LMS 2-Cylindered Stanier 2-6-4T

LMS Stanier Class 4P 2-cylinder 2-6-4T

42444 at Bacup station, June 1959

Type and origin Power type Steam Designer William Stanier Builder LMS Derby Works (133) North British Locomotive Co. (73) Build date 1935–1943 Total produced 206

Specifications Configuration 2-6-4T UIC class 1′C2′ h2t Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Leading dia. 3 ft 3 1⁄2 in (1.003 m) Driver dia. 5 ft 9 in (1.753 m) Trailing dia. 3 ft 3 1⁄2 in (1.003 m) Wheelbase 38 ft 6 in (11.73 m) Length 47 ft 2 3⁄4 in (14.40 m) Loco weight 87.85 long tons (89.26 t; 98.39 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 3.5 long tons (3.6 t; 3.9 short tons) Water cap 2,000 imp gal (9,100 l; 2,400 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 26 3⁄4 sq ft (2.49 m2) Boiler LMS type 4C Boiler pressure 200 lbf/in2 (1.4 MPa) Heating surface:  • Tubes and flues 1,126 or 1,223 sq ft (104.6 or 113.6 m2)  • Firebox 139 or 143 sq ft (12.9 or 13.3 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 185 to 285 sq ft (17.2 to 26.5 m2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 19 5⁄8 in × 26 in (500 mm × 660 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts

Performance figures Tractive effort 24,670 lbf (109.7 kN)

Career Operators London, Midland and Scottish Railway → British Railways Power class LMS: 4P BR: 4MT Withdrawn 1960–1967 Disposition All scrapped

Sir William Stanier's London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Class 4P 2-Cylinder 2-6-4T is a class of 206 steam locomotive built between 1935 and 1943. They were based on his LMS 3-Cylinder 2-6-4T.

The LMS numbered them 2425–94, and then 2537–672, BR adding 40000 to their numbers to make them 42425–94, and then 42537–672. The LMS classified them 4P, BR 4MT. They were the basis for the LMS Fairburn 2-6-4T.

No 2429 had a starring role as Celia Johnson's branch line engine in the 1945 film Brief Encounter, which was made at Carnforth station during the winter of 1944–45. The BR numberplate (42429) was sold at a BR auction held in the old Refreshment Room at Southport Chapel Street station.

The first withdrawal was in 1960, with the last in 1967. None has been preserved (though the original of the 3-Cylinder 2-6-4T version, number 2500, is preserved at the National Railway Museum, and two examples of the nearly identical LMS Fairburn 2-6-4T are also still in existence).

Hornby Model Railways has released Stanier's 4MT as a 00 Gauge ready-to-run model. Two versions are to be released; one in LMS Black, the other in BR Black (early and late).

A pre-war O gauge model of this locomotive was produced by Marklin for Bassett-Lowke models in 1937; this continued in UK production by Winteringham until 1957. This model has been reproduced in O gauge by ACE Trains in 2009; both LMS and BR black versions have been manufactured.