With respect to the Southern Railway Mogul 2-6-0 locomotive fleet most people probably immediately think of the Maunsell Moguls, the N/N1 and U/U1 classes. Their origins lead back to the SECR for the 5’6? driving wheeled N class followed by the later Southern built, also under the design auspices of Maunsell who was now CME of the Southern, the U class with their larger 6? driving wheels.

The missing mogul in more ways than one is the ex London Brighton and South Coast railway (LBSC) K class designed by LB Billinton. First introduced in 1913 the eventual 17 members of the class were the first 2-6-0 locomotives on the LBSC and the first with a Belpair firebox, and like the Maunsell N class also had 5’6? driving wheels. They were generally seen as one of the most successful LBSC locomotive designs.

luebell Railway was formed, however obtaining one was considered too expensive at the time.

Although mainly employed on the central section for freight use they did occasionally wonder further west and east. I am not sure if one ever made it to Salisbury or not but the Brighton to Cardiff trains that changed engines at Salisbury could sometimes throw up a surprise loco from Brighton so it might have been possible.

My K class number 2346 shown below is built from an old Keyser (K’s) white metal kit, and makes an occasional appearance on Fisherton Sarum.

Sadly the K’s kit is not available anymore, so even in model form the class is still the missing mogul both in either Ready To Run (RTR) or kit form.

This is an extract from my blog at www.grahammuz.com

The full entry with additional information and images can be found here