Username

Tom Davidson

 

Version

6233 ‘Duchess of Sutherland’ LMS Crimson R066 (Margate made, 3-pole tender drive)

 

Appearance

The Margate-made Duchess has always held a degree of magic for me, as it was the loco included in the ‘Night Mail Express’ train set. The crimson livery is a bit too light in comparison with the prototype, but the overall look of the loco brings some of the real thing’s power and bulk to any model railway.

 

Detail

In common with other 1970s offerings detail parts are moulded, with very few separately fitted parts. One of the smokebox doors had fallen off and gone missing, but all other parts were present and correct.

 

Performance

With a high top-speed and relatively smooth start (given the old fashioned 3-pole motor), this model fared better than a Black Five of the same period. Two pickups are provided on either side, meaning that it isn’t ideally suited to very slow running, but once the motor bogie had been cleaned up it performed reliably.

 

Maintenance

Like any other Ringfield motor, ensure that the gears and wheels are intact and clean, with a very light application of lubrication. No DCC socket.

 

Comments

Classic model of a beautiful loco, with good quality parts that have stood the test of time. Mechanism is reliable but dated.

 

Overall ranking

6/10