Highland Railway Yankee Tanks

Infobox Locomotive
name = Highland Railway P class
powertype = Steam


caption=
builder = Dübs & Co.
builddate= 1891 (2), 1893 (3)
gauge=RailGauge|ussg
whytetype=4-4-0T
uicclass=2'Bn
driversize=convert|63|in|m|3|abbr=on
cylindercount=Two (outside)
cylindersize = 16×22 in (406×559 mm)
boilerpressure=convert|140|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on|lk=on
weight=convert|41.6|LT|t|lk=on
railroad=Highland Railway London, Midland & Scottish
railroadclass=HR: P
LMS:
roadnumber=LMS: 15013–15017
retiredate=1924–1934
numinclass=5
nicknames="Yankee Tanks"

The Highland Railway P class was a group of five 4-4-0 tank steam locomotives built in 1891 and 1893.

In 1891 Dübs and Company of Glasgow completed two 4-4-0 side tank locomotives with 5 ft 3 in driving wheels and 16 × 22 in outside cylinders. Boiler pressure was convert|140|psi|MPa|2|lk=on and weight in working order was 41 tons 12 cwt. They were part of an order for five for the Uruguay Eastern Railway, but due to financial problems the order was cancelled and the engines were offered for sale.

The locomotives were purchased by the Highland Railway in 1892, where they were numbered 101 and 102. Although their cowcatchers and large headlights were removed before entering service, they retained a somewhat American appearance quite unlike other HR designs of the period, lacking the classic Allan framing and sweep of plating from the widest part of the smokebox to the cylinders. Perhaps inevitably, they were nicknamed "Yankees", although the official designation was 'P' Class.

Three further locomotives were delivered by Dübs in 1893, possibly comprising the balance of the Uruguay order. These had standard Highland Railway fittings but were otherwise identical to the first two. They were originally numbered 11, 14 and 15, but were renumbered 51, 50 and 52 in 1899-1900, and 50 was again renumbered to 54 in 1901.

They were used on branch line services, including those to Burghead, Fortrose, Portessie and Aberfeldy. One (no. 52) was used on the Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway while that line was leased to the Highland. In 1923 they became LMS 15013-15017, and were withdrawn between 1924 and 1934.

References

* H.A. Vallance (1938), "The Highland Railway"