Description
The LNWR 380 Class “Beames Tank” is the final design of LNWR eight-coupled goods engines, which appeared in the first few months of the LMS period. Whereas Bowen Cooke’s 0-8-2T had been designed purely for shunting, the 0-8-4Ts were intended for haulage of heavy goods trains & passenger services, which is why greater coal capacity was provided, they spent most of their lives in the steeply graded South Wales Area. They were essentially a tank engine version of the “G2” or more commonly known “Super Ds” with a higher boiler pressure, 185lb. instead of 175lb. Although they were designed under the LNWR regime, they were not built until the LMS ownership in 1923. The first fifteen locomotives were given LNWR numbers and painted in LNWR blackberry but with LMS on the tank sides because the LMS numbering scheme had not finished but were eventually all given LMS numbers after the later batch were complete. They were given a power classification of 5F. They could also be seen on passenger traffic between Abergavenny & Merthyr but also could be seen in Tredegar, Blaenavon High Level & Manchester-Buxton passenger services. Although very capable machines, they did have issues such as straightening track curves & splitting their tanks causing water to leak but remained a principle mixed traffic locomotive until withdrawls began in 1944. Only fourteen lasted into British Railways ownership in 1948 but only two surviving long enough to receive their BR numbers & only one long enough to carry “Early Crest” with the other in LMS livery still. The last withdrawl came in 1951.
Karl Bones (verified owner) –
This DLC is wonderful it’s not too hard to drive but to easy either the controls are the same as the LSWR T9 without the extra headcodes, i’m very happy about the detail inside the cab because it looks like a crew works on this bring tools and equipment along with any other items like the tea kettle it creates the feeling of this loco is you’re you take the next train with it, the reverser is a great new feature on the C.W.
John Blessing (verified owner) –
To say this tank engine has left a favorable impression on me is an understatement. First and foremost, it shocked me with it’s turn of speed for a freight tank in the same power classification as that of the 4200/5205/7200 of the GWR.
Another thing it left me impressed with is it’s limitless use. I trialed it as a banker between Inchcombe and Thenhill on the Granfield Revisited Line to see how it handled a Caley 34 and 25 wagons and while it did struggle to get up to speed, once it got going and got speed up, the hill practically flattened itself under the tank’s wheels.
While it’s controls maybe simple to use, it’s the wide range of versatile duties the engine can take on (depending on what the player wants to do with it.)