In 1927, the Southern Railway decided to modify ten otherwise surplus ex-LBSC E1 0-6-0 tank engines to work on steeply graded lines in the West Country. Brighton works were commissioned to design and carry out the modifications.
The design involved lengthening the mainframes to accommodate an 0-6-2T wheel arrangement. A newly designed cab was included together with a much larger bunker with an extra water tank underneath. The class was designated E1R.
Details of the locomotives concerned are set out below:-
|
Original LBSCR No. and Name |
Date Built |
Renumbered and date |
Rebuilt to class E1R |
SR Nos |
||
|
94 |
Shorwell |
11/1883 |
|
|
31/5/1927 |
2094 |
|
95 |
Luccombe |
11/1883 |
|
|
27/5/1927 |
2095 |
|
96 |
Salzberg |
12/1883 |
|
|
18/10/1928 |
2096 |
|
99 |
Bordeaux |
12/1874 |
610 |
6/1922 |
14/1/1929 |
2610 |
|
103 |
Normandy |
9/1876 |
695 |
6/1913 |
27/10/1928 |
2695 |
|
104 |
Brittany |
10/1876 |
696 |
10/1913 |
20/12/1928 |
2696 |
|
105 |
Morlaix |
9/1876 |
697 |
4/1915 |
17/1/1928 |
2697 |
|
108 |
Jersey |
11/1876 |
608 |
1/1916 |
13/11/1929 |
2608 |
|
124 |
Bayonne |
8/1878 |
|
|
3/12/1928 |
2124 |
|
135 |
Foligno |
1/1879 |
|
|
26/11/1928 |
2135 |
All ten engines passed to British Railways in 1948, the last of the class being withdrawn in March 1959.
Reference to the text and photographs in the books listed below should help in both selecting which locomotive to build and the construction of the kit:-
Stroudley Locomotives – A Pictorial History by Brian Haresnape–Ian Allan 1985
Locomotives of the LBSC – vol 2 by D.L.Bradley – RCTS 1972
A Pictorial Record of Southern Locomotives by J.H.Russell – OPC 1991
(Copies of all the above publications are available secondhand)
The MSC Models Kit
The smokebox/boiler/firebox unit incorporates the original LBSC components including the Marsh chimney, dome and safety valve. At least one engine, however, (no.2096), was fitted with a Drummond chimney which MSC Models can supply. These parts of the model are taken from the MSC Models E1 kit etches and castings. New etches are provided for 1) the cab and bunker, and 2) the mainframes, radial truck and footplate. Accordingly, in building this kit, the builder will be following a building sequence not too far removed from that adopted in Brighton works in 1927/8.
The kits can be powered by a number of different motor units, but the MSC Models JH motor unit is particularly recommended.
heels have not been provided in the kit as there are a number of different standards available in O Gauge. Slaters Plastikard Ltd and Walsall Model Engineering wheels are recommended. Driving wheels are of 4' 6” diameter with 14 spokes. Trailing wheels are 3' 1” diameter with 10 spokes