LMS Fowler 2-6-4T

LMS Fowler 4P 2-6-4T

2300, circa. 1928
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Designer Sir Henry Fowler
Builder LMS Derby Works
Build date 1927–1934
Total produced 125
Specifications
Configuration 2-6-4T
UIC class 1′C2′ h2t
Leading dia 3 ft 3 12 in (1.003 m)
Driver diameter 5 ft 9 in (1.753 m)
Trailing dia 3 ft 3 12 in (1.003 m)
Wheelbase 38.5 ft (11.73 m)
Length 47 ft 2 34 in (14.40 m)
Loco weight 86.25 long tons (87.6 t; 96.6 short tons)
Fuel type Coal
Fuel capacity 3.5 long tons (3.6 t; 3.9 short tons)
Water cap 2,000 imp gal (9,100 l; 2,400 US gal)
Firebox:
  Firegrate area
25 sq ft (2.3 m2)
Boiler LMS type G8AS
Boiler pressure 200 lbf/in2 (1.38 MPa) superheated
Heating surface:
  Tubes and flues
1,082 sq ft (100.5 m2)
  Firebox 138 sq ft (12.8 m2)
Superheater:
  Heating area
266 sq ft (24.7 m2) or 246 sq ft (22.9 m2)
Cylinders Two, outside
Cylinder size 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 23,125 lbf (102.87 kN)
Career
Operators
Power class
  • LMS: 4P
  • BR: 4MT
Numbers
  • LMS: 2300–2424
  • BR: 42300–42424
Withdrawn 1959–1966
Disposition All scrapped
42367 at Willesden

The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Fowler 2-6-4T was a class of steam locomotive passenger tanks designed by Henry Fowler.

Construction

125 examples of the class were built. The last 30 numbered 2395 to 2424 were fitted with side-window cabs. The LMS classified them 4P, BR 4MT. They were the basis for a family of subsequent LMS/BR Class 4 2-6-4T locomotives.

Operational use

Most of the class were used on longer-distance commuter trains from stations in London, Manchester and other large towns. A number were allocated to Tebay Motive Power Depot and were used to bank heavy passenger and goods trains up the steep incline to Shap on the LMS West Coast Main Line. Some operated on the long trip from Shrewsbury to Swansea (Victoria). The last two surviving locos were withdrawn from service in 1966.

Numbering

The LMS numbered the class 2300–2424, BR adding 40000 to their numbers to make them 42300–424. Numbers 2395-2424 had a side window and doors in their cabs,[1] unlike those pictured here.

Table of orders
LMS no. BR no. Lot no. Date built
2300–2303 42300–42303 47 1927
2304–2324 42304–42324 47 1928
2325–2374 42325–42374 53 1929
2375–2384 42375–42384 89 1932
2385–2423 42385–42423 101 1933
2424 42424 101 1934

Withdrawal

The class with withdrawn between 1959 and 1966.

Table of withdrawals
Year Quantity in
service at
start of year
Quantity
withdrawn
Locomotive numbers
1959 125 5 42308/12/21/41/54.
1960 120 11 42300/26/45/46/65/73/80/90/98/99, 42418.
1961 109 22 42302/07/25/28–30/32/44/48/49/56/60/63/64,
40377/82/83/86/95/97, 42404/23.
1962 87 37 42303–06/14/15/18/20/23/24/31/36/40/42/47/51/52/58/62/67,
42370–72/75/76/85/87/88/93/96, 42402/03/07/12/15/20/22.
1963 50 16 42301/10/13/16/19/33/37/39/55/57/84/89/91/92, 42401/19.
1964 34 20 42309/11/35/38/53/59/61/66/78/79,
42405/08/09/11/13/14/16/17/21/24.
1965 14 12 42317/22/27/34/43/50/68/69/74/81, 42400/06.
1966 2 2 42394, 42410.

Preservation

No locos were preserved, but the January 2013 edition of The Railway Magazine reported that a new-build project to recreate a Fowler 2-6-4T was at an initial research stage.

In May 2015, the LMS-Patriot Project announced that after the completion of Patriot Class No. 45551 The Unknown Warrior, it would begin construction on a new-build Fowler 2-6-4T. Similar to the Patriot, it will carry the number of the last member of the class, No. 42424, and be built to main line running standards, though it will only primarily be used on heritage lines.[2]

One of the NCC Class WT locos (No. 4), which drew heavily from the Fowler design, is preserved by the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland. No4 returned from overhaul in June 2015 and is currently based in Dublin.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to LMS Fowler Class 4 2-6-4T.
  1. Ian Allan abc British Railways Locomotives 1960
  2. "LMS-Patriot Company announces plans to build a new Fowler 2-6-4T after 'The Unknown Warrior' is completed". LMS-Patriot Project. http://www.lms-patriot.org.uk. 21 March 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2015. External link in |publisher= (help)
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