Strathspey Railway Boat of Garten station
Elderly 0-6-0s formed the backbone of the low-powered LMS locomotive fleet. William Stanier had concentrated on introducing larger engines and it was left to George Ivatt to introduce a new class of medium-powered locomotive. He designed a tender version of the Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T, introduced at the same time, which was based on the Great Western 4500 and 4575 classes. While the 2-6-2Ts were less than successful, the 2-6-0s were well-suited to their task and quickly became a success. Along with the BR standard class 2 2-6-0, these locomotives are often referred to by the nickname "Mickey Mouse". A total of 218 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 to a slightly modified design with a slightly cut-down cab and BR standard fittings. The LMS classified them 2F, BR as 2MT. 18 were built at Doncaster and allocated to the Eastern and North Eastern regions. 25 were built at Swindon and allocated to the Western Region. The Swindon locomotives were turned out in lined green, the rest carried black livery. None of them was named.
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Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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