LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0

LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0
46443 Ivatt class at Bewdley railway station, 10 November 2007. Photo by Simon Emms.
Power type	Steam
Designer	H. G. Ivatt
Builder	LMS & BR Crewe works BR Darlington Works BR Swindon Works
Build date	1946–1953
Total produced	128
Configuration	2-6-0
UIC classification	1'Ch
Gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading wheel diameter	36 in (0.914 m)
Driver diameter	60 in (1.524 m)
Length	53 ft 1 3⁄4 in (16.199 m)
Locomotive weight	47.10 long tons (47.9 t) (6400–64) 48.45 long tons (49.2 t) (remainder)
Tender weight	37.15 long tons (37.7 t)
Fuel type	Coal
Fuel capacity	4 long tons (4.1 t)
Water capacity	3,000 imp gal (14,000 l)
Boiler	LMS type 7
Boiler pressure	200 psi (1.38 MPa)
Firegrate area	17.5 sq ft (1.63 m2)
Heating surface: Tubes	924 sq ft (85.8 m2)
Heating surface: Firebox	101 sq ft (9.4 m2)
Superheater area	134 sq ft (12.4 m2) or 124 sq ft (11.5 m2)
Cylinders	Two, outside
Cylinder size	16×24 in (406×610 mm)
Tractive effort	17,410 lbf (77.44 kN)
Class	LMS 2F BR: 2MT
Nicknames	Mickey Mouse
Axle load class	Route Availability 2
Retired	1961–1967

The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0 is a class of steam locomotive designed for light mixed traffic.

Design

Elderly 0-6-0s formed the backbone of the low-powered locomotives within the LMS fleet. William Stanier had concentrated on introducing larger engines and it was left to George Ivatt to introduce a new class of low-powered locomotive. He designed a tender version of the Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T, introduced at the same time, which was inspired by the Stanier 2-6-2T which was inspired by the Fowler 2-6-2T. The 2-6-0s, with their greater range (3,000 gal of water and 4 tons of coal compared to the tank design's 1,350 gal and 3 tons), were well-suited to their task and, following attention to draughting problems by both Derby and Swindon, quickly became a success. Further engines of this type were built as the BR standard class 2 2-6-0, these locomotives having BR standard fittings and a modified cab and tender profile to allow completely unrestricted route availability; both LMS and BR 2MT moguls are often referred to by the affectionate nickname "Mickey Mouse".

Construction

A total of 128 were built between 1946 and 1953, mostly at Crewe. 20 were built by LMS and given the numbers 6400–19. On nationalisation in 1948 40000 was added to their numbers to become 46400–19. The remaining 108 locomotives of the class, numbered 46420–46527 were built by British Railways, and from 46465 (Darlington, 1951) an increase in cylinder diameter of 1/2 inch yielded a tractive effort of 18,510 lb, 1,100 lb greater than the original design. The LMS classified them 2F, BR as 2MT.

The 38 members of the Darlington-built batch (46465 to 46502) were allocated to the Eastern and North Eastern Regions of British Railways. The final 25 (46503 to 46527) were built at Swindon Works and, being allocated to the Western Region, consequently carried the GWR-type vacuum ejector and firehole doors. The Swindon locomotives were turned out, initially, in lined black. Under the Hanks regime, some received lined green livery as they passed through works. The rest carried black livery. None of the Class was named in service, however some have been named in preservation.

Number		Lot no.	Date	Built at
LMS	BR
6400–9	46400–9	182	1946	Crewe
6410–9	46410–9	189	1947	Crewe
-	46420–34	194	1948	Crewe
-	46435–49	201	1950	Crewe
-	46450–9	207	1950	Crewe
-	46460–4	208	1950	Crewe
-	46465–82	1309	1951	Darlington
-	46483–94	1310	1951	Darlington
-	46495–502	1310	1952	Darlington
-	46503–14	394	1952	Swindon
-	46515–27	394	1953	Swindon

The class was withdrawn between 1961 and 1967.

Preservation

Seven of the class have been preserved:

LMS no	BR no	Image	Name*	Builder	Current Location	Notes
	46428			Crewe	East Lancashire Railway	Stored, awaiting restoration from condition as recovered from Woodham Brothers scrapyard, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales
6441	46441			Crewe	Ribble Steam Railway	In non-authentic BR Maroon livery. On Display
	46443			Crewe	Severn Valley Railway	Stored awaiting restoration in The Engine House, Highley
	46447			Crewe	Isle of Wight Steam Railway	To be cosmetically restored for display
	46464		The Carmyllie Pilot*	Crewe	Bridge of Dun	Currently being restored to working order
	46512		E.V. Cooper, Engineer*	Swindon	Strathspey Railway	Returned to operation March 2011
	46521		Blossom*	Swindon	Great Central Railway	Returned to operation January 2012. Does not permantly carry the name "Blossom"

* Named in preservation

Models

Several 00 gauge ready-to-run models of the locomotive have been produced. From the 1970s, Hornby Railways produced a model of the class, which was available in either British Railways green (passenger) or lined black (mixed traffic) liveries. In 2007 Bachmann Branchline introduced a more detailed model, also available in several liveries. Comet Models produce an all-metal kit.

In fiction

No. 46521 appeared in the sitcom Oh, Doctor Beeching! It was for this that it received the name 'Blossom'.

Both 46443 and 46521 appeared in a film version of The Seven-Per-Cent Solution. For this role both locomotives were heavily disguised to have a European flavour.

Both "Oh, Doctor Beeching!" and "The Seven-Per-Cent Solution" were filmed on the Severn Valley Railway.

In the 2008 film adaption of Why Didn't They Ask Evans?, an Ivatt engine can be seen pulling an express train.

References

• Rowledge, J.W.P. (1975). Engines of the LMS, built 1923–51. Oxford: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 0 902888 59 5. 

External links

• The Carmyllie Pilot Company Limited (owners of 46464)