31-215 Bachmann LMS 5XP 'Patriot' 5551 'The Unknown Warrior'

New release - pre-orders invited - expected during June / July 2026. preauthkernow

Add some LMS express power to your locomotive line up with the Bachmann Branchline LMS Patriot. The LMS built 52 of these locomotives for express passenger duties but sadly none were preserved, however The LMS Patriot Project was launched in 2008 to build a replica Patriot Class locomotive to represent this long-lost class and create a national memorial engine, recognising the role that class leader No. 5500 performed for the LMS from 1937. Bachmann is proud to support The LMS Patriot Project and by producing this model of ‘the Unknown Warrior’ we will be helping towards the completion of its full size counterpart.

Boasting a high level of detail, the Branchline Patriot is constructed with a diecast metal running plate paired with a precision moulded boiler, firebox and cab capturing the loco’s distinctive appearance, most notably the parallel boiler and Fowler-designed cab. Etched metal smoke deflectors are then added, along with countless separate detailing parts like the metal handrails, turned brass safety valves, lamp irons and lubricators.

The locomotive’s diecast chassis is enhanced with brake blocks, brake rigging and sandboxes with separate wire sandpipes. Moving to the tender and the locomotive to tender drawbar is adjustable to suit individual layout conditions, whilst electrical connections are incorporated into the drawbar and a poseable fallplate is fitted to the tender, which itself is another precision moulded part, with several separately applied details including the lamp irons, tank vents, coal rails and handwheels. A realistic coal load is included whilst the tender chassis sports brake rigging and water pick-up gear. Sprung metal buffers are fitted to both the front of the locomotive and the rear of the tender.

Within the cab, a detailed boiler backhead is present and the pipework and controls are enhanced with individual decoration. The ventilator on the cab roof is a separate part, allowing it to be posed in the open or closed position, or somewhere in between. The high level of decoration is not reserved only for the cab interior of course, and the model boasts an authentic rendition of the BR Lined Green livery complete with full-colour early emblems. The beautifully crafted livery application is finished with precision printed details like the running number, shed code and builders plaques, whilst etched nameplates are supplied for user-fitting to complete the look of this express locomotive.

With a powerful three pole motor and a proven drive train, the Branchline Patriot is a surefooted machine that boasts electrical pickups from the driving wheels and tender wheels. Meanwhile, DCC provision comes in the form of a 21 Pin decoder socket and it’s easy to fit a speaker if you’re adding sound, or why not opt for our SOUND FITTED model and the work’s done for you.

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 10
• Pristine LMS Lined Crimson Lake livery
• Running No. 5551
• Named ‘The Unknown Warrior’
• Etched Nameplates included
• Riveted Fowler Tender
• Powerful 3 Pole Motor
• Tender Pick-ups
• Adjustable Tender Drawbar
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Sprung Buffers
• Accessory Pack
• Locomotive Ready to Accept a Speaker
• Equipped with a 21 Pin DCC Decoder Socket – Recommend Decoder item No. 36-557A
• Length 260mm (over couplings)

LMS PATRIOT CLASS HISTORY

The London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) employed a wide variety of 4-6-0 steam locomotive designs to haul its trains and the ‘Patriot’ was born from the success of the ‘Claughton’ Class of 4-6-0s that the LMS had inherited from the London & North Western Railway (LNWR). The first two of the 52-strong fleet of Patriots were created in 1930 by notionally rebuilding two LNWR Claughtons; the new locomotives retained the original driving wheels and bogie trucks along with some other parts and for four years they kept the Claughton numbers before being renumbered in 1934.

The other 50 locomotives were essentially built from new, albeit for accounting purposes 40 were classified as rebuilds, and construction was shared between the LMS’s Crewe Works who made the majority, and Derby Works which completed just ten examples.

Commonly known as ‘Baby Scots’ owing to their similarities to the ‘Royal Scot’ locomotives albeit with a smaller boiler, the Patriots saw widespread operation across the principal routes of the LMS and later, BR’s Midland Region. The class gained its name in 1937 when No. 5500 was named ‘Patriot’ as a successor to the original LNWR Claughton remembrance locomotive of the same name. Other members of the class were given names of regiments or had military connections, whilst some were named after holiday destinations served by the LMS.

Whilst the Patriots were considered good performers from their introduction, between 1946 and 1949 eighteen were rebuilt with new tapered boilers, a new cab and new tenders, all to the design of William Stanier. A similar rebuilding programme had earlier been initiated for the Royal Scots to which the Patriots bore so many similarities. Those 34 locomotives that were not rebuilt survived into British Railways ownership, still employed on express passenger services although as the onset of dieselisation began, some were displaced to mixed traffic duties.

The entire fleet was still working at the start of 1960 however a pair succumbed later that year. Eight more were taken out of traffic in 1961, and the type had gone completely by the end of 1962. None of the Patriots, nor any of the rebuilds, survived to preservation, however The LMS Patriot Project commenced in 2008 with the aim to build a replica of No. 5551 and name it ‘The Unknown Warrior’ to create a new national memorial engine. Good progress is being made towards the completion of this new-build replica.