Steam Locomotives of a More Leisurely Era – 1927 – ‘Royal Scots’ – LMS

Steam Locomotives of a More Leisurely Era

1927 – ‘Royal Scots’

LMS

No.6100 in 1947 before rebuilding

By 1926 the need for a large express engine for the West Coast route was becoming a pressing problem, and Sir Henry Fowler had already prepared plans both for a 3-cylinder compound 4-6-0 and a 4-cylinder compound Pacific. Unfortunately these highly promising designs were vetoed by the Operating Department, and as new engines were needed in a hurry recourse was had to a 3-cylinder simple 4-6-0. Accordingly the well-known ‘Royal Scot’ class appeared, the first fifty, Nos.6100-49 all coming out in 1927, followed by Nos.6150-69 in 1930. A further experimental engine, No.6399 ‘Fury’, was also built in 1930, with a compound super pressure boiler, a German design known as the Schmidt-Henshel type, a complicated affair with varying pressures, the maximum being no less than 900 lb. per square inch. Unfortunately the boiler burst on trial and the engine was rebuilt with a taper boiler in 1935, becoming N.6170 ‘British Legion’. Eventually all of the ‘Royal Scots’, which had originally been constructed with parallel boilers, were rebuilt in a similar manner, the complete class now running as BR 46100-70.

In 1933 No.6152 exchanged name and number with No.6100, and as the ‘Royal Scot’ was sent to the USA for exhibition at Chicago. The numbers were not changed back on its return, and No.46100 is therefore the same engine, although since rebuilt with taper boiler, as went to America. This precedent was not later followed in the case of the Pacific ‘Coronation’. Under rebuilding, the ‘Royal Scot’ carried the transatlantic bell on its front end, which had been presented in commemoration of its trip to the USA.
Nos.6125-49 originally bore names commemorating early LNWR locomotives, with brass plaques bearing an etched outline design of the engine in question, but in 1935-6 these were replaced by regimental names.
All were still in service in 1959.
As built – Driving wheels – 6’ 9”, Cylinders (3) – 18”x 26”, Pressure – 250 lb., Tractive effort – 33150 lb., Weight – 84 tons 9 cwt, LMS classification – 6P, BR classification – 6P
As rebuilt with taper boiler – Driving wheels – 6’ 9”, Cylinders (3) – 18”x 26”, Pressure – 250 lb., Tractive effort – 33150 lb., Weight – 83 tons, LMS classification – 6P, BR classification – 7P