LMS Fowler Dock Tank

The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Fowler Dock Tank was a 0-6-0T steam locomotive. Designed for shunting in docks, it had a short wheelbase in order for it to readily negotiate tight curves. The locomotives spent their entire lives painted in plain black.

LMS 2F Fowler Dock Tank
LMS Fowler Dock Tank 47165 at Fleetwood Docks, Lancashire, on 6 August 1958
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerSir Henry Fowler
BuilderLMS Derby Works
Build date1928–1929
Total produced10
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte0-6-0T
 • UICC n2t
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia.3 ft 11 in (1.194 m)
Minimum curve2 1⁄2 chains (160 ft; 50 m)
Wheelbase9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)
Length27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Loco weight43.6 long tons (44.3 t; 48.8 short tons)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity1.5 long tons (1.5 t; 1.7 short tons)
Water cap1,000 imp gal (4,500 l; 1,200 US gal)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		14.5 sq ft (1.35 m2)
BoilerLMS type G5
Boiler pressure160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa) saturated
Heating surface:
 • Tubes		923 sq ft (85.7 m2)
 • Firebox85 sq ft (7.9 m2)
SuperheaterNone
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size17 in × 22 in (432 mm × 559 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort18,400 lbf (81.85 kN)
Career
Operators
Power class2F
Numbers
  • LMS: 11270–11279
  • 1934: 7100–7109
  • 1939: 7160–7169
  • BR: 47160-47169
Withdrawn1959–1964
DispositionAll scrapped

History

The LMS were responsible for operating lines on a number of docks which, due to space constraints, contained curves considerably sharper than most other places, thus most dock tanks had only four coupled (i.e. driving) wheels in order to allow them to negotiate the tight curves.

Design

With the growth in freight a more powerful engine was required which resulted in this design by Sir Henry Fowler for an 0-6-0 tank locomotive with a 9-foot-6-inch (2.90 m) wheelbase which, aided by the use of Cartazzi self-centring axleboxes on the rear axle, allowed the loco to negotiate curves of 2½ chains.[1]

Construction

Ten of these simple sturdy locomotives were built on Lot 61 in 1928 and 1929 by Derby Works although, unusually for dock tanks they incorporated outside cylinders, these normally being considered too dangerous in an area where people were working close to the rapidly moving rods.[1] Other than this they were typical of most dock tanks with simple slide valves and oval buffers.

Numbering

They were initially numbered 11270–11279, renumbered under the LMS 1933 renumbering scheme to 7100–7109, and renumbered again in 1939 to 7160–7169. Despite their small number, the LMS considered them standard locomotives. After nationalisation in 1948, BR added 40000 to their numbers making them 47160–47169, and allocated 5 of the 10 to Scottish depots,[1] where they operated on branch lines as well as docks.

Withdrawal

Withdrawals took place between 1959 and 1964 with none surviving into preservation.

Table of wihdrawals
YearQuantity in
service at
start of year		Quantity
withdrawn		Locomotive numbers
195910247162/69
19608147167
196170–
19627247163/68
19635347160–61/66
19642247164–65

References
  1. Beattie, Ian (July 1986). "LMS Class 2F 0-6-0T". Railway Modeller. Vol. 38 no. 429. Beer: Peco. pp. 299, 302.
  • Rowledge, J.W.P. (1975). Engines of the LMS built 1923–51. Oxford: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 0-902888-59-5.
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