Hornby R30271 LMS, Fowler 4P, 2-6-4T, 2300: Big Four Centenary Collection – Era 3

Henry Fowler was the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway (LMS). Like his predecessors, Fowler was bound by the company's small engine policy. This decision was inherited from the Midland Railway, the largest constituent company of the LMS. It resulted in some of the most iconic steam designs such as the Fowler 3F Jinty. However, it ignored the reality that rail operations on a national level would bring.

When the LMS was entrusted with lines running from London to Scotland, it didn't have large express engines like the A1 Pacific of the LNER. Fowler eventually overcame this policy with his Patriot design. Still, his 4P tank engine was influenced by this policy.

The order for the Fowler tank engine was placed in March 1927, and the first engine, numbered 2300, was delivered from Derby works on December 9th of the same year. The engine was a behemoth, with a total wheelbase of 38ft 6in and a driving wheel span of 16ft 6in. This was due to the company's idea of reusing existing coupling rods measuring 8ft and 8ft 6in respectively. The 86-ton locomotive's weight was spread over the six driving axles, two trailing axles, and a single leading axle.

The locomotives were used in various roles across the LMS network, including operating on express suburban services around cities and operating banking duties around Shap summit.

Locomotive 2300 was the first of the class to be delivered, rolling out of Derby works on December 9th, 1927. The locomotive was later assigned the number 42300 on June 26th, 1948. It was withdrawn from BR service on November 26th, 1960. It spent its entire career assigned to the St Albans shed.

The locomotive was not preserved, and no example of the class was saved. However, in 2013, a new build project was announced to bring the class back into existence.

The Hornby Fowler 4F model is fitted with a 5-pole motor, resulting in strong performance from this large engine, aided by the weight from its diecast chassis. The model is also 8 pin DCC ready, for those who wish to run the model on a digital layout.