LMS Garratt
Encyclopedia
The London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Garratt was a class of Garratt
2-6-0+0-6-2 steam locomotive
designed for heavy freight. A total of 33 were built from 1927, making them the most numerous class of Garratt in Britain.
's "small engine policy" that led to most of the Toton (Nottinghamshire
)-Brent
(London
) coal
trains being double-headed by 0-6-0
locomotives. The LNER had introduced a solitary U1 2-8-0+0-8-2
Garratt in 1925 for banking work. It was realised that double heading was uneconomical so a double locomotive was ordered from Beyer, Peacock and Company
. However, Derby
insisted on fitting their standard axle boxes which frequently overheated on the LMS Class 4F 0-6-0 to the design and this was their principal weakness, resulting in the design not being successful. They were always heavy on coal and maintenance.
Three locomotives were built in April 1927 and the remaining 30 were built August – November 1930. All were built with straight sided bunkers but from 1931 the 1930 locomotives and the last of the 1927 trio were fitted with revolving coal bunkers.
These were conical in shape and were revolved or oscillated by means of a small 2-cylinder steam engine. The revolving bunkers prevented coal dust
from entering the cab and the oscillation facility made them self-trimming.
Originally number 4967–4999 the numbering was unusual in that the 1930 builds preceded those of 1927. They were later renumbered 7967–7999 in the same order to make way for the new Black 5’s
. British Railways added 40000 to their numbers.
The roundhouses at Toton MPD had to have extra length Garratt roads to accommodate them. Mostly used for heavy coal trains, they later found other uses as well. Others were allocated to Wellingborough
and Hasland
near Chesterfield. Trains for Manchester
were generally routed along the Hope Valley Line
and the Garratts normally came off their trains at the Gowhole freight sidings just south of Chinley. A few would work the Ambergate to Pye Bridge Line
using the north curve at Ambergate
, but only as far as Rowsley
, where the train would be split. This was normal for goods trains because of the danger of couplings breaking on the climb to Peak Forest
. In addition, although they had ample tractive effort to climb the gradient, in the days before goods wagons were braked there were problems on the way down into Chinley
. On an early attempt, the loco was inspected at Heaton Mersey and it was found that all of its brake blocks had melted.
The class was withdrawn between June 1955 and April 1958.
None has survived into preservation.
, who transferred the moulding tools to their own factory; they re-introduced some of the former Kitmaster range, but the Garratt model was not among them. The moulding tools for this locomotive were scrapped in 1982.
Garratt
A Garratt is a type of steam locomotive that is articulated in three parts. Its boiler is mounted on the centre frame, and two steam engines are mounted on separate frames, one on each end of the boiler. Articulation permits larger locomotives to negotiate curves and lighter rails that might...
2-6-0+0-6-2 steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
designed for heavy freight. A total of 33 were built from 1927, making them the most numerous class of Garratt in Britain.
Overview
The LMS had been following the Midland RailwayMidland Railway
The Midland Railway was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844 to 1922, when it became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway....
's "small engine policy" that led to most of the Toton (Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
)-Brent
Brent sidings
Brent sidings was an important marshalling yard and freight facility on the Midland Railway extension to London.-History:The sidings were situated on both sides of the Midland Main Line between and stations, close to the triangle formed where the Dudding Hill Line left the main line...
(London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
) coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
trains being double-headed by 0-6-0
0-6-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels...
locomotives. The LNER had introduced a solitary U1 2-8-0+0-8-2
LNER Class U1
The London and North Eastern Railway Class U1 was a solitary 2-8-0+0-8-2 Beyer-Garratt locomotive designed for banking coal trains over the Worsborough Bank, a steeply graded line in South Yorkshire and part of the Woodhead Route. It was both the longest and the most powerful steam locomotive ever...
Garratt in 1925 for banking work. It was realised that double heading was uneconomical so a double locomotive was ordered from Beyer, Peacock and Company
Beyer, Peacock and Company
Beyer, Peacock and Company was an English railway Locomotive manufacturer with a factory in Gorton, Manchester. Founded by Charles Beyer and Richard Peacock, it traded from 1854 until 1966...
. However, Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
insisted on fitting their standard axle boxes which frequently overheated on the LMS Class 4F 0-6-0 to the design and this was their principal weakness, resulting in the design not being successful. They were always heavy on coal and maintenance.
Three locomotives were built in April 1927 and the remaining 30 were built August – November 1930. All were built with straight sided bunkers but from 1931 the 1930 locomotives and the last of the 1927 trio were fitted with revolving coal bunkers.
These were conical in shape and were revolved or oscillated by means of a small 2-cylinder steam engine. The revolving bunkers prevented coal dust
Coal dust
Coal dust is a fine powdered form of coal, which is created by the crushing, grinding, or pulverizing of coal. Because of the brittle nature of coal, coal dust can be created during mining, transportation, or by mechanically handling coal.-Explosions:...
from entering the cab and the oscillation facility made them self-trimming.
Originally number 4967–4999 the numbering was unusual in that the 1930 builds preceded those of 1927. They were later renumbered 7967–7999 in the same order to make way for the new Black 5’s
LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0
The London Midland and Scottish Railway's Class 5 4-6-0, almost universally known as the Black Five, is a class of steam locomotive. It was introduced by William Stanier in 1934 and 842 were built between then and 1951...
. British Railways added 40000 to their numbers.
The roundhouses at Toton MPD had to have extra length Garratt roads to accommodate them. Mostly used for heavy coal trains, they later found other uses as well. Others were allocated to Wellingborough
Wellingborough
Wellingborough is a market town and borough in Northamptonshire, England, situated some from the county town of Northampton. The town is situated on the north side of the River Nene, most of the older town is sited on the flanks of the hills above the river's current flood plain...
and Hasland
Hasland
Hasland is a suburb in the south-east of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. Although many local residents refer to it as a village, it expanded greatly during the 20th century and now merges with Chesterfield itself.- Churches :...
near Chesterfield. Trains for Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
were generally routed along the Hope Valley Line
Hope Valley Line
The Hope Valley Line is a railway line in England linking Sheffield with Manchester. It was completed in 1894.From Sheffield, trains head down the Midland Main Line to Dore, where the Hope Valley Line branches off to run through the Totley Tunnel .It emerges in the stunning scenery of the Hope...
and the Garratts normally came off their trains at the Gowhole freight sidings just south of Chinley. A few would work the Ambergate to Pye Bridge Line
Ambergate to Pye Bridge Line
The Ambergate to Pye Bridge Line is a partially disused, partially restored, and partially developed for other uses railway line in Derbyshire, England...
using the north curve at Ambergate
Ambergate railway station
Ambergate railway station is a railway station owned by Network Rail and managed by East Midlands Trains Train operating company . It serves the village of Ambergate in Derbyshire...
, but only as far as Rowsley
Rowsley railway station
Rowsley railway station was opened in 1849 by the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway to serve the village of Rowsley in Derbyshire.-Opening:...
, where the train would be split. This was normal for goods trains because of the danger of couplings breaking on the climb to Peak Forest
Peak Forest
Peak Forest is a small village on the main road the from Chapel-en-le-Frith to Chesterfield in England.The village grew from the earlier settlement of Dam at the conjunction of Perrydale and Damdale. There is an inn, a village shop and a Primary School...
. In addition, although they had ample tractive effort to climb the gradient, in the days before goods wagons were braked there were problems on the way down into Chinley
Chinley railway station
Chinley railway station serves the village of Chinley in Derbyshire. The station is 28 km south east of Manchester Piccadilly....
. On an early attempt, the loco was inspected at Heaton Mersey and it was found that all of its brake blocks had melted.
The class was withdrawn between June 1955 and April 1958.
None has survived into preservation.
Technical
- Power Classification: Not classified
- Introduced: 1927–1930
- Designer: Sir Henry Fowler & Beyer, Peacock and CompanyBeyer, Peacock and CompanyBeyer, Peacock and Company was an English railway Locomotive manufacturer with a factory in Gorton, Manchester. Founded by Charles Beyer and Richard Peacock, it traded from 1854 until 1966...
- Weights:
- Loco – 148 t 15 cwt (Fixed Bunker), 155 t 10 cwt (Rotary Bunker)
- Driving Wheel: 5 in 3 in (1.6 m)
- Boiler pressure: 190 psi superheated
- Cylinders (4): 16½ × 26 in (Outside)
- Tractive Effort: 45620 lbf (202,927.9 N)
- Valve Gear: Walschaert (piston valves)
Models
The erstwhile Kitmaster company produced an unpowered polystyrene injection moulded 00 scale model, which went on sale in March 1961. In late 1962, the Kitmaster brand was sold by its parent company (Rosebud Dolls) to AirfixAirfix
Airfix is a UK manufacturer of plastic scale model kits of aircraft and other subjects. In Britain, the name Airfix is synonymous with the hobby, a plastic model of this type is often simply referred to as "an airfix kit" even if made by another manufacturer....
, who transferred the moulding tools to their own factory; they re-introduced some of the former Kitmaster range, but the Garratt model was not among them. The moulding tools for this locomotive were scrapped in 1982.