LMS Hughes Crab

LMS Hughes Crab
Power type	Steam
Designer	George Hughes
Builder	LMS Horwich Works (70), LMS Crewe Works (175)
Build date	1926–1932
Total produced	245
Configuration	2-6-0
UIC classification	1'Ch
Gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading wheel diameter	42.5 in (1.080 m)
Driver diameter	66 in (1.7 m)
Length	59 ft 3 7⁄8 in (18.082 m)
Locomotive weight	66 long tons (67 t)
Fuel type	Coal
Fuel capacity	5 long tons (5.1 t)
Water capacity	3,500 imp gal (16,000 l)
Boiler	LMS type G9HS
Boiler pressure	180 psi (1.24 MPa)
Firegrate area	27.5 sq ft (2.55 m2)
Heating surface: Tubes	1,361 sq ft (126.4 m2), later 1,345 sq ft (125.0 m2)
Heating surface: Firebox	160 sq ft (15 m2)
Superheater area	307 sq ft (28.5 m2)
Cylinders	Two, outside
Cylinder size	21×26 in (533×660 mm)
Tractive effort	26,580 lbf (118.23 kN)
Career	London, Midland & Scottish British Railways
Class	LMS: 4 later 5P4F, later 5P5F, later 6P5F, later 5
Number	LMS 13000–13244, renumbered 2700–2944 in 1934, BR 42700–42944
Nicknames	Crab
Retired	1961–1967

42884 at Carlisle in 1960. Note the Fowler tender which is narrower than the locomotive.

The London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Hughes Crab or Horwich Mogul is a class of mixed traffic 2-6-0 steam locomotive built between 1926 and 1932. They are noted for their appearance with large highly-angled cylinders caused by restricted loading gauge. These locomotives were referred to as "Crabs", a term adopted due to the bizarre external shape of the standard engine.

Overview

Designed by George Hughes and built at the ex-L&YR works at Horwich and the ex-LNWR works at Crewe, they actually appeared after Hughes had retired and been replaced by Henry Fowler.

Numbers			Lot No.	Date	Built at
Original	LMS 1934	BR
13000–6	2700–6	42700–6	20	1926	Horwich
13007–29	2707–29	42707–29	20	1927	Horwich
13030–5	2730–5	42730–5	21	1926	Crewe
13036–99	2736–99	42736–99	21	1927	Crewe
13100–7	2800–7	42800–7	54	1928	Crewe
13108/9	2808/9	42808/9	54	1929	Crewe
13110–29	2810–29	42810–29	63	1929	Horwich
13130–49	2830–49	42830–49	68	1930	Horwich
13150–224	2850–924	42850–924	69	1930	Crewe
13225-34	2925-34	42925-34	80	1931	Crewe
13235–44	2935–44	42935–44	86	1932	Crewe

Initially numbered 13000–244, as standard locomotives they were given the lower numbers 2700–2944 in the LMS 1933 renumbering scheme. After being taken into British Railways stock an additional 40000 was added to their numbers, becoming 42700–944.

In 1931 five engines, 13118, 13122, 13124, 13125 and 13129 were fitted with Lentz valve gear. This was replaced on these engines in 1953 (which had now been renumbered 42818, 42822, 42824, 42825 and 42829) with Reidinger valve gear.

They were the basis for the LMS Stanier 2-6-0.

Preservation

Three have survived, 13000/(4)2700, 13065/(4)2765 and 13159/(4)2859. The first-built locomotive, 2700 is part of the National Railway Collection and currently on static display. 42765 has been restored to working order on the East Lancs Railway, but 42859 is still in scrapyard condition, stored at RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire.

Models

Models exist in 00 gauge. An old, rather inaccurate model was produced by Lima, and an updated model has been produced by Bachmann. N gauge models are produced by Graham Farish.

References

• David Hunt, Bob Essery and Fred James LMS Locomotives No. 2 - The Horwich Moguls
• Rowledge, J.W.P. (1975). Engines of the LMS, built 1923–51. Oxford: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 0902888595. 

External links

• some photos of 42765