Princess Royal Class Turbomotive 6202 LMS Maroon

Princess Royal Class Turbomotive 6202 LMS Maroon

1:76 scale model produced by Hornby. This model is ready-to-run straight out of the box and would make a excellent addition to any model railway collection.

• Analogue DC Model
• This model mainly operates in British
• This model is decorated in LMS company markings
• This model is best suited to 438mm radius curves

General Overview:

• High-detail OO gauge model based on extensive research and original works drawings
• Represents the Turbomotive in post-1936 condition with reverse turbine modifications
• Finished in authentic LMS Lake livery



Locomotive & Tender Details:

• Replacement 40-element superheater boiler with regulator housed in a separate dome
• 4000-gallon standard pattern Stanier tender with roller bearings
• Heavy diecast body, chassis, pony truck, and trailing truck
• Oilite main drive bearings for long-life performance
• Separately fitted nameplate, number plate, and company ownership plate
• Separately fitted simulated coal load in tender
• Optional fit rear flanged wheelset (recommended for large-radius curves or display use)
• Adjustable oil cooler radiator flap



Lighting Features:

• Working headlamps with optional standard lamp brackets
• Touch-controlled tender lamp operation



DCC & Control Compatibility:

• 21-pin DCC socket located in the locomotive
• Fully compatible with Hornby HM7000 system
• Specially crafted ‘Turbomotive’ sound profile available for HM7000 download



Cab & Crew:

• Highly detailed cab interior with fully decorated backhead
• Realistically decorated instrument dials
• Fully decorated bespoke cab crew included
• Opening cab roof vent



Motor & Drive:

• Powerful 5-pole skew wound motor
• Flywheel with cardan shaft drive for smooth, reliable running
• Pogo pin pickup system for simplified electrical servicing
• Wheel pickups on both locomotive and tender for consistent power



Couplings & Extras:

• Sprung metal buffers
• Rear NEM coupling pocket
• Detailed front bogie

Details

The LMS Turbomotive was an experimental steam locomotive built in 1935 by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway under Chief Mechanical Engineer William Stanier. Based on the Princess Royal Class, it differed radically by using a steam turbine in place of conventional cylinders and pistons. This innovative design aimed to deliver smoother and quieter operation with fewer moving parts, promising lower maintenance and improved reliability—particularly on high-speed, long-distance services where consistent power output was essential.

The turbine system proved efficient at sustained speeds, offering a glimpse into alternative steam propulsion. However, the Turbomotive's lack of a reliable reversing gear and limited low-speed performance made it unsuitable for general duties or shunting. These limitations, combined with the complex nature of turbine systems in railway environments, ultimately hindered its practicality.

Despite showing potential in express service, the locomotive’s experimental nature and operational inflexibility led to the project’s abandonment. Following World War II, the Turbomotive was withdrawn and rebuilt in 1949 as a conventional piston-powered locomotive, effectively ending Britain’s exploration of steam turbine technology for mainline rail use. Today, the Turbomotive remains a unique and fascinating chapter in the evolution of British steam engineering.