Andrew Sollis (referring to Claughtons) > >Do they look good? John Sullivan > No
There were actually two (or to be wholly pedantic, three) versions.
The original small boiler version built by the LNWR was quite handsome in an elegant Edwardian manner.
After the grouping the LMS attempted to improve the design by reboilering a number of engines. The large boilered versions were quite succesful, but they *did* lose their looks, especially when fitted with smoke deflectors. The Caprotti versions were even worse. Nevertheless, these engines *were* quite striking in appearance.
The boiler was very successful but was found to be limited by the outdated machinery of the engine. The intention was to rebuild a number of Claughtons to use the same frames, motion and running gear as the Royal Scots. These "improved Claughtons" eventually turned out to be almost wholly new engines. The first two engines did actually retain the Claughton wheel centres, but the majority of the remainder only kept the Claughton number and/or name. Eventually the pretence was abandoned and the last ten "improved Claughtons" were wholly new builds.
Even the Claughton name disappeared. Crews called them "Baby Scots" for obvious reasons and they were eventually officially dubbed "Patriots".
-- Enzo
I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.