CLAUGHTON 4-6-0

An outstanding model in 5in gauge of the LNWR Claughton locomotives by Michael Wheelwright. This one is no 650 Lord Rathmore, which was 8th in a line of 130 locomotives in the class.

Michael obtained a set of original drawings in 2000 and built the model over the following eight years to 1:11 scale. As well as a good looking model, it is a good steamer and pulls heavy trains up 1:70 gradients in the way that the full-size locomotive pulled up the Grayrigg and Shap inclines. The model won the Comber Cup at the 2009 Guildford Rally.

Initially the Claughtons were built for express duty between London and Carlisle, and were the most powerful of the day, and kept spotless by the men of Crewe. They were designed to replace locomotives like the Webb 3-cylinder compounds after running trials with a variety of engines including a Great Northern Atlantic, the Caledonian 4-6-0 Cardean , Brighton 4-4-2 tank no 23, and the Great Western Royal Star.

With its four cylinders, and weighing in at 77 tons, the Claughtons were large and powerful. They made easy work of heavy loads of 14 or 15 carriages, and steep inclines. 

The first of the Claughtons made its debut in 1913 and the last in 1920. Eventually they were replaced by Midland Scots.  Lord Rathmore was broken up in 1933.