LMS IVATT CLASS 2 2-6-2T

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.

Contents

Background

Construction

Service

Preservation

Models

Fiction

External links

Background

The LMS had various elderly tank engines and but the operating department required a new small class 2 locomotive. The Great Western Railway 4500 and 4575 Classes of 2-6-2T (prairie) had been successful. George Ivatt designed the new engine 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. 10 built by the LMS before nationalisation in 1948, and were numbered 1200-9. British Railways added 40000 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. 50 engines fitted with push-pull equipment, these being Nos. 41210-20, 41270-89 and 41320-9.

Number		Date	Lot no.	Built at	Notes
LMS	BR
1200-8	41200-8	1946	181	Crewe
1209	41209	1947	181	Crewe
-	41210-20	1948	195	Crewe	Push-pull fitted
-	41221-9	1948	195	Crewe	41222 was push-pull fitted and used on the Newport Pagnell branch until closure in 1964
-	41230-59	1949	204	Crewe
-	41260-9	1950	209	Crewe
-	41270-89	1950	209	Crewe	Push-pull fitted
-	41290-9	1951	225	Crewe
-	41300-19	1952	225	Crewe
-	41320-9	1952	225	Derby	Push-pull fitted

Service

The last thirty Crewe-built engines, 41290-319 were allocated to the Southern Region from new. The rest were London Midland Region engines. They spent their lives mostly on rather unglamarous branchline work.
The design formed the basis for the BR standard class 2 2-6-2T (numbers 84000-29). The BR standards were built to a slightly smaller loading gauge and so have slanted cab sides, and also incorporate a fallplate and BR standard fittings e.g. chimneys.
All engines were withdrawn between 1962 and 1967.

Preservation

Four have survived to preservation; numbers 41241, 41298, 41312 and 41313. 41241 is particularly associated with the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and when initially preserved was painted in inauthentic maroon livery with K&WVR on her tanks, though she was later restored to more conventional BR black. During October 2006 the Ivatt Trust loaned the unrestored loco 41313 to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway; of which they will restore when time allows. Also for the move to the Island is 41298, of which is currently being restored and converted to operate the islands air brake coaches. She is expected for arrival within the next couple of years

Number	Location	Condition	External link to preserved locomotive database	External link to website
41241			41241
41298			41298
41312			41312
41313			41313

Models

Bachmann produced a 00 Gauge model in LMS Black and BR Black (early and late).

Fiction

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

External links

★ Railuk database

★ Southern e-group photos

★ Some photos of 41312 on the East Somerset Railway