LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0

LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0
Technical specifications
Designer(s)	Henry Ivatt
Manufacturer(s)	LMS & BR Crewe works BR Darlington Works BR Swindon Works
Build date	1946-1953
Total produced	128
Classification	2F, BR 2MT
Rail gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Valve gear	Walschaerts
Cylinders	Two, Outside
Boiler pressure	200psi superheated
Fuel type	Coal
Performance figures
Tractive effort	17,410lbf (46465 onwards 18,510lbf)
Service information
Years in-service	Mixed Traffic
Running numbers	LMS: 6400–6419 BR: 46400–46527
Scrapped	121
Disposition details
Preserved	7

The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0 is a class of steam locomotive that was designed by George Ivatt for light mixed traffic.

Construction

A total of 128 members of the class 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.

1. 1946 Crewe – Lot 182 – No.6400 to 6409 (BR No.46400 to 46409) – 10 engines
2. 1947 Crewe – Lot 189 – No.6410 to 6419 (BR No.46410 to 46419) – 10 engines
3. 1948 Crewe – Lot 194 – No.46420 to 46434 – 15 engines
4. 1950 Crewe – Lot 201 – No.46435 to 46449 – 15 engines
5. 1950 Crewe – Lot 207 – No.46450 to 46459 – 10 engines
6. 1950 Crewe – Lot 208 – No.46460 to 46464 – 5 engines
7. 1951 Darlington – Lot 1309 – No.46465 to 46482 – 18 engines
8. 1951-52 Darlington – Lot 1310 – No.46483 to 46502 – 20 engines
9. 1952-53 Swindon – Lot 394 – No.46503 to 46527 – 25 engines

Withdrawal

Withdrawals commenced in the 1960s due to the shutdown of branch lines and the mass removal of steam locomotives from service.

The first withdrawals of the class were made in 1961 with the last remaining 42 locomotives being completely withdrawn by 1967.

Preservation

Seven members of the class have survived into preservation,

• No. 46428 is undergoing restoration from scrapyard condition to working order at the East Lancashire Railway. Only one yet to steam in preservation.
• No. 46441 is currently undergoing an overhaul at the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway.
• No. 46443 is on static display at the Severn Valley Railway.
• No. 46447 is currently located at the East Somerset Railway while on loan from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
• No. 46464 is undergoing restoration at the Strathspey Railway.
• No. 46512 is currently operational at the Strathspey Railway
• No. 46521 is currently undergoing an overhaul at the Great Central Railway.

Three of them were purchased directly from British Railways while the other four preserved examples were rescued from the Woodham Brothers Scrapyard in Barry, South Wales. The ones rescued from the Barry scrapyard include No. 46428, No. 46447, No. 46512, and No. 46521. The ones sold directly into preservation from British Railways include No. 46441, No. 46443, and No. 46464.

Five were built at Crewe Works and two were built at Swindon Works. Two members of the class have also operated on the mainline in preservation: No. 46441 and 46443.

In fiction

• No. 46521 appeared in the sitcom "Oh, Doctor Beeching!' which is where it received the nickname 'Blossom'.
• Both No. 46443 and No, 46521 appeared in the 1976 Universal Pictures film "The Seven-Per-Cent Solution".

Gallery