O GAUGE MODEL -- BR (ex - LNER) CLASS C13 4-4-2 [No. 67417]

O Gauge Kit Class C13 [No 67417]
Built from a Gladiator kit, Dad created this O Gauge model, it's been finished in it's final BR Livery and represents the final loco in the C13 (ex 9K) class to be built and the last to be withdrawn. 

The Great Central Railway 9K and 9L classes were two related classes of 4-4-2T Atlantic steam locomotives, they were both intended for suburban passenger services. After the 1923 Grouping, they served the LNER as classes C13 and C14. 

Background

The 9K / C13 class was built for the London suburban services, running from the GCR's Marylebone terminus. Their designer was John G. Robinson. The design was based on the earlier Pollitt Class 9G 2-4-2T locomotives, but with a lengthened boiler and a leading bogie to carry it

Within a few years, the timing of these suburban trains was facing competition from electric services. Competing with these required faster acceleration and the more powerful 4-6-2T Class 9N was introduced.

From 1922 they were dispersed away from London through the GCR network, to South Yorkshire between Manchester, Sheffield and Mexborough. 

Most notably, many of them went to Wrexham were they were based successfully until the 1950s. The South Yorkshire engines gradually moved to Gorton locomotive shed, from where they were used on Manchester suburban services, and destinations as far as Hayfield and Macclesfield, later joined by the 9Ls, until they were both replaced by DMUs after post-1955 dieselisation.

All passed into British Railways service and survived until at least 1952. but were withdrawn between 1955 and 1959. The last No 67417 was scrapped in 1960. None were preserved.



THIS model is based on the Class C13, and has been allocated the number 67417 which represented the last surviving locomotive of it's class into BR days. The original loco being scrapped in 1960 some five years after most of it's class were broken up. 

The model is seen here on the Hillingdon Railway Modellers test track and has been extensively tested along with it's companion the N5 Class which will be the subject of my next review of my late fathers modelling skills.