Introduction
The Hornby LSWR Drummond T9 originally came out in 2008 and has been issued in four different Liveries, the most recent being in LSWR light green. There is also a brass masters kit of the T9. The latest Hornby model represents the only survivor of the class, No 120. The model was issued in late 2020.
The prototype T9
The most common type of passenger locomotive at the turn of the 20th century was the 4-4-0. There was a remarkable range of designs and liveries. The Drummond designed LSWR T9 went into service in 1899. The cylinders were 18.5″ in diameter with a 26″ stroke. Additionally, the coupled wheels were 6′ 7″ in diameter.
The best known and fastest 4-4-0 ‘s were probably the GWR City class, for example, City of Truro, modelled by Kitmaster, later Airfix, in the 1960’s.
120 T9’s were built. The Hornby model represented was stabled at Nine Elms from 1899 to 1947. After 1947, in BR ownership, it was renumbered 30120. It is now the only member of its class in preservation.
It is indeed remarkable to recall the extraordinary variety of styling, and still more so the sartorial elegance in which the basic British inside-cylinder 4-4-0 was clothed in the early years of the 20th century
British locomotives of the 20th century Vol. 1, O. s. Nock, Pub. 1983
(LSWR) Passenger locomotives,(were) light green, growing yellower in tinge as the present century (20th) advanced, with chocolate bands and black and white lines
Up to about 1859, LSWR engines were Indian red with black bands; thenceforward to the early Seventies, chocolate lined-out with black and white (also in vermilion on the best express engines)
The London and South Western probably held the record for the variety of its locomotive liveries and for the number of times they were changed.
C Hamilton Ellis the trains we loved pub. 1947
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The Hornby LSWR, Drummond T9
The Hornby T9 model has been in the range since 2008, Early T9 models suffered from motor mounting rot. However, Later models were OK. They also had some short lived, over complicated packaging. Additionally, connecting the tender was fiddly. As well as individual locomotives no. 312, in Southern green, also appeared in a train pack R.2813. At over £150 they are not exactly cheap but the level of detail is amazing.
First impressions
The level of detail impresses although the pipework is rather fragile. The smokebox door has a separately fitted dart and the buffer beam sports sprung buffers. Lamp irons are fitted and prone to breakage. Moving along, Under the boiler the valve gear is nicely represented
The Livery
The rather unforgiving green livery is well applied, as is the banding. The splashers have a very fine white outline. There are no glue marks and the finish is a silky mat. There is also some fine moulded detail on the boiler. The design aesthetic of the original is lovely. Note the outline painting of the recess for the connecting rods. The copper pipework is plastic but well represented. However the safety valves are made of metal.
Buffer beam detail includes the running number and vacuum pipes.
The chassis
The front bogie is centre sprung which helps to hold it on to the track on bends. As a result this gives much more realistic running.
There are also some substantial pickups on the front bogie.
Detailing
The tour de force of this model is the cab detailing. For example the gauges are legible and have glass! Additionally there is some very fine individually fitted pipework.
Running
Running is excellent with a five pole motor. Early versions may have mazac rot, however you can obtain new brass motor mounts.
Conclusion
Most versions of the model are still available on eBay. The most recent is probably worth the money considering the finish and level of detail.
