LMS Ivatt Class 2 2 6 2T

Updated on Dec 03, 2023

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Power type Steam Build date 1946–1952 Configuration 2-6-2T		Designer H. G. Ivatt Total produced 130

Builder LMS & BR Crewe Works BR Derby Works

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 1200–1209. British Railways added the prefix '4' to their numbers so they became 41200–41209. A further 120 were built by BR, numbers 41210–41329. Most were built at Crewe,including 41272 — the 7000th locomotive to be built there, but the last ten were built at Derby. Fifty engines were fitted with push-pull equipment, these being Nos. 41210–41229, 41270–41289 and 41320–41329.

Service

The last thirty Crewe-built engines, 41290–41319, were allocated to the Southern Region from new. The rest were London Midland Region engines. Some were also allocated to the Western Region of BR in the 1950s and 1960s such as numbers 41202, 41203 and 41249 which were shedded at Bristol Bath Road in 1959. 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.

In 1957 No.41224 was the first train to pass along the old Stafford and Uttoxeter Railway since closure six years earlier, and the last before the track was dismantled. It was chartered by the Midland area of the Stephenson Locomotive Society and carried more than 220 railway enthusiasts.

Withdrawal

The class were withdrawn between 1962 and 1967.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. In October 2014, it was announced that the engine will be moved to the East Somerset Railway for overhaul. No 41298 was also moved to the Isle of Wight, and ownership of both these locos has now been transferred to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. These locomotives will need conversion to work with the air-braked stock used on the island.

All but 41313 have steamed in preservation and of the 3 engines that have steamed in preservation 41241 & 41312 have also seen use on the mainline. 41241 appeared at the Rail 150 Cavalcade at Shildon in 1975 arriving at the event under her own power. She was also used on the Shildon shuttle trains during the event taking people from the main station at Shildon to the event and also between Darlington and Shildon. 41312 has also operated on the main line in preservation, but as the engine was only power class 2, it couldn't haul very heavy trains and also due to its limited water capacity of 1,350 gallons it couldn't stray too far from The Mid Hants Railway when working charter specials. 41312 even drew fame in 2000 when it took part in what was thought to be the last ever season of "Steam on the Met". No other members of the class have operated on the main line since 41312's main line ticket expired in the early 2000s and no plans are under way to alter that situation.