BR standard class 2 2-6-2T

Infobox Locomotive
powertype=Steam
name = BR standard class 2 2-6-2T

---

caption = 84007 in the snow at Annesley 13 January 1963.
designer = R. A. Riddles
builder = Derby Works
builddate = 1953
totalproduction = 30
whytetype = 2-6-2T
gauge = 4' 8½"
leadingsize =
driversize = 5' 0"
length =
weight = 63 tons 5 cwt
fueltype = coal
fuelc

waterc

cylindercount = two outside
cylindersize = 16½" x 24"
firearea =
boilerpressure = 200 psi
tractiveeffort = 18,515 lbf
railroadclass= 2MT|

The British Railways standard class 2 2-6-2T was a class of steam locomotive, one of the standard classes of the 1950s.

Design and construction

The class was designed at Derby Works derived from the LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T which BR had built past nationalisation, and introduced in 1953. Modifications were made to the Ivatt design including a reduced cab to reduce the loading gauge and some standard fittings. BR classified them 2MT, emphasising a mixed-traffic role.

As most services which required 2MT 2-6-2Ts were already served by the 130 Ivatt engines, B.R. only ordered 30 engines, which eliminated pre-grouping steam locomotives as much as possible on local services.

The first 20 engines were outshopped at Crewe works, and intended for use on ex-London Midland and Scottish Railway routes, then known as the London Midland Region.The second batch, this time built at Darlington, were numbered 84020-84029, and intended for Southern Region lines.

Liveries

Only two liveries were carried by the 2MTs- British Railway lined black with the earlier and later emblems. Although all locomotives received the latter, only 84000-84019 received the early emblem as the Darlington built locomotives were constructed in 1957, following the 1956 changeover to the late crest. The Darlington engines carried large 10 inch (approximately 25cm) high cab-side numerals, whilst the Crewe engines carried standard 8 inch (Approximately 20cm) high numerals.

Service

The LMR locomotives were used on push-pull routes, and were often allocated alongside the Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T engines with which they shared most of their origins. Numbers 84021-84029, the Southern Region locomotives were all allocated to the "Eastern Section" depot at Ashford for use on the lines over Romney Marsh and local trains on the Margate via Canterbury West route. Most were transferred away to the North Eastern Region in the early 1960s following electrification, but several locomotives (including some of the LMR allocation) were re-allocated to Eastleigh in 1965 for possible use on the Isle of Wight replacing life expired ex-London and South Western railway "O2" 0-4-4T engines, which dated from the turn of the century. However, this did not cover coaching stock replacement, and thus the locomotives were scrapped.

Preservation

Despite their potential usefulness to heritage railways none have survived the cutter's torch. The last of these engines in service were those based on the Isle of Wight and withdrawn in November 1965. However, four of the sister 2-6-0s tender engines did survive and one of these, 78059, based on the Bluebell Railway, is to be rebuilt into 2-6-2T "84030". This takes the next number in the original series. 78059 will be converted because it lacks a tender and the Bluebell Railway's preference for tank engines. http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/locos/84030.html

References

* "A Detailed History of British Railways Standard Steam Locomotives: vol 3 Tank Engine Classes" Paul J Chancellor, R K Taylor (Editor), (December 1997) Railway Correspondence & Travel Society (RCTS) ISBN 0-901115-77-0

External links

* [http://www.railuk.co.uk/steam/getsteamclass.php?item=BR2/2 Railuk database]
* [http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/locos/84030.html Bluebell page for "84030"]