Fowler Class 4P 2-6-4 Tank Locomotive
LMS Class 4P no 42421 at Hibel Road Station, Macclesfield
Ben Brooksbank, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Technical Data
Introduced: 1927
No. Built: 125
Wheel arrangement: 2-6-4TThis was a medium-sized tank locomotive intended as a general purpose locomotive, mainly for short passenger workings. The 2-6-4 wheel arrangement did generate some initial concerns, as a Southern Railway locomotive of a similar wheel arrangement had been involved in a serious accident in 1927, which was mainly attributed (but not the sole cause) of the accident. However, the LMS design proved reasonably trouble-free, and Fowler's design would be the first of several variants, eventually culminating in the BR Standard 4 2-6-4T design. The locomotives were capable of reaching 80mph on some workings.
Several batches of the locomotives were produced, with William Stanier making some adjustments to the final few locomotives built, prior to his own version entering production.
| Locomotive Numbers | Year Built | Works |
| 2300-2303 | 1927 | Derby |
| 2304-2324 | 1928 | Derby |
2325-2374 | 1929 | Derby |
2375-2384 | 1932 | Derby |
2385-2394 | 1933 | Derby |
| 2395-2423* | 1933 | Derby |
| 2424* | 1934 | Derby |
Notes
* - Built with side cab windows
Preservation
None of the class survived into preservation (although there is an Irish steam locomotive preserved of a similar design, but at a wider track gauge). A proposal for a new-build member of the class by the LMS-Patriot Society was proposed, but has recently been shelved in order to concentrate resources on the 5551 "The Unknown Warrior".