We announced our all-new Pannier locomotive project back in November 2023. Today we can confirm the project has reached the decoration stage, with all models arriving for full evaluation by Project Manager Steve Purves. 

Let's kick off the update on the project with an exciting announcement, two all-new London Transport variants, L91 and L94! 

London Transport’s railway network is well known for being electrified and “underground” but there had always been a small fleet of steam locomotives retained for working infrastructure trains on the surface lines. By the 1950s, these older locomotives were well past their prime and London Transport began to look for replacements. Diesel locomotives were considered, as was a small fleet of ex GNR J52 steam locomotives but their trial was unsuccessful. In 1956, the solution came in recently withdrawn ex GWR 57xx pannier tanks.

Image: London Transport L89 and L90 at Lillie Bridge depot in July 1966 copyright PWS collection 2023

Modifications were required to the cab roofs to allow for tighter clearances which involved removing the protruding roof section and placing a new rainstrip higher on the roof. Modifications were also required to fit the locomotives with “trip cocks” to be compatible with LT’s signalling system. These cocks would contact a ramp which was raised at red signals which would activate the vacuum brake and stop the train. Extra brackets were fitted on the running plate, and the cocks were fitted to these. Steam heat was not a requirement for the engineering trains so this was removed. In total 13 locomotives were bought by LT although only 11 ever ran at once.

L91, as modelled was the second locomotive to carry the number L91. Originally this running number was allocated to ex-GWR number 5752, a 1929 vintage product of Swindon Works. This was one of the first to enter traffic in 1958 but within two years it was in need of major repairs which were deemed to be prohibitively expensive, and so it was scrapped and replaced with the second L91, which we have modelled here. The second L91 was actually from the same batch, ex GWR 5757, this locomotive differed to the first in that it didn’t have the top feed fitted and retained its back feed boiler right up to its final withdrawal in 1968. Unfortunately, L91 was not a survivor and was cut up by Chesterfield Steelbreaking and dismantling limited during 1970.

Steam on the LT system lasted until 1971, 3 years after the big “final day” on BR. During this period, the “Red Panniers” gained quite a following as they were still mainline type locomotives doing real work, unlike the industrial systems which struggled to find favour with many enthusiasts.

This 3-year window also allowed many of the LT panniers to find homes in preservation following their withdrawal. Fledgling preservation schemes were faced with having to purchase either industrial or scrapyard-condition locomotives so the opportunity to purchase a working mainline locomotive was not passed up. L95 was even steamed the day it arrived on the Severn Valley Railway!

L94 was one of these locomotives. After hauling the last steam service on the underground, it was sold from service to “7029 Clun Castle ltd” and moved to Tyseley in Birmingham. It has appeared in several guises, including LT livery as L94 or painted in GWR and BR conditions with its original number, 7752. A product of Glasgow, dating from 1930, L94/7752 must be considered one of the hardest working panniers in preservation and during 2011 it was even fitted with equipment to allow mainline running. Still retaining the LT “cut cab” but having lost the trip cock brackets, it now gained new modifications. A GWR style speedometer drive was fitted to the rear wheel under the driver’s side and two electrical equipment boxes were fitted under the running plate to house electronics for modern mainline signalling.

Also evident are slightly more polished areas than it would have had during squadron service as well as the mandatory OHLE warning flashes on the step areas. L94 was seen working frequently with classmate 9600, either top and tail, double heading or even used as a pair for banking duties on some of Vintage Trains’ railtours as well as spending periods on hire to preserved railways around the country. L94 has most recently been repainted into Great Western Green livery and is carrying the original number of 7752.

Deco samples have been received and are currently under inspection, with further images to be shared in due course! It is anticipated that the locomotives will arrive in stock in Q1, 2025. Our Pannier Tanks are priced at £139.95 for DC/DCC Ready models and £239.95 for DCC Sound Fitted models. Locomotives can be pre-ordered via our website for no money down or via monthly instalments at no extra cost. 

PRE-ORDER YOUR PANNIER RIGHT HERE AND BROWSE THE RANGE!

Detailed Specification 

• Highly detailed 0-6-0PT 00 gauge model, 1:76.2 scale on 16.5mm track
• Minimum Radius 438mm (2nd radius set track)
• RP25-110 profile 00 gauge wheels
• Coreless motor with flywheel geared for maximum performance and slow speed running
• Die-cast metal chassis and pickups to all wheels.
• Next18 DCC ready or ESU LokSound V5 sound fitted, slot mounted in smokebox
• PowerPack capacitor for uninterrupted power
• Two quality sugar cube speakers contained in sound capsule located for best possible sound.
• Small, flexible neck NEM coupler mounts set at correct height, with mini-tension-lock couplers.
• Brake rigging factory fitted
• Brake blocks aligned with wheels
• Scale width wire handrails and sand pipes
• Fully detailed cab interior with twin LED pulsing/steady Firebox glow
• Etched metal/plastic detail parts, including grab handles, steps, buffer pipework, lamp irons etc.
• Turned brass whistles etched whistle shields (where fitted)
• Sliding roof ventilator
• Etched metal pre-painted number plates and works plates.
• Fully sprung metal buffers, factory-installed pipework and screw/3 link couplings
• Magnetically removable smoke box door