LMS 2
The LMS Class 2 2-6-4T refers to William Stanier's development of the LMS 2-6-4T suburban and secondary passenger tank locomotive family, which Stanier refined from the earlier Fowler 2-6-4T (introduced 1927) into a more modern and capable type. The Stanier 2-6-4T of 1935 and the subsequent Fairburn 2-6-4T of 1945 formed the backbone of LMS and early BR suburban and secondary passenger working across the Midland, London Tilbury and Southend, and other former-LMS routes, and are among the most numerous and successful British tank locomotive classes of the 1930s–50s.
Stanier's 2-6-4T design applied his characteristic taper boiler and improved steam circuit to the Fowler template, giving significantly better performance and reliability on the demanding suburban working of the Midland lines and the intensive LTS services out of Fenchurch Street and St Pancras. The six coupled driving wheels gave good adhesion for starting heavily-loaded suburban trains, and the side tanks provided generous water capacity for the extended suburban turns.
Several Stanier and Fairburn 2-6-4T locomotives are preserved on heritage railways, representing this important class of LMS and early BR suburban tank. For specific details see the individual class entries for the Stanier 2-6-4T and Fairburn 2-6-4T.
Design and development
Stanier developed the LMS 2-6-4T from the Fowler 2-6-4T in 1934–35, applying his taper boiler and improved steam circuit. Fairburn refined the design further in 1945 with minor improvements. The family became the LMS and early BR standard suburban tank type on former-Midland and LTS routes.
Service and withdrawals
Worked LMS and BR suburban services from 1935 on Midland Division and LTS routes. BR withdrew the fleet in the 1960s as diesel multiple units replaced suburban steam. Several preserved.
Identification features
See LMS Fowler 2-6-4T or LMS 2P 4-4-0.
