LSWR 415 Radial Tank Class

The LSWR's 415 class was Adams's response to the railway's growing London suburban traffic — a 4-4-2 tank engine with 5 ft 7 in coupled wheels. The radial axleboxes for the leading and trailing axles were a notable engineering feature, allowing them to translate radially within the frame as the engine traversed curves; this gave the engines exceptionally good riding for the period.

71 engines were built between 1882 and 1885 by Beyer Peacock and other contractors. They worked LSWR London suburban services through the 1880s and 1890s, but were displaced by Drummond's M7 0-4-4Ts from 1897 onwards.

Most of the class was withdrawn between 1900 and 1928. However, the LSWR's Lyme Regis branch — a steeply-graded, tightly-curved single-track line — proved difficult to work with conventional engines, and three Adams 4-4-2Ts were retained specifically for that branch. They worked Lyme Regis from 1916 until 1961, by which time they were the last LSWR Adams engines in service.

Two of the Lyme Regis trio were preserved: 488 (LSWR No. 488, then 30583 in BR days) by the National Railway Museum and now operating on the Bluebell Railway; and another, 30584, was scrapped after withdrawal in 1962.

4-4-2 tank engine with leading 4-wheel bogie, two coupled axles, and a single trailing carrying axle. Radial axleboxes on the leading and trailing axles. 5 ft 7 in coupled wheels. Distinctive Adams styling with stovepipe chimney and small cab.

• 488 / 30583 (1885, Bluebell Railway)