Rapido 982001 OO Gauge Caledonian Single 4-2-2 No.123 CR Blue Railtour Condition

No.123 was originally conceived as a display locomotive, to be shown off as the Caledonian Railways best at the 1886 International Exhibition of Industry, Science and Art in Edinburgh. However, CR No.123 was more than just a pretty face.

This unique locomotive was less a pinnacle of all that could be achieved and more of a respectful tribute to the designs of a bygone era. The true reason for her designer, Mr Dugald Drummond#s decision to use the single-wheeled design is yet to be discovered, but when Neilson & Co. built CR No.123 in 1886 it became a beautiful sunset moment for the single-wheeler concept.

Despite being the Caledonian's flagship loco, it wouldn't be unjust to describe CR No.123 as dated technology, even by the standards of the day. With multiple-driving wheeled locomotives proving their worth and exceeding performance standards across the country, the once glorified Single Wheeler design was sadly becoming a thing of the past as they were outpaced by their modern counterparts.

CR No.123 entered service on the Caledonian Railway shortly after the conclusion of the Exhibition. As a fully working locomotive, it was only logical to utilise it for more than just a publicity stunt.

It would be used primarily for working Inspectors and Directors' trains with short rakes of saloon coaches; but would also be utilised as the pilot loco for Royal Trains heading to Balmoral Castle. This involved running slightly ahead of Royal Trains, clearing the line, and ensuring it was safe.

Although Single Wheelers were a dated idea CR No.123 was still a vessel for the builders to demonstrate engineering innovations and make it something special. She was fitted with a newly developed sanding system, which used compressed air supplied from the main reservoir of the Westinghouse air brakes. This made CR No.123 the ideal candidate to conquer the climbs of Beattock and Shotts Summits while maintaining a respectable average speed.

With the Race to the North of 1888 becoming a highly promoted event by the British press, CR No.123 would be chosen to haul the Carlisle to Edinburgh leg of this non-official race, gaining it further national fame.

Having already been renumbered by the Caledonian a few years before, the LMS renumbered her once more when they claimed ownership of the Caledonian Railway.

Assigned the power class 1P she was issued No.14010 and painted in LMS Maroon. In 1927 her existing Drummond boiler was replaced by a standard N17 class boiler. The most noticeable difference being that her safety valves were moved from the top of the dome to in front of the cab, and an extension ring fitted to the rear of the smokebox to accommodate the shorter boiler. In this eye-catching livery, the LMS returned her to a life of working Inspectors and Directors# trains.

Her final contribution to mainline duties was on the Dundee to Perth mainline, where she ran regular services. During this period, she was repainted into LMS Lined Black livery. When she was withdrawn in 1935 and set aside for preservation, she was the last single-wheeled express engine running in Britain.

Safely stored at St. Rollox, CR No.123 would remain there until 1953, when she was repainted back into her striking Caledonian Blue livery. This was in preparation for her to take part in a tour of the UK as a static display to celebrate the Coronation named the Exhibition of Rail Travel for Kings & Queens.

In the late 50s, she was restored by British Railways and returned to steam. This last hurrah involved CR No.123 participating in a variety of railtours. She toured much of Scotland heading the Scottish Rambler, and even found her way as far South as the Bluebell Railway in 1963 with the Blue Belle railtour.

In 1965 CR No.123 finally retired, and was placed in the Glasgow Transport Museum (and then moved to the The Riverside Museum) where she remains to this day.