LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T

Infobox Locomotive
powertype=Steam
name = LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T

---

caption = 41248 departing Highbridge with a passenger train
designer = H. G. Ivatt
builder = LMS & BR Crewe Works
BR Derby Works
builddate = 1946–1952
totalproduction = 130
whytetype = 2-6-2T
uicclass = 1'C1'ht
gauge = RailGauge|ussg
leadingsize = convert|36|in|m|3|abbr=on
driversize = convert|60|in|m|3|abbr=on
trailingsize = convert|36|in|m|3|abbr=on
length = 38 ft 9½ in
wheelbase = convert|30|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on
weight = convert|63.25|LT|t|1
41290–41329: convert|65.20|LT|t|1
fueltype = Coal
fuelc
convert|3|LT|t|1
waterc
convert|1350|impgal|l|abbr=on|lk=on
cylindercount = Two, outside
cylindersize = 16×26 in (406×660 mm)
boiler=LMS type 7
tubearea=convert|924|sqft|abbr=on
superheaterarea=convert|134|sqft|abbr=on or
convert|124|sqft|abbr=on
fireboxarea = convert|101|sqft|abbr=on
firearea = convert|17.5|sqft|abbr=on
boilerpressure = convert|200|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on|lk=on
tractiveeffort = convert|17400|lbf|kN|2|abbr=on
railroadclass=LMS: 2P
BR: 2MT
retiredate = 1962–1967
[
LNER Thompson Class B1 61306 at Low Moor shed, 1966/7] The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T is a class of light 'mixed-traffic' steam locomotive introduced in 1946.

Background

The LMS had various elderly tank engines and the operating department required a new small class 2 locomotive to replace them. Noting that the Great Western Railway 4500 and 4575 Classes of 2-6-2T ('Prairie') had been successful, George Ivatt designed the new engine type incorporating self-emptying ashpans and rocking grates which were labour-saving devices. A tender version, the Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0 was also produced. The LMS classified them as 2P, but BR preferred the classification 2MT.

Construction

The class was introduced between 1946 and 1952. They were based on the LMS Stanier 2-6-2T which was, in turn, based on the LMS Fowler 2-6-2T. Ten were built by the LMS before nationalisation in 1948, and were numbered 1200-9. British Railways added the prefix '4' to their numbers so they became 41200-9. A further 120 were built by BR, numbers 41210-329. Most were built at Crewe but the last ten were built at Derby. Fifty engines were fitted with push-pull equipment, these being Nos. 41210-20, 41270-89 and 41320-9.

Service

The last thirty Crewe-built engines, 41290-41319, were allocated to the Southern Region from new. The rest were London Midland Region engines. They spent their lives mostly on branch line work.

The design formed the basis for the BR standard class 2 2-6-2T (numbers 84000-29), which were built to a slightly smaller loading gauge and so have slanted cab sides. These engines also incorporate a fallplate and fittings common to many BR standard classes, such as the chimneys.

Plans for this type of locomotive to replace the aging Adams O2 locomotives on the Isle of Wight had been arranged, however costs were deemed too high, and this did not occur. All engines were withdrawn between 1962 and 1967.

Preservation

Four have survived to preservation, and now work on heritage railway lines:
*41241
*41298
*41312
*41313

No.41241 is particularly associated with the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and when initially preserved was painted in a fictitious maroon livery with K&WVR on the tanks, though it was later restored to more conventional BR black.

During October 2006, the Ivatt Trust loaned the unrestored no. 41313 to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway; who will restore it when time allows. It is the intention that 41298 will also be loaned to the Isle of Wight Stean Railway once restoration has been completed. These locomotives will need converting to work with the air-braked stock used on the island.

Models

Bachmann produced a 00 gauge model in various liveries. Dapol have released a model in British N gauge.

Fiction

An engine of this prototype was featured in the TV series "Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends" as the character 'Arthur'.

External links

* [http://www.railuk.co.uk/steam/getsteamclass.php?item=2MT-A Railuk database]
* [http://www.semgonline.com/steam/ivatt2t_01.html Southern e-group photos]
* [http://www.eastsomersetrailway.com/gallery/gallery.php?gallery=167 Some photos of 41312 on the East Somerset Railway]

References

*cite book |last=Rowledge |first= J.W.P. |year=1975 |title=Engines of the LMS, built 1923–51, |location=Oxford |publisher=Oxford Publishing Company |isbn= 0 902888 59 5