Portal:Trains/Selected article/Week 29, 2007

The LSWR N15 class, also known as the King Arthur Class, is a class of 2-cylinder 4-6-0 express passenger steam locomotives originally designed by Robert Urie. The class has a highly complex construction history that spanned several batches and years of construction from 1919 onwards. They were initially constructed for the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) where they worked heavy express trains to the South Coast ports and further west to Exeter. The class saw modifications by both Richard Maunsell, who increased the class strength to 74 locomotives, and Oliver Bulleid. The locomotives were named by the Southern Railway's publicity department after grouping in 1923. These names were associated with the Arthurian legends. The classes operated until the end of 1962, and only a solitary example, 30777 Sir Lamiel has been saved from the cutter's torch. It can be seen on mainline railtours throughout Britain