LMS Patriot Class

Infobox Locomotive
name = LMS Patriot Class
powertype = Steam

---

caption = Unrebuilt Patriot number 45551 in 1961.
designer = Sir Henry Fowler
builder = LMS, Crewe and Derby works
builddate = 1930–1934
totalproduction = 52
whytetype = 4-6-0
gauge = RailGauge|ussg
leadingsize = convert|3|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on
driversize = convert|6|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on
length = 62 ft 8¾ in
weight = 80 tons 15 cwt
locotenderweight = 123 tons 9 cwt
boiler = G9½S
boilerpressure = 200 psi
cylindercount = 3
cylindersize = 18 in bore × 26 in stroke
valvegear = Walschaert (piston valves)
tractiveeffort = convert|26520|lbf|kN|abbr=on
trainbrakes = Vacuum
railroad = London, Midland and Scottish Railway
railroadclass = 5XP; 6P5F from 1951
roadnumber = 5500–5551
retired = 1960–1965
disposition = all scrappedInfobox Locomotive
name = Rebuilt Patriot Class
powertype = Steam
builddate = 1946–1949 (rebuilt)
weight = 82 tons 0 cwt
locotenderweight = 136 tons 13 cwt
boiler = 2A
boilerpressure = 250 psi
cylindersize = 17 in bore × 26 in stroke
tractiveeffort = convert|29570|lbf|kN|abbr=on
railroadclass = 6P; 7P from 1951
numinclass = 18

The Patriot Class was a class of 52 express passenger steam locomotives built for the London Midland and Scottish Railway. The first locomotive of the class was built in 1930 and the last in 1934. All of the Patriot class locomotives were withdrawn from service by 1965. The class was based on the chassis of the Royal Scot combined with the boiler from Large Claughtons earning them the nickname "Baby Scots".

Overview

The first two were rebuilt in 1930 from the 1912-built LNWR Large Claughton Class, retaining the large bossed driving wheels,"double radial" bogie truck and some other parts. The next 40, however, were "paper rebuilds", i.e. replacement new builds officially classified as rebuilds in order to be charged to revenue accounts, rather than capital; the last 10 were officially new builds. None of the first 12 was rebuilt due to their non-standard parts.

The first two originally carried their Claughton numbers but were renumbered into a new series in 1934, becoming 5500-1. BR added 40000 to their numbers to make them 45500-51. The numbering of the similar LMS Jubilee Class continued on from where the Patriots left off. This was due to the fact that 5552-5556 were ordered as Patriots but built with taper boilers as Jubilees on the orders of Sir William Stanier.

Naming of the class was somewhat erratic. Some retained old Claughton names; others continued the military association from “Patriot” and “St Dunstan’s” and 13 carried names of holiday resorts served by the LMS. In 1943 it was proposed to name the then 7 un-named locomotives; names were allocated but never carried.

Between 1946 and 1948 18 were rebuilt with Stanier 2A boiler, cab and tender; though again these were paper rebuilds. The rebuilt engines were (4)5512/14/21-3/25-32/4-6/45. These were originally built without smoke deflectors but starting in 1948 were fitted with LMS Royal Scot Class pattern deflectors.

All were withdrawn between 1960 and 1965. None have survived to preservation.

In July 2007 the LMS-Patriot Project was announced in Steam Railway magazine (published on July 13th 2007) to raise interest in a project to build a new LMS Patriot, using the surviving drawings. This led to the formation of a Limited Company which also gained Charitable status. See below for LMS-Patriot New Build project.

Details

New Build Patriot Locomotive

Although no Patriot in ether rebuilt or unrebuilt forms survived into preservation there are plans to build a new Patriot at the Llangollen Railway. The Project is known as [http://www.lms-patriot.org.uk The LMS-Patriot Project.] The LMS-Patriot Project has charitable status and is appealing for donations or regular contributions to fund the new build, 3 cylinder, Fowler designed, parallel boiler, 4-6-0 express passenger loco. Donations from UK Taxpayers qualify for Gift Aid and a form can be downloaded from their website.

It is proposed that parts from an unrestored former Barry scrapyard 8F would be used, including the axle boxes and leading wheelset and an unrestored surviving LMS Fowler tender would also be used for the project. The new build Patriot will be assembled at the [http://llangollenrail.llangollen-railway.co.uk/engineering.html Llangollen Railway] and carry the number of the last built - LMS number 5551 or British Railways number 45551.

The Patriot will be named The Unknown Warrior whose Tomb is located in Westminster Abbey. The decision on the name of the engine was reached via a poll with people sending in naming suggestions with the most popular being adopted and becoming the name of the planned engine.

The first part of the engine to be built will be the frames, while the Fowler tender will be restored at Barry. It is hoped that the wheel pattern used on LMS Jubilee Class 45699 Galatea, which had a wheel cut at Barry Scrapyard after a derailment, can be used as the two classes had the same size 6'9" driving wheels.

The project was formally launched at the Llangollen Patriot Gala in April 2008 by the Project's first commercial sponsor, John Buxton, Managing Director of Cambrian Transport Ltd. The Frames Appeal was also announced at the Gala with an appeal target of £48,000. More information and a Donations and Regular Contributions Form is available from [http://www.lms-patriot.org.uk/donations.pdf The LMS-Patriot Project Website]

In August 2008, at the Barrow Hill Rail Power 2008 gala, the Patriot Project launced a Membership Scheme.Membership of the LMS-Patriot Project is £15 per year. More information and a Membership Form is available from [http://www.lms-patriot.org.uk/members.pdf The LMS-Patriot Project Website]

In fiction

This class of engine forms the basis of Big City Engine from the Railway Series of children's books by the Rev. W. Awdry.

00 Gauge Models

Bachmann have announced the original Patriots will be a part of their 2008 range.

Hornby introduced an original Patriot in the 1980's that has remained in production up to now, though it is now noticeably dated in detail next to the new generation of models. It is doubtful that production will continue now that Bachmann have announce original Patriots for their 2008 range.

Rebuilt patriots were for a time produced by Bachmann but they have discontinued the old moulding and do not intend to produce a new moulding as Hornby have recently released Rebuilt Patriots in their own range.

References

* O. S. Nock "Royal Scots and Patriots of the LMS"
* John S. Whiteley, Gavin W Morrison "The Power of the Patriots" ISBN 0-86093-232-X (photograph book)
* Hugh Longworth "British Railway Steam Locomotives 1948-1968" ISBN 0-86093-593-0

External links

* [http://www.railuk.co.uk/steam/getsteamclass.php?item=PAT Rail UK database]
* [http://www.lms-patriot.org.uk The LMS Patriot Project]