Patriot 4-6-0 No.5526 at Hillmorton, south of Rugby, with a Birmingham to Euston two-hour express in 1935. The finish was typical of Bushbury shed at the time. Patriots were diagrammed for the fastest ‘XL’ schedule express timetabled by the LMS during the 1930s, the 6.58pm departure from Rugby to Watford, the 5.42pm Wolverhampton to Euston. In May 1938, 5526 produced a remarkable start over the 12.9 miles from Rugby to Weedon with a passing time of 13 mins. 52 sec. compared with a schedule of 14 mins. 30 sec. This is the second fastest known, bettered only by rebuilt Royal Scot 46146 The Rifle Brigade in June 1956.
Photo: F.R. Hebron/Rail Archive Stephenson