contrivance meant they were considered ‘renewals’ and kept the names and numbers of the locomotives they replaced.
Gaining the nickname ‘Jumbos’ or ’Big/Large Jumbos’ because of their performance, withdrawals of the ‘Improved Precedents’ started in 1905 with the London, Midland and Scottish Railway inheriting 76 at the 1923 grouping. The last was withdrawn in 1934.
No. 790 Hardwicke was the only example to be preserved in 1931, having become famous during the ‘Races to the North’ in 1895. It ran between Crewe and Carlisle at an average of 67¼ MPH, a record which stood for 40 years thus assuring Hardwicke a place in British railway history. Another member of the Class, No. 955 Charles Dickens clocked up over 2 million miles, another record for a steam locomotive that has never been beaten.

Four exclusive edition locomotives are being produced, with LNWR Hardwicke No. 790 in pristine LNWR Black as preserved as part of the National Collection for Locomotion Models. The prototype is on display at Locomotion, Shildon.

Three versions are being produced for Rails of Sheffield:

From left right, No. 5018 Talavera in LMS Black livery, No. 5036 Novelty in LMS Crimson livery, No. 1673 Lucknow in LNWR Black livery.

For further details, including pricing and availability, see Locomotion Models and Rails of Sheffield websites.