LMS Fairburn 2-6-4T

LMS Fairburn 2-6-4T

42072 at Bradford Exchange, 1966/7

Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Charles E. Fairburn Builder LMS & BR Derby Works BR Brighton Works Build date 1945–1951 Total produced 277

Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-4T  • UIC 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 37 ft 1 in (11.30 m) Length 45 ft 9 3⁄4 in (13.96 m) Loco weight 42050–42146: 84.70 long tons (86.06 t; 94.86 short tons) remainder: 85.25 long tons (86.62 t; 95.48 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 3.5 long tons (3.6 t; 3.9 short tons) Water cap 42050–42146: 1,875 imp gal (8,520 l) remainder: 2,000 imp gal (9,100 l) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 26 3⁄4 sq ft (2.49 m2) Boiler LMS type 4C Boiler pressure 200 lbf/in2 (1.38 MPa) Heating surface:  • Tubes and flues 1,223 sq ft (113.6 m2)  • Firebox 143 sq ft (13.3 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 230 sq ft (21 m2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 19 5⁄8 in × 26 in (498 mm × 660 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts

Performance figures Tractive effort 24,670 lbf (109.74 kN)

Career Operators London, Midland and Scottish Railway British Railways Power class LMS: 4P BR: 4MT Withdrawn 1961–1967 Disposition Two preserved, remainder scrapped

The London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Fairburn Tank 2-6-4T is a class of steam locomotive. They were designed by Charles E. Fairburn for the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). 277 of these locomotives were built between 1945 and 1951, numbered in the range 42050–42186, (4)2187–(4)2299, (4)2673–(4)2699.

This design was based on the earlier Stanier LMS Stanier 2-6-4T, which was derived from Henry Fowler's LMS Fowler 2-6-4T engine. Fairburn modified the design to have a shorter wheelbase, reduced from 16 ft 6 in (5.03 m) to 15 ft 4 in (4.67 m) allowing curves of 5 chains to be negotiated; to reduce the locomotives mass per unit length the overall weight was reduced by 3 long tons 8 cwt (7,600 lb or 3.5 t).

It was also the basis for the later British Rail Standard Class 4 tank. They were used mainly for suburban passenger trains. Forty-one examples of the class were constructed by Brighton railway works for service on the Southern Region of British Railways in 1950 and 1951, replacing earlier designs. Of these, seven were transferred to the North Eastern Region between Spring 1952 and the end of 1954; the other 34 were exchanged for a like number of London Midland Region BR Standard Class 4 2–6–4T locomotives at the end of 1959.

The class was withdrawn between 1961 and 1967.

Two of the Brighton-built locomotives, nos. 42073 and 42085, survive in preservation on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, though 42085 recently underwent repairs at the Great Central Railway.