Model railway enthusiast, Archie L (Form 2), first spotted the Hornby limited edition replica of the ‘Cranleigh’ steam engine in the Headmaster’s study. It was badly broken, having been found at the back of a cupboard at the Prep School. Archie and his father, James, very kindly had it repaired in Dorking and it now sits proudly on the mantelpiece in our Reception.
In 1934, the 37th steam locomotive (Engine 936) in the Southern Railway’s Class V was named ‘Cranleigh’ after the school. All 40 of the steam engines in this class were named after well-known English public schools, hence it was known as the Schools’ Class.
The ‘Cranleigh’ steam engine was designed by Richard Edward Lloyd Maunsell (May 1868- March 1944), who was Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway from 1913 until the 1923 Grouping . He was then promoted to CME of the Southern Railway in England until 1937. The ‘Cranleigh’ steam Engine 936 was withdrawn in 1962 and its nameplate is displayed in the Redgrave Room at Cranleigh School.
