LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T

LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T

Locomotive 41231 being coaled by grab, while the fireman attends to the smokebox. Wellington Locomotive Depot, 12 April 1960

Type and origin Power type Steam Designer H. G. Ivatt Builder LMS & BR Crewe Works BR Derby Works Build date 1946–1952 Total produced 130

Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-2T  • UIC 1′C1′ h2t Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Leading dia. 3 ft 0 in (0.914 m) Driver dia. 5 ft 0 in (1.524 m) Trailing dia. 3 ft 0 in (0.914 m) Wheelbase 30 ft 3 in (9.22 m) Length 38 ft 9 1⁄2 in (11.82 m) Loco weight 63.25 long tons (64.3 t; 70.8 short tons) 41290–41329: 65.20 long tons (66.2 t; 73.0 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 3 long tons (3.05 t; 3.36 short tons) Water cap 1,350 imp gal (6,100 l; 1,620 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 17.5 sq ft (1.63 m2) Boiler LMS type 7 Boiler pressure 200 lbf/in2 (1.38 MPa) Heating surface:  • Tubes and flues 924 sq ft (85.8 m2)  • Firebox 101 sq ft (9.4 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 134 sq ft (12.4 m2) or 124 sq ft (11.5 m2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 16 in × 26 in (406 mm × 660 mm)

Performance figures Tractive effort 17,400 lbf (77.40 kN)

Career Operators London, Midland and Scottish Railway British Railways Power class LMS: 2P BR: 2MT BR (SR): 2P/2FA Axle load class BR: Route Availability 1 Withdrawn 1962–1967 Disposition Four preserved, remainder scrapped

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.

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.

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.

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.