LMS Fowler Dock Tank

LMS 2F Fowler Dock Tank
LMS Fowler Dock Tank 47165 at Fleetwood Docks, Lancashire, on 6 August 1958
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Sir Henry Fowler Builder LMS Derby Works Build date 1928–1929 Total produced 10
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0T  • UIC Cnt Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 47 in (1.194 m) Wheelbase 9.5 ft (2.90 m) Length 27.5 ft (8.38 m) Loco weight 43.6 long tons (44.3 t) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 1.5 long tons (1.5 t) Water cap. 1,000 imp gal (4,500 L) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 14.5 sq ft (1.35 m2) Boiler LMS type G5 Boiler pressure 160 psi (1.1 MPa) saturated Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 85 sq ft (7.9 m2)  • Tubes 923 sq ft (85.7 m2) Superheater None Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 17×22 in (432×559 mm)
Career Number in class 10 Retired 1959–1964 Disposition All scrapped

The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Fowler Dock Tank was a 0-6-0T steam locomotive. Designed for shunting in docks, it had a short wheelbase in order for it to negotiate tight curves.

History

The LMS were responsible for operating lines on a number of docks which, due to space constraints, contained curves considerably sharper than most other places, thus most dock tanks had only four coupled (i.e. driving) wheels in order to allow them to negoatiate the tight curves. With the growth in freight a more powerful engine was required which resulted in this design by Sir Henry Fowler for an 0-6-0 tank locomotive with a 9 foot 6 inch wheelbase which, aided by the use of Cartazzi self-centring axleboxes on the rear axle, allowed the loco to negotiate curves of 2½ chains,. Ten of these simple sturdy locomotives were built on Lot 61 in 1928 and 1929 by Derby Works although, unusually for dock tanks they incorporated outside cylinders, these normally being considered too dangerous in an area where people were working close to the rapidly moving rods. Other than this they were typical of most dock tanks with simple slide valves and oval buffers. They were initially numbered 11270–9, renumbered under the LMS 1933 renumbering scheme to 7100–9, and renumbered again in 1939 to 7160–9. Despite their small number, the LMS considered them standard locomotives.

After nationalisation in 1948, BR added 40000 to their numbers making them 47160–9, and allocated 5 of the 10 to Scottish depots, where they operated on branch lines as well as docks. The locomotives spent their entire lives painted in plain black; withdrawals took place between 1959 and 1964 with none surviving into preservation.

References

• Rowledge, J.W.P (1975). Engines of the LMS, built 1923–51. Oxford: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 0902888 59 5.

External links

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