The LNER Encyclopedia

I am keen to find out if these 2 locomotives differed in any obvious (or even, not so obvious) ways. Wikipedia shows these on a list named 'List of LNER Class A1/A3 Locomotives' but does the fact that both A1 and A3 are shown imply there may be variations between Flying Scotsman and Sandwich. (For those of you who may have picked up some of my - very - odd earlier questions about locomotive liveries, in this instance I have a set of 'Sandwich' nameplates and numbers and also have the chance to purchase a Flying Scotsman model- which I already have on my layout - which I intend to rename/number 'Sandwich' with the names etc I have but again, I want to be as accurate as possible if/when I do this 'project').
I have no idea whatsoever as to what these differences may be but I am thinking of such things as the colour that 'Sandwich' may have been in the 'Big 4' era (so I guess a Green - 'Apple Green' perhaps?); Tenders; any smoke deflectors???; or anything at all that would help me make this prototypically correct.
Again, many thanks.
Graeme Leary
New Zealand

Ay up, Graeme!

You need photographs for this one. You're looking mainly at the lower line os washout plugs on the firebox side. They are either horizontal or sloped. Tap the number and name into Gooooogle and click "Images." You'll get thousands of piccies of models for sale but you'll also find genuine ones as well.

Failing that, you need a book such as Irwell Press's magnum opus "The Book of the A3s." Might be pricey in the Land of the Long White Cloud, especially if this is your only model of an A3 but maybe someone on here will look it up for you?

Best of luck and please keep us posted.

Nigel

Hi Graeme,

I would really recommend you get hold of the RCTS Locomotives of the LNER Part 2a which covers all the pacifics in great detail, including a detailed fold-out table detailing variations including numbering, boiler type, livery, chimneys, smoke deflectors and tenders.

Specific to your query, a quick look at the table confirms that Sandwich was built as a LHD A3 in September 1934 with a 94A boiler (i.e. banjo dome) and a new-type non-corridor tender.

Other than a spell during the war in black, it was apple green through to March 1950 when it became BR blue.

Flying Scotsman was not rebuilt as an A3 until January 1947 and then did not get a 94A boiler until March 1948.

A lot of care is needed when renaming/numbering! Good luck!