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: ​  • Whyte 2-6-4T  • UIC 1′C2′ h2t Leading dia. 3 ft 3 1⁄2 in (1.003 m) Driver dia. 5 ft 9 in (1.753 m) Trailing dia. 3 ft 3 1⁄2 in (1.003 m) Wheelbase 38.5 ft (11.73 m) Length 47 ft 2 3⁄4 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 London, Midland and Scottish Railway British Railways Power class LMS: 4P BR: 4MT Numbers LMS: 2300–2424 BR: 42300–42424 Withdrawn 1959–1966 Disposition All scrapped.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 The last two surviving locos were withdrawn from service in 1966.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.

Withdrawal

The class with withdrawn between 1959 and 1966.

Preservation and revival

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.

• David Hunt, Bob Essery Fred James (2002) LMS Locomotive Profiles No. 3: The Parallel Boiler 2-6-4 Tank Engines ISBN 1-874103-72-0
• Rowledge, J.W.P. (1975). Engines of the LMS built 1923–51. Oxford: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 0-902888-59-5.