LMS Fowler Class 4F

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44252 at Coalville MPD, June 1955. It is in unlined BR black livery with the early crest on its tender.

44458 waits at Stanton Gate, 1965. Note the yellow cabside stripe that indicates that it is prohibited from the electrified West Coast Main Line south of Crewe where it is out-of-gauge.

An earlier view of 44458, this time passing Water Orton.

44088 on southbound goods at Rowsley September 1958.

44441 light engine, stopped near Elstree Tunnel by a signal, June 1960. This has the later BR crest on its tender.

The London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Fowler 4F is a class of 0-6-0 steam locomotive designed for medium freight work. They represent the ultimate development of Midland Railway's six coupled tender engines.

[edit] Background

The 4F was based on the 197-strong Midland Railway 3835 Class of 1911, with only a few modifications, primarily the adoption of left-hand drive in favour of right-hand drive. They originally had been designed by Henry Fowler, who from 1925 became CME of the LMS.

Midland Railway locomotives were notorious for their short axle-box bearings, which were prone to overheating. Why this poor design feature was perpetuated is a complete mystery but, unfortunately, the LMS 4F inherited it.

[edit] Construction

The LMS constructed 530 of the locomotives between 1923 and 1928, numbered sequentially from where the Midland engines left off from 4027. A further 45 examples were reluctantly authorised by William Stanier in 1937 at the behest of the operating department.

The missing numbers 44557-44561 relate to locomotives built to Midland Railway design for the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway in 1922.

All entered British Railways stock in 1948. BR added 40000 to their numbers. They were all withdrawn between 1959 and 1966.

[edit] Preservation

The first-built LMS 4F, No. 4027 in steam at the Rainhill Trials 150th anniversary calvacade, May 1980.

Preserved 44422 stands in the rain on the East Lancs Railway.

Three LMS-built 4Fs survive. The first-built LMS 4F No. (4)4027 is part of the National Railway Collection. Classmates (4)4123 and (4)4422 have also escaped the cutter's torch. In addition, one of the Midland-built 4Fs, (4)3924 also survives.

[edit] Dimensions

• LMS/BR Power classification, 4F
• Locomotive weight, 48 tons 15 cwt
  • Tender weight, Not known
• Boiler pressure, 175 psi
• Superheater, Yes
• Cylinders, 20"x26"
• Driving wheel diameter, 5' 3"
• Tractive effort, 24,555 lb
• Valve gear, Stephenson (piston valves)

For terminology, see Steam locomotive components

[edit] External links

• Railuk database
• The 44422 Locomotive Fund
• The London Midland Society