3 1/2 inch gauge LMS "Patriot'' 4-6-0

A 3 1/2 inch gauge "Patriot" No.45511 "Isle of Man". Built over a period of nine years, it took first in class at the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition in 2000 and remains in ex-works, unsteamed condition.

An exceptionally attractive design - although rarely modelled in any gauge - the Patriot was the result of mating a Royal Scot boiler to 4-6-0 Claughton running gear, gaining the nickname "Baby Scot". No.5511 was outshopped by Crewe in 1932, carrying the name "Isle of Man" from 1938. Absorbed into British Railways at nationalisation it was renumbered 45511 and repainted into standard BR green lined livery.

The engine was withdrawn in 1961. All 52 members of the class were scrapped, with none surviving into preservation, however there is a well-advanced project to recreate a "Patriot", No.5551 "The Unknown Warrior".

The engine has come to us from the late builder's family, along with his 3 1/2 inch gauge Black 5. That engine saw regular club use, however once finished he apparently couldn't bear to steam the Patriot, which was glass-cased from new.

Standard of workmanship is first class throughout, fit and finish of the motionwork and valve gear is excellent, it's beautifully painted, handsomely turned out in lined BR green.

We had to admire the smokebox door fastening - the LMS system with multiple rim-mounted clips normally a nightmare to open, on the model a single allen-headed bolt releases the door, concealed beneath the hinged smokebox numberplate!

The tender sports a pair of prototypically accurate vents, with one doubling up as the hand pump, a nice detail.

The engine, as expected, ran every bit as well as it looks on air in the workshop. Whilst the boiler carries a Northern Association number suggesting an initial test when new, in deference to the engine's ex-works condition and exhibition finish we have made no attempt to strip it to test.