LMS Fowler 2P

Description

HISTORY OF THE 2P

Built in 1928 by Derby under the design of Henry Fowler to standardize the countless 4 4-0s from the previously absorbed Midland Railway but instead of retrofitting the existing MR 4-4-0s, Fowler decided to build a brand new 4-4-0 first. Then after the 2P proved successful, the previous MR 4-4-0s would be rebuilt to 2P specs (albeit keeping to MR right hand drive). The LMS 2Ps were a post-grouping design based on the previous Midland Railway 483 Class which dated back to 1882 to 1921.

However, the LMS 2Ps improved on the MR designs with modified dimensions & reduced boiler mountings and more importantly, improved axleboxes than their Midland counterparts. The numbering of the 2Ps continued where the MR 4-4-0s left off from 563 to 700. Over 138 were built between 1928 & 1932.

Designed for light passenger work they proved very successful as the 4-4-0 was already a proven design in the UK, however, they found themselves at home on the former Glasgow & South Western Railway lines having replaced the terrible & non-standard GSWR locos. Former GSWR crews took to them immediately & found them vastly superior to the older pregrouping locos from the GSWR. Where loads dictated, the 2Ps were often double-headed primarily as the LMS had a shortage of larger heavy duty or express locomotives to serve such services until Stanier came along.

Three LMS 2Ps were allocated to the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway in 1928 (Nos. 44, 45 & 46) where they received the famous Prussian blue livery, the only LMS 2Ps to wear anything other than black. They were retaken back into LMS stock in 1930 where they were painted back into LMS Black. A very short-lived livery.

Upon nationalization in 1948, British Railways added 40000 to the numbers of the remaining 136 engines. Where they received BR Unlined Black & BR Lined Black mixed traffic livery. Their duties remained unchanged from their LMS days until withdrawals began between 1954 and 1962. Unfortunately, none have survived into preservation.